Bands who know how to market themselves are twice as likely to succeed as those who rely solely on their talent. Take advantage of these marketing tips to make your band well known.

Becoming professional musicians is a job. It’s self employment. It’s no different the guy or gal who starts a car repair business or an accounting firm. You must invest in your start up. One of those investments is getting into clubs to play. Here is a step-by-step plan to help you get the hardest gig to get – your first gig.

Musicians who perform live gigs generally spend little-to-no-time thinking about their stage presence. They practice their music. They tune their instruments. They might even know when in the set they’re going to talk to the audience. More often than not, though, they’ll “wing” what they say. And odds are that where to stand, or which direction to face or how to move around the stage has never been discussed among the band members ahead of time. This is an important missing element that separates the good gig from the great gig.

Independent musicians can make a full time living from their music if they learn the business side of the music industry. The New Music Seminar provides the information needed to become successful.

Does your child want to be a professional musician? How do you feel about that? Do you encourage them to pursue their dream or guide them down a safer path?

Buying any musical instrument for a beginner can be a daunting task for parents. Do you spend a lot of money to be sure they have the best? Or do you get the cheapest in case they don’t stick with it? In some instances, it doesn’t matter. But with others, it matters a lot.

Buying a drum set for a beginner is one of those times it matters the most.

Mark Erwin, professional singer, graduate of the Institute of Production and Recording and currently Manager of the St. Paul, MN branch of the Paul Green School of Rock Music in St. Paul, shared these tips for vocalists who want to front for a rock band.

How to buy a “first guitar” for your child.

Here is a test for your child AND you to take before you even consider looking at a drum set for Junior!

The Mayor of St. Paul is recommending that the budget to the Arts programs be cut in order to pay for an INCREASED budget to the library. While the library IS important, so is the Music In The Park Series, The Children’s Museum, Stepping Stone Theatre, MPR and many other arts programs in St. Paul. Please ask City Council to allocate funds fairly among the library and all the other arts and cultural programs. Here’s a sample message and all the contacts you need.