getting noticed?

[slideboardouts]

Sept 23, 2009, 5:50pm, showdownmetal wrote:unfortunately, what im doing ends up equaling itself out to nothing. because of the obvious "if no one hears it, it didnt happen." but at the moment i've been recording alot of random ideas. getting good at making stuff up on the spot. which isnt really useful. my biggest problem is that the music i write is almost impossible for me to perform by myself, and if i did simplify it, then it would lack alot of the same spark it should have. maybe my real question is what should i be doing to get my name out there, and whats a good starting spot? for example, should i be setting a goal, like writing an ep and performing it once a week (whether by distributing a cd, or on a stage)? idk what i should do, which is what alot of times holds people back from putting any use to what they're learning. You just need to figure out what aspect of music it is that you enjoy the most. For me it is composing. I like performing live every now and then but it really isn't my cup of tea. I enjoy sitting in front of a computer composing much more. It doesn't matter what genre or how much I actually like the music, all that matters for me is that I'm composing. Therefor, about 2 years ago now, I decided to pursue the film/TV market. That was the right choice for me, but its not for everyone. Some people hate having to be a composer/engineer/producer/etc. all rolled in one and would much rather perform live and maybe sell some CDs. I don't think that any one direction is better than the other, its just a matter of personal preference.Depending on what you want to do, there are a number of ways to "get noticed." But it will be impossible to figure it out without first deciding exactly what you want to do. And that is a personal choice that you're going to have to make on your own.-Steve

[mojobone]

If the end goal is merely to be noticed, you could always streak the Grammys.

[hummingbird]

What kind of music do you write, what instruments do you play... have you done any performing? Are you taking composition, music theory? What's your experience so far? ....it's very hard for us to tell you how to come to the notice of people when we don't know you or your music... I know how I've done it. I've worked hard to learn the craft, I've listened to the advice of my peers, I've invested thousands of dollars and thousands of hours in understanding composition, figuring out what my niche is, learing to produce effectively, going to music conferences & songwriting seminars, performing live, taking voice lessons and guitar lessons, etc etc. [Not to mention joining TAXI and winning the world's record for returns... as part of the process of understanding... lol]

[mojobone]

Some further ruminations on the subject can be found here:http://www.gearslutz.com/board/so-much- ... areer.html

[fullbirdmusic]

If you want to perform your original songs, then concentrate on that. If you want to record original songs without performing them, who cares if you could perform them? I write and record stuff all the time that I could never perform! I only have to play it perfect once to record it! Anyway, I have a band for that side of my musical personality.I'm an extrovert that does both film scoring and performing and playing instruments, etc. Film scoring in and of itself is mostly an introverted activity. So if you need constant interaction or stimulation from outside sources or other musicians, I would strongly advise against it. But if you can keep yourself motivated, work on a schedule, stay organized, and enjoy the inherent introvertedness of the art, then have at it. Just do whatever makes you happy now until you can figure out what you love. With time, it will come.

[showdownmetal]

i think my strongest area is composing, but mostly by mistake. my dad has been playing classical piano for 40+ years, and he plays all the time. i grew up subconsciously listening to everything he played and that trained my ears to instinctively tell me what sounds horrible i think. as far as performing... it depends. if i havent had practice and its just me, i freak out. but if im in a group and i know i can perform better than everyone else in the group, it then becomes fun for me. i play guitar, bass, drums, classical guitar (i find that a different realm of guitar in and of itself), i used to play violin, keyboard/piano. the only two instruments i dont have at my disposal would be the violin and drums (i love drumming). as vague as it sounds, i really just want to basically surrender myself to music in general and hope to find pay in it. i find myself way out of the loop at school because i rarely "study" classical music. and that seems to be the only thing professors are interested in. by study i mean i listen, but i dont practice playing every piece i can find in hopes of turning into a computer that can consistently play sheet music and repeat the past over and over again. id rather spend my time writing.

[hummingbird]

I've often heard it said that if your interest is making money, you should choose accounting or plumbing or baking rather than songwriting IMO there is an art to interpretation... meaning... there is a craft to being able to express yourself through music written by someone else. When you do it successfully, the audience responds. In addition... there is something to be learned about composition (and skill in playing the instrument) from playing something someone else wrote. My jazz teacher says, start off by imitating the greats... and think about why they made those choices while you play their riffs and improvisations."but if im in a group and i know i can perform better than everyone else in the group, it then becomes fun for me" - think about what that statement says about you. You are only comfortable when you are sure you are better... which means that you are not allowing yourself to be challenged to play with those who have more skills.... Perhaps it's time to sit down and work out a business plan for your career, set some goals to help you achieve it. If you want to score films, start with the local film school & student films. If you want to produce, get friends who want to record in your studio. If you want to write songs & perform them, then work on your performing skills, get out to open mics & book gigs. I'd actually suggest doing a little of all of these things to grow your capacity.

[showdownmetal]

ok, the only reason i threw money into to the mix is mostly because im unemployed and i can make $10 go pretty far at the moment.

[BraveNote]

And you want your "Chicks for free" too?

[showdownmetal]

no not really. i mean yeah woman are nice, but i dont rely solely on musical ability to entice them.heres a better question."how do you make money" <--- related to music.