90 percentile

[cedarhog]

I have met a lot of people online and in real life that play the mandolin. It seems like 90% of these people play for their own enjoyment rather than being professionals making money at it. These same people play the majority of their lives in the comforts of their own homes playing alone, with the occasional jam. I'm just curious what this 90 percentile group try to accomplish with their mandolins. Do you want to make it to the money? Do you just want to entertain yourself? Do you want to learn it well enough to play with others? Do you just like learning music and mandolin is your vehicle? Is it a way to express yourself? Is it a sense of accomplishment when you learn something? Or is it for completely different reasons.:popcorn:

[John Flynn]

I created the following purely as a personal journal entry several years ago. I shared it on the Cafe' a while ago when an apropos thread came up. Here it is again:

Why I Play
1. To simply enjoy playing music
2. To play music I enjoy (not the same as #1)
3. To enjoy fellowship with other musicians
4. To occasionally play for audiences and when I do, to create a meaningful experience for them
5. To generate internal feelings of accomplishment and personal satisfaction
6. To celebrate and continue the true spirit of musical traditions I care about
7. To be able to pass on the joy of playing to others
8. To communicate ideas and feelings I have that I cannot express adequately any other way
9. To more actively be involved in my religious faith
10. Because I can

“Not reasons” I play. Reasons that I, as a purely personal choice, try to avoid as driving forces for playing:
1. Not to be better than anyone else
2. Not to sound like anyone else
3. Not to impress other people
4. Not as an excuse to buy the “hardware” (MAS)
5. Not to preserve any dogmatic ideas of traditionalism in music
6. Not to make money

[Charley wild]

Your description of one of the 90% fits me pretty well. I just play for fun. I try to keep learning as I'm taking up the mandolin after about a thirty year layoff when I played other intruments. But I also have played in bands in the past, once with mandolin, so I'm past the age of accomplishment if that's the word. I don't think I'm one of the 90% you are actually looking for. In other words what ever I accomplished was long ago and I'm am not looking to go too far with the mandolin. Just as you describe, I sit around the living room or occasionally jam with some friends. They are about my age and have the same outlook. We've all done it. We're just having fun.

[EarlG]

It's fun. Jamming is fun. Practicing is fun. Finding new music is fun. Fellowship with other musicians is fun. Playing a nice break is fun. Playing good rythym is fun.

Music is worth your time.

[Fretbear]

Do you want to make it to the money?
You mean all those tens of dollars that are to be made........? ;)

[cedarhog]

It's fun. Jamming is fun. Practicing is fun. Finding new music is fun. Fellowship with other musicians is fun. Playing a nice break is fun. Playing good rythym is fun.

Music is worth your time.


Absolutely!:mandosmiley:

[Darren Bailey]

I know full well I will never make money from the hours I spend playing, making music to me is about the sense of fun and creativitiy. Of course my idols inspire me, and the adolescent voice in the deep dark places of my ageing brain sometimes conjures up fantasies of playing in a successful band, but when I see myself on Youtube I remember why that will never happen! If I put this much time and effort into something else I'm sure there could be all sorts of material rewards, but some things are more important than objects bought or numbers on a bank statement. Music is a special blessing, I don't think you can rationalise it too far, it is a sense of something beyond words, even when you're just finding your feet.

[hank]

I attempt to play and write music as a hobby because it requires my full attention to do it well. Musical perception to me is more pleasant than language and word conception. I find a simular experience with other hand eye motor skill activities that require my full attention. Playing the mandolin is another way to focus my attention and temporarily free my mind from the burden of preconceptions communicated in words. I find joy in losing myself in a song.

[demotlj]

Harry Chapin wrote a song about this called "Mr Tanner". The lyrics say, "Music was his life, it was not his livelihood. And it made him feel so happy, and it made him feel so good. And he sang from his heart, and he sang from his soul. He did not know how well he sang; it just made him whole."

The song is actually kind of sad because Mr. Tanner's friends convince him to put on a concert and he receives some harsh reviews, so he never sings again. I try to remember that when I get too caught up in worrying about whether I'm any good!

Laurie

[sgarrity]

Playing music makes my soul smile! :)

[Big Joe]

I began playing because I was in a band and we did not need all guitar players. I started with the mandolin by 3 chords they showed me in the shop where I got the mandolin. I did my first show that night. Oh...not due to great talent, just due to ignorance and stupidity :) . Like so many of us, we found the mandolin addictive and we could not put it down. I still play guitar and bass, and if needed a bit of banjo and dobro.

