|
Log in to post
|
Print Thread |
|
|
|
|
|
Off-Topic
|
Joined: May 2015
Posts: 887
Expert
|
OP
Expert
Joined: May 2015
Posts: 887 |
I am lookinh to gig out more often than I do at the moment and I would like to know if you could answers some question about you gigging "busniess".
1. How did you get your first gig?
2. Do you play in a band?
3. Are you a solo artist?
4. How do you get gigs now?
5. Do you use booking websites such as GigMasters?
6. If you play as a solo artist and in a band, where do you most of your gigs coming from?
7. What is your typical audience? What is the typical age and gender of your audience?
7. Do you sell things at your gigs such as t-shirts, hats, CDs etc?
8. Do you stream your gigs on social networks such as Youtube, Live Stream, or Facebook?
9. How do you approch you gig? Do you view them as opportunities to sell your music, or do you gig because you enjoy preforming?
10. How do you sell yourself as a musician to convience the person looking to book that you are worth the time and money?
This question are in not particular order. Please comment as I would appreciate your perspective.
Last edited by Islansoul; 04/18/18 06:29 AM.
Computer: Macbook Pro, 16 inch 2021
DAWs: Pro Tools, Logic, and Maschine
plays drums, percussion, bass, steel pan, keyboard,
music producer/engineer
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Off-Topic
|
Joined: Aug 2017
Posts: 547
Journeyman
|
|
Journeyman
Joined: Aug 2017
Posts: 547 |
I am lookinh to gig out more often than I do at the moment and I would like to know if you could answers some question about you gigging "busniess". 1. How did you get your first gig? I auditioned for a band that already had gigs booked. They just wanted to replace their singer.2. Do you play in a band? Yes. www.blackwaterjackband.com3. Are you a solo artist? Yes. www.sammycountry.com4. How do you get gigs now? Mostly word of mouth and occasionally taking promo material to new places.5. Do you use booking websites such as GigMasters? No.6. If you play as a solo artist and in a band, where do you most of your gigs coming from? Most months I play more solo than with the full band.7. What is your typical audience? What is the typical age and gender of your audience? Generally blue color/bikers. Typically 35% female, 65% male, age 35 - 65. I have started playing some beach bars lately which can draw a younger crowd, but they are usually on vacation.7. Do you sell things at your gigs such as t-shirts, hats, CDs etc? CDs. I have other products but only sell them at bigger shows.8. Do you stream your gigs on social networks such as Youtube, Live Stream, or Facebook? I have done Facebook Live and Periscope before but not lately.9. How do you approch you gig? Do you view them as opportunities to sell your music, or do you gig because you enjoy preforming? I enjoy what I do but it is also how I make a living. 10. How do you sell yourself as a musician to convience the person looking to book that you are worth the time and money? I let my work speak for itself. If you are a musician you shouldn't need to sell yourself as one. However putting a professional appearance forward and conducting yourself as a professional business person in all aspects of your music ventures will help.This question are in not particular order. Please comment as I would appreciate your perspective.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Off-Topic
|
Joined: Jul 2000
Posts: 6,475
Veteran
|
|
Veteran
Joined: Jul 2000
Posts: 6,475 |
I am lookinh to gig out more often than I do at the moment and I would like to know if you could answers some question about you gigging "busniess". 1. How did you get your first gig? When we heard they were holding dance in Jr High School, the guitar player asked if we could play, and then we auditioned (a semi-formal audition).
