So my passion is playing electric guitar. I've been playing for many years and I'm pretty good at it. Do you guys think I could make good money with that? I don't really know the music business, so If you come up with an idea, shoot it.

Ed Sheeran toured across the UK playing 300 gigs per year while in high school, most of them free gigs.

Now he does the same, except all around the world, and gets paid thousands per gig.

Omerta said:

my passion is playing electric guitar. I've been playing for many years and I'm pretty good at it. Do you guys think I could make good money with that?

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Dont Follow Your Passion, Follow Your Effort « blog maverick

Omerta said:

So my passion is playing electric guitar. I've been playing for many years and I'm pretty good at it. Do you guys think I could make good money with that? I don't really know the music business, so If you come up with an idea, shoot it.

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If I, or any entrepreneur for that matter, had a good idea that would potentially yield them profits I doubt they would just give it to you. I've been playing guitar for over ten years and have also considered using my skills as a way to some money. It's not difficult to brainstorm a handful of original ideas. How're you going to be successful building something you couldn't even think of on your own?

SeanKelly said:

If I, or any entrepreneur for that matter, had a good idea that would potentially yield them profits I doubt they would just give it to you. I've been playing guitar for over ten years and have also considered using my skills as a way to some money. It's not difficult to brainstorm a handful of original ideas. How're you going to be successful building something you couldn't even think of on your own?

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You're being unfair, to the point of straight up insulting him. But I do agree with you to a point.

Omerta, you said you don't know the music business. So learn the music business! Start by reading up on it, then by talking to people who are involved in it. You're stopping at the most pivotal point! Get out there and see what there is.

Read about this guy: Jermaine Griggs:

HearAndPlay.com: Turning $70 Into A Multimillion Dollar Instruction Web Site – with Jermaine Griggs | Business Tips

theag said:

Dont Follow Your Passion, Follow Your Effort « blog maverick

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Yeah. Right.

Direct mail to parents of school aged children. Whatever grade they're first being signed up to play a traditional instrument (4th grade) their parents dish out some money for classes and instrument rentals. there will be a handful of children who aren't into classical music instruments but would be more into guitar.

Omerta said:

I've been playing for many years and I'm pretty good at it.

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I tried learning guitar for a little while....and failed miserably. I could never seem to pick it up, got frustrated and now its sitting in my closet.... do you happen to have any tips that can help me learn faster and make it easier for me. Are there any products that I can put on my guitar as a guide to learning?

My husband has been teaching himself how to play the guitar for the past two years, or so, and I've been really impressed with how some of these entrepreneurs market their teaching.

There is one guy in particular that I really like. He lives in South America (not sure which country), and has published several guitar ebooks. They are filled with pop, rock, romantic ballads, etc. Basically, songs that people would want to learn.

Then, he has dozens and dozens of YouTube videos that are available for free. You don't have to pay to watch the vidoes (but it's really freaking great marketing), but the videos are way more helpful if you have the book (i.e. the incentive to buy the book).

My husband has all of his books and as soon as he publishes a new one, he is probably one of the first to get it.

I'm sure it takes a long time to build up a following like this guy has, but it can be done. If you are a good player and can get a teaching style developed, you could pull it off.

The-J said:

You're being unfair, to the point of straight up insulting him.

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What the F*ck? If you rate that as unfair and insulting (LOL!) you should really experience the real business world.

AndrewNC said:

I tried learning guitar for a little while....and failed miserably. I could never seem to pick it up, got frustrated and now its sitting in my closet.... do you happen to have any tips that can help me learn faster and make it easier for me. Are there any products that I can put on my guitar as a guide to learning?

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Persistence. Sorry, I don't have tips to offer you. Practice is the key. I started when I was 12, played 1 year and a half, thought I sucked, got frustrated and put the guitar in my closet for 6 years. At 18 I started playing again sometimes 8 hours per day. I have about 3000 hours of practice.

JustinGuitar.com - popular site. I have no idea how much he makes, but it's probably decent. Perhaps, you could go a similar route?

Omerta said:

Persistence. Sorry, I don't have tips to offer you. Practice is the key. I started when I was 12, played 1 year and a half, thought I sucked, got frustrated and put the guitar in my closet for 6 years. At 18 I started playing again sometimes 8 hours per day. I have about 3000 hours of practice.

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Thanks for the feedback. The truth is that I don't really have too much interest in teaching myself the guitar. The way I quoted that was my frustration at the time and if you can find a way to solve that pain point, that would lead you to your answer.

So based on what you said, it takes time. Is there any way to reduce that amount of time and practice? Can you create a guitar where different chords light up buttons where you put the fingers?

SeanKelly said:

If I, or any entrepreneur for that matter, had a good idea that would potentially yield them profits I doubt they would just give it to you.

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This is probably the worst mindset I've heard yet. A true entrepreneur is about abundance - not scarcity. Those of us who are actually working on our crafts have a million ideas but the smartest of us focus on our plan and our plan only.

