Hey Alex, Nice thread here. I always wanted to be a pro musician, but my parents won't let me even try, I know I am very bad for my age, and want to learn and improve a lot.
I want to be like you know, everybody else, recording an album, then going out on the road and stuff, but, the main problem is, I don't have a band.
Heavy metal is not so popular in India, and I can't change the style because that's how my creativity goes. I always create riffs which are heavy and aggressive. Although sometimes I do get to clean guitars, and write slower stuff but that's when I am in a crying kinda bad mood (then you make write a power ballad
)
So, what do I do, where do I start ????? Any tips and help ?
I think starting now, and learning and then completing both the processes simultaneously by the time I am 20 or 21 would be good, and maybe, I'll be able to move out of the country, and try to settle in L.A, or N.Y (I have relatives there, so I may get help)
Music is a very hard profession and it's hard to make money in this field because of a huge competition!
I think the best way to start is to get an education first! Metal is like Jazz almost impossible to make a living!
So if you want to be a pro guitar player you have to know how to play in any style and be able to come up with a part on the spot!
Also you will have to combine 3-4 jobs to make a decent living! Studio, Solo career, Teaching, Touring
So if you will figure out how to manage your gigs you will be fine!
My first advice will be to get a band together! Doesn't matter what style just start playing with other people! It will give you so much experience and you will be looking at music from a new perspective! You can also do some research about music schools and try to maybe do a summer program after that you will be able to decide if you really want to go the route of becoming a pro musician!
P.S. New York is more for Jazz L.A. is more for Rock
I hope that helps!