For those out of school; agencies are good, networking works, cold calls work (but it takes a lot to get a gig) but first get good promotional material together.2. Do you play in a band? Yes, and I've played in a number of them3. Are you a solo artist? I'm a solo hog  -- seriously, no, although since I sing as well as play 7 instruments I could be, but I prefer to play with others4. How do you get gigs now? Agencies, word of mouth, and repeat business - I used to do cold calls, but I have enough repeat business and referrals that I don't have to. I also have a website http://www.s-cats.com and I run a free ad in cragslist.5. Do you use booking websites such as GigMasters? I have a free account with GigSalad, but in my area it isn't worth the pay feature - my locality is too small6. If you play as a solo artist and in a band, where do you most of your gigs coming from? Mostly repeat business followed by referrals and agencies. I keep business cards out for all my gigs except those booked by an agent and people take them. If they call, I never know if it is from a card or a referall7. What is your typical audience? What is the typical age and gender of your audience? 40 to nearly dead We do yacht clubs, country clubs, retirement developments, private parties mostly, and we've had a house gig one day a week in a commercial marina for 10 years now.7. Do you sell things at your gigs such as t-shirts, hats, CDs etc? No8. Do you stream your gigs on social networks such as Youtube, Live Stream, or Facebook? No9. How do you approch you gig? Do you view them as opportunities to sell your music, or do you gig because you enjoy preforming? I enjoy performing. At each gig I use my eyes and exerience to size up the audience and decide what to play first. Then I simply use how the song went over plus eyes and experience to call tunes for the rest of the night. I want to give the audience the right song at the right time to give them the maximum experience. That's my goal anyway. 10. How do you sell yourself as a musician to convience the person looking to book that you are worth the time and money? I first ask them what they want, then honestly and conversationally tell them what I can do. In the conversation I'll point them to our website (with demos) if they haven't already been there. It's important to be honest, and not to oversell yourself and it's important to listen.
Cold-calls are tough, and fortunately I haven't had to do that in decades (we've been a duo for 30 years now).This question are in not particular order. Please comment as I would appreciate your perspective.
There are a lot of musicians out there, and whether we are in the union or not, we are all small businesses in competition with each other (hopefully friendly competition). Your job is to do it better than the others. Make better music, pace the audience better, and have a more professional off-stage demeanor.
Good luck,
Notes
Bob "Notes" Norton  Norton Music
https://www.nortonmusic.com
100% MIDI Super-Styles recorded by live, pro, studio musicians for a live groove
& Fake Disks for MIDI and/or RealTracks
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Off-Topic
|
Joined: Aug 2017
Posts: 547
Journeyman
|
|
Journeyman
Joined: Aug 2017
Posts: 547 |
9. How do you approch you gig? Do you view them as opportunities to sell your music, or do you gig because you enjoy preforming?
I enjoy performing. At each gig I use my eyes and exerience to size up the audience and decide what to play first. Then I simply use how the song went over plus eyes and experience to call tunes for the rest of the night. I want to give the audience the right song at the right time to give them the maximum experience. That's my goal anyway.
Notes[/b] I usually do this as well. I hate using a set list. It's much better to feel out your crowd and be flexible. If needed you can always keep a master list of the songs you know on hand but set lists limit you too much.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Off-Topic
|
Joined: Jul 2000
Posts: 6,475
Veteran
|
|
Veteran
Joined: Jul 2000
Posts: 6,475 |
I learned long ago that I'm not clairvoyant enough to do set lists. With experience I learned to pace the audience and give them what they need when they need it even though they aren't aware of what they need at the time. Of course, I'm not 100% accurate 100% of the time, but I'm on it most of the time. It makes the gig more fun for the audience, and that makes it even more fun for us. Insights and incites by Notes
Bob "Notes" Norton Norton Music
https://www.nortonmusic.com
100% MIDI Super-Styles recorded by live, pro, studio musicians for a live groove
& Fake Disks for MIDI and/or RealTracks
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Off-Topic
|
|
eddie1261
Unregistered
|
|
eddie1261
Unregistered
|
I was always the opposite. I worked from set lists all the time. BUT.
I was always in bands that required guitar changes, me putting on a sax and crossing the stage to the horn section... we had to know what was coming to keep the dead air to a minimum. And in another band, our second set was 60 minutes where every song was bridged to the next, so there was no mix or match there,
But whatever works.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Off-Topic
|
Joined: Feb 2017
Posts: 3,414
PG Music Staff
|
|
PG Music Staff
Joined: Feb 2017
Posts: 3,414 |
Very interesting thread! Most of my gigs have been through meeting people word of mouth who put me up. Very intrigued to hear other people's experiences, particularly with social media related booking.