I love to play the mandolin just because I love the mandolin. I do play them in my work so I guess in a way it is for money, but I seldom perform with it anymore. On occasion, but I don't do it because I may or may not get paid, but just because I love playing music and the mandolin. Most of my playing these days is either in the shop or at church.

I think I love the instruments and all that goes into them and the way I can affect what they do more than the music itself. I do love the music, but I think that may be a bit behind my love for the instruments themselves. Like most, I do have preferences, but I love such a variety and even the ones I may not personally be attracted to musically I love the instrument for what it is. I guess that is why I am a luthier rather than a working musician.

I cannot imagine living without my guitars and mandolins. I have had them by my side through everything in my life....the good and the bad....since I was quite young. I am not sure if they are more like a wife or a mistress (I've never had one of those so it is hard to compare it :) ) but it certainly has been with me in my heart forever.

[MikeEdgerton]

I've made hundreds of dollars playing in the last 45 years or so. I play for the love of it, if I wanted another job I'd do more consulting in my professional field. It pays better.

[Pete Martin]

Most of us play it because we love it. Why do it if you don't???

[OldSausage]

To be honest, I don't really seem to have a choice about doing it. Sometimes I love it, sometimes I hate it, but I can't not do it. I do not know why.

[Skip Kelley]

Most of us play it because we love it. Why do it if you don't???

Amen!! I love to play. I wanted to play guitar my whole life growing up and didn't start until I was around 23 years old. I picked up the mandolin at 25. I love the mandolin. Me and the guy's I pick with get quite a bit of high paying gigs through the year but, if we didn't I still would play because I enjoy it.

[Greg H.]

Yes, I could call it love. . .I could also call it a bit of sanity. After a really bad do at work (or just a bad day of life) disappearing for a while with a mandolin or guitar is the best possible way I've ever found to release the tension/frustration/depression etc. After just noodling or playing fiddle tunes really helps to relax the feelings.

Yes, I've made money along the way which is also great fun. I'll never be great, but I'm usually not making myself sound too foolish (least I don't feel like it anyway). Playing in a band just gives another way to have fun (and if we mess up we can still laugh at it in the process). If you take that approach, the audience usually has a good laugh at it as well (as long as you don't do it too much). :grin:

[JeffD]

Only 90%.

I would have guessed that 95% of all musicians play only for themselves or in a jam. There are far far fewer professional opportunities than there are super good players to fill them. There are a lot of musicians way better than me out of work.

[rgray]

Playing mandolin is soothing to my soul. I find that a mandolin on my lap and my greatest fan laying at my feet helps the day's troubles melt away.

[Randi Gormley]

I play for the act of making music. If it didn't play the mandolin, I would be playing something else (recorders, flute, piano, percussion). I only started playing out about five-six years ago and it's a rush and i've made some great pals, but I'd play (and did) just to play. I'm thankful my husband plays and we duet most times, but there's something about the music-making itself that i need, and mandolin is my expression these days.

[allenhopkins]

1. I play mandolin, and other instruments, because I enjoy the act of making music, even if no one's listening but me. I like learning a new song, a new instrumental break -- yes, a new instrument! I sit alone in my basement room, or lounge on a chaise out in the back yard, and run through familiar and new tunes.

2. I perform because I like the experience of playing in front of an audience, whether it's senior citizens or kids or passers-by at a farmers' market. I like the interaction, the challenge of responding to their preferences and interests, the opportunity to bring out new material. I like working with other musicians, and enjoy the more "big deal" gigs I've had (not many). I feel a sense of achievement and respect when I get asked to play at a regional festival or an out-of-town coffeehouse; it validates all the time and energy I've spent learning this craft.

3. Frankly, I also enjoy being paid. I've played seven jobs in the last four days: two seniors' Oktoberfests, an arts festival opening, a town Halloween party, a kids' event at the local zoo, a farmers' market and a canal songs program this afternoon. I made a bit more than $500 all told, which shows you I'm far from the "big time"! But the money goes toward strings and picks and microphone upgrades and maybe a new instrument somewhere down the road. Also, getting paid to play is another source of validation; you must be providing some musical value or audiences wouldn't pay to hear you.

