Other factors do exist, including that I am 50 years old and not 25 or 30. I look nice, tho' I have a slight weight problem that is very persistent despite efforts at diet and exercise improvements (I was a yo-yo dieter for many years and my body now attempts to stay the same way, at a weight it seems to prefer, which is 45 lbs. over - no matter what efforts I make, or don't make). Physical appearance aside, it's the mistakes I've made in my dealings with many musician colleagues that I don't know how to rectify: 'pushing' colleagues to try and get them to tell me why they think I don't get called for more gigs, and/or asking them 'point-blank 'why they pass me over for gigs. I play almost 800 songs by memory in any key without music (many American Songbook standards and jazz standards; & some favorite pop/easy listening tunes), improvise, & sing well, and am a good sight-reader & accompanist, too. Now...many got "turned off" and thus don't call me, despite my good skills. Help!!!
2006-09-11 10:49:37 · 12 answers · asked by Nina 2 in Arts & Humanities ➔ Performing Arts
Without knowing exactly how you "turned off" some of the musicians you worked with in the past it is hard to directly answer the question. If you are really only 45lbs overweight, I am sure that can't be the issue. What we do know is that they do not care that you play over 800 songs by heart etc...Which means they are probably looking for something other than or in addition to talent.
Here are two examples of things that have happened in my city with musicians I know. One is an extremely talented performer/player (piano...different genre, but it doesn't matter) but he is crass, drinks too much and says inappropriate things over the mic and plays music inappropriate for the venue he is playing and then tells everyone how great he is. He only gets booked these days when the other pianists are all booked and there is no one else to go to.
Another is an AMAZING jazz saxophone player who tramples over every song with his AMAZING solos. They really are amazing, but no one wants to hear it every song for half the length of the song. What these guys have in common is that they are some of the best on their respective instruments in town and have been gently coaxed to change, but refuse.
No one wants to be the person to go in and tell them all their flaws, so they just hire someone else.
It has been my experience that the musicians in town that are easier to get along with get the gigs. Are you arguementative at gigs? Do you try to lead the set even when you didn't book the gig yourself...It isn't fair maybe that you would get passed over for someone less talented...but sometimes people just want what is not difficult. You understand, for ease of performance is so nice to have on stage...
Here are some ways to rebuild your popularity.
Start over try doing some solo stuff. Learn some new material. Find out what people are requesting these days. Hire a vocalist to work with you. Drop off cards in bridal boutiques where brides are always looking for a dinner pianist. Make yourself marketable in bigger cities where they have piano bars and only need a solo performer. Work outside your city.
Get an agent. This sounds funny, but get a make over and some updated clothing (this is also a reason a vocalist in town doesn't get hired)
Good luck
2006-09-12 04:38:05 · answer #1 · answered by Rackjack 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
You didn't say where you live, so I don't know what your options are. Music can feel like a very small world sometimes where everybody knows everybody even in the larger cities. Your one big advantage is that you do something that is in demand even without other musicians. You need to hustle some single gigs for a while and then, when you can, maybe start hiring sidemen to create your own band. If you're offering work with a paycheck, you'll be surprised how forgetful people can be about your earlier missteps. Or you may find that working solo gets you a freedom of choice that you enjoy, both musically and personally. And keep your new bridges intact for the future. Good luck!
2006-09-11 15:43:56 · answer #2 · answered by Arrow 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Suggestions:
1) Attend "open-mike" and "open-piano" nights at bars and restaurants.
2) Play at schools, old age homes, and community centers.
3) Hire yourself out to entertain at parties, weddings, and the like. You can also play at funerals.
4) Play at a progressive church.
5) Give lessons to children and/or adults, either at home, or get a school to hire you.
6) If you can read music, hire yourself out as a rehearsal pianist for theatrical auditions. You might also play piano or become musical director for community theater events.
7) This may be risky, but make a CD of a few songs, play in the streets using a portable keyboard, and sell your CDs for $5-15.
I'm thinking of the old biblical adage, "You reap what you sow". No, I'm not admonishing you for the past; rather, I'm advising you for the future to "sow" your piano playing in fertile fields so you can reap later.
For example, a woman trained as a dog groomer wanted to start her career and to apply the principle of sowing. She asked herself, "How do I sow dogs?" She got the answer, probably from God: Go groom dogs at an animal shelter. She did, and her good reputation spread.
If you can "sow piano" where you are needed, then your good reputation will most likely spread. Even if the people you offended in the past don't forgive you, there are always new people if you can reach out to them.
If you need to do something more drastic, you can move to a new city and start over, or to some commuting to a nearby town.
Good luck and God bless!
2006-09-11 13:23:41 · answer #3 · answered by MNL_1221 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Maybe do some charity work or play for school programs or churches. When your colleagues see that you have "mellowed" with time and age, and if you truly eat some "music crow" some of the jobs and invites to join will come. If not, start a new group with people that don't know your history--newly graduated musicians would be thrilled to play with someone of your talent!!!!
2006-09-11 12:00:57 · answer #4 · answered by mrschrismoose 1 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Move. Really, after burning bridges, that's the best thing to do. You could also start doing gigs for free at local jazz clubs, and maybe someone will notice you.
Kansas City, of course, has a great jazz scene. Look into that. :-)
2006-09-11 16:28:22 · answer #5 · answered by Esma 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
rather then remove you from my contacts list, i'm gonna recommend you go pick up a few bottles of Thelonious Monk Belgian Ale (get it, because belgian ales are supposed to be made by monks?!?) so you can get this particular word play out of your system. its made by North Coast Brewery and its quite good. also, some of the proceeds go to musical charities. not sure where you can still get it back there other then The Andersons, but don't go there because their ownership is a bunch of overly conservative, xtian homophobes in case you didn't already know.
2016-03-26 20:57:28 · answer #6 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
You did not state why you "turned off" other musicians. I suggest humility. If you know exactly why you made other musicians not like you or angry, you must address those issues individually. Apologize for your mistakes and tell people that you have learned from them. You must repair those "burned bridges" before you can cross them. Good luck!
2006-09-11 11:02:26 · answer #7 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
Take a stage name and try a different location.
2006-09-11 10:52:08 · answer #8 · answered by ADF 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
move to a new town and make a fresh start.
2006-09-11 10:52:01 · answer #9 · answered by warrior 1 · 0⤊ 0⤋
start building bridges
2006-09-11 10:51:37 · answer #10 · answered by kingvin_1st 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