The Business of Getting More Gigs as a Professional Musician [Paperback]

Bob Popyk (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: June 1, 2003

Getting more gigs doesn't just happen. Musicians have to make it happen. Despite a myriad of convenient excuses to choose from - the economy is off, money is tight, unemployment is high, not as many clubs are hiring, budget cuts mean fewer corporate gigs - there are always some musicians who do exceptionally well and work constantly, regardless of the month, year, season, economy or their location. A collection of Bob Popyk's most talked-about columns from International Musician magazine, The Business of Getting More Gigs as a Professional Musician will clue you in to what the musicians mentioned above already know and do. Covering in detail topics such as attitude, gig etiquette, business basics, money and diversifying, Popyk gives practical pointers to help you have a plan, network effectively, promote your assets, and market yourself constantly. He points out the need to treat gig-seeking like a business, and take it just as seriously. Musicians who take his advice will soon be well on their way to more and better-paying gigs. Also available by Bob Popyk: How to Find Gigs That Pay Big Bucks 00320370 DVD $19.95

Product Details

• Paperback: 144 pages
• Publisher: Hal Leonard (June 1, 2003)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0634058428
• ISBN-13: 978-0634058424
• Product Dimensions: 8.9 x 5.8 x 0.4 inches
• Shipping Weight: 8.6 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (6 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #620,887 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

7 of 7 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars IF YOU ARE A WORKING MUSICIAN, HERE'S SOME GREAT IDEAS, August 30, 2003

By 

Annie Formati (Rockville Centre, NY) - See all my reviews

This review is from: The Business of Getting More Gigs as a Professional Musician (Paperback)

I have read Mr. Popyk's columns in the International Musician as well as The Music Trades magazine. It's nice to see the best ideas for getting more work all together in one book. There are so many things musicians can do to keep their calendar full if we actually treat it like a business. I've been playing casual dates for years and still like to be reminded of things I could be doing to get more gigs. A lot of the chapters have me thinking "I can do that", or "Why didn't I think of that?". Do yourself a favor if you are looking for gigs...read this book! (Unless that is, you have all the work you can handle)

3 of 3 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A realistic book for any musician who is turning their hobby into a career., April 7, 2006

By 

Jack Miller "Cool Sax Jack" (Long Island, NY) - See all my reviews

This review is from: The Business of Getting More Gigs as a Professional Musician (Paperback)

Too many musicians expect work to simply come to them. Making a living as a musician isn't easy, and this book comes up with ideas for bringing in more bucks. There is no "one idea" here that will help make a fortune. Unfortunately you have to work at it. There seems to be less and less work for musicians today. At least this book addresses that fact and comes up with some thoughts on how to bring in the work that still might be out there.

5 of 6 people found the following review helpful:

2.0 out of 5 stars Nothing new..., March 24, 2006

By 

jazzgirl (USA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: The Business of Getting More Gigs as a Professional Musician (Paperback)

If you are new to the business of getting gigs, and know absolutely nothing about business in general, then this book may be helpful. I was looking for something more.

To me it seemed that the author's approach was that he was speaking to dead beat musicians who are lazy and complaining all the time. I personally think that there are many talented and hard working musicians out there who hustle each and every day to get gigs and are far beyond needing the advice that you must pick up the phone, treat your band like a business, etc. We already know all of this.

I was looking for a book (and still am) that would get into more depth on this subject of getting gigs and give some original ideas. This book had nothing new to offer me.

However, if you are brand new to the business, and to the business world in general, you may get something from it.