Comments on: 5 Ways to Find Musician Jobs

By: Joan Cartwright

Joan Cartwright — Tue, 26 Oct 2010 09:36:20 +0000

Since 1997, I’ve taught the history of women in jazz and blues. I suggest every musician study the history of the genre of music they play and work up a history class that they can teach to children in a 45-minute span with musical demonstration. As music teachers are losing the jobs around the country, there is a void for music lessons and history. Every musician can be a teacher and school boards and county cultural divisions have budgets and grants for visiting performers. Private foundations also fund arts in education. It takes some research and grant writing ability but it can be very lucrative. See my three books written for children to learn about music, the business of music and the history of women in jazz and blues at my website. Just click BOOKS.

By: Ana Karla

Ana Karla — Tue, 26 Oct 2010 04:05:16 +0000

Hi, David!

I really like your site. It does help a lot of people. I am from the Philippines and I am a singer.

Can you please give me a list of songs and artists that are really popular and most requested in cruise ships? I’d love to learn them while I still have the time. Thank you.

By: Joan Cartwright

Joan Cartwright — Sat, 09 Oct 2010 14:31:08 +0000

David,
All good advice here! I created an historical lecture/concert entitled “Amazing Musicwomen” that I’ve presented to over 8,000 students worldwide. I do it about 3-10 times a year for a very good fee that sustains me during the dry seasons for music in South Florida. The presentation highlights the lives of 10 women in blues and jazz and entails audience participation, in that I teach the kids and adults how to scat (vocal improvisation).

Also, I have a curriculum for three books I’ve written that are good for children:

1. Amazing Musicwomen
2. So, You Want To Be A Singer? A Manual for up-and-coming Divas, Musicians and Composer
3. Songs For My Children (4 songs by Joan Cartwright)

This past summer, I received a grant of $2,100 for 3 hours of presentations at summer schools! Good money, good time with the kids.

Thanks for this post.
See my October 9, 2010, post at http://www.musicwoman.wordpress.com and leave a comment.
JC

By: william

william — Mon, 19 Oct 2009 14:19:57 +0000

This blog you have going is great! it is really helpful for someone who is a starting musician and is looking for new way to find jobs

By: molly rae

molly rae — Fri, 16 Oct 2009 02:16:48 +0000

I think that your advice is extremely helpful, and your first point was one that I had never thought of before. I always knew that the most significant way to keep yourself in the business was to make connections with everyone, no matter what level of establishment, but the idea of booking agents and contractors never occurred to me until recently. I am a music student and will be graduating this May. I am currently making plans and investments towards my own desired career path as a songwriter and teaching artist rather than immediately pursue any kind of graduate studies. I have been networking as much as I can, and am investing my time into building myself a personal website, an updated and more professional resume and repertory list, and am currently working on my second album, a full-length following my recently produced EP. If it is possible, could you provide some advice? Even though social networking through the internet is an excellent tool, do you believe that some networking tools are more valuable than others? Also, how do you balance your networking? There are so many ways to connect with people in this day and age, sometimes I feel a bit overwhelmed by all of the technology. Advancements in a lot of current social networking often feels like overly personal bombardments; any suggestions? Also, how do you go about finding contractors in your area? Are there any sites that can be used as a tool to search for people who specifically work in the field of contracting? Are there any you would specifically recommend? Thank you so much, and I deeply enjoyed your blog!

By: Mario Greco

Mario Greco — Thu, 24 Sep 2009 19:49:54 +0000

I found this new website that is free for musicians and bands to upload a video. Looks like the goal is to have brides and bar owners coming to the site to look for talent.

By: Carolyn Ohlbaum

Carolyn Ohlbaum — Fri, 01 May 2009 21:20:17 +0000

David,

All wonderful advice, especially your last point about knowing people. Yes, it’s who you know, especially other musicians. Jobs are obtained by word of mouth or the grapevine. And once you meet people, you absolutely must cultivate the friendships and build the best rapport possible. Being very well liked is most important because musicians will want to work with other musicians who are very personable and fun to be with.

Carolyn Ohlbaum

By: mike rodbard

mike rodbard — Tue, 21 Apr 2009 19:40:19 +0000

Love the blog, David. Being out and about is definitely huge. As they say, “Out of sight, out of mind.” Just like any job in any industry, it’s generally who you know, and more importantly, who knows you.

By: David J. Hahn

David J. Hahn — Sat, 18 Apr 2009 22:04:54 +0000

Hey Carl - It depends on a lot of things. Can you post some more details about it (where is it, how long the service is, etc.) in our forums? Put it in the How Much Should I Charge forum.

By: Carl Ratcliffe

Carl Ratcliffe — Sat, 18 Apr 2009 21:13:44 +0000

I need to know how much to charge someone for providing music for a funeral…