What I've been up to.

Pops · Posted: Wed Mar 17, 2004 11:36 am Post subject:

Hi gang;

I have gotten several emails asking what I've been up to.

Well I've been writing and shipping books.

I wrote a book on getting, finding and making gigs called Get Up Off
Your ___ and Get A Gig. It is doing well and last week I released another
book.

30 Minutes A Day Practice Book

Over the years I've had thousands of people ask how and what to practice
when you only have 30 or so minutes a day.

Is there a way to maintain your skills or even to improve some of them.
Well now there is

It is all about working both hard and smart. Not wasting 1 second of
valuable practice time. And more importantly working each and every
muscle and skill we need to play well.

This book does that.
You will work the mind, fingers, tonguing skills, breathing, breath
support, tongue arch, tongue hiss, flexibility, range.... In short
everything.

30 Minutes A Day to Better Trumpet Playing

_________________
Come see the book everyone is talking about; "How the Chops Work. The Big Book of Embouchure Pictures". Plus my other 8 books at http://www.bbtrumpet.com

Pops

It is the Smart application of hard work that gets you there.

[ This Message was edited by: Pops on 2004-03-17 14:40 ]

_dcstep · Posted: Wed Mar 17, 2004 12:02 pm Post subject:

Nice to see you back, even if it's just for a visit.

Dave
_________________
Schilke '60 B1 -- 229 Bach-C/19-350 Blackburn -- Lawler TL Cornet -- Conn V1 Flugel -- Stomvi Master Bb/A/G picc -- GR mpcs
[url=http://www.pitpops.com] The PitPops[/url]
Rocky Mountain Trumpet Fest

Pops · Posted: Thu Mar 18, 2004 7:11 am Post subject:

Thanks.
This is a very time consuming forum.
(It is big and every topic opens a new webpage.)
I won't be able to be here often. But I will play through from time to time.

Pops

the chief · Posted: Thu Mar 18, 2004 7:32 am Post subject:

What I like about this forum is it compliments my practice schedule very well. I'll practice for a while, take a rest and read this forum, then go back to practicing, reading, and so on.

Before I know it, I've got half of the "Fundamentals" threads read, and I've learned 3 new etudes

_dcstep · Posted: Thu Mar 18, 2004 7:53 am Post subject:

Jon Arnold · Heavyweight Member Joined: 07 Jan 2002 Posts: 2027

Hello Pops

I bought all of your books last year and have enjoyed them very much. It is good to hear from you. Take care!!!

mark936 · Posted: Fri Mar 19, 2004 12:01 am Post subject:

How much? Does it include shipping?

trumpetjunkie · Heavyweight Member Joined: 07 Jan 2003 Posts: 622

Good to see you around Pops! For those of you who don't know him, just remember that when he posts- pay attention. We've missed you here.

jgadvert · Posted: Fri Mar 19, 2004 11:27 am Post subject:

Ditto. Nice to see Pops posting again!

BTW: Pops. Could you tell us briefly YOUR experience getting gigs for yourself or your/another band?

I book most of my own gigs for my band(hundreds in one of the toughest markets in the country). I know most folks couldnt be bothered(or be caught dead) doing the leg work(when there is always a sucker available to do it for them).

I think I would be very qualified to write such a book. Love to start a thread on it..but think very few on here would have anything significant to contribute.

How to get a gig:

Step One: Objectively construct a song list/musical program that people(other than you!!) would be interested in coming to see.

Put together a sample CD, promo piece and make tons of phone calls.

Sounds like fun? Yeah..let the sucker band leader do it. Your a team player right(ha!)

[ This Message was edited by: jgadvert on 2004-03-19 14:37 ]

Pops · Posted: Sat Mar 20, 2004 2:37 am Post subject:

Well I wrote a book on getting gigs.

In a nutshell it is WAY more about promotion than about playing. And double High C has nothing to do with it.

You have to sell yourself and yes a CD is #1.

They won't hire you if they don't hear you.

You also need to get that CD into the hands of someone who can hire you. ie Wedding planners, restaurant owners...

_________________
Come see the books everyone talks about; "30 Minutes to Better Trumpet Playing", "How the Chops Work". Plus my other 8 books at http://www.bbtrumpet.com

Pops

It is the Smart application of hard work that gets you there.

[ This Message was edited by: Pops on 2004-03-20 05:37 ]

Mr.Hollywood · Heavyweight Member Joined: 14 Dec 2002 Posts: 1730

Pops,

What kind of gigs have you been playing lately?

Have you been keeping busy?

Chris

Pops · Posted: Sat Mar 20, 2004 9:05 am Post subject:

I wish I had time for a gig.

Man shipping books and teaching are more than full-time for me.
And for the last 6 months teaching has taken a backseat.