Cheers,
Deryk
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Off-Topic
|
Joined: Dec 2003
Posts: 24,342
Veteran
|
|
Veteran
Joined: Dec 2003
Posts: 24,342 |
I learned long ago that I'm not clairvoyant enough to do set lists. With experience I learned to pace the audience and give them what they need when they need it even though they aren't aware of what they need at the time. Of course, I'm not 100% accurate 100% of the time, but I'm on it most of the time.
It makes the gig more fun for the audience, and that makes it even more fun for us.
Insights and incites by Notes
I think my wife has started to show the first signs of dementia.
She said she can't remember what she ever saw in me!
64 bit Win 10 Pro, the latest BiaB/RB, Roland Octa-Capture audio interface, a ton of software/hardware
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Off-Topic
|
Joined: Dec 2006
Posts: 1,590
Expert
|
|
Expert
Joined: Dec 2006
Posts: 1,590 |
As a relatively new solo live player, I'd love to know a little more about how you read the audience. Monkey see, monkey do for this little monkey. I use a set list most of the time, but even if I didn't it would be sort of random. I did notice last week a friend put on a iPod of songs and the whole crowd of mainly middle aged and older people went for it - continually dancing. When I asked him how he did it, he told me his pro DJ mate had given the set list to him. So I know it works. He put on YMCA and it went off. I tried it once at the start of a DJ session after a show at the same place and nearly got thrown out. I swore never to DJ again. :-) It's a real art form.
Windows 10 Home 20H2 Build 19042.487
BIAB 2021 (Build 818)
Intel(R) Core(TM), i3-4160, CPU @3.60 GHz RAM 16 GB, 64 Bit X64-based processor
Zoom UAC-2 (USB 3 interface-built in midi)
VoiceLive 3 Extreme, Sputnik Valve Condenser Mic
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Off-Topic
|
Joined: Dec 2016
Posts: 1,173
Expert
|
|
Expert
Joined: Dec 2016
Posts: 1,173 |
I am lookinh to gig out more often than I do at the moment and I would like to know if you could answers some question about you gigging "busniess".
1. How did you get your first gig?
My first gig was soo long ago I can barely remember it. But it was a job with my brothers band. In those days there were few bands about. How we came by it I don't know.
2. Do you play in a band?
Not these days. I retired from bands a number of years ago.
3. Are you a solo artist?
These days yes. But I may assist others
4. How do you get gigs now?
when I moved into a retirement village I gave away my amps and pedals I was retiring. I gave a couple of guitars to my daughter as keepsakes. I moved to the Gold Coast in Queensland, Australia where few people knew me. First month I was here someone asked me to do a few songs. From there more people asked so I play every few weeks which is as busy as I want.
5. Do you use booking websites such as GigMasters?
No
6. If you play as a solo artist and in a band, where do you most of your gigs coming from?
Solo
7. What is your typical audience? What is the typical age and gender of your audience?
A lot of what I do is in aged care or retirement villages so mostly older people.
7. Do you sell things at your gigs such as t-shirts, hats, CDs etc?
Not these days
8. Do you stream your gigs on social networks such as Youtube, Live Stream, or Facebook?
No
9. How do you approch you gig? Do you view them as opportunities to sell your music, or do you gig because you enjoy preforming?
I have fun and enjoy having others enjoy themselves. I look for audience participation.
10. How do you sell yourself as a musician to convience the person looking to book that you are worth the time and money?
I don't really, it is pretty much word of mouth.
This question are in not particular order. Please comment as I would appreciate your perspective.
HP i7-4770 16GB 1TB SSD, Win 10 Home,
Focusrite 2i2 3rd Gen, Launchkey 61, Maton CW80, Telecaster, Ovation Elite TX, Yamaha Pacifica 612
BB 2022(912) RB 2022(2), CakeWalk, Reaper 6, Audacity, Melodyne 5 Editor, Izotope Music Production Suite 4.1
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Off-Topic
|
Joined: Aug 2011
Posts: 289
Apprentice
|
|
Apprentice
Joined: Aug 2011
Posts: 289 |
1. How did you get your first gig?
Cold Calling and leaving flyers etc
2. Do you play in a band?
Yes, we're called Reeverb
3. Are you a solo artist?
Not at the moment but did some solo work a few years ago under the name of Blues House
4. How do you get gigs now?
Still a lot of cold calling even to the repeat venues, they soon forget
5. Do you use booking websites such as GigMasters?
No
7. What is your typical audience? What is the typical age and gender of your audience?
We mainly play pub gigs so all ages but our catchment audience are the Boomers.
