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Original Post By:
Warren Blazes
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Date: 8/13/2010 3:00:59 PM |
| Many of you out there, like myself, have been performing for nursing homes, church groups, community affairs and even on street corners. We had to find our way without the help of any "How To" books and get some sound equipment, prepare promotional material, contact places to book a show and even deal with legal issues. Maybe someday such a book will be published, perhaps by Flea Market Music. But for now, maybe you have some tips that would you like to pass on to those starting out. |
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Posted By:
cowbelle
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Date: 8/13/2010 3:49:55 PM |
Warren,
The best person for sound equipment advice,in my opinion,is ricdoug who posts often on FMM and other ukulele forums.Do a search for that subject area and you will find a lot of material. Same holds true for free "legal" advice regarding use of songs under differing circumstances such as paid or free and copying material.
I question whether anyone would write a book about sound equipment. Think how recently amps and speakers required an athletic team to move the gear.Now we have terrific sounding gear which is easy to carry and battery powered.
Same thoughts for promotional material. Lots is online from clinics to festivals or passing through town. "Borrow" and modify!
Best luck to you.
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Posted By:
Warren Blazes
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Date: 8/13/2010 5:40:34 PM
(Updated: 8/13/2010 6:29:30 PM)
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Thanks for your reply, Cowbelle, but I've done this for so long I could probably write such a book. My first paying job was a rock and roll show in 1957. Today, you may be required to fill out a W9 form and supply a tax identification number to get paid. Other legal problems might include being considered a nuisance for playing street corners. Then there is the fine art of convincing someplace that they should hire you.
There are a lot of sources of information out there, but no one source for the small time guy. There are books on music law and setting up a rock band, but the small acoustic scene is overlooked.
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Posted By:
cowbelle
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Date: 8/13/2010 8:41:06 PM |
Hi Warren,
Hope you weren't offended by my reply. I had no idea that you had so much experience which could be shared.
Perhaps you might consider writing a booklet and make it available online either for profit or donation to one or more forums.
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Posted By:
Jamie_T
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Date: 8/13/2010 11:16:55 PM |
| Like the saying goes....trying to make music in the money business....sums it up these days...
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Posted By:
Dutch
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Date: 8/14/2010 8:33:13 AM |
These days???
Georges Bizet (1838-1875)said of music, "What an enobling art and what a sad profession." It's difficult at best. Many veteran military musicians I know are postal employees who gig.
Strength & Honor
Dutch
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Posted By:
Jamie_T
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Date: 8/14/2010 9:49:41 AM |
| That's a great quote from Mr. Bizet!
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Posted By:
Neil E Murphy
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Date: 8/14/2010 12:24:16 PM |
| Don't quit your day job.
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Posted By:
Jamie_T
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Date: 8/15/2010 9:58:07 AM |
| A well known Bluegrass band once said on stage at a festival I was playing..." there are dozens of dollars to be made playing bluegrass music" got a pretty good laugh out of the audience!
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Posted By:
ricdoug
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Date: 8/16/2010 1:01:37 AM |
Johnnie Mac, from Australia, wrote that book Warren:
http://www.buskerworld.com/
The book and the additional resources are priceless. As for legal issues, busking is covered under the 1st ammendment to our Constitution. It simply involves learning how to apply it to your situation.
Internet Social Media networking is a growing marketing tool too, Warren. FaceBook, MySpace, Twitter, CraigsList and many other sites offer ways for you to market yourself. Ric
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Posted By:
Jim Lenn
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Date: 8/16/2010 9:48:22 AM |
Perhaps Hunter S. Thompson said it best when talking about the music "business"..
The music business is a cruel and shallow money trench, a long plastic hallway where thieves and pimps run free, and good men die like dogs. There's also a dark side...
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Posted By:
East Mountain
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Date: 8/16/2010 11:11:24 AM |
| I'm not sure who said it first, but I always liked this adage: "Music is too important to leave to the professionals."
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Posted By:
Warren Blazes
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Date: 8/16/2010 12:01:19 PM |
To me, "small time" is not about money but more as a form of expression and community service. When I was younger, I had some experience locally with the "BIG TIME" doing festivals, county fairs, store promotions, dealing with an agent and playing on local radio and television stations. I didn't like to do bars.
Things a different now, so here's what i did. I contacted the activities director at a number of senior citizen facilities, showed them what I can do and set up some bookings. Since they were pleased with my efforts they call me back and have passed my name around to other places and that takes care of promotion. You might try this. I even got booked into some luxury senior apartment complexes that pay well.
The advantages playing these places: 1. I don't have to learn the latest hit songs, 2. I only have to play for an hour, 3. I get home early, 4. I don't have to deal with drunks.
I keep the gear simple: AmpCan amplifier and few accessories. I don't have to make two trips bringing stuff in.
One last thought; unknown solo ukulele players might have a little trouble getting bookings.
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Posted By:
AlanJ
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Date: 8/16/2010 1:34:09 PM |
| Ric, busking is not necessarily covered by the 1st amendment in the United States. Chicago considers busking to be entertainment and is treated as such requiring proper permits and the busker is responsible for any and all licensing costs if not playing original material or material that is in the public domain. Also, as much as I enjoy social media interactions, when I've added my 30,000th Facebook "friend" who only wants to sell me something instead of truly interacting, then they've lost me forever. It works against you as well as with you. Social interaction sites can be a boon for keeping your audience up to date and for seeking others that may enjoy what you have to offer but it's going to take more time and more of yourself than periodic "Hey! I just played a song so go listen to it!" updates.
