Getting gigs

[AlexBazinet]

I have asked a similar question to this one before and have even asked some gigging musicians I've met at jam sessions. How do you get gigs but not just where to go to find gigs who do you talk to. What do you say. What shouldn't you say. Hoping to find an answer here thank you.

[BeboppinFool]

[ericmpena]

Not sure if your age, but when I was in college that’s where I was able to network the most and picked up plenty of gigs.

Once you start gigging, it’s not too hard to meet more musicians in the community and pick up more work.

Check Facebook. Sometimes your area will have a group for musicians of a specific genre where you can post and say that you’re available to start gigging.
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Thane Performing Artist
www.youtube.com/ericmpena
https://thanetrumpets.com/

[Matthew Anklan]

Some thoughts on this:
Getting lessons from or simply getting together (coffee, etc) with working players is an obvious way to connect and grow your network. The advantage of a “lesson” is you get to demonstrate your playing, but there will likely be an undertone of networking. I have experienced this on both ends, and while there have been meaningful lessons, the interactions are usually strained as this meeting is more of an audition than a true lesson.

At the professional level, it can be assumed that most people are highly skilled and often the character of the person is what is being evaluated. “Do I want to spend three or four hours sitting next to this person?”

I have found that meeting someone after a performance, or inviting them out for a conversation and a free beverage has been more beneficial than simply “getting a lesson.” It might be suggested by one party or the other to get together for a trumpet hang, play duets, etc., but now the intention of the meeting is clear, and is less about fishing for work and more about becoming a part of a musical community.

That phrase above - becoming a part of a musical community - is key. Go to performances, be supportive of those you wish to be your colleagues (everyone). Be seen!! And NEVER criticize others. Never ever. Let your playing do all your talking, be humble, and be as prepared as you can be, no matter what.

Of course the real audition is when you’re on the gig. Were you on time? Prepared? Dressed appropriately? Play well? How did you behave when/if things didn’t go “perfectly”? Are you a team player? Did you thank everyone for the opportunity?

If you can do those things, the phone will ring, and it will ring often.
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Matthew Anklan
www.matthewanklan.com
www.trumpetsilencer.com