Bands and Professionalism, I view this is a very important topic. There are a lot of bands that don’t cross their T’s and dot their I’s. It’s for the most part, fairly easy to learn your part of the song on your instrument and perhaps your vocal part, but there are many other things to take into account for your live performances. Remember, you’re being paid to do a job, and as fun as that job might be it is still in fact, a job. The venue owner or talent buyer is expecting you to come through with a quality performance. To start with, You want to arrive at the venue in plenty of time to set up and do your sound checks. Unless you really trust your sound man, you may want to have a long enough cord or a cordless system so you can stand out front and make sure all is well with the sound. Obviously there may need to be some adjustments when the place is full, but for the most part you should be in good shape.

For the performance itself, every band whether you’re doing covers or original material, your sound and stage presence or lack there of is what makes you and your show unique. Too much time (also known as dead air) between songs is definitely not good. For one thing, you tend to lose your audience’s attention and you want to keep your momentum. You can avoid this by having a set list so you know what song is coming up next. You can also purchase equipment with memory that will allow your instruments effects to be up and running at the start of each song. You can have the last note of one song to be the first of the next song allowing you to run songs together in a medley. In many cases a song will start with one instrument so if you play that instrument and you know the timing well enough you can start right in providing the rest of the band is prepared for that. Of course, you want to have some interaction with the audience and each band according to it’s personality will have it’s way of addressing this. Relax and go with the flow. Just remember people are there for the music not for a speech.

About Author:
Dave Wilson: Booking Agent and musician of 30 years.

Article Source: http://www.articleton.com

For more education on careers in the music industry, check out: http://www.music-career-guide.com

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Obtaining that almost seemingly unattainable record deal has been the goal of many independent music artists and bands throughout time. For mostly inexperienced reasons, most new talent feel that by securing a recording contract with a significant major or independent label, success will be guaranteed. And some newbies to the music industry feel all they have to do is send their demo away and a recording contract will come their way.

Record Label A&R reps at are the music contacts that will ultimately determine whether your demo is heard by record labels in the music industry. Hopefully this information will at the very least improve the odds that your music will get listened to when you submit your demos to these music contacts. This is a look at the most frequent errors musicians make when either shopping for a record deal, or trying to get the attention of A&R Reps with their demo recordings.

1. If you don’t have any contact information or don’t put the correct contact information on your demo then you cannot be found. Most likely your demo will be thrown out immediately. Place your name, address, email, and phone number on everything you send.

2. Originality is the key! If you sound like ten other bands then you may be passed over quickly.

3. Does the artist of independent music sound good live? Or do they even perform live?

4. Your demo may be thrown out because the recording is awful. Try to record the music as professionally as humanly possible.

5. Highlight or underline the songs you want heard. They will not sit and listen to the whole CD, no one in the music industry has time, so make their job easier and identify your best songs.

6. Instead of sending a video, just stick with a recording. They want to hear your songwriting ability and sound. Send a pic if you want them to see your band.

7. Unsolicited Recordings will most likely be thrown out. If they didn’t ask for them, then chances are they don’t have time to hear them.

8. Sending the incorrect genre of music to the incorrect label. Do some research or ask some of your music contacts about which labels put out which music.

9. You might be rejected for instrumental reasons. Make sure all the members of your band and yourself knows how to actually proficiently play their instrument.

10. The music just isn’t any good! I know for some people, that is hard to except, but practice makes perfect. Maybe practicing a little more or taking lessons might help your musicianship.

Owner of Platinum Millennium publishing, former record label owner & national music industry seminar speaker/panelist. Author/creator of best-selling music biz books, courses, audio products & “How to” resources that helped 1000s. Go to www.TheIndustryYellowPages.com for more info on music contacts, music industry & independent music.

For more education on careers in the music industry, check out: http://www.music-career-guide.com

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