Are you a musician?

[edward8628]

Just curious about the life of a musician. After graduation from music school as a music student, what kind of career path they pursuit? How do they make their living? Where do you hangout as a musician?

[Pistos2]

I'm just another data point, but, in my case, the honest truth is that I deliberately avoided a career in music because I thought that it would be too hard and/or risky to make much money. My formal studies were in computers, science and tech. I never dropped music from my life; I still avidly pursue it as a hobby, including both performance and songwriting/composition. I just don't rely on it to put meals on my table or keep a roof over my head. I make music for the sake of itself, and the pleasure and joy of it, not to make money. i.e. because I want to, and when I want to, not because I have to.

[edward8628]

so where do you usually hangout online for your musical interest?

[Pistos2]

I don't per se "hang out" anywhere online. Most of my musical activities are engaged in within meatspace. At most, I might share the occasional recording on social networks. I've participated a bit in music-related forums.

Technology hasn't progressed far enough yet for musicians to be able to play together real-time over the Internet. That'll be a great day when it comes, though.

[auslegung]

Yes, a flautist since 1994. I began college in 2003 as a flute performance major, then sophomore year changed that to a music minor and graduated 2007. A few odd jobs after college, then began using my psychology minor to get into social work. Switched careers over a year ago into software development. Recently joined the community pops ensemble. As a musician, I spend time at jazz clubs if my town has them, or seek out fellow musicians on Meetup.com.

[edward8628]

thanks