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 A day job and playing guitar are often synonymous

A day job is a reality for most guitar players, musicians and creative artists in general. It might not make your day job any easier but you may find comfort in knowing that one of the greatest innovators of the instrument, Wes Montgomery, was no exception. Wes burnt the candle at both ends. Smokin’ on the guitar at night, Wes worked a day job as a welder to support his large family while he honed his craft, sometimes playing 2 gigs into the early morning hours.

So don’t feel bad if you are slogging it out in a less than perfect employment scenario. There is a long list of hyper-talented people who had to pay dues for large parts of their lives before they were able to have more control over their time. You may be chained to your day job physically but you can still be thinking about those fingerings, chord extensions and lyrical treatments. Just be careful not to hurt your hands – you’re going to need them.

Try to get the most out of your day job

A day job may be harsh, but it doesn’t have to be the end of the world. Aside from the old adage, “Whatever doesn’t kill us makes us stronger”, a day job can offer many positive learning experiences and opportunities to develop important relationships. There are plenty of other great people out there working on their dreams who you might meet at your day job. So for now, let’s grin and bear it and not allow it to tarnish our dream.

The eccentric but successful comedian, Andy Kaufman, worked as a bus boy  while he was starring on a hit TV series, presumably to get material and stay in touch with “regular” life. And don’t forget Rodriguez  who had a day job in construction and toiled away in obscurity and was even thought to be dead although he was a star to a huge fan base – all unknown to him.

So keep working and keep playing your guitar, good things may be right around the corner. And remember, a dream is bigger than a dollar!

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