| Music is a business. You have to decide how seriously | | | | may only have Rock and Roll or Blues in your veins |
| you want to pursue your personal enjoyment versus | | | | and there is nothing wrong with doing the music you |
| making money. This is not to say that you can't have | | | | enjoy the most. |
| both and sometimes if you plan carefully you can | | | | The audience will pick up on the enthusiasm or |
| have a rewarding experience in every way. | | | | indifference you have no matter what level of |
| Many of you have played music on different levels | | | | musicianship you have. You have a "feel" for the |
| and it's good to talk to other musicians to get ideas | | | | music you play and you need to "get it off the |
| and learn from their experience. Some musicians are | | | | stage". This can only be done if your style fits your |
| happy to rehearse together only, some are happy to | | | | talent level and the amount of time you want to |
| do cover songs and others write and play original | | | | dedicate to your music. |
| content and go for the big time. No matter what you | | | | Locally, some styles may be more or less |
| decide, the planning of your endeavor is a most | | | | competitive than others. New Rock styles vary in |
| often ignored and important part of your success. | | | | complexity and sound. Expect to pay some heavy |
| MUSICAL STYLE | | | | dollars for equipment and lights. Oldies and Classic |
| Rock, Country, R & B, Classical, Jazz, and other | | | | Rock may not have many clubs to play but there are |
| styles of music target certain audiences. You can | | | | many other "gigs" out there to keep an Oldies band |
| have a mixture of these styles and you really should | | | | quite busy. Country music is revived and in some |
| determine what it is that you want to play. Do you | | | | areas you can play a lot, especially with a mix of old |
| want to do cover songs, originals, or a mix? Before | | | | and new country. Jazz and Classical have limited |
| you can move on to selecting band members or plan | | | | venues and a select number of musicians generally |
| rehearsals give it all some careful thought. How much | | | | dominate the local jobs. Original music might be more |
| time do you have to devote to your music? | | | | fun to play and more rewarding than doing cover |
| The talent level you have and the type of music you | | | | tunes. Make sure you protect your songs legally and |
| want to play are determining factors in how long it | | | | again, make sure the whole band is into the style. |
| will take to get your act off the ground. Take a look | | | | You may already have another job and play music on |
| at the venues that hire musicians to play the style | | | | the side. Don't make it like work. If you don't enjoy |
| you select and see how often they play. If you can | | | | your music, change your circumstances. Select a style |
| keep your band together long enough, you may be | | | | that you can "get into" and enjoy. Your audience will |
| able to select a few different styles so you can | | | | be more responsive if you do. |
| keep working and get to play your favorites. You | | | | |