Great video . Just to point out , I’ve been playing solo for 15 years now and have gotten to the stage of being able to do what would be considered full band gigs on my own (weddings , parties etc ..) . I achieve this buy picking a high energy setlist , ability to change it depending on the vibe , lots and lots of crowd banter / encouraging singalongs and using a stomp box is a major game changer ! Hopefully that helps anyone seeking to get better gigs and make a few more bucks ! Cheers .
Thank you for your amazing video. One of the things I do is I bring a cowbell and a drumstick and I play don't fear the reaper as someone bangs on the cowbell from the old Saturday night live skit. I engage the audience also and try to make the show fun. I like your idea about having a band that you can plan as well that's my next step.
There are hundreds of venues where I live that book solo musicians. They pay $200-$300 per gig. You can play 5 or more gigs a week. We also have plenty of private events and weddings that pay $1000 and up. You can make GREAT pay as a solo musician. Also, 95% of my and other solo acts songs are the top hits. And NONE of us use backing tracks. We don’t use props anything else and have no problems.
I do a one man original rock show because I want to work my way up to a travelling act. I believe my songs are as good even better than radio play. You have to imagine bigger and back it up with lots of practise. I'd rather fail at originality than succeed at commonality.
💰💰💰💰This guy is the real deal, I've gigged the world concerts and festivals. Took a career shift break. Just returning to performing and scoping things. Don't know this guy but his info is top tier for success. Only if you are ready for success.😂 Thanks Mr. Fisher
Thanks for making this video,and it's great advice.As a solo fingerstyle player/singer-songwriter who's heavily influenced by The Beatles(George Harrison especially) as well as classic blues musicians like Robert Johnson, fingerstyle players like Chet Atkins,dark moody singer-songwriters like Townes Van Zandt & Nick Drake,grunge rockers like Kurt Cobain,and Americana musicians like Jason Isbell,it was very difficult to get the kind of gigs that I want because I'm a different kind of musician than just someone who plays in a band or in a bar.When it comes to my music I am very deep,serious,and personal,but most people don't wanna hear that because it's "boring".They just wanna be entertained while the venue owners just wanna make money,and it's one reason why that I quit performing for a few years,but with the pandemic calming down I am kinda getting the itch to perform live again.So I'll try to keep all this in mind if I decide to get back out there.
Thanks for the tips! Could you make an in depth video about how to be in business with a band as a solo artist? Let's say I want to be a solo act with my name "Ellency" but I do want to perform with a band. How do I go about that?
Great Video! Thanks! You've got to be a really, Really Good Entertainer to go solo. Not too many can hold my attention. As good as many are, I get bored listening to the same voice. There are many Great Musicians. But...Bravo to those who can Work A Crowd. That's an Art. ~ 🌺
Great info! I've been using backing tracks for quite a few years now, without them you are just too limited to being background music. I always at least play the rhythm guitar and vocals. At first, years ago , I felt like I was cheating, but the response from the audience has always been positive, and more enthusiastic than when I simply play guitar and sing. I have gotten a bit of criticism from other musicians that are not up on the technology to make backing tracks work, but I realize that is just petty jealousy, maybe envy. Heck, I have been to shows by major acts and they are using tracks and MIDI. If they can do it, why not me. It makes my product more valuable to the venue and audience.
Wow. I have made a living for many decades as a solo musician, and I usually made more $ per gig than my friends who played in bands. Usually I think you give pretty good advise, but from my experience, you really miss the mark on this one. And no, I never use backing tracks either! I do use a looper and often a MIDI guitar to get other sounds, but stuck with only performing low paying “background” music? Not being “respected”? No way!
Not to burst your bubble on this video and I'm sure in most parts of the world,what you're saying is true... However, it seems to be quite the opposite here in South Africa. One person acts seems to be getting "the Lion's share" of most gigs. Whether it's festivals, corporate events or private parties. Worst part is....sadly people (companies or private events) in general don't want to or can't afford a live band anymore. And it's hurting any band here. We find that we tend to drop our prices, just so that we're able to perform. In most cases,working band members have resorted to getting a normal day job, to pay the bills and what used to be their main source of income, falls in the extra income catagory. I myself have been performing for over 3 and ½ decades and in the past 2 decades things started to change here. Hence me become a full-time drumming teacher at various schools here, so that I can earn a living and provide for my family. Then the gigs and shows I do are now an extra source of income. But to add to what I wanted to mention earlier on, bands have to charge less to compete with one person acts. So bands have also become smaller (3pce bands) and perform with tracks, so that we sound fuller, yet don't charge as much as say a 5 or 6 pce band. It's very frustrating to say the least, but it is what it is here. Ps. Loving this channel
Well... to be honest, this is the case all over the world. "Solo acts" obviously exclude DJs. But your situation is similar to that of musicians around the world.
