Start with your demo tape
![]()
(Photo Source:Fotosearch)
As a starter, you should make your demo tape. A demo is instrumental in getting you gigs. Nowadays, a demo “tape” is usually a CD, and sometimes you upload them to your self made website with your songs on it. How many songs you wanted to include really depends on how many you have: you could have a whole album’s worth or as few as three or four to one. Since a demo generally isn’t for sale, you can feel free to include covers as well as your original material. A well-recorded demo is better than a poorly-recorded one, and don’t worry because a demo doesn’t have to be “radio-ready.” Sometimes the quality of the recording can be rough but as long as you maintain the quality of your songwriting and performance, and as long as the demo gives the listener a good idea of what you play and how well you are playing it. You can record your demos on a home studio, your PC, a digital recorder, or even a tape recorder(if that is still acceptable or if yours is still working.)
(Photo Source:Multiply.com)
If you are just a starting band, be aware of the reality that you are not going to get paid during your first few shows. Just think about the idea of playing for the glory of music, not for money. Contact a more established band and offer an opening gig for them. Opening gigs for free will help you have a great start in promoting your band to the public. A successful band needs to have great exposure. Take every opportunity of playing in front of the crowd whether it be a paid act or not. Every single bit of it would definitely help you reach success.
Every band must establish value for their performances. For beginners, it is only normal to have lower fees for they have only few bookings and just at the early stage of their exposure. For those who are in demand gets the higher fees for they have gained a significant amount of fans and are able to get bookings easily. But whether you are a beginner or not, you must always know how to negotiate properly and effectively. First, you must know all the materials that you have to use. One of the most important is your artist profile that�s why you have to give correct and necessary information and highlight your achievements for the people to notice it easily. This might be used by the promoters to endorse you to their audience. Second, you must have a list of the exact dates of your gigs. Before making another booking, you must review all the details first such as the venue, sold tickets and ticket prices, weather, promotional materials used, and also other events in the same area. Knowing all of these can help you negotiate your way to a better and more profitable deal.
To be able to obtain more gigs for your band, consider playing for open mic nights at your local clubs or party places. This will provide you with an actual set of audience and obviously increase you experience on stage. This is a great way to start off your band. Many open mic nights are established by more popular local bands. By playing on an open mic night, you will increase your connections or contacts with the hosting bands for future gigs. It is also advisable that you check your local newspapers or music sites to find essential contact information.
Your band will need a demo CD or tape. For almost every gigs, the owner of the club or the party planner would definitely want and need to hear the band that he will be booking. So it is highly advised that you record your music acts on a demo CD or tape. Buying or renting a portable home recording studio is also a big advantage to your band. Also do make sure that your songwriting is of professional quality. Be patient. Remember that songwriting requires a great amount of time and rewrites to finish completely. You may also use computer programs such as Cubase or Pro Tools to help you with your recording needs.
This is not an easy task. Starting out a band requires a great effort if you really want to become successful. To be able to get a gig or a show, you need hard work, dedication, and passion for your music, and of course a few helpful tips and tricks will do.
Performing to a huge crowd and making them love or appreciate your music is not that easy. There are many choices for them to have so you will never know and you can never dictate to them what they like. But you can always do something to expose them wisely and it is by means swapping audience with other bands. First, you have to find an artist that you like and can work well along with you. Then make sure that the artist that you have selected is talented enough and has a great sense of charisma. Suggest to your artist that you will promote one of your gigs to your own list of markets. So you will be introduced to their audience in the new market and in return, they will also benefit from your audience. This is a great strategy for it can save your time and effort and it will be your stepping stone to be known faster in the new market.