Is it selfish of me to try for a solo musician?

[Benji]

Im in a band with my three best friends and i have written loads of songs for our band. The band (including me) want to start making a cover album first. We play music from feeder to iron maiden. I am the bassist and singer of my band, i also play guitar but not in the band. Ive written songs specifically for the band but my songs that i dont write specifically for the band are mainly things like newton faulkner style stuff and i love making music like that. I have been writing songs for years and ive always wanted to be a musician, either in a band or by myself. mainly by myself as ive always felt like i have more freedom with my songs that way and i can change anything i want whenever i want. Being in a band lets me do the same things but i am slightly restricted to what i can tweak with a song because the band has to agree with me that it is a good idea to change that part of a song. I am writing some really good songs at the minute and i have started to record them to see if they sound any good. Im really pleased with how i sound and how well some of my songs are coming together. I want to stay in the band but i also want to do things solo. I just dont know what i should focus on more and i dont think i can tell my band mates as they might react badly and feel im giving up on them and im not giving up on the band at all by doing things solo. Im in high school and my music teacher says im really good at making my own songs as we have had to do solo performances for gcse. My teacher also says im really good in the band. So would i be acting selfish if i was trying to be successful in the future with a solo career? I know its not so important to go for it now but i want to get my head clear and focused on what i want to do.

[Veg9]

Well, is it selfish-that is iffy. It is not selfish in the world of performance, where you would kill your friend's hopes and dreams for something just because it is an opportunity for you. However, where most people live, that is bad and it is ditching them. You have to ask yourself if they would understand and if you care if they understand or not.

[Kat_x3]

OOH, do you have a youtube page or link/twitter etc so I can have a listen?
And I don't think you are being selfish. In today's world, most people are out for themselves and as depressing as this sounds, everyone is alone to begin with, so do what makes YOU happy.
It's not like you're just 'ditching' them. You have made a personal decision that you would be happier and more yourself, doing it, well, yourself.
I mean, there's always that possibility that you like the idea better though so it might be worth doing things on the quiet by yourself, and whichever you prefer, you can stick with.
Hope this has helped
Kat

[Stuart]

Not at all selfish - you are just doing what you enjoy. Look at Take That - they were a band, Robbie left to do his own thing, they were then reunited for a while but Robbie has left again but now they are still friends and talking. In your case, it shouldn't feel selfish if you are friends with them - if you have success as I think you will, then maybe they will be happy for you! If I was in a band I'll be happy that my ex-band mate was successful in his solo career.

But before you make any drastic decisions. Think of all the advantages and disadvantages of leaving.

All the best!