Jay,
the only thing i have to say,( i don't think i know enough to give advice.) is this.
The best football players,hockey players,ballplayers etc don't always make the best coaches.
i guess that goes for guitar players/musicians as well. when it comes to teaching.
i think to be successful you have to go to the level the student is at.
because you know so much and they know little, teachers tend to be with them for a while and then. " it's the same as b5 or you can......................." hello... are you speaking chinese? no one mentioned b5.
to you it's as simple as abc, but when your learning and you dont know abc. the learnee becomes totally confused. you have to go step by step. you can not assume they know anything. you know when you assume something you usually make an ASS..out of ..U..and..ME
I hope you come a great teacher and make lots of money. i'm sure you will.
I dont know if you see what i mean, but teaching is about communicating on the same level,imo.
good luck and all the best,
roger

I think that's an excellent choice Jason,

At least you'll be making a living, those studio musicians (good ones), make a dang good living.

Also there is always session work, etc, etc.

Good Luck Man !!

Doing studio work is awesome, but, not always an easy field to get into.

Chris

No it's not, you must have versatility.

A player must learn most genres and be quick on his/her feet, or get the boot !!

I think the studio/session musicians are probably the "Top Guns" in the biz.

Good for you, Jason. I wish you the best luck.
It's good when one can work on something he likes.
Antonio

Sight reading ...
getting the sound the producer wants even if he can't describe it (i.e. much gear/flexible gear and knowledge how to use it and get the sounds needed) ...

you will also need to do alot of recording at studios w your own money, so you can be noticed by engineers, producers, etc. have to build a name for yourself. it doesnt drop right in your lap.
but on the other hand, its great that you are starting to shape your future. i wish i would have done things different, myself. be prepared to be poor though. hehe musicians that arent famous arent known for having scratch. hehehe kudos!! laterz

germ

... on a not-so-bright sidenote: be prepared to do studio jobs where you can not stand the music, detest the producer and hate the artist (like playing rhythm guitar for a Britney Spears wannabe girlie). That's what put me off 5 years ago. I decided then and there that music is too precious to me to waste my time with jobs like that.

Hi Jay

Whatever you decide to do, give it your best shot. Enjoy and have fun with what you're doing.
If you earn enough to pay the 'bills' and have some cash left over for a few beers, that's an added bonus.
I met a British singer, Craig Douglas (60's singer with a few hits) a few months ago, and he said he still gets the buzz and enjoys performing live. This is 40 yrs after he first started. If he didn't then he would pack it in; and do something else.
That is a good way of looking at life and work.
I retired early from ill health, but I've enjoyed most of the jobs I've had. Now I'm retired I enjoy everything I do. (Mind you, retirement doesn't pay that well!!LOL)

All the best

Steve

Jason, go for it. I think many people find disillusionment in life because they try to fit in the standard mode of a 9 to 5 job that they absolutely hate. Go after something you love and spend your life doing it. I highly recommend it.

Shane