Question: Hey Tom Hess, I was wondering, I’ve been in a lot of bands, and finding the right people and the same goal minded people is very tough, and each time I get into a new band, the gig process starts all over again and it can get very tiring to build a name, now I’ve found this band that seems to have potential, is there a faster way to build my band up?
Tom Hess's Answer: You are already on the right track because unlike many musicians YOU realize how critically important it is to find the RIGHT PEOPLE for your band!
There are various ways to find serious and committed musicians (who are also good players). Here are 4 examples:
1. Music Schools. Here, musicians are still developing their musical skills, but have at least shown a very significant commitment of time and money to be in school. The downside is these musicians are typically not yet fully ready to pursue a career because they have chosen to dedicate their time into school at this point. But this is a good place to start…
2. Seek out GRADUATES of music schools. These players have completed school and are likely hungry to pursue their career in music.
3. Any place where serious musicians (including professionals or semi-professionals) hang out. These can be physical locations and places online.
4. The Holy Grail is to get into the special community where serious musicians like you can be easily found in one place AND who are there for the specific reason to advance their own music careers further. My Music Career Mentoring Program is perfect example where you can find and join such an awesome community of serious like minded musicians who are dead serious about building their own music careers.
Once you find a potential band (or band member) be sure to do an in depth interview (on top of a regular musical audition) with them. This will help you to minimizing conflicts in the future (when you and the other musicians can express your expectations of each other upfront).
If you have a following of fans (and know their contact information) who like your music from the previous bands you have been in and you stay in contact with these fans regularly, it saves you the huge trouble of “having to make a name for yourself” with each new band. These fans can be contacted easily and be made aware of your upcoming shows and new projects.
This will make it very easy to adjust to changes and advancements in your music career without having to build a name for yourself over and over again in everything that you do (for new groups of fans).
Hint: make sure YOU have access and control of your database of fans!
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