Have you ever come away from a show – big or small – and been absolutely floored? It takes more than just great songs to leave this kind of impression on a crowd. You need a great show. A great show leaves you energized the entire time, mesmerized by what’s happening on stage. A great…
Songwriting can take a variety of different forms. The problem is that you can get stuck in a particular way of writing, unable to say anything new with your songs. Your style may have served you well to this point, and may even be something you can fall back on in the future, but if…
Recording your album is without a doubt the best part of releasing music. The creative process is a joy (that’s why we do it after all), and you get to call a lot of the shots. At the end of the long process, you have something concrete you can be proud of. Then comes the…
There are more domain name extensions available today than ever before, and by that we mean web addresses that don’t end with the typical .com, .org or .net conventions. There isn’t necessarily any shortage of .com addresses, though without a doubt they tend to be more sought-after, and you will rarely if ever find three,…
Music videos are awesome tools for promoting a release – old or new. But maybe you don’t have the budget to be able to do a lyric video or traditional music video. Or, maybe you just want to try something a little different. Despite what you might think, it is possible to create a great…
Keeping a regular practice schedule is hard. I’m one of those people who genuinely loves to practice, and I still find it hard to keep up a regular schedule. Life, work, and business get in the way far too often – it’s important to take a step back and realize that ultimately what you’re aiming…
Recording and releasing a cover song is a great way to gain exposure as an artist, since it can serve as a gateway into your original material. One way to achieve this end is to do what the likes of Pomplamoose and Igor Presnykov have done – reinterpreting songs in their own unique ways and…
This is an exciting time for you. You’re just about to release a new EP. This might be your first release, or it could be your eighth. Either way, completing a recording is a massive achievement. Congratulations. But wait. You can’t actually put your music out into the world without cover art. Oops! This happens…
In my most recent post, I talked about the process I used to make demos. I’m lucky enough to have amassed a healthy arsenal of recording gear, and I have a penchant for spending my hard-earned dollars on more stuff. That being said, the only reason I have more gear now is because I make…
Success isn’t necessarily a science. Most individuals come upon it after much trial, tribulation, and experimentation. They push themselves to keep taking risks, even if they don’t seem to be getting anywhere. There is no better teacher than mistakes – your own, or even the ones others make. But you’ll never create learning opportunities for…
On December 4, 1971 Deep Purple was going to record their Machine Head album just after a Frank Zappa concert at Montreux. However, someone fired a flare gun at the ceiling after the concert and the place was set on fire while Deep Purple sitting in the audience. The band moved to a nearby restaurant…
The CAGED system is a concept every guitarist should take some time to understand. Not only does it provide a framework from which you can instantly create barre chords, it also teaches you what the most commonly used guitar keys are, and why they are so popular. The CAGED system is also a stepping stone…
We all know and understand the importance of a well-run and well-maintained mailing list. As a musician, you’re always working at getting people out to shows, and a mailing list can have a huge impact on your attendance. If you ever decide to run a crowdfunding campaign, you’ll need a mailing list. If you want…
Looking to get more gigs? Beyond putting together a press kit and sending it to every venue and promoter you can think of, there are many other ways to drive interest in your music and find new performance opportunities. Here are four underused tactics for getting more gigs. 1. Highlight Your Gigging Experience With A…
Every guitarist – regardless of what their stylistic interest are – should learn how to play the 12 bar blues and understand how the form works. Many rock and roll and country songs share a similar format, since they are basically derivatives of the blues. So when you understand the 12 bar blues, your understanding…