Band Aide A Band & Gig Survival Guide (Insights from Insiders)

Note: Supplemental materials are not guaranteed with Rental or Used book purchases.

ISBN: 9781932181173 | 1932181172
Cover: Paperback
Copyright: 5/1/2005

eBook

Available Instantly

Online: 180 Days

Downloadable: 180 Days

*To support the delivery of the digital material to you, a digital delivery fee of $3.99 will be charged on each digital item.

$6.00*

This question-and-answer, no-holds-barred discussion of the intricacies of making a living as a professional musician gives frank advice regarding professional and personal aspects for a band's success and survival. An extensive range of industry topics are covered, including how to find and hire musicians, lay down gig and rehearsal rules, find booking agents, locate venues, put together press packs, write contracts, record a demo, self promote, and gain industry attention. Potentially taboo interpersonal issues are also addressed, such as how to fire someone, give criticism, and deal with clashing egos.

SECTION 1

Keys to finding musicians with whom you're compatible

Topics

Hiring musicians who are older/younger or your own age

(1)

Older players more "emotionally mature" than younger ones?

(1)

Are older musicians "better players" than younger ones?

(1)

"Professionally educated musicians" versus "street musicians"

(1)

Hiring rich versus poor musicians

(1)

Hiring a mix of professionals and amateurs in the same band

(1)

Hiring someone who is only in it for the money"

(1)

Hiring someone who likes your style of music but keeps suggesting other styles to play

(1)

Hiring musicians who live locally or far away

(1)

Hiring musicians who were "famous" years ago

(1)

Hiring back back-up musicians in case the others don't work out

(1)

Rehiring someone you previously fired

(1)

Hiring people who used to have their own band together

(1)

Hiring friends and family members

(1)

The best ways we have found musicians fast

(1)

What to put in your "Looking for Musician" ad/flyer

(1)

What I tell musicians when they call

(4)

SECTION 2

Rehearsal and band rules

Topics

Be clear who the leader is - from the get-go

(1)

You start the band and the other musicians take over

(1)

Rehearsals: date, time, place, length, and breaks

(1)

Start the rehearsals on time, or allow some slack time?

(1)

Loudness level at rehearsals

(1)

Ending rehearsals on time

(1)

Don't let musicians leave their equipment at your house

(1)

When a band member wants you to pay them to rehearse

(1)

Allowing your band members to play in other bands

(1)

What to do if someone is consistently late for rehearsals

(1)

Don't let band members cancel rehearsal at the last minute!

(1)

When a band member keeps missing rehearsals

(1)

Too much joking/chit-chat and not enough band practice

(1)

Too much seriousness/perfectionism, not enough fun!!!

(1)

When someone does not learn their parts for the next rehearsal

(1)

Musician forgets lyrics/charts/glasses etc. to bring to rehearsal

(1)

When band members don't get along at rehearsals

(1)

Rehearse-a-holic band members who never learn their parts, yet want to rehearse all the time

(1)

Band members who buy expensive equipment to make up for lack of talent

(1)

Band members who go out and buy new equipment to secure their place in a new band

(1)

Fill-in band members (subs) who put your band down

(1)

Band meeting (before or after rehearsal) or another day?

(1)

Band meeting through email?

(1)

How to tell someone their faults one-on-one

(1)

How to tell someone their faults in front of the band

(1)

Don't speak for another band member's opinion

(1)

How to fire a band member (phone, email, or in person)

(1)

Should you fire a band member if you have already given him gigs?

(1)

Should you fire a musician because you came across a better player?

(1)

Tips on firing

(1)

Song rules and band name

Topics

Who decides on what songs to choose for the band

(1)

Don't take someone's word that they can sing well

(1)

Should you perform a band member's original tunes?

(1)

Playing the song like the record/CD, or improvising a lot?

(1)

Deciding who sings lead or harmony

(1)

What if someone who really can't sing, insists on singing?

(1)

Trying out a new song at a gig

(1)

Should you have a "main showperson" on stage?

(1)

Be a duo or trio if certain band members can't make a gig

(1)

Deciding on a band name

(2)

SECTION 3

Where the gigs are and how to get them

Topics

Where the gigs are

(3)

Getting gigs by phone calling

(3)

Other ways to get gigs

(2)

Internet band promotions, TV, and radio

(1)

Books to buy

(1)

If you want a booking agent to book your band

(1)

What to put in a flyer or promo pak

(1)

What to put in a gig music contract

(6)

SECTION 4

Before the gig

Topics

Call or email your band members the day before the gig

(2)

Call the place you are going to play the day before the gig or the day of the gig

(1)

What if a band member does not dress correctly?

