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Get your first gig
Cj

You're in a band and you've been practicing and think your ready to get out and play a show! Right on! We have all been there, the new band and nowhere to play.

These tips will help you out.

Research!

Since you're here and reading this, I figure you have been to most places where you can see live music in your local area. If not, you need to gather the band together and start hitting all the spots in your town or city where bands are playing. Not only do you want to see all the cool spots, but also you want to meet some people in your music scene and see if there is a venue that caters to your music styles.

Meeting other bands and venue managers is technically called networking. Your out there shaking hands and telling people about your band, but also you are getting a feel for the lay of the land. What clubs pay what and which venue managers are hard to get along with. As well you should be looking for things like in house sound equipment and meeting soundmen. Keep a notebook in the car. Right down notes on each club or venue so that later you have references to look at when you start calling on them for a gig.

If your trudging around town and can't find someplace that already does live music, hook up with a local DJ or a bar manager that you think might agree to have you come in for a short set. If your town is so small that you know for a fact that there is no way at all you will be playing there, it is time to drive over to the next town and see what's going on. Don't forget though, that you buddy down the street might be throwing a party and doesn't know you will be willing to play a set or two for him. Anything to get out there, right?

Things to look for in your town

Open mic night is always a blast. You usually find a fair mix of the good, bad and ugly from your local area. Don't be afraid to show up and play a song or two. One, you never know who is in the crowd, and Two, you usually only have to bring your guitars and the singer. Most of the other equipment is usually supplied for you. The only downside to this is that the sound guy might not like you or your style. Suck it up. You're only up there a few minutes and your back in the crowd.

Battle of the bands is musician heaven. If your town has a big music scene, you will have one of these every so often. You should be there whether you are playing or not. You need to be meeting promoters and scouts looking for bands for the local clubs. Here is an idea: make business cards with your band name and phone number. Leave these people with a way to contact you.

Some venues allow the manager to hire bands, while others have promoters who do that kind of thing. Once you have found a place you want to play, and you have cased the place (as described above) give them a call and get in touch with the right person. Just call and tell the person who answers the phone you need the manager, he is the person who will hire you or will direct you to the promoter. Don't go on and on with the bar tender. He could care less.

What the venue will want from you.

You don't need a super duper demo for a local gig. Basically the venue manager or promoter will want to hear something, but he will understand that you don't have big bucks. He just wants to know you can get through a few songs. He will also be listening for your style. Don't go to a country bar looking to play punk. The answer will always be no.

So you don't need the perfect demo. But, you might want to put it on CD. If you can afford it go to a local studio and knock out a 4 or 6 song demo. It wont cost much if you are honest with the engineer and tell them this is a gig demo and you want to just cut one offs. This means, you always play the song all the way through and then later decide to keep it or not. The engineer will clean it up and you will have a quality demo. Read this as NOT AN EP OR ALBUM! I have seen many rehearsal recordings passed as demos. If that's all you can afford.go for it!

Remember all that networking you did before? It never hurts to have other musician friends drop your name on the guy you are asking to play for. Usually a promoter or club manager will take another regular playing bands word for it that you are ready.

Here is some hidden dangers of starting to gig.

The firsts and most important danger is commonly referred to as "paying to play." You never want to accept an agreement like this. Here is how it works: You will be given the opportunity to play if you sell a certain number of tickets prior to gig night. Forget this! I am serious about this too. Never accept an arrangement like this. It usually ends up with you having to pay for any tickets you don't sell and the possibility that you still wont get to play. Steer clear of any venue that operates like this.

Here is a second danger to watch for. Some clubs want you to drop a deposit on them before you play. This is to ensure that you actually show up. I don't have problem with this as long as you get your deposit back. So find out all the rules governing your money. If you have to drop a hundred bucks two weeks in advance to play, and they say you will get it back as long as you play, go for it. If they say your deposit is attached to the cover at the door, forget it. You will never see that money. Go play somewhere a little more legit.

Getting Paid!

Ok, we all want a few bucks for our hard work. Well the truth of the matter is you probably wont get paid much in the beginning. This is cool though. Just relax and listen to what the guy hiring you has to say. Remember that part about listening. It is very important later on when you want your paycheck.

There are few things that bars and clubs do to get the most bang for their buck and most of them are aimed at not paying you in cash. I have played for free rooms in the attached hotel, free beer during the show, free meals and sometimes just for the opportunity to get my song out there. So, if you are offered a gig shot and that's what is available, I say take it and add it to your bands resume. If there is money being offered, listen closely to the details. Some times you get a portion of the door. This means whatever the cover is you get a percentage of that. Not a bad deal if the management is honest and gives you what you earned. Of course, there is the "we pay a flat fee" deal. I am sure you understand the way that works. Once I was offered a portion of the bar. This meant that I got a cut of the profits form all beer and drink sales. It sounded good at the time, but of course I was ripped off. I walked away happy though. I got to play out, and had a bar to add to my bands resume.

What ever happens at this point of the game you should have your ears open and understand anything they say. If you have questions, you should be asking them now. At the time of payment is not the time to discuss the finer points of the agreement.

So there you have it.

So that's it. Do some research, make some friends in the business, get a demo, and start talking to venue managers and local promoters. It isn't rocket science. I didn't mention it earlier, but be professional and ask as many questions as you need to. These people all deal with new talent everyday. You wont ask them anything they haven't been asked before.

Now once you get the gig and have to play.that's a set of tips for another day.

Until then, I'll see you on stage!

Cj

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