I need answers to what's been happening to me at gigs!! Its horrible, waitresses get mad cuz im getting tips , owners won't pay cuz they see im getting tips!! Tired of it man!!!
Brother i have the moog little fatty keys and canyou help with how to set up good soul r and b our kind of sounds we as black love or there is a tutorial that can help cause i only like like 4 on the sounds on the keyboard and its very frustrating cause i have no idea how to do make our super bass sounds for this keyboard and i dont want to sell i want to keep it . Please help a brother out please thank you and & God bless you 🙏
Great video . Just to point out , I’ve been playing solo for 15 years now and have gotten to the stage of being able to do what would be considered full band gigs on my own (weddings , parties etc ..) . I achieve this buy picking a high energy setlist , ability to change it depending on the vibe , lots and lots of crowd banter / encouraging singalongs and using a stomp box is a major game changer ! Hopefully that helps anyone seeking to get better gigs and make a few more bucks ! Cheers .
Good stuff!
What’s a stomp box?
@@LilCasinoMusican effects pedal
I can't get gigs, cuz they don't wanna pay anything!! It's all donation based!! Sick stuff,
Thank you for your amazing video. One of the things I do is I bring a cowbell and a drumstick and I play don't fear the reaper as someone bangs on the cowbell from the old Saturday night live skit. I engage the audience also and try to make the show fun. I like your idea about having a band that you can plan as well that's my next step.
There are hundreds of venues where I live that book solo musicians. They pay $200-$300 per gig. You can play 5 or more gigs a week. We also have plenty of private events and weddings that pay $1000 and up. You can make GREAT pay as a solo musician. Also, 95% of my and other solo acts songs are the top hits. And NONE of us use backing tracks. We don’t use props anything else and have no problems.
wow, sounds amazing! where about do you live--where is this shangri-la???
I do a one man original rock show because I want to work my way up to a travelling act. I believe my songs are as good even better than radio play. You have to imagine bigger and back it up with lots of practise. I'd rather fail at originality than succeed at commonality.
Man, you are preaching to the choir. Sounds a lot like myself and my band High Expressions that I manage and am the only member. ROCK ON!!! 🔥😎🎸🎙️🔥
@@highexpressions1 hells yeah! get it!!!
true that
Not sure about the clapping effects lol
(1) work with other musicians
(2) market regularly
(3) play hit covers
(4) include props, tech
(5) engage audience
💰💰💰💰This guy is the real deal, I've gigged the world concerts and festivals. Took a career shift break. Just returning to performing and scoping things. Don't know this guy but his info is top tier for success. Only if you are ready for success.😂 Thanks Mr. Fisher
Thanks for making this video,and it's great advice.As a solo fingerstyle player/singer-songwriter who's heavily influenced by The Beatles(George Harrison especially) as well as classic blues musicians like Robert Johnson, fingerstyle players like Chet Atkins,dark moody singer-songwriters like Townes Van Zandt & Nick Drake,grunge rockers like Kurt Cobain,and Americana musicians like Jason Isbell,it was very difficult to get the kind of gigs that I want because I'm a different kind of musician than just someone who plays in a band or in a bar.When it comes to my music I am very deep,serious,and personal,but most people don't wanna hear that because it's "boring".They just wanna be entertained while the venue owners just wanna make money,and it's one reason why that I quit performing for a few years,but with the pandemic calming down I am kinda getting the itch to perform live again.So I'll try to keep all this in mind if I decide to get back out there.
Yes, we DO know the names of the individual Beatles. Many of us even know the name of their manager.
Terence you are amazing. I’ve been following your tips and it’s really helpful. Thank you so much!!!
