Forum: Music Tips
11-13-2009, 03:41 PM
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Replies: 128
Views: 76,938
Re: Musician Tips
In a poor economy, colleges can be a good source of gigs. They always seem to have an entertainment budget.
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Forum: Music Tips
11-13-2009, 03:40 PM
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Replies: 128
Views: 76,938
Re: Musician Tips
If you perform in venues where you can involve the audience in the performance, you would do well to go to a piano bar. They are masters at this and do a good job of getting their tip jar filled up.
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Forum: Music Tips
11-13-2009, 03:38 PM
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Replies: 128
Views: 76,938
Re: Musician Tips
If the economy is poor and you are having trouble getting gigs, try this - make a deal with the owner of a bar to take only the cover charge. The more people you draw in, the more you get paid, and...
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Forum: Music Tips
11-13-2009, 03:35 PM
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Replies: 128
Views: 76,938
Re: Musician Tips
Another good idea, if you have the time, to help you choose a teacher, is to go to a recital of their students or hear one of their students play.
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Forum: Music Tips
11-13-2009, 03:33 PM
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Replies: 128
Views: 76,938
Re: Musician Tips
Before purchasing a used instrument, get an idea of what others are paying and charging for like instruments. You can look at ads on Craigslist and eBay. If you sign in to eBay, you can even search...
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Forum: Music Tips
11-13-2009, 03:32 PM
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Replies: 128
Views: 76,938
Re: Musician Tips
Try to find out what is considered to be the standard method book for your instrument at your level of playing, whether it be a Hanon piano exercise book, an Arban's trumpet method, or a book of...
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Forum: Music Tips
11-13-2009, 03:25 PM
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Replies: 128
Views: 76,938
Re: Musician Tips
When checking out a used instrument, try to get as much information on it from the seller as you can. Why are they selling it? Were they the only previous owner? Did they ever have any problems with...
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Forum: Music Tips
11-13-2009, 03:23 PM
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Replies: 128
Views: 76,938
Re: Musician Tips
When buying a used instrument, you must try it out in person before buying it. Craigslist can be a good source of used instruments.
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Forum: Music Tips
11-13-2009, 03:18 PM
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Replies: 128
Views: 76,938
Re: Musician Tips
Before choosing a music teacher, it is a great idea to get a word of mouth recommendation and have a casual interview with the teacher.
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Forum: Music Tips
11-13-2009, 03:16 PM
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Replies: 128
Views: 76,938
Re: Musician Tips
Do you play or sing any songs that you have long since memorized? Take the opportunity to go back and revisit the printed sheet music. You may be surprised to find a few details you had forgotten...
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Forum: Music Tips
11-13-2009, 03:14 PM
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Replies: 128
Views: 76,938
Re: Musician Tips
Going to study music full time, or sending your child to study music at a college, university, or conservatory? Some things to take into account are: Who will be their primary teacher on their chosen...
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Forum: Music Tips
11-12-2009, 04:10 PM
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Replies: 128
Views: 76,938
Re: Musician Tips
No one likes to be told that they are not capable of doing something. And, if someone is personally motivated by a constructive inner passion, that certainly factors into things. All the same,...
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Forum: Music Tips
11-12-2009, 04:08 PM
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Replies: 128
Views: 76,938
Re: Musician Tips
Is something feeling weird physically every time you play? A back pain? A headache? A muscle spasm? Please don't ignore your body. Make a visit to a doctor before the problem becomes worse.
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Forum: Music Tips
11-12-2009, 04:06 PM
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Replies: 128
Views: 76,938
Re: Musician Tips
Remember, that sometimes it's ok to just "jam". That may mean improvisation, playing a tune you know and love, or running some scales.
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Forum: Music Tips
11-12-2009, 04:05 PM
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Replies: 128
Views: 76,938
Re: Musician Tips
Practice is the lifeblood of your personal advancement in musical playing/ singing ability. If you don't devote time to it, you stagnate. For a musician, that can be an icky feeling : \
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Forum: Music Tips
11-12-2009, 04:03 PM
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Replies: 128
Views: 76,938
Re: Musician Tips
No matter what genre you play in, you must learn to "sight-read", even if in a liberal sense of the term. For a classical or jazz musician, this will mean being able to play on command a set of sheet...
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Forum: Music Tips
11-12-2009, 04:00 PM
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Replies: 128
Views: 76,938
Re: Musician Tips
Even if you are a Rock, Pop, or R&B musician, you'll do well to learn the proper technique for your instrument or voice. Even if you decide to then play or sing in an unconventional manner, you'll at...
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Forum: Music Tips
11-12-2009, 03:58 PM
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Replies: 128
Views: 76,938
Re: Musician Tips
For a beginning musician, renting an instrument or buying a cheap used instrument is a perfectly viable approach. That way, if things don't work out on that particular instrument, you can move to a...
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Forum: Music Tips
11-12-2009, 03:57 PM
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Replies: 128
Views: 76,938
Re: Musician Tips
Proper care of your instrument goes a long way. It's also good for breaking up a long practice session or something to do while listening to some music!
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Forum: Music Tips
11-12-2009, 03:55 PM
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Replies: 128
Views: 76,938
Re: Musician Tips
Ever think about giving your teacher a call or email during the week when you are struggling with a particular passage? Why not? They are a resource that is more than happy to be there for you.
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Forum: Music Tips
11-12-2009, 03:55 PM
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Replies: 128
Views: 76,938
Re: Musician Tips
Everyone should have a teacher or mentor on their instrument - even of you are the best in the world. You don't have to be the best player to be a great teacher who can help a talented player get to...
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Forum: Music Tips
11-11-2009, 05:50 PM
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Replies: 128
Views: 76,938
Re: Musician Tips
Sometimes your body knows how to play something challenging better than your head. Now and then, try focusing your mind on something other than the music when you are trying to get the mechanics of a...
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Forum: Music Tips
11-11-2009, 05:49 PM
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Replies: 128
Views: 76,938
Re: Musician Tips
Consider your posture when you are playing. Are you creating unnecessary strain for yourself through poor posture? Save yourself some back trouble later in life!
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Forum: Music Tips
11-11-2009, 05:47 PM
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Replies: 128
Views: 76,938
Re: Musician Tips
There is the rare exception who never needs to warm up, such as the old lead trumpet for the Basie Band who "warmed up" by playing one high F before the gig. It is doubtful that you or I are that...
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Forum: Music Tips
11-11-2009, 05:45 PM
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Replies: 128
Views: 76,938
Re: Musician Tips
When thinking about what instrument to take up playing, consider the popularity of the instrument. There are a LOT of guitarists, drummers, saxophonist, and pianists out there. If you play oboe or...
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