I really enjoyed listening to your points on making a living, especially because I’ve been following you for a while now. I’d love to see more talking videos in the future, it suits you! Question: how do you figure out a good rate for solo events? What things do you take under consideration?
I think a big part of this discussion as well is self discipline, there’s no one to make the paychecks happen but you. It’s on a similar level as work from home life, it’s a double edged sword not having people around to watch you as you don’t feel social pressure to be productive. So having things like that schedule you showed are key as it’s super easy to get distracted and not get things done.
Wow this was so inspiring. You seem like such an awesome guy, I’m really happy things worked out for you and I’m so grateful that we live in an age where we can have a career in music without the luck of becoming a famous artist/band. Wish you the best, thanks for this video!
yo yo I honestly don't understand how social music works music-wise. People say produce content but I have no idea how to get the first tracktion tbh :D So I just do 1 song a week.
Excellent stuff! I must confess I was a little disappointed you didn't go over how to build an actual cushion to sit on. The one in the picture looked very comfortable.
great video Tom. what you say about community in socials echoes how gig musicians used to build a local following and sell CDs, get picked up by larger acts, etc. Being able to do a lot of the gig kind of work from your home is a plus when you don't have to pay for transportation, etc. It gives you direct contact with the audience as opposed to the bar manager. and of course, lessons are still a big part of it. I'm glad your experiment is making it work, fantastic work! This video can help others thinking about a shift or just starting out. I'm watching you from the sidelines in IT, but I remember back to gigs I used to play on violin. (Hey, at least you didn't have to wear a silver tux with ruffles when performing... or maybe you did, not judging. 😅)
Thanks man! No silver tux with ruffles for me. I agree - there's many parallels to be drawn between the use of social media in music today, and the power of word of mouth in the before time. Thanks for watching. Glad you found it interesting!
Great stuff. I am currently working on setting up a studio to live steam. This is a huge help, and though I wish I had some of your skills, I am at a point, I just want to start and see where it leads. I totally appreciate your advice and love your videos and music. Thanks for setting the standard. 👍🤘😎🎶🎸
I don’t want to pocket watch, but it’s important for musicians to start figuring out how much they can make at any given size… Have you had a 10k month from music yet? I wouldn’t be surprised either way but I am curious!
How do you know if lessons will help you? Currently I am playing a lot (30-120 mins per day), so I have time for practice and lessons but I'm not sure lessons are the way to go. Any suggestions on who a good candidate for lessons would be? I'd say I'm an advanced beginner and can play a lot of parts of tunes but I can rarely get through a full song (fingerstyle).
Good lessons will help you broaden your skills as a guitarist and help you nip bad habits in the bud. Ultimately everything comes down to practice, but with guidance your practice sessions can become more effective for sure. Someone who plays as much as you and is hoping to grow as a guitarist is probably the ideal lessons candidate.
Here is an unpopular opinion: dont turn your passion into a way to make money. You'll come hate it. Unless you are a rockstar, keep a thing dear to you to yourself and make money some other way.
Hey, regarding the lessons. I'm taking a lessons with my teacher via. Skype, but the sound quality is not as well as could be like in OBS/Stream. Do you maybe know another better services for than except skype/zoom with better sound quality for music instruments? (excluding that awful filetering for speech improvements)
I personally use Google Meets but I have a pretty juiced setup for my audio/video. I use a large diaphragm condenser and a Fuji X-T3 (camera) when I teach so my output is high quality. Zoom has a function to enable original sound so that it doesn't attenuate guitar noise. I'd recommend taking a look at that. All of that said, my students are very happy with the visual/audio quality of my lessons via Meets.
the magic Tom in Boston, this video is a real source of inspiration
This provides some great options and insight!
I really enjoyed listening to your points on making a living, especially because I’ve been following you for a while now. I’d love to see more talking videos in the future, it suits you! Question: how do you figure out a good rate for solo events? What things do you take under consideration?
I think a big part of this discussion as well is self discipline, there’s no one to make the paychecks happen but you.
It’s on a similar level as work from home life, it’s a double edged sword not having people around to watch you as you don’t feel social pressure to be productive. So having things like that schedule you showed are key as it’s super easy to get distracted and not get things done.
Well said, Tom. Keep killing it!
Wow this was so inspiring. You seem like such an awesome guy, I’m really happy things worked out for you and I’m so grateful that we live in an age where we can have a career in music without the luck of becoming a famous artist/band. Wish you the best, thanks for this video!
Thanks for watching man. I really appreciate the kind words! Cheers!
This was a joy to watch! Thank you so much for sharing. An inspiration!
Cool to hear your story! Keep on going!