7. Do you sell things at your gigs such as t-shirts, hats, CDs etc?
Not yet
8. Do you stream your gigs on social networks such as Youtube, Live Stream, or Facebook?
No, although occasionally the venue will.
9. How do you approch you gig? Do you view them as opportunities to sell your music, or do you gig because you enjoy preforming?
Enjoy playing and growing with every gig - always a new experience, but it's also paid work.
10. How do you sell yourself as a musician to convience the person looking to book that you are worth the time and money?
I totally agree with the previous comments about not giving your band away for free in a commercial environment. We've done a fair share of fundraisers etc., but many bands these days will play for exposure and make it difficult to get paid work. Venues will usually go for the cheapest option and take the hit on the quality.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Ask sales and support questions about Band-in-a-Box using natural language.
ChatPG's knowledge base includes the full Band-in-a-Box User Manual and sales information from the website.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Band-in-a-Box 2026 for Windows Special Offers End Tomorrow (January 15th, 2026) at 11:59 PM PST!
Time really is running out! Save up to 50% on Band-in-a-Box® 2026 for Windows® upgrades and receive a FREE Bonus PAK—only when you order by 11:59 PM PST on Thursday, January 15, 2026!
We've added many major new features and new content in a redesigned Band-in-a-Box® 2026 for Windows®!
Version 2026 introduces a modernized GUI redesign across the program, with updated toolbars, refreshed windows, smoother workflows, and a new Dark Mode option. There’s also a new side toolbar for quicker access to commonly used windows, and the new Multi-View feature lets you arrange multiple windows as layered panels without overlap, making it easier to customize your workspace.
Another exciting new addition is the new AI-Notes feature, which can transcribe polyphonic audio into MIDI. You can view the results in notation or play them back as MIDI, and choose whether to process an entire track or focus on specific parts like drums, bass, guitars/piano, or vocals. There's over 100 new features in Band-in-a-Box® 2026 for Windows®.
There's an amazing collection of new content too, including 202 RealTracks, new RealStyles, MIDI SuperTracks, Instrumental Studies, “Songs with Vocals” Artist Performance Sets, Playable RealTracks Set 5, two RealDrums Stems sets, XPro Styles PAK 10, Xtra Styles PAK 21, and much more!
Upgrade your Band-in-a-Box for Windows to save up to 50% on most Band-in-a-Box® 2026 upgrade packages!
Plus, when you order your Band-in-a-Box® 2026 upgrade during our special, you'll receive a Free Bonus PAK of exciting new add-ons.
If you need any help deciding which package is the best option for you, just let us know. We are here to help!
Band-in-a-Box® 2026 for Windows® Special Offers Extended Until January 15, 2026!
Good news! You still have time to upgrade to the latest version of Band-in-a-Box® for Windows® and save. Our Band-in-a-Box® 2026 for Windows® special now runs through January 15, 2025!
We've packed Band-in-a-Box® 2026 with major new features, enhancements, and an incredible lineup of new content! The program now sports a sleek, modern GUI redesign across the entire interface, including updated toolbars, refreshed windows, smoother workflows, a new dark mode option, and more. The brand-new side toolbar provides quicker access to key windows, while the new Multi-View feature lets you arrange multiple windows as layered panels without overlap, creating a flexible, clutter-free workspace. We have an amazing new “AI-Notes” feature. This transcribes polyphonic audio into MIDI so you can view it in notation or play it back as MIDI. You can process an entire track (all pitched instruments and drums) or focus on individual parts like drums, bass, guitars/piano, or vocals. There's an amazing collection of new content too, including 202 RealTracks, new RealStyles, MIDI SuperTracks, Instrumental Studies, “Songs with Vocals” Artist Performance Sets, Playable RealTracks Set 5, two RealDrums Stems sets, XPro Styles PAK 10, Xtra Styles PAK 21, and much more!