Unfortunately the forum has been inundated with stupid ideas like this - that no one should share their ideas and if you do it will be stolen!

Well first off, there haven't been many people to pass through this neck of the woods who actually get off their butts and try something, let alone steal an idea worth taking.

Put your best ideas on this forum and we can discuss them to make them better - or sit on your butt and ask successful entrepreneurs who don't give a hoot to sign an NDA.

(Sorry Sean my man, not an attack at you - more like a PSA)

theag said:

What the F*ck? If you rate that as unfair and insulting (LOL!) you should really experience the real business world.

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We're here to bring people up, not shoot them down. What defines "real business world"? That we have to treat each other like assholes and say it can't be done? I would absolutely love to be a part of a community that shoots all my hopes and dreams down! :bgh:

It's a little wobbly on my soap box here so I'll step down for a second..

How're you going to be successful building something you couldn't even think of on your own?

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Oh ... one more. This is a bit silly.

Anways

Omerta -

As someone who took his passion and made it into a career, you may want to rethink it. It's not all it's cracked up to be sometimes.

The jury may still be out on this one but just because you love doing something for free doesn't mean you'll love doing it for money (And vice-versa).

That being said if you're trying to get your feet wet how about offering guitar lessons at the local community center? Or how about playing at the coffee shop for tips? I saw an accordion player playing for tips in the skyway this morning. Tipped him a whole dollar.

If you're serious about getting into business business I would suggest looking at the problems in that industry and solving them. I was a drummer so I don't know much about guitars but are picks a pain? Do strings wear and tear faster than they should? Do people need their guitars tuned regularly? I'm reaching here but hopefully you can see that there are plenty of problems that can be solved with a product or service... cleaning... maintenance... storage... or whatever.

Does this help?

Because I'd honestly like you to slap me if I it doesn't.

Kung Fu Steve said:

This is probably the worst mindset I've heard yet. A true entrepreneur is about abundance - not scarcity. Those of us who are actually working on our crafts have a million ideas but the smartest of us focus on our plan and our plan only.

Unfortunately the forum has been inundated with stupid ideas like this - that no one should share their ideas and if you do it will be stolen!

Well first off, there haven't been many people to pass through this neck of the woods who actually get off their butts and try something, let alone steal an idea worth taking.

Put your best ideas on this forum and we can discuss them to make them better - or sit on your butt and ask successful entrepreneurs who don't give a hoot to sign an NDA.

(Sorry Sean my man, not an attack at you - more like a PSA)



We're here to bring people up, not shoot them down. What defines "real business world"? That we have to treat each other like assholes and say it can't be done? I would absolutely love to be a part of a community that shoots all my hopes and dreams down! :bgh:

It's a little wobbly on my soap box here so I'll step down for a second..



Oh ... one more. This is a bit silly.

Anways

Omerta -

As someone who took his passion and made it into a career, you may want to rethink it. It's not all it's cracked up to be sometimes.

The jury may still be out on this one but just because you love doing something for free doesn't mean you'll love doing it for money (And vice-versa).

That being said if you're trying to get your feet wet how about offering guitar lessons at the local community center? Or how about playing at the coffee shop for tips? I saw an accordion player playing for tips in the skyway this morning. Tipped him a whole dollar.

If you're serious about getting into business business I would suggest looking at the problems in that industry and solving them. I was a drummer so I don't know much about guitars but are picks a pain? Do strings wear and tear faster than they should? Do people need their guitars tuned regularly? I'm reaching here but hopefully you can see that there are plenty of problems that can be solved with a product or service... cleaning... maintenance... storage... or whatever.

Does this help?

Because I'd honestly like you to slap me if I it doesn't.

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No offense taken

"The jury may still be out on this one but just because you love doing something for free doesn't mean you'll love doing it for money (And vice-versa)."

I wanted to repeat that statement by kung fu steve because it is not a statement that should be taken lightly. In most cases I think passions are better off remaining just that. It's easier to develop a real passion for building businesses and serving customers than it is to turn an arbitrary passion into a bona fide business. Plus passions may cloud your vision. What if you start your business and discover that the real market demand lies somewhere outside of you and your electric guitar? Someone not clouded by private passion will ditch the guitar and go where the demand is. Would you?

But because you play your guitar so much there's probably some aspect of the music industry that you know a whole lot about. Think back to your struggles to learn guitar. Was there anything you needed that you couldn't find? What would have helped you? Is there a big need for electric guitar repair or tuning? For guitar add-ons and doohickeys? You can probably tell I know nothing about music, but those are the questions you should be asking yourself.

Go find a forum about learning guitar or something similar and see if you can spot a need that needs to be filled. Common problems people have etc.

Don't limit yourself to working a business. Have you actually workeed with a band? I mean a real Band? A band with vision?

