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Editors Tips |
| Singing / Music Auditions |
| - Making the Band |
| Here's to all the tv shows making it look easy. American Idol, Making the Band, The Next Great American Band, Singing Bee, America's Got Talent, and let's add Band Anything for the future. If your in a band in America, and you've got talent, you are too busy working to appear on Got Talent. America's Got Talent alright, and a very small percentage of it is on network television. Don't believe the hype. Honing your music skills to be a world class musician is not about being famous - it's about being really, really, really proficient at your music skills. Did I say really proficient? So you want to be a rock star? Here is the good, the bad, and the ugly. |
| Again, I believe you must pay your dues. Bands that you might think had instant success, probably did not spring up overnight. Long term success in the music industry is challenging for a band. I have performed more than 10,000 shows professionally, and it's not for everyone. My high school band director told me something very early in my music career that is still profound: "If you are not ready to perform a lot of music you don't like, and you are not ready to perform at a lot of venues you don't like, find another profession besides the music business". Believe it. A search for work in the music industry is hard work, so buckle up. |
| Gaining experience and formal training are the 2 most important things you can do as an aspiring band. Search for talent auditions, search for a singing contest, search for band tryouts - any tryouts. Then enter a talent contest, band contest, band tryout, or recording competition. It's good to compete against other bands to see how you stack up. Just as musicians do on shows like American Idol, Singing Bee, and America's Got Talent. You must be ready to search and work your talent. |
| Free Band Tips |
| 1 ) Self promotion and creating your own buzz is more important than performing the music. Professional photos, professional press kit, professional audio CD, professional website. Professional bands always play professional music. |
| 2 ) Dress for success, always be early, always bring a polite professional attitude, and focus on building solid relationships with agents, managers and anyone who books the band. If they like you, they will like your music too. |
| 3 ) Practice practice practice. You will know your music show is solid after you perform 200 + shows in a year. 4 shows a week is twice as many as 2 shows a week. Live performance is a form of music practice. Book it. |
| 4 ) Showoff your soloists. Great solo playing has practically disappeared from pop music. Rip and few solos and keep your audience interested. |
| 5 ) Search the web for a sponsorship or two. Some music companies, strings, tuners, sunglasses and liquor companies offer small endorsement deals. Promotion of your endorsement deals in your band promo builds credibility. |
| 6 ) Mix up the set list with some old school funk and blues. Don't be a slave to pop rock radio. If you want to make the big bucks playing corporate shows and conventions, think old school hip shakin' funk. |
| 7 ) Have fun and respect your bandmates. It's not always about the music. |
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