Comments on: Road Warrior Without an Expense Account Part II – Realities of Professional Freelancing

By: Jason Heath

Jason Heath — Sun, 07 Jan 2007 04:34:00 +0000

Thanks for the comment, Scott. I have to admit that a big part of me really likes the lifestyle. For me it is a series of highs and lows. It certainly is addictive, and it is so for reasons that non-musicians may not grasp.

By: Scott Chaurette

Scott Chaurette — Sat, 06 Jan 2007 17:01:00 +0000

Hi Jason. Great post. It brings back many memories. Freelancing is such an interesting mix of bordom(driving), aggrevation(crappy groups), and excitement(great groups). It can be strangely addictive. In most major cities a few people can make a decent living. The rest make some money but it is tough to live a reasonable life style long-term. I look forward to the next installment.

By: Jason Heath

Jason Heath — Sat, 06 Jan 2007 12:37:00 +0000

I hope this isn’t too depressing! I’m not trying to say don’t freelance with this series, but rather simply trying to point out some tendencies in the freelance world that people should be aware of. I have actually had a decent amount of success in the freelance world without the benefit of too many connections. In a later segment I’m planning on writing about what it takes to be a successful freelancer (in my opinion, at least).

By: Jason Heath

Jason Heath — Sat, 06 Jan 2007 12:35:00 +0000

It is interesting to see how the politics in the world of professional orchestra players and universities help to set up freelance careers of students. I see that all the time in different cities across the range of instruments. Thanks for the comment!

By: Anonymous

Anonymous — Fri, 05 Jan 2007 18:52:00 +0000

officially depressed now…going to go pursue the secretarial arts now.

By: Texas Tech Theory Department

Texas Tech Theory Department — Fri, 05 Jan 2007 15:40:00 +0000

Thanks for the great article! As a theory professor and freelance bassist, I try to warn my students of the long, hard road ahead of them. Your article nicely lays out the situation in the big city.

One thing I might add is that not only are the professional orchestra members and university faculty members getting the jobs, but it’s been my experience that the *students* of these people are also higher on the food chain than someone who may have just moved into town. It’s not uncommon for a personnel manager to call the bass professor and say “who do you have that’s good?”