Music Business Archives - Page 2
How Much Should I Get Paid for Gigs?
Q: I gig about 10-16 times a month on double bass and electric and live in a rural part of the UK. Some gigs involve a drive of 50-100 miles for about ?50-75. Do you have a minimum fee for local work, and a max distance you will drive for small bar type gigs? I am trying to find my...
How To Transition to Pro Level?
Q: My question is this: how did you transition to a pro level and play concerts vs. playing bars and functions? I have been playing for quite a few years and have played with some very good musicians out of Berklee and local players, but I always dream of stepping up to the next level. I am lucky to find...
Promoting Yourself as a Bassist
Q: I’m currently playing for a punk band that has pretty good local success in that genre, however, having done this for a while I know no band lasts forever and I would like to aim higher. I would also like to get my name out as a bassist available for side projects, lessons, etc. I made a separate Facebook...
Guide’s Goal Is To Inspire Improved Music Careers
A new book from Hal Leonard Corp. aims to help aspiring music artists. Five Star Music Makeover: The Independent Artist’s Guide for Singers, Songwriters, Bands, Producers, and Self-Publishers, written by five industry experts, covers five key skills: improving vocal production/technique, songwriting, recording an EP, music publishing, and promoting your music. The authors share industry insider stories, inspiration via celebrity interviews...
Book Offers Tips on Negotiating the Music Business
There’s more to being a musician than making music. For many, the music making can be the easiest part of establishing a career. Bobby Borg, onetime drummer for Warrant and a teacher of music business classes at Musician’s Institute and UCLA Extension, has written Business Basics for Musicians: The Complete Handbook from Start to Success to help fellow musicians negotiate...
Freelance Gigs: Five Tips for Bass Players
The last “Tips” column (on avoiding injury), was a popular one. So let’s continue this series with some tips on freelancing. 1. Be Musically Prepared If there is sheet music, review it. If there are recordings, listen to them. As much as possible, be familiar with all the parts. Be acquainted with the melodies, harmonies, key rhythmic devices, etc. inherent...
Promoting All of Your Gigs: A Guide for Bass Players
Q: Damian, your Artist Data show announcement for tonight just popped up in my news feed. That made me think about self promotion for bassists (aka sidemen where people rarely come to see us play, but the artist we support). How do we promote ourselves when we are not the main attraction and what platforms (Artist Data, BandMix, Reverb Nation,...
Dealing with a Bad Band Leader
Q: Since you have travelled and played with many you might be able to shed some light on this: My band has enjoyed some success in our home country, we have an album released via a label and have played the better venues of our area. We are now on our first tour – a three-piece, and well, to be...
Hal Leonard Publishes “Music Marketing for the DIY Musician”
The author of Billboard Books’ best-selling The Musician’s Handbook has some more advice to offer. This time, Bobby Borg, who has a long career as a musician, educator and author, is turning his eye and pen to going DIY with . Published as part of Hal Leonard Corp.’s Music Pro Series of guides and CDs, the book shares how innovative...
Deciding if the Gig is Worth It
Q: I auditioned last night for a seventeen year old up-and-coming female country star. She has recorded an album with well known Nashville producer and has hits with a few her songs. I feel it is just a matter of time before she is signed to a major deal. She has everything the new Nashville loves. My dilemma is this:...
Thoughts on “Making It” in the Music Business
Q: I’m a bass player in Chicago. I’m 17 and have been playing for 10 years. I’ve always wanted to be a bass player and I always will be. I wanted to ask you about being a bass player in today’s society. When you listen to interviews with older bass players, they say they played in a couple bands, did...
Life as a Working Bassist: Where Does the Money Come From?
Q: What is the reality of how guys like you earn a living? I don’t mean to imply that you are “rolling in it,” but how do bassists who focus on freelance work actually make ends meet? A: Great question! Although I’ve talked about the various ways to make things happen in a career or in a scene, I don’t...