There are over 100 new features in Band-in-a-Box® 2026 for Windows®.
When you order purchase Band-in-a-Box® 2026 before 11:59 PM PST on January 15th, you'll also receive a Free Bonus PAK packed with exciting new add-ons.
Upgrade to Band-in-a-Box® 2026 for Windows® today! Check out the Band-in-a-Box® packages page for all the purchase options available.
Happy New Year!
Thank you for being part of the Band-in-a-Box® community.
Wishing you and yours a very happy 2026—Happy New Year from all of us at PG Music!
Season's Greetings!
Wishing everyone a happy, healthy holiday season—thanks for being part of our community!
The office will be closed for Christmas Day, but we will be back on Boxing Day (Dec 26th) at 6:00am PST.
Team PG
Band-in-a-Box 2026 Video: The Newly Designed Piano Roll Window
In this video, we explore the updated Piano Roll, complete with a modernized look and exciting new features. You’ll see new filtering options that make it easy to focus on specific note groups, smoother and more intuitive note entry and editing, and enhanced options for zooming, looping, and more.
Watch the video.
You can see all the 2026 videos on our forum!
Band-in-a-Box 2026 Video: AI Stems & Notes - split polyphonic audio into instruments and transcribe
This video demonstrates how to use the new AI-Notes feature together with the AI-Stems splitter, allowing you to select an audio file and have it separated into individual stems while transcribing each one to its own MIDI track. AI-Notes converts polyphonic audio—either full mixes or individual instruments—into MIDI that you can view in notation or play back instantly.
Watch the video.
You can see all the 2026 videos on our forum!
Bonus PAK and 49-PAK for Band-in-a-Box® 2026 for Windows®
With your version 2026 for Windows Pro, MegaPAK, UltraPAK, UltraPAK+, Audiophile Edition or PlusPAK purchase, we'll include a Bonus PAK full of great new Add-ons for FREE! Or upgrade to the 2026 49-PAK for only $49 to receive even more NEW Add-ons including 20 additional RealTracks!
These PAKs are loaded with additional add-ons to supercharge your Band-in-a-Box®!
This Free Bonus PAK includes:
- The 2026 RealCombos Booster PAK:
-For Pro customers, this includes 27 new RealTracks and 23 new RealStyles.
-For MegaPAK customers, this includes 25 new RealTracks and 23 new RealStyles.
-For UltraPAK customers, this includes 12 new RealStyles.
- MIDI Styles Set 92: Look Ma! More MIDI 15: Latin Jazz
- MIDI SuperTracks Set 46: Piano & Organ
- Instrumental Studies Set 24: Groovin' Blues Soloing
- Artist Performance Set 19: Songs with Vocals 9
- Playable RealTracks Set 5
- RealDrums Stems Set 9: Cool Brushes
- SynthMaster Sounds Set 1 (with audio demos)
- Android Band-in-a-Box® App (included)
Looking for more great add-ons, then upgrade to the 2026 49-PAK for just $49 and you'll get:
- 20 Bonus Unreleased RealTracks and RealDrums with 20 RealStyle.
- FLAC Files (lossless audio files) for the 20 Bonus Unreleased RealTracks and RealDrums
- MIDI Styles Set 93: Look Ma! More MIDI 16: SynthMaster
- MIDI SuperTracks Set 47: More SynthMaster
- Instrumental Studies 25 - Soul Jazz Guitar Soloing
- Artist Performance Set 20: Songs with Vocals 10
- RealDrums Stems Set 10: Groovin' Sticks
- SynthMaster Sounds & Styles Set 2 (sounds & styles with audio demos)
Learn more about the Bonus PAKs for Band-in-a-Box® 2026 for Windows®!
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Forums57
Topics85,812
Posts796,505
Members39,963
| |
Most Online25,754
Jan 24th, 2025
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Dansk
Deutsch - Windows
Español
Français - Windows
Italiano - Windows
Nederlands
Polski
Português
Svenskt
русский
Japanese
Simplified Chinese
Traditional Chinese
Korean