Acoustic Guitar Talk |
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 Ethel the Monkey |
Gig question from Maggie (Waldener.softlybeforeiscream) |
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Posts: 5854 (10/19/08 03:12 PM) ezOP |
Maggie put this in another thread, and I thought more people would see it if it had its own thread. Here's what was posted in the other thread. "Just a random question...... How do people go about getting gigs? Not that I'm good enough yet, but I just kinda want to know. My guitar teacher is constantly finding jam sessions to go to and I haven't actually asked him how he finds this stuff. I was just wondering how people go about doing this stuff?"
Guerrini 72 Bass
Crucianelli (?) Super Mini 120 Bass Crucianelli Ladies' 120 Bass Hohner 72 Bass 
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 Waldener.softlybeforeisc... |
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Posts: 33 (10/19/08 06:29 PM) |
I don't mind at all. I just hope I get some feedback. Thanks.
if Elmo can do it so can I 
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d28andm1911a1 |
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Posts: 11289 (10/19/08 07:24 PM) |
Networking, going to jams and getting hired where the jam is, begging (begging works best)
Home of:
'76 d28 '03 00-15 and others |
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Waldener.softlybeforeisc... |
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Posts: 34 (10/19/08 09:37 PM) |
how would one find these jam sessions to get an opportunity to beg?
if Elmo can do it so can I
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oldgeez |
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Posts: 514 (10/19/08 11:15 PM) |
Your guitar teacher, being a guitar teacher, obviously has plenty of connections to find those jams. You could ask him if he knows of any local jams
appropriate to your skill level. Couldn't hurt. I'd also suggest that you look around for local open mics that you could attend. As far as getting
gigs, usually that involves a demo tape or cd and shopping it around to places you'd like to play, at least in the beginning. It can be time consuming and
frustrating, especially if you are new. As you get more well known, you'll find you get better opportunities, depending on how well known/liked you are in
the area. Good luck. The local bar scene can be one of the most cutthroat scenes around. Ahhh, the memories.
Mike
The only thing nescessary for evil to thrive is for good men to do nothing www.soundclick.com/michaelbaker-us www.soundclick.com/mikebayker www.myspace.com/mikebayker |
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Ethel the Monkey |
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Posts: 5855 (10/20/08 01:36 AM) ezOP |
This Google search lists some of the jam sessions in the Lexington area...
http://www.google.com/sea...ington+ky&btnG=Search Arch says a good way to find open mics is to go downtown (in any city) and look for the free local entertainment magazines they have in coffee shops and places like that, and there is usually an events calendar somewhere inside. He says if you go to open mics, you can sometimes make connections that can lead to getting gigs. I was living in a small, artsy fartsy college town a few years back (very small town), and I went into some of the little shops there and asked if anyone knew of any jam sessions in the area. They all told me about one weekly jam session that was right in town. I became a regular at that one for a few years and (mostly) had a great time. It's because of that jam session that I decided to take up the accordion as my main instrument. (yay!)
Guerrini 72 Bass
Crucianelli (?) Super Mini 120 Bass Crucianelli Ladies' 120 Bass Hohner 72 Bass
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Waldener.softlybeforeisc... |
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Posts: 35 (10/20/08 03:34 PM) |
Thank you all so much. I really appreciate it. There are a bunch of coffee shops in my area I might want to check out. I sort of know a lady that owns one of
them so I see if I can make a demo CD or something for her. Thanks, anymore tips or suggestions are welcome.
if Elmo can do it so can I
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heid2 |
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Posts: 10154 (10/20/08 11:16 PM) Moderator |
Yeah, I would start out in coffee shops, open mics etc...You'll meet people that way, they'll know places you can start playing. If your good, before
long, places will hear of you and if you have a demo (Always a good idea) then they can hear your stuff and decide to have you or not.Just get the demo done
WELL.
 And meet lots and lots of people. I would suggest putting
your stuff out n MySpace. A lot of Clubs (Some coffee shops) end up putting their coffee shop or club on MySpace, and may find you that way. But I suggest that
you get a lot of contacts who can opersonally vouch for you.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Keep away from people who try to belittle your ambitions. Small people always do that, but the really great make you feel that you, too, can become great. Mark Twain All that is not given is lost Hasari Phi "City Of Joy" |
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d28andm1911a1 |
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Posts: 11291 (10/22/08 09:43 AM) |
I've found gigs on craigs list for the area. Look in the gigs section.
Home of:
'76 d28 '03 00-15 and others |
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nickinwestwales.railroading |
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Posts: 1 (10/27/08 07:37 PM) |
Hi Maggie-my advice would be:-1st-make sure you have enough material for 2 40-minute sets,next find somewhere where people listen to the sort of stuff you are
putting out (made that mistake a few times) ,put a couple of songs down on a demo-doesn`t have to be Phil Spector,just enough so they know what they are
getting-if its a big enough room to use a house P.A-buy the guy on the desk a couple of beers,get him onside-don`t break your heart if not everybody in the
room is listening-as long as some of them do you are winning-I have played electric music for 30 years and we use volume to get peoples attention-a different
game I know,---Most of all BELIEVE in what you are doing-that is the thing that comes across strongest of all......
Good luck with it- ATB NICK |
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Ethel the Monkey |
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Posts: 5857 (10/28/08 04:03 AM) ezOP |
Welcome to the forum, nickinwestwales.
Guerrini 72 Bass
Crucianelli (?) Super Mini 120 Bass Crucianelli Ladies' 120 Bass Hohner 72 Bass
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Waldener.softlybeforeisc... |
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Posts: 41 (10/28/08 07:39 PM) |
Thanks for all the great advice, I do think I'll have to get some more songs under my belt before I try a full gig, I guess I could open for some of my
musical friends or something, so far, my songs not included, I can play the following:
These Days- Jackson Browne Something Fine- Jackson Browne Happy Endings- Jason Mraz If It Kills Me- Jason Mraz The Kiss- Tristan Prettyman Void- Tristan Prettyman For Baby, For Bobbie- John Denver Learning to Fly- Tom Petty Collide- Howie Day Sweet Home Alabama- Lynyrd Skynyrd Plane- Jason Mraz She's Every Woman- Garth Brooks If I Had Eyes- Jack Johnson Love is real- Bright Eyes if Elmo can do it so can I
Last Edited By: Waldener
10/29/08 06:48 PM.
Edited 2 times.
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oldgeez |
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Posts: 515 (10/30/08 12:01 AM) |
Yes, welcome Nick!
Mike
The only thing nescessary for evil to thrive is for good men to do nothing www.soundclick.com/michaelbaker-us www.soundclick.com/mikebayker www.myspace.com/mikebayker |
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