Man, this was great counsel. Thank you so much for sharing your expertise, I subscribe to all your videos.
Thanks for the tips! Could you make an in depth video about how to be in business with a band as a solo artist? Let's say I want to be a solo act with my name "Ellency" but I do want to perform with a band. How do I go about that?
Fantastic tips! Nicely presented, and applicable to all sorts of small acts. Thank you.
Great Video! Thanks!
You've got to be a really, Really Good Entertainer to go solo. Not too many can hold my attention. As good as many are, I get bored listening to the same voice. There are many Great Musicians. But...Bravo to those who can Work A Crowd. That's an Art.
~ 🌺
I don't want to be associated with others - da. That's why I am a solo artist. Next video please. Thanks anyways.
Haha, tip #1 for solo musicians: “don’t be a solo musician”, great tip
Exactly.
I would like to know more about how a set list should be put together. Combining covers and originals
I'm a solo artist but I have a backing band. We're instrumental heavy metal/ rock
Great info! I've been using backing tracks for quite a few years now, without them you are just too limited to being background music. I always at least play the rhythm guitar and vocals. At first, years ago , I felt like I was cheating, but the response from the audience has always been positive, and more enthusiastic than when I simply play guitar and sing.
I have gotten a bit of criticism from other musicians that are not up on the technology to make backing tracks work, but I realize that is just petty jealousy, maybe envy.
Heck, I have been to shows by major acts and they are using tracks and MIDI. If they can do it, why not me. It makes my product more valuable to the venue and audience.
I'm not Jealous. I just don't care for backing tracks. It's Karaoke in my mind. I walk.
~ 🌺
Great advice, thank you and keep up the good work.
AMEN Brother, this is real helpful for me
Wow. I have made a living for many decades as a solo musician, and I usually made more $ per gig than my friends who played in bands. Usually I think you give pretty good advise, but from my experience, you really miss the mark on this one. And no, I never use backing tracks either! I do use a looper and often a MIDI guitar to get other sounds, but stuck with only performing low paying “background” music? Not being “respected”? No way!
Very informative. Thank you.
Not to burst your bubble on this video and I'm sure in most parts of the world,what you're saying is true...
However, it seems to be quite the opposite here in South Africa.
One person acts seems to be getting "the Lion's share" of most gigs. Whether it's festivals, corporate events or private parties. Worst part is....sadly people (companies or private events) in general don't want to or can't afford a live band anymore. And it's hurting any band here. We find that we tend to drop our prices, just so that we're able to perform. In most cases,working band members have resorted to getting a normal day job, to pay the bills and what used to be their main source of income, falls in the extra income catagory. I myself have been performing for over 3 and ½ decades and in the past 2 decades things started to change here. Hence me become a full-time drumming teacher at various schools here, so that I can earn a living and provide for my family. Then the gigs and shows I do are now an extra source of income.
But to add to what I wanted to mention earlier on, bands have to charge less to compete with one person acts. So bands have also become smaller (3pce bands) and perform with tracks, so that we sound fuller, yet don't charge as much as say a 5 or 6 pce band.
It's very frustrating to say the least, but it is what it is here.
Ps. Loving this channel
Well... to be honest, this is the case all over the world. "Solo acts" obviously exclude DJs. But your situation is similar to that of musicians around the world.
I need answers to what's been happening to me at gigs!! Its horrible, waitresses get mad cuz im getting tips , owners won't pay cuz they see im getting tips!! Tired of it man!!!
Can you do a video about hired gun musicians ?
Great content as always
thanks brother 🙏
Brother i have the moog little fatty keys and canyou help with how to set up good soul r and b our kind of sounds we as black love or there is a tutorial that can help cause i only like like 4 on the sounds on the keyboard and its very frustrating cause i have no idea how to do make our super bass sounds for this keyboard and i dont want to sell i want to keep it . Please help a brother out please thank you and & God bless you 🙏
More Marketing advice please
Niceeeeee
I want a small PA system for piano solo gig.
I have digital piano (Roland fp 30x ) and it has stereo output option (L+R).
So please help me
I would recommend getting a pair of the Harbinger MSL900 line array speakers. They are pretty inexpensive and sound great!
I’d go with something like a yamaha stagepas
Tip jar
Tip number 1 is dont be a solo artist 😭