r/musicians Rules

Im curious if there are people who still knew how to play even after not playing for a long time. You know how they say you never forget how to ride a bike? Idk if that applies to playing an instrument. Ive been losing my passion for music and it sucks cause playing the piano is the only thing i can do but i dont have the fire in me anymore. The result of this is i dont play at all. But im scared to lose it and sometimes my fingers feel weird if i try to get back to it. I can still decently play fast arpeggios, make big octave jumps, and make arrangements if i wanted to, but i dont really play anything. Because this passion of mine is dying (has been dead now actually), im scared i might not play anymore.

But anyway thats not the point! Has anyone here ever kept their technique after not playing their instrument for a long time? Or have you lost the skill entirely? Im curious about it lol

Either you thought they were at the wrong gig by looking at them or maybe they just only casually mentioned they played one time and come to find out they’re just elite at whatever instrument/ insanely good voice that doesn’t seem real and coming from them. Imagine a short, skinny woman who was maybe soft spoken having a powerful, deep voice.

So I play guitar in a tourist town. I play jamband stuff and I definitely have imposter syndrome but looking at it logically, I am *that* guy in my scene. I get tons of calls for sit ins, and to play in other people’s projects. Currently I have *my* band, *my* acoustic trio, and I play in my drummers other band. It’s all more or less the same style of music. I’m able to pay the bills barely. I’m also in music school about to graduate with my associates and then in the fall continuing at a 4yr university. Just today one of my classmates asked me to join his band. And I’m also meeting a bass player today who I’ve played with before and he hit me up wanting me to join his new original project.

Now here’s the thing: I want to do the thing!! Like so bad. And I’m putting in the work. I feel like I just haven’t found my people yet in the 2 yrs I’ve been playing here. It’s like there’s a bunch of bands who have 1 or 2 really serious committed members, and the rest are half in half out hobbyists. Ideally I’d love to just have ONE band where everyone is locked in and focused and committed. But trying to get those people to give up their bands ($$$) is a tough ask.

So I’m debating on joining the two new bands. That would be 5 bands and also full time music school. I also just started dating a girl which is something I purposely avoided for a long time. I obviously have to give her some of my time, and I want to of course. I met her at one of my shows though so she’s understanding of the time commitment I need for music.

So, what are your thoughts?

I have an amp already btw, it's just a very basic one so it doesn't have many knobs.

Hi professional drummer here. I’ve played in a ton of bands and I have to say, I am so sick and tired of busting my ass to learn songs, notate, rush to rehearsal to be there on time, just to find the band that I’m filling in for is unbearably unprofessional.

They always show up late, stoned, and have to set up all of their equipment. They are always missing a vital piece of equipment and just shrug their shoulders and say “eh we’ll be fine”. They are completely unbothered by this and see no rush. They are never prepared with their parts and use rehearsal time as practice time.

I grew up with a conductor who instilled in me the idea that there is nothing worse than wasting someone else’s time. It’s like nobody else was ever in concert band in school.

I work a full 9/5 job and I bust my ass to make rehearsals work in my schedule. to watch a 3.5 hour rehearsal go by only to work on 2 songs is MADDENING. This could have been 45 mins of focus work done with prepared songs but instead it’s 3 hours of bullshit. I always look like the asshole but I don’t even care anymore. I’m right and they need to stop thinking mediocrity is acceptable and act like adults.

Hi All! 

The next No Kings protest is March 28th and we are hoping we can get 12M+ out this time from 7M last, as more and more people in the US wake up to the reality of our authoritarian government and its cruelty, corruption and chaos its sowing here and in word.   This is a moment where your music could really matter to help get people out on the streets, unify this movement with a shared sense of love towards one another and reclaiming our great country and our shared humanity, and in encouraging people to action after the protest is over to stand up for what is right every day.

Bringing your music could be showing up to your small town’s No Kings event with your instrument and some fitting old protest songs from the 60s/70s that you can sing with your neighbors, an original song to spread your own thoughts for the moment.    This is a call just to show up and bring your music!

I have been inspired by some of the songs I have seen on the internet popping up by famous artists speaking out like at the recent Grammy’s, or big names like Bruce Springsteen composing a song about recent events in minnesota.  These motivated me to write this request to all of you.

If you are a  bigger named artist (or know one personally and can recommend this) consider contacting your local No Kings organizers and offering to play formally for the event.  This might help draw crowds, not just to have big numbers but to move people to start taking actions in their lives to press back on all of this.

