i'm a musician thinking of quitting please help

I say if it's your passion don't quit. But I am not very objective as I have massive love and respect for musicians.

And can't for the life of me figure out why I was born with no musical talent!

It's a blessing OP.

Can you get a day job that will pay the bills and do music on the side? Lets be real - few artists and musicians "make it" in this world, so you need a back up plan. If it's truly your passion, still do it but don't expect to make a living off it.

DON'T QUIT!

I am a musician also, it is my passion and brings me the greatest joy. I do not do this for money, i have never even released a song.

I do it because i love music, not to make an income.

You should play at old folks homes.

^this^

Smoke some weed, you'll feel better and want to play or at least listen to music...

Not many people make a living at it...most musicians pay out more than they make

I did what I believe is the "right thing" by quitting a career I despised. I am extremely poor because of it and can't afford to go buy myself a new shirt whenever I want to, so that sucks. But I am spiritually happy even if my physical self suffers. LOL It all depends on what is important to you, OP. If you love music, nothing else will make you happy. You will always be settling. If you can handle intense budgeting to do what you love, then congratulations, you have done what many will envy you for.

I am a guitarist and quit the band thing years ago. My music is my therapy, if it were my job, I am afraid that it wouldn't be my escape any longer.

I played in a band for 12 years (drummer-and sang some)
The most we ever made gigging was $500.It`s been about 10 years since the band broke up.I still have my kit set up
in my living room and play when the urge hits me.Don`t
ever lose your passion bro.There is nothing else like it.
It is the best escape from this fucked up world that we
live in,and you have the gift enjoy it for your peace of
mind and your sanity.

You can never quit music, because it wells up from inside of you. Sometimes the band thing runs it's course and it's time for a change anyway. Te money was never good for anyone except the bands that got lucky and had popular songs.
You could always just scale it back to a hobby and keep hope alive, or look for part-time work related to music and playing that isn't necessarily a band/gig enviroment, to keep your resume going and progress somewhat if you still think you deserve another shot with a better outfit later on.
Or just grind down in your basement and enjoy your talent, you can still have fun and entertain guests, some or the best music takes a long time to write and forms in a way other than sitting down trying to compose a song because your making one.

Thanks , really nice comment,i wish i could but i have a family to bring up , i will continue to play but on my own i guess, i will not gig again, i hate the industry , i hate that i have to drive a bag of shit van, i hate too many things about being in a band than i love things about being in a band

i think its time to move on, settling doesn't seem so bad if it gets me a steady job and debts paid off so im no longer stressed then can't be too bad.

thanks to everyone for commenting and your thoughts, if i were religious i'd bless you but im not so a Deep thank you will have to do :)

As a fellow musician, I know exactly how you feel. Music has always been my passion, but it doesn't guarantee any money. I am currently a teacher ,and a journalist. Do I play music? Of course. I record all the time ,but I do it for enjoyment. I don't do it for money. You have to find something else to sustain you financially. If anything, I think this has helped me maintain my love for music. If I were depending on it to pay my bills, I might start to view it as a "job" with expectations, and high pressure. I might start to forget why I ever started playing in the first place.

I write music too.
I'm a music writer.
A writer of music.
A music man.
A man of music.
A musical man.
A muscular musical man.
Gosh I am bored...

Quit what exactly? Your band, or playing music?

If you're questioning about quitting your band because it doesn't pay, YES, quit, you'll be doing your band mates a favor.

If you're questioning about quitting playing music, then yes please do so immediately. Music is a passion, it's alive, it is there through all our lives, the good, the bad moments. From birth to death, music is with us, expressing our sentiments and thoughts. Guys playing a song, singing a ballad to his girlfriend to express words he can't just say... Umm, dude, you're questioning this then please quit, do everyone a favor.

