Canadian Musician - March / April 2020 | Page 10

INDIE INSIDER By Michael Raine T he dream for any dedicated musician is to make enough money from playing and re- cording that you don’t need the “side gig.” You know, the job you do to supplement music-related income to get the rent paid and food in the fridge. But let’s be real. The majority of gig- ging musicians need that side hustle. Lord knows CD sales and streaming aren’t pay- ing for much in 2020 for most artists. So, if that’s your reality, wouldn’t it be sweet if the side gig was not only musical, but could also advance your playing career and chops? Of course it would, and that’s why teaching music lessons can be a per- fect part-time job for musicians with the right background and personality. “When I rolled over into my 30s, I kind of hit what I call my ‘one-third life crisis’ and analyzed, like, ‘I don’t enjoy this retail thing and I want to do music full-time,’” recalls Jay Watts, the drummer for popular 10 CANADIAN MUSICIAN TEACHING MAY BE THE PERFECT SIDE GIG indigenous folk-rock duo Twin Flames and a drum/vocal teacher at School of Rock in the Ottawa suburb of Orleans, ON. Watts had been a musician his entire life and got into drumming after high school. At one point, he played in as many as nine different bands. “Naturally, like many other musicians, I had to work a crummy retail job to pay the bills … and then on the weekend and evenings I would play as many shows as I could. But as I aged, that grind started wearing on me.” Long story short, Watts went back to university at age 31, majoring in music and minoring in history with the idea of being a high school music teacher. Fortuitously, during his studies, a School of Rock location opened near his house. He applied, audi- tioned, and got the part-time job. School of Rock wasn’t meant to be his final teaching destination, but Watts didn’t realize how fulfilling teaching lessons would be, and how many opportunities it would open up for him in his music career. With other teachers at the studio he formed Bytown Lights, a cover band that does weddings, corporate events, and other occasions. (“There’s excellent money being in a cover band,” he notes). Through teaching, he also got the chance to join the Hitmen Drum Line, which performs at pro soccer and football games as well as corporate events. “And it’s through that community that I got on the radar of Twin Flames. One opportunity will always lead to another,” Watts says. “The more hustle you put into your music career, the more valuable you will become as a teacher. If you are well-known in the community as an ex- ceptional player, all around good person, and someone who is passionate about music, you will get teaching gigs. Good paying ones too! The harder you work, the more money you can make as a teacher. The two are truly a harmonious pairing of careers for any serious musician.” As teaching brought about Watts’ good fortune, it became a good oppor- tunity for two of his fellow School of Rock