What does it mean to \"make it\" today in guitar?
So much has changed - past groups had:
1. Contracts
2. Record sales
3. Tour
4. TV, radio, website
5. ...help me out here with defining success
I believe music should inspire and give hope. Any takers?
1. Contracts
2. Record sales
3. Tour
4. TV, radio, website
5. ...help me out here with defining success
I believe music should inspire and give hope. Any takers?
Comments
Totally drained and seeing an immense amount of VH type players just kinda killed my motivation. Auditions after auditions.. and lastly I just didn't fit in for certain other reasons I won't discuss. Lets just say some synon with Cola.
Started working with guys in the Biz doing pro sound and recording assistant. made some friends and things moved in the production area. Played a few shows of the Coliseum type venues and many outdoor amphitheaters. REO Speedwagon, Gary Moore, Silverchair (99')
I give all credit to guys who can go as far. It's as easy as trying out and getting signed in Pro sports. You better be good...
Today there are little in scouts as there were in the good ole days. Most of the Biz is about friends in high places, actors kids, cousins, and lastly the new AM IDOL gang. So, yes, it's difficult to get in but the best of best with the best PR mgr (hire one) and producer will fit you in. Many bands record their own stuff, start a website and post links/merchandising to avoid the RI at first and build a following. Then you hire the guys in PR to get you seen. TV Radio stuff can happen if you have a persistent PR rep. Or, if you know the station Director. We got in with Belkin Productions.. and kissing their feet at times to prove our worthiness. If you say NO.. you won't hear YES...again.. at least by those Prod officials. TV Spots for us like at the end of the local morning news.. I mean the end.. 7:30 am, you set all that up and play a 15 second departure clip. Fun, Frustrating.. one of guys said THIS IS yaaa know.. and the Station producer reminded him where to find the door.
Find the Hot Spots. LA isn't it as much any more. Nashville, Memphis, St Louis, NY, Miami, and Dallas (from what I hear). Urban genre and MTV has not helped the guitar community. Mainly since it's samples samples and complex processing and not a guitar world as much. I am very excited to see the trend of Guitar picking up again. Youth has devel a major appreciation for Classics over new stuff.
For bands.. it's about chemistry. How well you work together and can get along. take the good with the bad and keep things alive if you can make sacrifices to get your goals. Don't let others put you down. Drop the EGO's around PR and others in the industry.. they will dump you faster than you got in.
Session work- Music Theory- learn to read music, of all kinds. get involved with many types of musical arranging.. then you get the phone calls to record a 30 second jingle for $700.. again, you better be on top of your game. I competed with Neil Zaza in a riff off.. good people were there.. I made steps by having the right attitude... and friends.
last.. patience.. be an instructor part time, you will learn patience.
Good Luck
Make a living? or Make a difference?
You have to define success within your own heart, and by that I mean...what is your level of satisfaction??
If you measure it in dollars...that is quantifiable, and therefore easy to measure. If you define it in excellence and levels of inspiration...how you are able to touch lives...it becomes more difficult to measure.
Making good music cost money, time and talent. To express it around a campfire...$500..a couple years...little talent. To express it before local/State crowds...$xx,000.00...5-10+ years....great talent. To express it nationally/worldwide.... :shock:(priceless) kinda money...5-10+ years....great talent + LUCK.
So...where do you want to see yourself? We live in a society that expects to get paid for work. Making music IS ALOT of work.
BUT....more people will listen to your music...if it's free. How do you do that? You have to develop your music....$$...and if you want to be heard...you need to make contacts, do demo submissions, do performances, apply promotional techniques, pay the bills, yada, yada.
Here is where you need to insert more into your define success equation. More success means more motivation, devotion, developing the skills and talent, and
First define your goals...do you find you love music, writing, recording, and performing. From there you can further define your level of satisfaction, and measure your levels of success. Many muscians feel successful by finding people who care to listen...and yet have a real life to live with meaningful relationships, and finding others of similar spirit to work with, who share the same perspectives.
We've been expressing alot lately on other topics, how money screws good things up. Does anyone here like commercial Rock music? It sells....I as a musician...
Zap...when you say...\"I believe music should inspire and give hope.\"
I'm with you 100%.
I also think to define musical success is something that evolves. Your needs and perspectives as well as your satisfaction is an ongoing process.
It's all about perspective. Making it in Music (Guitar) for 1 person is nothing to the other. For Example: I have made it!! I always wanted to play guitar. I do play guitar every Sunday I'm involved in leading Worship in my local church. What a blessing and a priviledge to be used in this way!! I would not rather be doing anything else just awsome!! Praise the Lord!!
God Bless all!! May all find satisfaction in there playing!!! Whatever that means: Large, small, club Church, part of Music Forum posting music and being part of community whatever??
Partch
Hearing that song on the radio (although local) was a thrill, but I felt I accomplished something when that same song made my cousin's teenage daughter cry. She was going through the exact same situation and emotions that the song portrayed.
Touching someone's soul, and letting them know that they are not alone on an island feeling these emotions was bigger than hearing myself on the radio.