Want to make music my profession but...

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Okay, so as many of you know, I am desperate to make music my career because its what I love to do and NOT for the fame and money. The problem is I really don't feel I have the support from anyone in my immediate family and that's what's really holding me back. My parents say all they want in life is for me to be happy and singing is what makes me the happiest so aren't they contradicting themselves by saying I shouldn't do what I love the most? I want to sing to inspire people and give them hope, especially for those who have been through adversity. As long as I've achieved that goal, then I've done my job.

I know the path to getting there is not going to be a straight one and that there will be some bumps in the road which is why I'm taking baby steps to eventually get to where I want to be. I will jump at every opportunity I get to perform whether its by myself or with my chorus. I have also thought about starting a Soundcloud page to get people to listen. Another problem is that I'm not great at songwriting but would love to learn to do it if someone could teach me. I also want to be in Nashville and not a big, overwhelming city like LA or NY. Nashville is also a perfect fit for me since I love country music.

I just feel like I'm living my life according to my parents instead of trying to live my own life!

Why do you need your parents support to pursue music? Just do it anyway. You'll never survive in any business where your personal work is on show if you're going to be paralysed by lack of approval from anyone.

Because its always easier to pursue your dreams when you have parental support. I just don't feel I can unless they approve.

You can. Really.

Why do you think you can't? Are they physically holding you down and stopping you from making music?

What do you care more about: your dreams, or the fact that they might disapprove? They'll get over it eventually. Be a success, then you can say "I told you so".

Hopefully once they realize I'm not doing it for the fame and money, they'll be more supportive. My mom kind of knows its what I want to do, she just hasn't said anything to me yet. My dad, on the other hand, has made it very clear to me several times that he only wants me to do singing for my own enjoyment and nothing else. Its like I'm living this big lie!

They aren't physically holding me down but I do feel because I live in close proximity to them, they are stopping me from making my own decisions. I do have a Plan B which is to work with dolphins or birds, my second special interest.

I believe its very important for us Aspies to have a job where we can use our special interests. I have some friends and family members who are musicians and singers and they in no way do it for the fame and money, but because they love doing it.

You're better off working with birds and dolphins.

While you might be going into music for the noblest of intentions, going into music as a profession is akin to entering a pit of rattlesnakes. Eventually, you get bit and invemonated.

First off, less than 1% of the total acts out there make it to the big time.

Second, be prepared to be lied to, taken advantage of, and totally screwed by every booking agent, every personal agent, as well as A&R agent in the profession. If you can't produce a mister hit with your first album, the record companies will tell you to go fsck yourself.

Third, the American Federation of Musicians is NOT your friend, especially if the only work you get are Musicians Performance Trust Fund gig, which won't even pay your gas to get to the job, once they take out taxes and work dues.

Finally, if you do find a steady gig, the only thing you might ever be saying is "Would you like fries with that?"

Finally, the motto of my high school graduating class was "Go confidently in the direction of your dreams." THAT WAS THE BIGGEST LIE OF ALL!! !! ! Why? BECAUSE ALL MY DREAMS TURNED INTO NIGHTMARES!! !! !! !! !! !!

Okay, to be honest, your statement was very discouraging. I know that is it very hard for many people like me but you really didn't have to be so negative about it.

Get a life!

I'm sorry that I'm a nattering nabob of negativism. I'm being a realist. I'm just telling you after all the bullsh!t I went through the past 40 years. I'm not sugarcoating anything. If I had to do it all over again, would I do it? First off, what's done in the past remains there. Just take it from someone who's been there, done that, and has the physical and psychological scars to prove it.

Keep in mind there are other ways of making a living with music that don't involve being a performer. You could go into giving lessons, music education, music therapy, etc.

Performing is great and if you want to pursue it don't let anyone stop you, but it'll be hard to support yourself that way most likely.

Again, getting discouraged by the slightest bit of negativity.

I AM A MUSICIAN, and I am telling you, you need to harden up if you want to get anywhere.

Music as a profession does not make you any money, but it sure is fun. I've been a semi-pro for 30 years - ie make enough to cover costs. It's a hard world and if you stick to it people will hurt you on the way. I think the best approach is to do it because you enjoy it, the more you enjoy it, the more the crowd does too. Just go for it, you're still young enough to change your path later. Music will always be there for you.

As to song writing, practice rhyming, writing poetry. Mess around with chord patterns and melody and rhythm. Be your own harshest critic. It's very hard to write different sounding songs.

Good Luck - as the song goes "It's my life and I'll do what I want!! !"