how to get started as a giging musician

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Güiro

Posts: 158
Joined: Aug. 22 2008
From: Colorado

how to get started as a giging musician

I am interested in becoming a gigging musician and I know a few of you guys on the forum already are so I thought I would ask your opinion on how to get started. I guess I am looking for advice on things to do and things not to do. For example should you start out doing open mic night at the local bar or is that a bad idea. I have heard from a few people that by doing this it makes you seem unprofessional and that people won't want to pay to see you if they can see you for free.

REPORT THIS POST AS INAPPROPRIATE | Date May 16 2009 22:39:41

Florian

Posts: 9282
Joined: Jul. 14 2003
From: Adelaide/Australia

RE: how to get started as a giging m... (in reply to Güiro)

Yes i wouldnt bother with the open mic..unless you can come to some kind of agreement with the owner that you share the profits..

heres some suggestions that hopefully will help you..some require litlle money some dont..etc.

- Open a Myspace or any website (somewhere where people can hear your music for free..myspace is good because it seems alive, people accidentaly drop in..unlike a website, its good if a potential client goes to your myspace to listen to your demo and it wont hurt you if he sees that 200 other people liked your music before etc..) make your website profesional looking not like you are there just to chat to people..use a professional or one that looks close to it not one that looks like it was taken in your backyard or on your webcam..if you dont have profesional photos its eazy enough to play with the contrast and lighting until they look more vibrant and professional ....it is better to have one good photo and one good mp3 than 20 amature looking or sounding ones..

- Make a demo cd or dvd...use whatever you have..if you dont have the equipment its worth asking a friend or even spending a couple of hundred bucs to do it profesionaly...as it represents you to clients..( or even beter invest in a good mic, soundcard, do it at home)

- Get busines cards made or make them yourself..(very cheap) hand em out like free candy (make sure your website/myspace is there so theres somewhere where your potential clients can hear you)

- If you can afford it list your number in the phone book...for flamenco guitarist (id recomend go under Spanish Guitarist or both to be safe. )

- Approach restaurants/ clubs/cafes ofer them something they will like ..tell them that you are willing to take a risk ..u will promote it, bring people in and if it does well you share the profits if not you will take a loss etc..be flexible, if you are good at advertising or have alot of friends u can make good money this way (approach strugling restaurtans etc..they are more likely to say yes)...(but ofcourse dont get ripped off) leave demo cd or dvd or atleast bussines card

- Approach bridal registry places ( i dont know if they called the same in the Us..basicaly bridal shops..everyone who is about to get married goes there and almost everyone wants romantic guitar on their dream day...cater your avertising to that idea) so approach the shop and ask them if you may leave some demo cds/ dvds and cards (whatever you have)...most of the time they will love you for it because it makes them look good (but unless it looks really professional or tasteful, they are more likely to say no..u wanna look classy, refined and expensive for bridal shops also make sure the cover of your demo cd or whatever is clear and says exactly what it is at a glance..( i suggest having vibrant colours eg Red..so it stands out even at a glance)

- This might cost a bit but if you can get yourself an ad in a bridal Magazine should payback well..again make sure it looks professional and says what it is at a glance.

- Same goes for local news papers..whatever type of media you can get on take advantage..

- Make a professional Artist packet..approach festivals..learn about writting an Artistic Bio, Pres Release and what is in a artist pack etc..use the internet, everything you need to learn is there and its free..one at the time..search in google

- Network, try and get in to guitar festivals opening parties etc....tell people what you do...at parties etc.. leave bussines cards..if they seem half interested leave busines card..

i am sure theres others this is what i can think off of the top of my head..il edit if i can think of anymore..

most important ..your demo/cover/website is presented as profesional as possible....u want them to know that you do this for a living

as far as anyone is concerned you are the most popular and profesional Spanish guitarist in Colorado..dont brag (you have to be likable) ..if you cant do it without sounding like you braging..but dont give them the impression that you just started giging..

and just because someone says no when you walk into a restaurant dosent mean they might not rethink that a month from now ...dont lose heart...you
wanna plant a seed..paint a pretty picture of what it could be like..

you have allready done this and know how good it could be, and they are lucky you have gonne to them..thats what your bodylanguage should say in a polite ,gentle and unobvious way..

they should feel like if they dont snap you up right now it is going to be them that miss out ..

good luck..hope it helps some

ps..my favourite way of gigging ..you dont relie on anyone else..u save the money, hire the venue, do the advertising, hire the stuff, and take the money....afterall noone can create the perfect gig and the kind of athmosphere you wanna play in and present flamenco in for yourself better than you can

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REPORT THIS POST AS INAPPROPRIATE | Date May 16 2009 23:20:12

Ailsa

Posts: 2277
Joined: Apr. 17 2007
From: South East England

RE: how to get started as a giging m... (in reply to Florian)

That's really great advice Flo. You sure are a giving person!

Not that I'm aiming to play for money myself! I think this bit is really valuable:

quote:

and just because someone says no when you walk into a restaurant dosent mean they might not rethink that a month from now ...dont lose heart...you
wanna plant a seed..paint a pretty picture of what it could be like..

because it is tough putting yourself out there and getting rejected, which you will inevitably some of the time. But you are right later on they might say, oh year remember that guy, he might be worth a try.

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REPORT THIS POST AS INAPPROPRIATE | Date May 17 2009 1:39:19

Florian

Posts: 9282
Joined: Jul. 14 2003
From: Adelaide/Australia

RE: how to get started as a giging m... (in reply to Ailsa)

my pleasure

quote:

Not that I'm aiming to play for money myself! I think this bit is really valuable

you dont have to be modest with me

we all like getting paid for playing..is the best money in the world...better then regular money..$100 gig money feels like $500 regular money ...shame i cant convince the people at my corner shop of that lol but it really does feel more valuable

yes ofcourse you have to be prepared..90 % of the time you might be rejected...but its not really a regection..its probably very sudden for them.. they need time to sink in and thing about it....so all you do is plant a seed.....or something comes up in his place a function and they ask him if he knows any musiceans and if he likes your demo he might just recomend you etc..

so even if he says he has to think about it leave a demo or a bussines card whith your website ( u know judge it..if you sure he wont call then dont waiste it but if you think he might..)..its one think to tell them another to let them hear for themselfs

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REPORT THIS POST AS INAPPROPRIATE | Date May 17 2009 6:20:53

Güiro

Posts: 158
Joined: Aug. 22 2008
From: Colorado

RE: how to get started as a giging m... (in reply to Florian)

Hey Florian

Thanks for all the great ideas. I especially like the idea of leaving promo material at the bridal shop. I never thought about that before.

REPORT THIS POST AS INAPPROPRIATE | Date May 17 2009 8:29:00