For some bizarre reason my website became the most visited trumpet/brass site on the net last year.

Alexa ranking end of year 2003. (12/18/2003) Ranking of All sites on the internet. Top ranked trumpet sites.

The top 10 looked like this for 2003.

1. Trumpet site on the net.
Clint ‘Pops’ McLaughlin
http://www.BbTrumpet.com
141,000 th of all web sites in the world

2. Selmer/Bach 179,000 th of all web sites in the world

3. Trumpet Herald 242,000 th of all web sites in the world

4. Sachmo.com 272,000 th of all web sites in the world

5. Trumpet Stuff 277,000 th of all web sites in the world

6. Sachmo.net 288,000 th of all web sites in the world

7. Miles Davis.com 377,000 th of all web sites in the world

8. ITG 386,000 th of all web sites in the world

9. TPIN 403,000 th of all web sites in the world

10. Ralph Jones 438,000 th of all web sites in the world

Actually both my site and the Herald have moved up this year.

But even though I don't gig my students do.

One just did his first show on the MF tour last night.

_________________
Come see the books everyone talks about; "30 Minutes to Better Trumpet Playing", "How the Chops Work". Plus my other 8 books at http://www.bbtrumpet.com

Pops

It is the Smart application of hard work that gets you there.

[ This Message was edited by: Pops on 2004-03-20 12:05 ]

EddieLewis · Posted: Sat Mar 20, 2004 3:10 pm Post subject:

Interesting website, this Alexa thing.

Traffic Rank for bbtrumpet.com: 124,535
Traffic Rank for eddielewis.com: 1,876,758

Pops · Posted: Sat Mar 20, 2004 4:19 pm Post subject:

Yeah Eddie it is an interesting site.

They track over 10 million web surfers.

It is being used by several search engines now like Google, Exact seek, Jayde...

And just like any polling device there is some error but it does give web site owners a general idea of how healthy their site is.

Also interesting to watch site histories.

I have been getting these reports for 3 years now.

The all time most consistent trumpet site is Clyde Hunt.

He stayed at around 800,000 for the entire 3 years I've watched this.

They do have problems with how they report piggie back sites.

They give an over all rank and then say what percent of the traffic each site on that server got.

Anyway.

I hope things are going well for you down in Houston.

I know the weather is already warm

And concrats for the GREAT press Texas Brass has gotten lately.

_________________
Come see the books everyone talks about; "30 Minutes to Better Trumpet Playing", "How the Chops Work". Plus my other 8 books at http://www.bbtrumpet.com

Pops

It is the Smart application of hard work that gets you there.

[ This Message was edited by: Pops on 2004-03-20 19:19 ]

jgadvert · Posted: Mon Mar 22, 2004 6:36 am Post subject:

Err, ummm, uhhhh....

Once again, has anybody on this thread who has "responded" or "written a book" on geting gigs ever had experience getting gigs for themselves or others? Unfortunately, I think I know the answer already.

Check out my website(downanddirtyband.com). I booked those gigs myself.
Many private parties I have also booked are not listed.

BTW: I'm not a doctor......but I play one on TV.

Pops · Posted: Mon Mar 22, 2004 7:12 am Post subject:

Oh

I see.

A wise guy.

Now I get it.

OK;
So you really are asking. Cool.

Getting gigs is about promotion NOT about playing. This is why so many good players don't have gigs. They don't understand this.

You have to sometimes make your market. For example why waste so much time begging to get in the club that has a house band when the club next door doesn't? They have seen what live music can do.

You have to make promo material and get it into peoples hands and you have to let the word no roll off with no effect.

Lots of players can't do that and they could use a booking agent.

In the case of my book I took real life examples of how students of mine made a place for themselves. Got into bands that had never even considered using trumpets, got radio shows, house band spots....

These guys took my advice and it worked. I didn't write the book before because I wanted real people other than me to use these ideas and make it happen.

Just common sense.
If you can get gigs the book won't help you. If you don't get gigs easily then it might.

You never know what will help. Sometimes even hearing the same thing you heard before helps because this time you were ready to hear it.

_________________
Come see the books everyone talks about; "30 Minutes to Better Trumpet Playing", "How the Chops Work". Plus my other 8 books at http://www.bbtrumpet.com

Pops

It is the Smart application of hard work that gets you there.

[ This Message was edited by: pops on 2004-03-22 11:15 ]

jgadvert · Posted: Mon Mar 22, 2004 7:19 am Post subject:

No Pops..I am not a wise guy.....or looking to insult you in any way. I would simply like to hear a little about your "gig getting background" where you would be writing such a book.

Being a fan(and purchaser!) of many of your books..I have no doubt about your vast playing knowledge.

BTW: It aint guys like me that cause folks to not post here.