This is Xavier Foley, and I’ve been thinking about something a bit different. What if you already have a full-time career, maybe in finance, design, healthcare, or education, but you’ve always had a quiet pull toward music? Or maybe you’ve thought about picking up an instrument again, just for yourself.
Balancing a Career and a Creative Life
Take Dr. David Macklovitch, who earned his PhD in French Literature from Columbia University and works as a French Professor there, according to Medium. He also performs with the electronic music duo Chromeo, which has received Grammy nominations. Or consider the tech professional featured on TalkBass forums, who's been playing bass since 2007, working full-time in technology while performing with bands on weekends across rock, R&B, and country styles.
In fact, playing an instrument as a hobby could give you a lot more than just fun on the weekends. A research shows that adults who play musical instruments can enjoy improved cognitive function, reduced stress, and increased emotional well-being. For instance, one analysis found that learning an instrument may enhance memory, self-esteem, and life satisfaction even later in life. Another overview of the benefits described how playing an instrument supports executive functioning (planning, multitasking, emotional regulation) and might contribute to long-term brain health.
Learning Without Pressure
So if you’ve got a day job that occupies most of your hours, yet a bass or piano, guitar, whatever sits in the corner of your mind.. You may be in exactly the position to benefit from what music offers.
Here’s how I’d frame it, and how I may help:
- You have structure and discipline already. Your career has taught you habits of focus, learning, and maybe long hours. That means transitioning into a musical hobby could be more natural than you imagine.
- The stakes are lower, but the upside is real. You’re not depending on playing for income, which means you can progress at your own pace. That freedom means you could enjoy the journey rather than chase perfection.
- The aesthetic of the bass (or your chosen instrument) works as a powerful tool for growth. I’ve spent my life in the double-bass world, and I can say with conviction: every note you play, every groove you lock in, builds coordination, ear-training, and flow. And all of that can ripple into your “other life”: creativity, patience, stress resilience.
- I offer you a solution to get started. If you’re thinking, “Where do I begin?”, I may have something for you. Whether you pick up one of my short melodic pieces or dive into a simple exercise book designed for busy people, you could build a habit that fits around your professional commitments.
Finding Your Starting Point
In short, if you already have a career but sense that there’s a musical side of you waiting, this may be your moment. It may not transform you into a touring bassist overnight, and you may not have time to practice five hours a day. But you could gain something meaningful: a creative outlet, a tool for mental refreshment, a long-term personal growth path.
If you have ever thought about exploring the bass, I may have something that can help. My Double Bass BASsics book is a set of short, melodic pieces made for players who enjoy the thumb position or want to explore it. These pieces sound great on orchestral basses and are beginner-friendly too.
Drop a message if you’d like some guidance getting started. If you’re just getting into the bass, I’d love to hear your story.