Like a James Hatfield or a Pete townshend kind of vision? They did what ever it took to get to the top. The Police rode aroun d the country in a ford econline van for years. Gigging all over he country. That kind of vision. I know today might be a little harder with mixer stations common place. I wish I had NOT taken my father's advice. I may have never made it but I know I would be happy.

I have a friend who I roomed with. He was a one man band. Been playing for 30 years now. He gave it up for a while and became a RN. Hated it. went back and he's playing gigs all over the county. every weekend. Not bad to make $300 to $500 for six hours of work. And he gets it all. He's a one man show. Being single he could easily use his time to pursue other interests. However I dont think he is a multimillionaire. But he's one of the happiest guys I know.

Google

He told me he never met a musician that regretted becoming one.

I helped him write "sweet lil cracker girl." Not a lot. Actually its more bluesy , It was more country before . I even know who that song is about! LOL

I play the guitar too. I might have a need that can be fulfilled.

If you like Stratocaster electric guitars, then you must have noticed that despite being sometimes incredibly expensive, these guitars still have that painful noise coming from the microphones, whenever you select the 1st, 3rd and 5th positions. I can't believe Fender still haven't found a way to get rid of that shitty noise. Maybe there's a need to be fulfilled there...

Greystone said:

I play the guitar too. I might have a need that can be fulfilled.

If you like Stratocaster electric guitars, then you must have noticed that despite being sometimes incredibly expensive, these guitars still have that painful noise coming from the microphones, whenever you select the 1st, 3rd and 5th positions. I can't believe Fender still haven't found a way to get rid of that shitty noise. Maybe there's a need to be fulfilled there...

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That's what I'm talkin' bout boyeeee

Way to be abundance-minded.

Rep + indeed. Let's pull this forum's left foot out of gutter :eusa_clap:

vtlambo said:

Read about this guy: Jermaine Griggs:

HearAndPlay.com: Turning $70 Into A Multimillion Dollar Instruction Web Site – with Jermaine Griggs | Business Tips

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Wow. That's awesome.

Kung Fu Steve said:

This is probably the worst mindset I've heard yet. A true entrepreneur is about abundance - not scarcity. Those of us who are actually working on our crafts have a million ideas but the smartest of us focus on our plan and our plan only.

Unfortunately the forum has been inundated with stupid ideas like this - that no one should share their ideas and if you do it will be stolen!

Well first off, there haven't been many people to pass through this neck of the woods who actually get off their butts and try something, let alone steal an idea worth taking.

Put your best ideas on this forum and we can discuss them to make them better - or sit on your butt and ask successful entrepreneurs who don't give a hoot to sign an NDA.

(Sorry Sean my man, not an attack at you - more like a PSA)



We're here to bring people up, not shoot them down. What defines "real business world"? That we have to treat each other like assholes and say it can't be done? I would absolutely love to be a part of a community that shoots all my hopes and dreams down! :bgh:

It's a little wobbly on my soap box here so I'll step down for a second..



Oh ... one more. This is a bit silly.

Anways

Omerta -

As someone who took his passion and made it into a career, you may want to rethink it. It's not all it's cracked up to be sometimes.

The jury may still be out on this one but just because you love doing something for free doesn't mean you'll love doing it for money (And vice-versa).

That being said if you're trying to get your feet wet how about offering guitar lessons at the local community center? Or how about playing at the coffee shop for tips? I saw an accordion player playing for tips in the skyway this morning. Tipped him a whole dollar.

If you're serious about getting into business business I would suggest looking at the problems in that industry and solving them. I was a drummer so I don't know much about guitars but are picks a pain? Do strings wear and tear faster than they should? Do people need their guitars tuned regularly? I'm reaching here but hopefully you can see that there are plenty of problems that can be solved with a product or service... cleaning... maintenance... storage... or whatever.

Does this help?

Because I'd honestly like you to slap me if I it doesn't.

Click to expand...

Thank you.

Greystone said:

I play the guitar too. I might have a need that can be fulfilled.

If you like Stratocaster electric guitars, then you must have noticed that despite being sometimes incredibly expensive, these guitars still have that painful noise coming from the microphones, whenever you select the 1st, 3rd and 5th positions. I can't believe Fender still haven't found a way to get rid of that shitty noise. Maybe there's a need to be fulfilled there...

Click to expand...

I know nothing about stratocaster and I'm not an electrical engineer lol.

I can say that the learning phase in the 2 year beginning is a real struggle. Alternate picking, string skipping, sore fingertips, frustration, staying motivated. One day I almost threw my 1000$ guitar through the wall.

Hey Omerta,

Here is what you could do:

1.) Make youtube videos teaching people how to play guitar .... Then make a video playing a popular song (Go to the popular song and make a "video response". That way you will get traffic coming in from the people viewing those videos"

2.) While you make these videos obviously have adsense in case something goes viral. But, grow your audience and during that time solve a problem.

Once you do, you already have a customer base and could probably get a nice buzz around it in the industry.

Hope that's helpful