Thanks for listening!
guitar makes me feel happy every day
yo yo I honestly don't understand how social music works music-wise.
People say produce content but I have no idea how to get the first tracktion tbh :D
So I just do 1 song a week.
Excellent stuff! I must confess I was a little disappointed you didn't go over how to build an actual cushion to sit on. The one in the picture looked very comfortable.
same, would also like more info on how to build cushions
Thanks for putting this out there Tom. Love your music and this vid was very educational!
Awesome and insightful video, brother! But I think you left out the chest hair & short shorts thirst trap combo 🤣🤣
Missed opportunity for sure. Perhaps in the next one.
thanks man!! it really helps the people of our guitar community to pursue their passion by creating ways of income though what you really love to do.
Cheers! Glad you found it helpful.
great video Tom. what you say about community in socials echoes how gig musicians used to build a local following and sell CDs, get picked up by larger acts, etc. Being able to do a lot of the gig kind of work from your home is a plus when you don't have to pay for transportation, etc. It gives you direct contact with the audience as opposed to the bar manager. and of course, lessons are still a big part of it. I'm glad your experiment is making it work, fantastic work! This video can help others thinking about a shift or just starting out. I'm watching you from the sidelines in IT, but I remember back to gigs I used to play on violin. (Hey, at least you didn't have to wear a silver tux with ruffles when performing... or maybe you did, not judging. 😅)
Thanks man! No silver tux with ruffles for me. I agree - there's many parallels to be drawn between the use of social media in music today, and the power of word of mouth in the before time. Thanks for watching. Glad you found it interesting!
Thank you
Thanks Tom, God bless you.
Tom, I'm so freaking proud of you man
You're a sweet man.
Wish you all the best man :-)
Thanks man!
I follow you on Instagram from two years and I enjoy your tracks, I'm beginner but I play good sounds
Great stuff. I am currently working on setting up a studio to live steam. This is a huge help, and though I wish I had some of your skills, I am at a point, I just want to start and see where it leads. I totally appreciate your advice and love your videos and music. Thanks for setting the standard. 👍🤘😎🎶🎸
That's the best you can do! Go for it. I'm so glad you found this helpful!
Very cool video and super interesting for an aspiring guitarist! Subbed
Glad you found it useful! Thanks for the sub. I appreciate it!
I don’t want to pocket watch, but it’s important for musicians to start figuring out how much they can make at any given size…
Have you had a 10k month from music yet? I wouldn’t be surprised either way but I am curious!
Thanks Tom! I've always wanted to also but no idea where to start.
Cheers Curt! Hope this gave you some ideas.
thx
Very inspiring ! Thanks for sharing. How long did it take you to be living of playing guitar/lessons online etc ?
Nice!
thank you for teaching how to play guitar online
Beauty mate
Thank you!
How do you know if lessons will help you? Currently I am playing a lot (30-120 mins per day), so I have time for practice and lessons but I'm not sure lessons are the way to go. Any suggestions on who a good candidate for lessons would be? I'd say I'm an advanced beginner and can play a lot of parts of tunes but I can rarely get through a full song (fingerstyle).
Good lessons will help you broaden your skills as a guitarist and help you nip bad habits in the bud. Ultimately everything comes down to practice, but with guidance your practice sessions can become more effective for sure. Someone who plays as much as you and is hoping to grow as a guitarist is probably the ideal lessons candidate.
What approach do you take when composing your own music? I'm always interested in seeing peoples creative process
That's a good topic! I'll put some thought into that.
The problem is i hate social media
Here is an unpopular opinion: dont turn your passion into a way to make money. You'll come hate it.
Unless you are a rockstar, keep a thing dear to you to yourself and make money some other way.
Please do a video how to make an arrangement
Will definitely consider it!
Should i just use my phone if i cant get anything else to record it yet?
Sure! At the end of the day what matters is the music.
Hey, regarding the lessons. I'm taking a lessons with my teacher via. Skype, but the sound quality is not as well as could be like in OBS/Stream. Do you maybe know another better services for than except skype/zoom with better sound quality for music instruments? (excluding that awful filetering for speech improvements)
I personally use Google Meets but I have a pretty juiced setup for my audio/video. I use a large diaphragm condenser and a Fuji X-T3 (camera) when I teach so my output is high quality. Zoom has a function to enable original sound so that it doesn't attenuate guitar noise. I'd recommend taking a look at that. All of that said, my students are very happy with the visual/audio quality of my lessons via Meets.
Student 1
Studetn 2
pee pee break
Had me dying 😂
gotta have the pee pee break when you're a full time musician.
Hell yea dude putting Boston on the map 😎 get it homie
thanks man! this was really helpful.. I started my channel in 2020 and would love to chat with you if your keen?