Sure, it may not be promising as in the sense that it'll give you a stable income and what not, but if it's what you /love/, then why still do the menial stuff in your life, such as pleasing others and worrying about the small things? At least, that's the general trend I tend to see nowadays.
It merely served as an example, but I hope it gets the point across.
If you really love it, maybe you can also make money with music. But most of the time, it probably means busting your ass waiting in a restaurant, I suppose?
I am not saying you or the article is wrong. I am just struggling to implement the idea.
I have some visions for quitting my job (only been here 4 months anyway), and finding some projects that might be fun enough to make me endure them and still make money - coding, that is. But assuming music is really what it is at, I just don't see how I could survive doing it at the moment.
I actually had a pang of frustration recently, because I really always dreamed about making music, and haven't done much about it.
So suppose I would like to dedicate my life to music now, what do you suggest I should do? Data points: I am 38, baby will soon be around, monthly costs exceed 2000€ (rent+health insurance being major factors). I can play guitar in a dabbling way (certainly no guitar hero). I might be able to compose nice songs, but don't have experience with audio software yet. Money might last 6 to 8 months.
I suppose I could get by being a street musician (never tried it), but that wouldn't be that much fun, would it? Also with winter coming around, might not be a healthy choice.
I think what I will try is creating a game (if I can muster the courage to quit my job) and compose my own music for it. That would be a start... If it works out, maybe other people could pay me for composing music for them.
Another thing with music is that there are so many extremely talented people already. I might have some talent, but I am probably not the next Thom Yorke. Plus, I am already too old to build a teenage fan base (assuming teenagers are most open to trying new music). If common wisdom is true, it akes maybe 10 years to become as good as Thom Yorke? But I only have 8 months...
This actually makes me wonder, what about the Thom Yorkes of software development? Somehow they worry me less - they might code faster than me, but I can maybe still find niches for my software they don't cover.
Because while people tend not to think about it much when they're in stable jobs, they also love not worrying about money, making the rent on time every month, being able to treat themselves and a bunch of other things that come with a regular pay cheque.
So please draw out a scenario for me, how to get by doing music.
I live in Berlin - I think a lot of people here just live on welfare. Maybe I could do that (my girl-friend+baby would kill me for it, but still). But even that would also be work (lots of bureaucracy, moving to a cheaper apartment, arduous shopping for cheap food).
