A few students have asked me recently how to get gigs this summer. The point of playing gigs is to connect with other musicians and to develop and further refine musical skills. Not to mention, it is our goal to make money playing music.
Musicians 20+ years ago would have joined musicians unions and waited by the phone waiting for a phone call from someone asking them to play. Today we find spaces and create opportunities for ourselves.
Here is your plan to get gigs:
Be good enough to cut a gig — have music to play and play it well
Look for venues. It could be an existing venue or it could be a large space that does not currently have music.
Talk to the owner or the manager. This might be a direct conversation, an email, a text message, a message on social media, etc. You should simply ask if it is possible to perform at their venue.
Be able to describe what you do musically. If someone asks you should be able to easily say “it is a straight-ahead jazz” or “original funk music” or “_____.” Have a website with sound clips, a YouTube channel, social media, or something to share that demonstrates what you and your band sound like.
Know how much money you should charge and how much money you should make.
Do NOT play for less than other bands and musicians play for. If you do not know what those musicians are making to perform, ask around and find out.
Set a ticket price (if applicable) that is comparable to what other groups charge.
Weigh the circumstances. Maybe you and your friends will play informally for a few hours for drinks and food if it is a low key and unestablished venue. Maybe if you are just starting out as a young musician, then playing for a low guarantee and tips is reasonable.
Keep in mind that the way to make money in music is having a lot of people come to see you play and for them to spend a lot of money. In short, your job as a musician is to sell beer.
Promote. You need people to show up to make money and to have a good time. How do you promote?
Ask your friends to come to see you.
Make a poster and share it with the venue. Hang a hard copy in the venue.
Advertise on social media and other websites.
Musicians—both students and professionals—spend so much time practicing that gigs are a great way to celebrate the hard work. I hope that my students are able to find opportunities and refine their skills in a meaningful way this summer!
"Selling beer" is a great way of putting it. Unfortunately I think that idea is lost on so many musicians, especially jazz musicians. You have to be engaging with the audience, and you have to be able to draw a crowd.
Working this stuff now! Any tips on how to get the managers to talk to you?