Starting out in the music industry Bars or not Part 1
The big question when getting started with a music career is should I play the bars or not?
Depending on who you ask you are going to get a different answer.
There is lots to think about and how you want your career to go. There are many pro's and con's to this subject. I am sure they will all be debated long after we are all gone.
First lets talk about what it takes to play the bars and to become successful in the bars.
The bars are a place to get your start to showcase your talents, to become successful at the bar level though there is some sacrifices you have to make. Unless you are playing a bar that allows you to play nothing but original music be prepared to play cover songs. ( just so you know there are not to many bars that do this)
Having original material is good to have though when playing a bar because it shows that you are serious about your music.
Picking cover songs that make you look and sound great is very important.
If you have a voice like Johnny Cash but are trying to sing "Don't Stop Believing" by Journey it is probably not a good idea, unless you have some really cool arrangement and have made the song your own or it is comedy version. If you are trying to duplicate it DON'T DO IT! You may think it sounds cool but most people are going to be saying my god that is awful.
Remember to focus on what you do best.
Having a big selection of different styles is very important specially this days. Don't jump into the bars with 30 songs just enough to get you through the night.
The bigger the song list the better, just remember to select the right songs for you.
If you are a country band make sure you are playing new country, old country, your own stuff, fast ones, slow ones, a couple off the wall ones, as well have some classic rock and even a few new rock songs. Throw in a couple other style as well the more the better. You will get more fans with your versatility.
If you are a rock band same thing I know the last thing you want to learn is a country song but make it your own, rock up a old Johnny Cash or Waylon tune, it works!
When you walk into a the venue walk in like you are rock stars don't be rude but show confidence in yourself on and off stage. People are drawn to this.
Have a show planned if a set list works for you use it but be prepared to make changes if set is not working with the crowd. If you can do this on the fly then do it. If you are able to call out the songs as you go cause you are reading the crowd then do it, sometimes this works better, just make sure you have only one person doing this as you don't want to have a fight on stage about what song to play. Usually the lead singer or front man would call the the songs. Remember NO holes in your sets, dead air is a big NO NO, if you are not play then you are talking or getting the people going.
If you have props use them, anything to entertain the crowd.
Plan a couple of moves and use them, planned steps at the right time work.
I am not saying that you have to dance like Britney Spears on stage but a couple of little moves works, look at ZZ TOP they are in there 60's now and they still do and hey look cool doing it...still!
Just make it look and feel natural and just once every now then not every song.
Just remember posing in positions works once in a blue moon, to do it all the time looks cheesy, unless that is what you are going for once again, don't do it.
Sometimes the hard part about playing in a bar is getting peoples attention. They are there to drink meet with their buddy's and girlfriends, talk, party, try pick each other up etc... sometime you are the last thing that they came for so you have to find ways to get them on your side. many things work many things don't.
Sometimes the best thing you can do is start off with a big production song. screaming guitars lights smoke whatever it takes.
If they have had a few and are in the party mode hit them with a sing along song. any song they know the words to that is big a popular works!
Use you imagination to find ways to get a hold of them and then don't let go.
Lots more to come.....
The big question when getting started with a music career is should I play the bars or not?
Depending on who you ask you are going to get a different answer.
There is lots to think about and how you want your career to go. There are many pro's and con's to this subject. I am sure they will all be debated long after we are all gone.
First lets talk about what it takes to play the bars and to become successful in the bars.
The bars are a place to get your start to showcase your talents, to become successful at the bar level though there is some sacrifices you have to make. Unless you are playing a bar that allows you to play nothing but original music be prepared to play cover songs. ( just so you know there are not to many bars that do this)
Having original material is good to have though when playing a bar because it shows that you are serious about your music.
Picking cover songs that make you look and sound great is very important.
If you have a voice like Johnny Cash but are trying to sing "Don't Stop Believing" by Journey it is probably not a good idea, unless you have some really cool arrangement and have made the song your own or it is comedy version. If you are trying to duplicate it DON'T DO IT! You may think it sounds cool but most people are going to be saying my god that is awful.
Remember to focus on what you do best.
Having a big selection of different styles is very important specially this days. Don't jump into the bars with 30 songs just enough to get you through the night.
The bigger the song list the better, just remember to select the right songs for you.
If you are a country band make sure you are playing new country, old country, your own stuff, fast ones, slow ones, a couple off the wall ones, as well have some classic rock and even a few new rock songs. Throw in a couple other style as well the more the better. You will get more fans with your versatility.
If you are a rock band same thing I know the last thing you want to learn is a country song but make it your own, rock up a old Johnny Cash or Waylon tune, it works!
When you walk into a the venue walk in like you are rock stars don't be rude but show confidence in yourself on and off stage. People are drawn to this.
Have a show planned if a set list works for you use it but be prepared to make changes if set is not working with the crowd. If you can do this on the fly then do it. If you are able to call out the songs as you go cause you are reading the crowd then do it, sometimes this works better, just make sure you have only one person doing this as you don't want to have a fight on stage about what song to play. Usually the lead singer or front man would call the the songs. Remember NO holes in your sets, dead air is a big NO NO, if you are not play then you are talking or getting the people going.
If you have props use them, anything to entertain the crowd.
Plan a couple of moves and use them, planned steps at the right time work.
I am not saying that you have to dance like Britney Spears on stage but a couple of little moves works, look at ZZ TOP they are in there 60's now and they still do and hey look cool doing it...still!
Just make it look and feel natural and just once every now then not every song.
Just remember posing in positions works once in a blue moon, to do it all the time looks cheesy, unless that is what you are going for once again, don't do it.
Sometimes the hard part about playing in a bar is getting peoples attention. They are there to drink meet with their buddy's and girlfriends, talk, party, try pick each other up etc... sometime you are the last thing that they came for so you have to find ways to get them on your side. many things work many things don't.
Sometimes the best thing you can do is start off with a big production song. screaming guitars lights smoke whatever it takes.
If they have had a few and are in the party mode hit them with a sing along song. any song they know the words to that is big a popular works!
Use you imagination to find ways to get a hold of them and then don't let go.
Lots more to come.....
