One guy lost.

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Blight

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I’m a bit stuck.

I decided a year or two ago that one way or another I want to make writing and recording music my career, because it’s what I love; and I’ve been told by even very tough (non-related) critics that I’m good at it. The problem I’ve been grappling with, however, is that I just don’t know how or where to carve out my space in the world of music.

I can’t play live because I’m one guy, and I’m not much of a performer anyway (I could sing and have other guys play the parts I usually play, cause I can’t play and sing my songs at the same time, but I haven’t met any musicians willing to just be my backing band), so I can’t just tour like mad until I build a following, and THEN sell CDs. I don’t care about being signed by a major label because of all the trappings that come with it, but I’m not sure how to promote myself (or find somebody who knows how to promote me) or make a career out of what I do.

All I want is to be able to make money selling my music to folks, and I’m sure I could, I just don’t know how to get anybody interested.

I’m sure this all seems very general, but I don’t know where to start. Any advice would be very appreciated.
 
Blight said:
I’m a bit stuck.

I decided a year or two ago that one way or another I want to make writing and recording music my career, because it’s what I love; and I’ve been told by even very tough (non-related) critics that I’m good at it. The problem I’ve been grappling with, however, is that I just don’t know how or where to carve out my space in the world of music.

I can’t play live because I’m one guy, and I’m not much of a performer anyway (I could sing and have other guys play the parts I usually play, cause I can’t play and sing my songs at the same time, but I haven’t met any musicians willing to just be my backing band), so I can’t just tour like mad until I build a following, and THEN sell CDs. I don’t care about being signed by a major label because of all the trappings that come with it, but I’m not sure how to promote myself (or find somebody who knows how to promote me) or make a career out of what I do.

All I want is to be able to make money selling my music to folks, and I’m sure I could, I just don’t know how to get anybody interested.

I’m sure this all seems very general, but I don’t know where to start. Any advice would be very appreciated.
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i'd say your first step is to learn how to play and sing at the same time. if your talking about guitar, its not as hard as it can seem, i promise. If people like your music in its full recorded arrangement, they will still like it if its just you and a guitar, i know from experience. I've also learned that if youre trying to do something new, that people are interested in, they'll want to be a part of it. that's how i got musicians to play with me live. I'm playing a show in a week in which i have me on guitar and vocals, another guitarist, a pianist, and a 20-piece choir. I'm not touring or anything but i'm making a name for myself for later on (I'm only 16 right now, i cant really tour anyways).
 
I play the bass guitar.

I suppose my biggest problem is that a lot of my material was written in overdubs and I do a lot of fingerpicking, but I suppose with enough practice I could play and sing them. Not anxious to, though.

Thanks for the reply, man.
 
1. put up flyers in your area that say " AUDITIONS FOR X" AND GIVE A TIME AND LOCATION WHERE PEOPLE WHO ARE INTERSTED WILL COME OUT AND AUDITION FOR YOU

THE X CAN BE "SINGER" BAS PLAYER, ETC.

WHO EVER U LIKE - TELL EM WHATS UP N SEE WHATS POPPIN

2. FINDING A PROMOTER? WELL THATS THE NIGHT STICK THAT BROKE ABNER LOUIMA'S RECTUM SHAFT!!! IN OTHER WORDS - THATS SOME DIFFICULT MANEUVERIN . . . GET THE "BAND" OR "GROUP" TOGETHER FIRST - U MIGHT ACTUALLY FIND THAT RARE GEM OF A MUSICIAN WHO IS GOOD AS HELL AT SELLING - ITS A NEEDLE IN THE HAYSTACK - BUT SOMEBODY GOTTA DO IT!!
 
in the beginning, you are the promoter and the artist - in charge of business and creativity. you must start out by playing an instrument solo if you just want a back up band instead of forming a real group. you may be able to audition some and get some to play... but some might want to be paid. then you'll have to work at getting shows and promoting those shows, THEN selling CDs. it's not to difficult (I don't think so anyway)... you just have to go DO IT instead of talking about it.

it should be easy getting shows if your music is that good. most people's music sucks and that's why they're not big and they can't face that fact. if your music is really good though, it should be easy finding shows if you look hard enough and then you'll develop a following. the ONLY way to make it is touring and shows... unless you have copious amounts of cash and/or connections.
 
I can picture myself being in a similar situation in a year or too. I'm in a band, but I can picture half of the other members giving up (at least on doing anything that requires initiative) when we graduate college.

It sucks, and I sympathize with you man.

My plan if I can't get a band working is to continue recording my stuff and putting it on the internet until it gets noticed or I give up and get a real job.
 
So I've been practicing playing and singing at the same time; and it's not that bad. I've formed a new band currently just consisting of me and my bro (lives only 20 minutes away); because he's serious about music too. Our first objective is to hone a good live act so that we can actively promote our music. Maybe this will all work out.
 
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