If I weren't a performer, I'd still be playing, but I probably wouldn't be maintaining a website and mailing lists and all the other non-musical business that one needs to work on to stay a journeyman musician. It's nice, however, to have the whole thing kinda coming together. Music is a great pastime, though I'm glad I'm not trying to live on what I make playing. My motto is that "music is a wonderful mistress, but a lousy wife." Glad that things have worked out so I can keep doing music into my retirement.

[John Flynn]

I want to believe more than 99% of musicians started for the love playing and continued for the love of playing. I only make it 99%, because there is probably an exception or two out there. And most of those who make a living out of it, just liked it so much that they wanted to put in the time to get to a level they could make money at it. But I'll bet money or fame was not the main driver. I will also bet that most top pros would still play a lot and even perform some, even if they inherited a fortune. I saw Compton up close at a house concert a few weeks ago. It was obvious he was having a blast!

[Greg H.]

I think the 90% is quite possibly a pretty good percentage. There are lots of people making a living at it that aren't nationally (or internationally) known. There are lots of people making a living teaching instruments, for example. I would also bet there are lots of people who play mandolin along with multiple other instruments (e.g. Allen a few entries above). Now I'll agree with 99% or greater would reflect those whose abilities have all of us (and non-mandolinist fanatics as well) in awe, but I think there are far more who are quite competent, and make a living as a musician (in one way or another).

(and I would also say that anyone doing it, whether for money or otherwise, would do it because they love to do it. Anyone good enough to do it for a living has to love doing it--there's too much work needed for the love not to be there--and those who don't love it wouldn't last very long).

[BlueMt.]

The song is actually kind of sad because Mr. Tanner's friends convince him to put on a concert and he receives some harsh reviews, so he never sings again.

"excepting very late at night when the shop was dark and closed.
He sang softly to himself as he sorted through the clothes."

Laurie, Thanks for reminding me of that song. I had a similar situation when I was a young man and I guess it might be why I'm part of the 90%. ;)

[Rick Lindstrom]

I play for my own amazement. :)

Rick

[acousticnotes]

Just to expand my musical horizons.

[jim_n_virginia]

I play for the money and the chicks ... :grin:

[Big Joe]

I know a number of pro's who have gotten to the point where they don't enjoy performing but if they get a chance to just play...just play...they fall in love with it all over again. Sometimes doing it for a job can get in the way of enjoying the playing. Even in our shop we handle so many instruments and work on them and hold them and test play them all day long. There are times you don't want to look at or hear one when you leave the shop. Yet, when you get to just play without the pressure of making a living with it, the reason you are in the business comes back to you. If I did not love playing, I certainly would not love working on them. After all, it is really about the playing. That is what got me into lutherie to begin with and that is what keeps me there. It's all about the music the instruments make when all is said and done, and no, it does not matter whether it is for a crowd of one hundred thousand or a crowd of just me.

[instrumentality]

Playing music makes my soul smile! :)

This!

And because it helps me relax, lets me connect with other people (friends, family, and strangers), keeps me learning new things always, and connects me to where I live and the places I love to visit. I'm happiest when I'm making music; that's most of it.

[sgarrity]

I play for the money and the chicks ... :grin:

But I thought you were broke and single?? :))

[Alex Orr]

Playing music for money? Hah! I'll tell you a short story. Years ago when I was playing guitar in the most rag-tag excuse for a jug band that you could possibly imaging (I don't think any of us had been playing an instrument longer than six months) we went out busking. This disheveled guy in his late twenties/early thirties walks up and our banjo player recognized him. He was the ne'er do well son of the barber who cut our banjo player's hair. The guy was complaining about not having enough money to buy a pack of smokes. We gave him five bucks. We didn't make a dime in the hour or so we played. When it was all said and done, we went busking and ended up LOSING five bucks!

[Earlyman67]

Wow, I guess I am 5 or 10%. I have played (guitar) semi-pro for 15 years now. Nothing big 6 to 8 Gigs per month. Locale clubs, extra money. Sometimes it's great, sometimes it's a job, but doing it has paid for all my "toys" 10 times over. I think it makes you a better player, gives you some great memories and the chance to play with some great players. Can't wait for the day to be able to play mandolin out.