Changing Careers Within Music + Location Questions

Tagged: changing careers, Los Angeles, minneapolis, New York, saxophone, voice

This topic has 6 voices, contains 7 replies, and was last updated by Nick Rosaci 207 days ago.

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October 19, 2011 at 4:00 pm #6870
mj	<p>Hey y’all.</p> <p>I’m a professionally trained saxophonist, but I’ve fairly recently decided to pursue voice instead. Not to say I won’t continue to play sax, but it just doesn’t move me in the way singing does. To be clear, I’m talking about singing in a popular style recording artist context, not Broadway, classical, etc. I also want to write/arrange, produce and record. I currently make my living transcribing and arranging charts for singers, teaching saxophone and gigging on both voice and sax.</p> <p>I find myself feeling like I have to start over in the sense that I have no vocal training, but I have all of the general musical skills from my previous education and experience. I’m good at it, too. I know I’ve got the talent required. </p> <p>Location questions: I’ve read David’s posts about New York, and I largely agree with it (even though I’ve never lived there). There are some conflicting ideas that I’d love to hear your opinions on (David and forum members). The article is HERE and it’s about working a smaller scene (for me this would be Minneapolis), the advantages of that and how it would lead to being "called" or "invited" to NY or LA. The concept is that if you’re doing something awesome you will eventually end up there but you don’t have to break the bank in the meantime. It also mentions that you retain authenticity when you represent where you are from = local fans are loyal to you because you represent where THEY are from as well = success = bigger things?</p> <p>My background: </p> <p>BM in Jazz Studies from Indiana University, 2008 (saxophone)</p> <p>-After graduation moved to Minneapolis (where I’m from) with my fiancé (drummer, same educational background), really only because I liked it better than Indiana and didn’t know what I wanted to do yet</p> <p>-Let conventional wisdom and parent-talk go to my head = got an office job</p> <p>-Tried to play in several bands (all of which I liked on the surface level) on weeknights after my 9-5 and hated it (too exhausted, also bands were disorganized/inefficient and I couldn’t take them seriously)</p> <p>-Quit everything and took a cruise ship gig that offered an insane itinerary (Mediterranean-Middle East-Eastern Europe-India-South Africa). I didn’t want to leave Minneapolis specifically, I just wanted to leave the life (work) that I had created.</p> <p>-Loved the travel, hated cruise ship life, but did it for 9 months. Got a decent amount of vocal experience (my voice really exploded after the ship)</p> <p>-Moved in with fiancé’s parents (no savings or income to support ourselves because we spent our cruise money on travel-related stuff at the time) in a medium-sized middle-of-nowhere town that has a total of about 5 serious local pro musicians</p> <p>-Got married, secured freelance performance and teaching work (still not enough to make a real living with yet)</p> <p>-NOW: Hate the town where I live (not enough opportunities, not enough like-minded individuals, lifestyle issues, not very cultured or interesting, etc.) and have always wanted to move somewhere big like NY or LA for different reasons. NY because I know so many people there, it’s exciting…LA because the sunshine feels so damn good and it’s also an awesome scene, but I don’t know very many people there. Husband wants to teach and doesn’t feel the same drive. I’m not sure where I should go to nurture my new desires with voice. It’s not like I’m trying to make a living as a gigging jazz saxophonist anymore.</p> <p>Thanks for reading. </p>
October 19, 2011 at 6:18 pm #7903
David J. Hahn	I don’t know, man. If it was so easy to build a fan base and be “invited” to New York or LA, there’d be invitations going out daily. But more importantly – I’m not sure who would invite you? Record labels? Studios? Those are mostly gone – and the ones around aren’t scanning Minnesota for new talent. Here’s what I think – there’s no right answer and there’s no magic pill. Just start walking and don’t stop until you get to where you want to be. LA won’t be any easier than New York and vice-versa. Making a career like this is very difficult and there are no shortcuts. It’ll be hard no matter where you go. But you’re losing time deliberating about it – just go somewhere and start your hustle. You’ll figure it out as you go.
October 19, 2011 at 8:52 pm #7904
MissusTurner	TBH, you sound unfocused, picky, and somewhat dark about your local scene. With all due respect, you might want to consider working on those, as well as not hanging up that horn just yet. Doublers get way more work, and singers are a dime a dozen. We don’t always get to be pure artistes and perform precisely how we want. It’s just how these things go.
