Getting Started As A Working Musician

By Mark Grove

I know a lot of players out there are afraid of getting out there on stage, but it's important to get into the area of insecurity and make mistakes. Even in the public eye. Being able to make mistakes and be criticized for your playing will be a tell all sign if you've got thick enough skin mentally to handle being onstage.


Most say they do, but the truth is most don't. Start by just jamming at home with friends and playing a few songs you know. Not ones you can't handle. The thing is, musicians say they will go to jam sessions when they're prepared enough technically and mentally. The thing is every player is never really fully ready, and you need to just do it.



No one can do it for you. Only you can. You only need to know a couple songs and ask to do them onstage at a blues club. Most players who run Jam sessions are very accommodating to other players who have never been to a jam session.

Ask if you can play a song you know. That way it makes you feel comfortable. But chances are you'll be onstage for one more song which may not be your own.

Try your bloody heart out on it, even if you can't get it down. Be prepared to look bad. Think of it this way--most people don't have the guts to get onstage and look like foolish.

So be prepared to learn other material, and from other musicians. Look for musicians you can jam with to learn from. Start writing your own songs, and see if you can sit in with other bands.

Interview musicians and offer to write articles for them at no charge. Create value for other players. Learn all you can from players,people on the business end of music and from the top magazines on playing.

Such as www.guitarplayer.com

In my next article I'll go into how to continue to create value for other bands, start your own band and open for other bands.

Success and Peace To All Players,

Mark

Don't forget The Canadian Guitar Player Services: Booking for blues artists,Press Kit Writing and music equipment finding service.

Email us at:mdgrove@rock.com for further info.