2006-09-01 09:30:39 · 7 answers · asked by Anonymous in Arts & Humanities ➔ Performing Arts
One of the best pieces of advice I ever got from a celebrity was from actor Marc Alaimo, probably best known for playing Gul Dukat on Star Trek: Deep Space Nine. He said, "People are paying you to entertain them, so don't screw around with the performance." That helped me out a couple of weeks later when I first ended up in a situation where I had to stay home to play a wedding while the rest of my family were out of town for the funeral of a relative, and it's become part of my professional philosophy ever since.
That being said, play every gig like it's your last one. I once read of an example of a band that didn't follow this principle. They had this gig in a place that had very few people, and so they decided to goof off a bit and take long breaks. Unbeknownst to them, one of the people who did show up was a booking agent who was looking for a band to book for a huge event that would have taken this band to the next level in their careers. He decided to leave the bar and not bother talking to the band.
I also recommend joining a professional musicians' union, such as the American Federation of Musicians (see www.afm.org). They set basic minimum scale amounts depending on the type of gig, and can help protect your wages in the event you're doing a gig on the road somewhere and the bar owner decides not to pay you after all.
2006-09-01 15:54:38 · answer #1 · answered by ichliebekira 5 · 0⤊ 1⤋
Play what your audience wants.
Learn the names of the regulars.
Don't use obscenities.
Start and stop on time.
Remember that you're the professional; don't get soused with the customers.
If you don't know a particular song upon request, learn it and play it at the next show.
Show respect to your band members while on stage.
2006-09-01 20:06:41 · answer #2 · answered by Guitarpicker 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Just play well and don't give in. Just be proud and arrogant. I'm a concert band member myself once.
2006-09-01 19:35:29 · answer #3 · answered by Kurniawan A 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
have mercy on audience.
sorry! just kidding.
but ya really like to advice that sing the song with your heart than it is not possible for anyone to resist
2006-09-02 00:08:37 · answer #4 · answered by goodbye 6 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Play good music-that always helps-ohh, and follow your muse.
2006-09-01 17:05:20 · answer #5 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
practice. and play good music.
2006-09-01 19:37:04 · answer #6 · answered by lyrictears 1 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Be arrogant, they like it.
2006-09-01 16:35:55 · answer #7 · answered by Rathaford 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