November 10, 2010 by Scot.

Inspiration vs. Perspiration

When it comes to creating music, we have many obstacles to overcome:

1- Learning to play an instrument and/or sing.  If you are reading this, you have already taken steps in that direction.

2 - Waiting for the muse to strike.  This falls in the ‘Inspiration’ category and will be discussed further.

3 - Creating chords/harmony, melody, rhythm and words, if applicable.  These are the necessary components of music.

4 - Finishing the tune.  This is the ‘Perspiration’.

Inspiration may strike in many ways.  You may be ‘noodling’ on your instrument or singing nonsense and you stumble on a cool idea.  Many a great song have started in this fashion with a hot lick or series of chords, or a memorable melody that you squeak out.

Note: The muse does not have to strike to start a song.  With proper tools, theory and execution, you can be trained to create music to your liking.  Sometimes it is just trial and error.

Perspiration is most often how we finish our tunes.  Inspiration may have gotten the musical ball rolling, but we need follow thru.  We need a melody to accompany that riff or chord progression you created.  Or we need chords to accompany those lyrics you wrote.  Another section is needed to complete your masterpiece.  Whatever it may be, do not discard a great idea because you do not have the same initial magic that got it started.  Songs may sit for months before they are resolved.  Stick with it, run your music by your instructor and come up with a solution to bring your music to life.

As Abraham Lincoln once said “Genius is one percent inspiration and 99 percent perspiration”.

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August 23, 2008 by Scot.

Tips on getting gigs

Many of you currently perform or wish to. Here are some nice guidelines for booking yourself or your band.
We have several avenues for first contact at an establishment that offers live music. Whether you wish to perform at a coffee house, bar/club or country club, these premises apply:  

- Phone contact      

1- Use to get initial info            

a. What type and when do they have live music            

b. Who is the contact            

c. How do they prefer to be contacted        

2- Email             

 a. You may try this first when available             

b. This is better to send links to your website for sound bytes/pics               

c. It also allows you to choose your words more carefully            

 3- In person              

 a. Often the most effective              

 b. Puts a human face in front of the booker/manager/owner              

c. Shows you are willing, where most are not, to make the extra effort             

d. Buy a drink &/or dinner, depending on the establishment, then ask for the rep.

Have a demo handy, but not visible

In all cases, you may need to do an ‘audition’ night. This is common with original venues. Don’t expect pay. Honestly, in original situations, you will rarely be paid. Have product to sell and make new fans. In cover situations(and original often), they may want a CD demo of a few tunes, if email link to your site was not preferred. Make your demo short. No booker wants to listen to a 20 minute demo. It should be about 8 – 12 minutes max. Include 4-5 tunes that offer a nice range of your material or material you cover. If covers, they should be snippets of the tunes you include, no more than 2 minutes each. If original, full tunes are fine, but only include 3, unless you submit a full CD or Ep. In those cases, you may wish to draw their attention to the best 2-3 tracks.

Once you book the gig, get the word out. Let friends and family know. Start a mailing list with emails and spread the good word. Places certainly appreciate a nice crowd. Good luck and stay patient and persistent.

-Scot-8-23-08

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