(1)

Bring extra lyrics, set lists charts, in case they forget theirs

(1)

Bring extra percussion instruments for the audience to use

(1)

Bring the gig contract they signed, in case they say they never booked you there

(1)

Bring an extra blank gig contract

(1)

Bring a cassette or video recorder to the gig

(1)

Set up time should be an hour before the gig

(1)

Should you help band members unload their equipment?

(1)

Unload the equipment in gig clothes or street clothes?

(1)

Set out the two tips jars and CDs you want to sell

(1)

If another band plays before you and won't get off stage

(1)

You find out that bands are backed up to play due to sound and equipment problems

(1)

Band members who show up late to set up

(1)

If band members don't like the gig and leave Who stands "where" on stage

(1)

Setting up on stage and talking too loud through mics

(1)

Take band pictures at break if you can

(1)

No mini-gigs (before the gig or on breaks) unless asked

(1)

Warm up with songs that have nothing to do with the style of music you are going to play?

(1)

What if the whole band arrives late because they got the time mixed up?

(1)

Band member can't make it to the gig and finds a replacement at the last minute

(1)

Band member canceled your gig, took another gig

(1)

The gig has smoke and told you there was no smoking

(1)

Bring friends who dance to the gig

(1)

Performing while reading charts/lyrics or have them memorized?

(1)

Following the set list or not

(1)

Don't put a song you don't know that well in the first set

(1)

Make sure your first two sets have many of the good songs in them

(1)

Situations at the gig

Topics

Lag time between songs

(1)

Have someone from the audience sing one song with the band

(1)

Having friends you know "sit in" (meaning they play/sing, too)

(1)

If someone either plays too loud or too soft

(1)

If there is a fight on stage between band members

(1)

If a band member is rude to the audience

(1)

If the tune is played wrong but the singer sings it right

(1)

If the tune is played right and the singer sings it wrong

(1)

Band member walks off stage in middle of performance

(1)

Band member is drunk on stage and it shows

(1)

Joking on stage to the audience and it doesn't work

(1)

Band member is flirting too much offstage and embarrassing the manager and others

(1)

Finding band members when break time is up and getting them back on stage

(1)

How to handle requests

(1)

Should you announce you have a tip jar?

(1)

Playing an original tune at a cover gig

(1)

Announcing you have CDs to sell

(1)

Money Issues and Getting Paid

Topics

If someone asks a band member how much you charge, direct them to the leader of the band

(1)

Playing unexpected overtime and how much to charge

(1)

Split the tips equally

(1)

Getting paid by whom?

(1)

If paid in cash, count it!!!

(1)

If you feel the check is going to bounce, cash it right away

(1)

Paid in counterfeit money, does it happen?

(1)

Paying band members before/after the gig, if the gig pays by check

(1)

Should the musician who booked the gig get paid more?

(1)

Should the musician who brings the PA system get paid more?

(1)

What if a certain musician thinks he is worth more and wants more pay?

(1)

Paying musicians who have been in the band longer more money, should you?

(1)

After the gig

Topics

Should you help your band members pack up their equipment after a gig?

(1)

Keep a list of compliments you receive to put in your promo pak

(1)

If the band gets thrown out

(1)

If the band gets asked back or someone books you for a new gig somewhere else

(2)

SECTION 5 How to make a CD from your house

(4)

SECTION 6 How to get your songs picked up by a music publisher, cable TV, video CD-ROM companies, and radio stations

(4)

SECTION 7

Tips on being a leader

Topics

How to get band members to remember the day/time/places of gigs

(1)

If you can, rehearse at your house, which gives you more power

(1)

In extreme cases, dock their pay if they don't follow the rules

(1)

If another band member books a gig, or all the gigs, remember this

100

(1)

The good things about being a leader

100

(1)

In our band, here is what we have the ultimate decision on

101

(1)

Who pays for the promo pak?

101

(1)

If you want to fire someone, tell him. Don't just say the gigs are canceled

102

(1)

When pay is concerned, stay true to your word

102

(1)

If you don't show leadership skills, the band member who does will take over

103

(1)

It's fun to be a leader, and it will empower you!

103

(3)

SECTION 8 Writing Charts for the Band: "To chart or not to chart, that is the question."

106

(4)

Angela's Poems

110

(1)

Musical Biography of Angela and John Taylor

111

(1)

Ordering Information

112

Please wait while the item is added to your bag...

FREE SHIPPING

Rent More, Save More! Use code: BBRENTAL

5% off 1 book, 7% off 2 books, 10% off 3+ books

Band Aide A Band & Gig Survival Guide (Insights from Insiders)

Summary

Author Biography

Table of Contents

Supplemental Materials

FREE SHIPPING

Rent More, Save More! Use code: BBRENTAL

5% off 1 book, 7% off 2 books, 10% off 3+ books

Band Aide A Band & Gig Survival Guide (Insights from Insiders)

Summary

Author Biography

Table of Contents

Supplemental Materials

Digital License