How to push The Free Line As A Musician--For Greater Success

Most Musicians seem to think that if they aren't paid for a gig,song or session work that they're losing out. Not pay me, well I never! And you never will be paid again. If you got all that. Even if you didn't doing gigs or helping out musicians for free can reap many dividends in the future. I'm here to tell you if you you want to be paid as a working musician, you're like all the rest.



But, even highly successful musicians have to provide free value for their fans, be it a free show,open up for free for a local band,free MP3's online while your album is being recorded etc. You could even include a video of your band recording those songs online in real time.



All for free!


This doesn't mean you should do everything for free. But when your band is starting out, chances are pushing the free line or playing for free will be the norm. Then you can get better and are able to be paid for opening for acts and having your own gigs.


Don't worry about piracy on line and losing royalties. Keep pushing the free line. Have interviews at your gigs with the fans interviewing you, not the press.


The important thing here is your fans. You've done the kind of songs you wanted for years, and if you have a good fan base who've stayed with you for a while know your material,ask them what kind of songs they would want on your new material.



Talk to fans like you're having an everyday conversation. You will be seen as a real person and your fans will resonate more with you. Even offer free tickets to your small club shows,free EP CD's for the first 20 people at the show.



And helping out local musicians by talking at music union seminars will also be of benefit to players. Do this out of the goodness of your heart,not your pocket book. Write free songs and offer other services that fans and players want like free session work,guitar teaching and writing press kit material for musicians.

Keep pushing the free line and big paying gigs will eventually come your way!

Mark Grove