October 20, 2011 at 3:05 am #7905
Andree-Ann	1. Being too exhausted is not a reason to quit a gig. 2. You won’t get more work in LA or NYC. I come from a small town, lived in Montreal, Toronto and LA and to be honest, I got more gigs back in my hometown where people knew me. However, the few gigs I’ve had in the bigger cities were a bit more exciting. 3. Not knowing a lot of people in a city (LA) shouldn’t even be a point of concern. Are you moving for your music career or for your social life? 4. I know tons of people who do really insanely amazing things and have yet to be ‘invited’ anywhere – I wouldn’t bank on that idea. 5. You say you have no vocal training. How would you feel if someone with no saxophone training was stealing gigs from you? Keep gigging on the sax while you gain enough confidence and experience and knowledge of your own voice…Many people might disagree with that but that’s where I stand. There’s too many untrained signers trying to make it big in NYC or LA so at least give yourself an advantage. And I fully agree with David’s and the Missus’ post.
October 20, 2011 at 8:36 pm #7906
Nick Rosaci	Agreed with everything here, too. Though, Andree-Ann, your last point got me. The scene doesn’t really care how much formal training someone has, but whether or not they can do the job exceptionally. Many of my teachers had no formal training…one of those people was Dave Steinmeyer. If you don’t know who he is, Google him. One of the world’s top trombone players. When I first moved to Orlando, a bass player with no formal training asked me if I can play bass well. And I said, “well, yeah, I went to school at…” and he cut me off and said that’s not what he asked, and doesn’t care who I studied with. Bottom line…can you play? I don’t think that many people would care how much formal training someone has on their instrument, as long as they tear it up in what they’re doing. It’s only been in the last 20 years or so that a degree from a university somehow “proves” you can play. And though I graduated from a prestigious school, most of my classmates aren’t gigging much any more. Although, when it comes to vocalists, there seems to be more of that behind-the-back talking than with most musicians. I can tell you that here in Orlando, the scene is run by a pretty even amount of scholarly musicians and street musicians sitting at the top of the totem pole. Anywho, It’s just something I’m really learning the hard way lately, and has caused me to decide to not get an MM or Doctorate, unless I want to become a college professor. But like everyone has said, you don’t wait for an opportunity to present itself. Sometimes life needs a little nudge in the direction you want to go. Actually, “sometimes” should probably be changed with “usually.” And make sure that while riding along, that the trip is just as enjoyable as the destination, or you won’t be happy when you finally arrive.
October 21, 2011 at 1:57 am #7907
Andree-Ann	By training I don’t necessarily mean get a degree – just practice and learn the craft on your own…I’m sure you’re teachers didn’t go out for a gig the day they decided to play an instrument :) I just met too many people who can play Imagine on the piano try to get gigs as pianists…I’m just saying learn what you can, take a lesson or two – that will not only make you better but will help you feel more confident and know what you are able to do and what you need to work on. I’m the girl his been to 3 different music schools and has yet to have a degree that’s worth anything academically lol
October 21, 2011 at 3:21 pm #7908
Eliza	Hi mj, It’s not clear whether you are considering or have the flexibility to move but I agree with Missus Turner – if you’re staying put you must change your mindset. Growing your fan base in a smaller local area can create a sustainable career so don’t close your mind off to the opportunities before you even get going. I see you doing both – sax and singing. It would create an unusual combination. The more ‘niche’ the easier it will be to find your new fan base. I wish you the best with your new direction. Sounds exciting. Eliza
October 23, 2011 at 3:26 pm #7909
Nick Rosaci	Agreed there, Andree. I always considered “formal training” to be the scholastic approach, and informal to be the guys that learned at home, or in some cases, on the gig. A few bass players here in town have learned to play tuba on the gig, and suggest I do the same. Of course, I’m working on it at home, but I also have a head start with my strong brass background. I would just say that people who try to get gigs and can’t handle the work are just being dishonest to themselves and to whomever is paying them for the job. You have to know your limits, and don’t take a gig over your head. I’ve done that before, and the gig becomes unpleasant, and the musicians begin to think you’re just a bad player. No more bass trombone for me, unless I end up owning one and shedding a bit more. :P