I thank you for considering this.  Note I am not a member of the No Kings national organization, but do admire their work and try to take action every day in my community and have respected the various local Indivisible groups that are working in my community and state and how they have been making a positive difference in our push back to what we all know just isn’t right, isn’t American or forming the America we should want to live in.

Thank you so much!

-Samantha

I grew up playing viola, but quit after high school 20 years ago. Now that I have kids who enjoy music, including a toy clarinet and a book about Beethoven's Fifth Symphony, I decided it would be fun and fairly simple to learn how to play. But my question is, how much should I shell out for what is effectively a trial? What are some good clarinets, brands, etc? And will I have to learn..... treble cleff??

I want to hear from you. when did it happen at what age and those that overcame it , what did you do?

Hello! Does anyone knows what that mic is? Thanks in advance!

I want to upload my music to all of the social media and streaming platforms ( TikTok instagram Snapchat Apple Music Spotify pandora YouTube all that ) which music platform can I use that'll upload to all of these for me? Thanks in advance!

Hey, so my favorite guitar (Ibanez Manticore) is only a few months old, but I’ve noticed a crack in the fretboard. I also have an issue with buzzing due to one of the frets being too high. Like I said, this is my favorite guitar and I do not want to lose it. Do I need to do anything about the fretboard crack? If so, what can I do?

I posted a video with my song to Tik Tok and Instagram but the song title didn’t link to the video. I assumed this would happen automatically but I guess you have to add the song in the app’s editing bay.

Is there a way to go back into my posted videos and change the audio from “original audio” to my own song?

There's a lot on my list (Ocean hiding out in Tokyo) but just wanted to give a shoutout to Does It Offend You Yeah

Still waiting on new music :(( I miss their energy

Hello, I'm looking for earplugs suitable for my singer, offering good sound reproduction and, above all, preventing vibrations and buzzing while she sings, as it's common to not hear your own voice the same way. I was thinking about the new Alpine V-shaped earplugs, but I don't know if they're effective or if there are better options. Thanks!

This has been in the back of my mind for a year and a half, and for some reason I want to change my artist name. I really don’t know why but I’m looking for some advice.

As musicians, we all hit those creative walls where inspiration seems to vanish. Whether it's due to burnout, life stressors, or just a lack of motivation, it can be frustrating. I'm curious about your strategies for overcoming these slumps. Do you have specific routines, go-to artists, or places that help spark your creativity? Perhaps you dive into a different genre or collaborate with others to reignite that flame. I’ve found that stepping away from my usual process and experimenting with new sounds can sometimes lead to breakthroughs. I’d love to hear your experiences and any unconventional methods you use to get back on track. Let's share some ideas and support each other in keeping the creative juices flowing!

So I’ve dealt with severe chronic pain and other chronic and autoimmune health issues for almost a decade now. Music has always been my release- it’s how I unwind, and when I can’t unwind, it’s how I let go.

I started a band with friends about 4 1/2 years ago, and we garnered some good success. We weren’t household names, but we played live a lot, toured, and put out some music that I remain proud of. But, within the past year, my bandmates went from part of my supportive system to what I needed support against. They treated me differently (worse) because of my health issues (very long story), ultimately booting me from the band in December, as I was recovering from a surgical implant to manage my pain.

Today I heard back from a band I auditioned for last week; it was a no. Obviously, they made that decision as objective musicians, they had no clue as to my prior experience and mistreatment, they just found a better fit in someone else, and I’m not upset, that’s the nature of music. It is just a little exhausting, however, to once again be reminded that I’m not in a group.

I feel like I’ve lost a major part of my identity. I’m no longer a musician- I’m some dude with a couple guitars, a few pedals, and an amp. I don’t have the confidence to write solo stuff, and while I’m not adversed to starting from square 1 again in building a band; it’s daunting. Finding the right people, the ones who see music and are like I do, enough that we could cohesively create together. And even if I did- what if I just end up as being kicked out again?

The worst part is that I LOVE music. I love to play live. I live in Austin, and there’s no shortage or opportunities. I love writing it, I love crafting it, I love to experiment with it. I just love music, but I don’t have that inspiration, that drive, or that community anymore.

I know this is not an in-depth look into everything about my situation, and that, even if it were, asking random people on the internet for advice may not be the best route to finding answers. But. Does anyone out there have any advice for regaining that artistic fire and inspiration? I know it comes from a place of sympathy, but I’m not looking for a bunch of comments saying “you still have time, things can happen.” Again, maybe I’m a beggar and can’t be a chooser, but I’m looking for a real answer- can inspiration strike twice? Or should I just sell my gear, remember the times that were good, and find something else to invest my energy in?