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Posted By:
ricdoug
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Date: 8/17/2010 1:46:43 AM |
Social networking is a free way to put our music out of among billions, Allen. It brings me weekly responses. Busking IS a 1st ammendment right. Not many have challenged it, though:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Busking
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Posted By:
pippin
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Date: 8/17/2010 2:56:51 AM |
Ric, Allen's point, though, is valid. In the NYC subways, for example, a busker permit limits the number of entertainers to routes that are not yet covered by another busker-- you are stationed in various locales and there are police officers in close proximity to prevent muggers from trying to bother the buskers.
Freedom of speech is not quite the same as standing on a corner playing guitar for nickels and dimes (or dollars). In the one, you are not passing the hat. In the other, you are considered to be selling a service and many municipalities want a piece of that action via licenses.
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Posted By:
AlanJ
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Date: 8/17/2010 3:40:46 PM |
Ric, if you re-read my statement, "busking is not necessarily covered by the 1st amendment in the United States" then examine the link you provided, you will see the exceptions where busking is NOT covered by the 1st amendment. Delve deeper and examine the numerous court cases involving busking so I wouldn't necessarily state that "not many have challenged it".
Glad you are getting your desired results via social networking. If you believe it's right for everyone then I guess we'll have to disagree. Personally, if I want to hear a crappy song on Facebook, I'll just post mine. *insert rim-shot* But I have become exposed to others who took the time to try to develop their contacts and treat them as individuals not just a blind marketing group.
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Posted By:
ricdoug
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Date: 8/18/2010 2:58:03 AM |
| It's the same thing as those that solicit signatures for ballot proposals in Wal-Mart parking lots that get paid by the signature. It is a 1st Ammendment right. Muggers? I call that "recreational entertainment". I understand your stances, Alan and Mickey. I just don't believe the legality. I'm a far cry from what most would consider a musician, but I've consitantly cleared more than $20 bucks/hour on the occasions that I've busked. Ric
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Posted By:
Boswell
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Date: 8/20/2010 12:01:35 AM |
| Quit your day job.
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Posted By:
BillyM
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Date: 8/25/2010 3:17:14 PM |
I've been working senior facilities the last couple of years. A few key things I have learned:
1. Have to keep working the Activities Directors. Even if you've been someplace multiple times, there is no substitute for follow-up phone calls.
2. I put together a promotional CD that helped.
3. Someone said earlier they thought it might be difficult for an unknown solo uke player to break in. I probably agree with that. I started with guitar only and have gradually worked in uke songs (because they like them) and now probably do 50/50. So multiple instruments can help and you must sing, of course.
4. Repertoire is critical for the seniors. I only do things from the 20's, 30's and the Great American songbook. Even many things from the 50's get lost on them (sometimes I throw in a couple newer things just so I don't go nuts!).
5. The better the show you put on, the more work you'll have. It's not like standing on a dimly lit stage in front of a bar crowd. Talk about the history of the songs, use humor, etc.
6. Be prepared to see a few nodding off in wheelchairs. It's not about you, it's about them. Sure I make a few bucks that keeps me in a new uke now and then and covers my gas money, but it's also about giving back. At then end of the day, it has to be fun for you.
7. Try to keep the set-up simple. I now use a Fishman Soloamp as my PA and with guitar, uke, PA, mic, cabling, etc., I can do it all in one trip.
8. Be prepared for a workout, 18-20 songs in an hour. When you're working solo, it's a lot of singing and playing. I figure almost 3 hours for a 1 hour show. Half hour travel each way, 20 minutes, or so, each for set-up and teardown and 1 hour for the show. When I get home I'm tired.
But when all is said and done, I think it's a very worthwhile thing to do. Don't want to work late nights at bars any more and it keeps me in front of an audience.
Bill
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Posted By:
DrSteve
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Date: 8/26/2010 9:20:10 AM |
Bill & Warren, thanks for the comments about playing in senior centers. It's something I've considered, as a way to serve.
This has been an interesting discussion. Thanks, everyone.
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Posted By:
allenhopkins
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Date: 8/27/2010 12:17:56 PM |
Great thread! Much of what I might have added, has been said above. I do about 175 gigs per year, about half of which are at seniors' facilities. Usually bring guitar, 5-string banjo, ukulele and harmonica. My Amp Can is usually all I need for amplification, but I have a Fishman SoloAmp if more's needed. I find that a weekly e-mailing of my schedule to about 250 local addresses, including activities people at places I've played, keeps my name in front of them. I also send out six or so postcard mailings annually to about 275 recipients. Periodically I send a targeted promo mailing to places I've either played before, or would like to play. I also try to remember that, although it's the residents who constitute the audience, it's the staff that hires me, so I try to please them as best I can.
As to the overall "music biz," my homemade aphorism is "Music's a wonderful mistress, but a lousy wife." Glad I've never had to depend on performing as my major income source.
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