Advise for newbies

[Dani Pace]

OK this is weird for me...but, I have two teenage sons, age 15 (drums) and 14 (bass) who are learning to play and want to play with others, I'm just wondering if anyone can share any advice for them as to what might make their musical experience more enjoyable and productive. I've shared what I can but they seem to need to hear it from another (outside) source before they will believe it, so any words of wisdom will be appreciated. I know there are many others like myself who have been playing for years who can share much of what we have learned and just might can say the right words to encourage a new musician to become more than they might expect. I'm willing to share my gear and provide all the encouragement from my experience but a bit of additional wisdom can go a long way. Thanks in advance for any help and bits of wisdom to help anyone new to the business of making music.

 

[mikeh]

Play with as many people as possible - you can learn something from almost everyone and you never know when someone you've played with with offer you a gig or recommend you (networking is critical in any business). Play as much as possible, nothing improves chops more than playing and nothing makes music more enjoyable than improving.

Learn as many musical styles as possible, you never know when a musical opportunity will come up in various musical genres. Often you find that you relate well to some musical genre which perhaps a year ago you never would have considered. Play with passion, but don't allow the emotional highs and lows of performance to drain that passion.

Learn how to maintain your equipment and always have it in good working order - nobody likes to work with people who have gear that compromises the music.

Conduct yourself at all times as a professional and as a decent human being (I've gotten more gigs becuase people can depend on me and find me easy to work with than because I have chops). While music can be a joy to perform, it is called the music "business".

I'm at about 4,000 gigs and still counting!

 

[so_scrued_up]

im 15 doing drums too. id say do regular practise, like 7 till 8 or something, because its so easy to not be bothered for one day and suddenly realise you've forgotten a rythem

 

[Alphonso]

My best advice would be listen to dad. It's a blessing to even know someone who is willing to help much less have him right there in the house with you.

 

[skaterjac91]

hey i neeed adivse. i want to make my guitar sound good but how do i make it have distortion

 

[fraserhutch]

hey i neeed adivse. i want to make my guitar sound good but how do i make it have distortion

You can start by NOT hijacking threads.

Start a new thread in the Guitar forum asking thsi question. And you might want to give a few details like what your' using and what you don't like about your current sound.

Hijacking someone else's thread (which it appears you've done 4 times now, same question) is terribly rude.

 

[fraserhutch]

My best advice would be listen to dad. It's a blessing to even know someone who is willing to help much less have him right there in the house with you.

Ahmen! and it will be an even bigger blessing if you share the passion with them. Get involved, maybe even learn a new instrument with them. Share it. Teach them about all the styles and great music available. Let your enthusiasm become infectious.

Best of luck to you.

 

[Rstiltskin]

i think mikeh is right on.............

OK this is weird for me...but, I have two teenage sons, age 15 (drums) and 14 (bass) who are learning to play and want to play with others, I'm just wondering if anyone can share any advice for them as to what might make their musical experience more enjoyable and productive. I've shared what I can but they seem to need to hear it from another (outside) source before they will believe it, so any words of wisdom will be appreciated. I know there are many others like myself who have been playing for years who can share much of what we have learned and just might can say the right words to encourage a new musician to become more than they might expect. I'm willing to share my gear and provide all the encouragement from my experience but a bit of additional wisdom can go a long way. Thanks in advance for any help and bits of wisdom to help anyone new to the business of making music.

funny, though, that his advice will get you ahead in most any business!

 

[mikeh]

Rstiltskin,

As you point out, it's not a coincidence that my suggestions could be applied to any business activity or any area of personal growth.

Developing skills, learning from others, networking and conducting yourself as a decent person and a professional works - no matter what you do!!!