I don't know much about music. Been playing for only about 30 years, so I can't say I know it all. I work for a living and play music on my time, some gigs pay, some don't. Some make you a couple of thousand bucks, some barely cover expenses. I'm just so thankful if I get anything at all. Why? Because when I play live, it's to give, to release to the crowd. When I see a smile, a tear, dancing or someone walking up to me after, to talk about the music, the rig, anything at all. THAT is all the reward I need. Hey, that's just me.

take a break from the live band thing and stay home and compose music and record on your computer. playing along to tracks you've laid down is great fun.

you should start tweeting your music
140 notes or less

been there done that. 13 yrs as a performing musician, 6 yrs as a promoter, 5 years as a music and entertainment magazine publisher.

retired from it all.

still jam with my friends. once in a while lay tracks for a musician friend. but, that's about it.

sorry i should have worded it right, i don't think i'll ever stop playing / creating music, but i have toured and played gigs for so long i just have had my fill, i have great times and a successful career at one point but it all ground to a halt a few years back and now im left with great music, no money to promote it, no interest from anyone as the industry has died,
i threw all my eggs in one basket and decided being a musician was it, and if i didn't put my all in then i wouldn't get anywhere, well it didn't have a long term effect i was after. and before im too old i need to get myself a real job instead of this shit i doo to pay the bills just...

"I just hate performing to people"

There is one of the issues. The chances of making a living as a musician without performing live are very slim.

If you are both very technically proficient and excellent at improvisation, you could look into doing session work for recording. Although getting a foot in that door is going to be tough.

Although I play guitar, keyboards, and drums. I made the decision long ago that I was only going to do it for my own enjoyment. Making a living doing it would be wonderful, but that boat sailed a long time ago.

Follow your Passion, always believe. Faith my brother :) trust it.

there are alot of strong opinions in music from musicians who are very passionate but it's not reality when you have a family. being away for so long is a joke, you miss so much of their youth, single musicians ,fair enough take it away enjoy it, i know i did, but its not realistic for a long term goal in life, no security, being a musician is wonderful and i wouldn't take it away from anyone but making a living from it is damn near a joke

you can't quit being a musician, it just is, but be careful music doesn't quit you for considering that it isn't

for the last 20 yrs bands pay to play.
most musicians have a day job.
sucks.

Can your ability transfer to the finer arts? They seem to do well.

-make a youtube account
-start covering or adding your own twist to songs that are "hip and cool" right now(even though you might hate it, but it helps you get some good views and publicity on the channel)
-create social pages(facebook,twitter) to keep in touch with your fans/audience, it makes them loyal, makes them feel for you
-slowly start showing your real talent, release your songs
-give people download links for songs either free(first couple of songs or whatnot) or put them on itunes
-people will start noticing you, you will be called for bookings for certain events etc etc.
-make "behind the scenes" videos, again it makes the audience have your back
-do live shows, answer question, basically anything that has to do with interacting with those that watch what you do

I guess this only works if you're really good, but that doesn't mean it's a rule.(take JB for reference). I wish you luck, hope you find my advice interesting if not helpful :)

Music is the heart of the soul. It's a universal smile. Don't give up. Do what you love and the rest will follow.

Hi,I "quit" 23 years ago and got a "proper" job ...it was the worst decision i ever made. it may not earn you a living ,but if music is part of who you are then never,ever quit,enjoy your music for itself.

Play first and foremost to enjoy, to gratify yourself and to others you play to, and not to make money.

Too many folk only focus on the $ / £ even when they're good.

Live your life, put your focus on that and your loved ones, keep the music as a hobby. Get a normal job doing something that people need, get some self worth, and have others value that worth.

But keep on rockin' in the meantime, if it was meant to be you'll get a lucky break at some point.

Music is magic, in my opinion God's greatest gift, and if you're not a believer, heck it's just fucking awesome! It doesn't have to be monetised, and it's become vulgar the extent to which it is these days. Like I say if it was really meant to be it will happen, don't put your life on hold waiting for that!

This^^^

Plus focus on internet. Make a website and post your tracks on the portals where people can pay for downloading tracks or may pay some donations to the artists. Those portals become a very popular for independent artists.

If you get the recognition and popularity I'm sure you will get some contracts.

I'm not a musician, but I think that people should try to do what they like because then they can get the most.

Your suppose to be playing music for yourself, not for money and fame. Most people that do end up playing music do it because they love it.