 The Clarinet BBoard
|
Author: srattle
Date: 2013-03-22 14:11
Hi everyone,
I thought I would start a new topic to discuss something that I haven't seen talked about much on this board, while barreling through so many threads on equipment and "who's your favorite" posts. . .
A very important part of being a musician these days is self promotion, something that I have been trying to figure out for years now. This is something I don't really see being taught in music schools, or talked about in any serious professional sense, yet as a chamber music, freelancer, soloist or anything that isn't directly sitting in an orchestra, it is of paramount important.
So, what are the ways all of you have found to promote ones self, or an ensemble.
Advertisement? Facebook? Word of mouth?
What do you find successful? What is a waste of time? Do we need print material in this day and age? What do festivals or venues want?
I'm hoping this is an interesting and followed topic, because I think musicians (especially young musicians) should learn much more about this aspect.
After all, having the most beautiful sound and phrasing in the world doesn't really matter if nobody hears it.
Looking forward to your responses
Sacha
|
|
Reply To Message
|
|
Author: EEBaum
Date: 2013-03-23 06:21
Personality and presence are key. A lot of it depends on what angle you're going for, and what your niche is. The more you can leverage what you're unique at, the better.
If you're an improvising contrabass clarinetist who plays metal and stages impromptu performance art in Clarinetfest exhibit halls, you can have an easier time about it than if you're trying to distinguish yourself by your interpretation of Premiere Rhapsodie.
The big question is, what kind of exposure are you looking for? Soloist performances? Lessons? Gigs at clubs? Studio work? General notoriety?
Regardless, the biggest step is to establish, and declare to the world in one way or another, that you intend to put yourself out there as someone who does something unique. I started into this by getting a booth at Clarinetfest. Do you need a track record, industry credentials, or approval from a board? No. You need $425. But you also need a reason for people to say hi. "Alex Sramek, Clarinetist" is not sufficient for a booth. My vehicle was t-shirts.
Or, rather, I went to Clarinetfest intending to sell T-shirts, and this presence unintentionally sparked a chain reaction that led to a decent amount of promotion. That's besides the point. The point is to put yourself out there as "someone who does something". Has something to say. Plays something unique. Can show you something you haven't seen or don't know how to do. Etc.
I'd argue that, in any business, establishing yourself as a persona is huge. Doubly so in music, which is a performance business. They come to your shows, they buy your stuff, because they like YOU. So make YOU likable. And put YOU out there as much as you can. Say and do things of significance, rather than posting your bowel movements or airport code whereabouts.
Some say that, as a performer, you're only as good as your last gig, so make sure everything is absolutely perfect, kiss ass if you need to, etc. However, I don't entirely agree on that. That's true if you're a name in a list, getting by entirely by referral but not a "known" entity. If you can establish yourself as a person whose name is on everyone's tongue, however, you might find yourself with both more leeway and more personal capital, to do things because people are talking about you because they like what you project and what you stand for.
-Alex
www.mostlydifferent.com
|
|
Reply To Message
|
|
Author: BflatNH
Date: 2013-03-23 13:01
I heard it said that no one pays money to hear something played perfectly, but to hear music that makes them cry.
I try to be easy to deal with, understand what the job is about, connect emotionally, and be flexible.
|
|
Reply To Message
|
|
Author: tictactux ★2017
Date: 2013-03-23 13:16
"People buy from people they like."
As others have said, decide where you want to work - is it glitzy venue as a star musician, is it the dependable master of the instrument who likes to work not only for but also with people, ...? Each target requires a somewhat different approach.
(generally, I agree 100% with what Alex has written)
In my experience (not just as a musician), networking is key.
--
Ben
|
|
Reply To Message
|
|
Author: EEBaum
Date: 2013-03-25 00:14
Networking is indeed key. And networking can entail a lot more than people might realize. Knowing a lot of people and being agreeable and dependable is just step one. What really takes it to the level is becoming legendary. Small or large, some level of unique notoriety takes your networking to the next level.
That's when other people start doing your networking for you, and when people look forward to meeting you (whether to praise you or slap you in the face). You have an instant thing to discuss, you no longer have to sell yourself on your skills because people come to YOU already with something in mind. At that point, networking is a matter of embracing a community rather than just enlarging your address book.
I noticed a really interesting thing when I started selling T-shirts at Clarinetfest. With the shirts, I had added a mark of distinction to my own track record. It's something only *I* did. Before that point, I might hope to say a fanboi-hello to various clarinet personalities, see if they'd pose for a picture, etc. Instead, though, many would come up to my booth and we'd shoot the breeze as colleagues. The ones who didn't like my style would walk past a bit condescendingly, and perhaps exchange a glance of disapproval. Regardless, I had become a legitimate adversary, suddenly elevated to that realm of importance.
Each one of you has something, probably many things, that are uniquely yours. Some idea, some angle, some experience that nobody else has. Maybe it's a piece you play particularly well, maybe it's some technique you excel at, maybe it's an idea for a business, maybe it's a tune you wrote, maybe it's something particular you wear, maybe it's your extensive knowledge of an obscure composer, maybe it's a particular knack of teaching something a certain way.
Whatever it is, embrace it, dig deep into it, get good at it, and make yourself known for it. Declare to the world that it's your "thing". Even if you're not actually the best at it, you'll get attention, and feedback, and probably get better at it in the process. Make yourself some sort of legend in that particular thing. Once you've done that, barriers to networking crumble, and pounding the pavement is a lot more fruitful.
-Alex
www.mostlydifferent.com
|
|
Reply To Message
|
|
Author: EEBaum
Date: 2013-03-25 22:15
Damn, Buster, now I'm curious!
Regardless of the angle, positive or negative, or some funky sideswipe you're looking at, whatever you do, own it and give it your "yeah, I just did that" grin. There's a fine line between humility and unnecessary apology, a line too often blurred.
Whether you did something everyone approves of, or something that you think is awesome that rubs people the wrong way, you got them looking at you. And when people are looking at you, accept their looks. Give them something worth looking at.
Give them the old "George W Bush tries to escape from tense talks with the Chinese through a locked door" grin. I hate his politics, but I would grab a beer with him at the drop of a hat. Maybe kick him in the shins, but have a good laugh afterwards. That's someone who understands effective self promotion.
-Alex
www.mostlydifferent.com
|
|
Reply To Message
|
|
The Clarinet Pages
|
 |
.jpg){kind=small}
.jpg){kind=small}
.jpg){kind=small}
.jpg){kind=small}
.jpg){kind=small}
.jpg){kind=small}
