Musician Tips

Every musician should consider putting together a musician's survival kit of some sort. This kit should include things like extra audio equipment accessories, tools like pliars, wire cutters, tuning keys, etc., first aid (band aids, etc.), and miscellaneousitems necessary for musical emergencies.

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Take advantage of music forums like DrumChat.com where you can obtain a plethora of valuable music information for free. Forums particularly are loaded with priceless facts, opinions and resources and it doesn't cost a thing to participate or simply extract the information you need. Learn about what other musicians do as they share their experiences. You can find info. on recording, gear, songwriting, live performance or anything band or music related.

Be on time to band rehearsals and gigs! If you're late, it can cause a stressful situation. Remember, you play an important role in your band. They are counting on you to be responsible enough to show up on time and do your job. After all; that's why they're paying you. Be on

PRACTICE! PRACTICE! PRACTICE! Be sure to know the song you're learning almost to the point you have it memorized. This way, you are not holding up everyone else by trying to learn your parts at the last minute. Do your part to be prepared. It makes it easier on everyone.

Leaders, be open to suggestions from fellow band members. It never hurts to try something new. Some musicians are very schooled and/or very experienced... or maybe simply very creative. Listen to their input and consider their musical ideas. That's why you hired them. They're not just robots that want to be told what to do.

Have weekly or monthy meetings with your band. Lay everything out on the table such as the rules and the expectations for your band. If you have this understanding from the beginning, it should eliminate much confusion down the road.

If there is money involved (which most of the time there is), be sure everyone is clear on what their slice of the pie will be. Draw up contracts if you have to. Take the necessary measure to make sure everyone understands the money. Many great bands have broken up over money issues.

To promote your band, make a professional looking business card, flyer, and website. The more professional you look, the more your chances of being hired. A strong presence can boost your group's reputation.

If you ever mess up than don't try to go back and fix what you messed up on, just go off from where you messed up and maybe no one will notice! -Xarumy

A drumming friend shared this advice with me a while back: "Leave your ego at the door." While it takes a certain amount of ego to shred your guitar, thrash your drums or rock your keyboard, remember that, as a musician--and especially as part of a group--you're there to entertain your guests, not to show your attitude or be a diva.

Your bandmates will appreciate your professional attitude, and your guests will appreciate your professionalism on the bandstand...

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keepin' the beat goin' and passing it on!

Songwriters - Keep a tape recorder or small notepad with you at all times. You never know when inspiration will hit and if you don't have some way to record a melody or capture the lyrics they may be lost forever.

There's always been a lot of drugs in the music business. You'd be smart to run the other direction. Keep your distance as much as possible and don't buy into this notion that you have to do drugs to be creative. Nonsense!

Protect your hearing! Take it from one who knows. My ears are ringing loud right now (I have Tinnitus) and I would give anything to go back and do it over again... but I can't. Invest in some earplugs and earphones. Use them during practices and as much as you can on louder gigs. Don't forget to keep earplugs with you for concerts too.

Never, ever, EVER argue with each other on stage. I've played with many bands over the years where a couple of the members will start arguing on stage right in front of everyone! This is so unprofessional and it just makes your band look bad, not to mention embarrasing the other members of the band.

Out of respect for the audience you're playing for, try to avoid taking extended or extra long breaks. So many bands like to stretch those breaks out and sometimes really abuse it. The crowd wants to hear you play and at least some of them are there just for you, so respect this and don't keep them waiting.

Don't take a break if you see people showing up during a slow evening and it's time to stop.

Herbie Hancock tells a story about playing a session at the plugged nickel where he hit a chord that was wrong; dead wrong. But, Miles Davis was listening so intently that he made it sound right by the notes he played over the top of the chord! In the jazz world, I think that Miles is the epitome of listening and playing off of what you hear. So many of us would do well to emulate this.

If you're having a hard time playing or singing in general compared to your usual ability level, try this: Play or sing something that has a very lyrical and singing quality to it, not something that is very technically challenging. Sail right through the melodies. A half an hour of this has been known to clear up unusual problems for more than a few musicians!

As a performer, you'll do better spacing out your practice sessions. It's difficult to "cram" just before the performance; learning is less efficient, and your body is tired out for the gig.

There is an old saying or quote that compares an amateur musician with a professional. It says that an amateur is someone who can get it right, while a professional is someone who cannot get it wrong. Yet more motivation to practice.