Are you ready?
You’ve been honing your musical skills, but these days it takes more that music to make it in a music career. This week in Musical U we’ve looked at three more surprising must-have skills for the modern musician, as well as two more factors to push you over the top on your big audition.
Our interview with Dave Bainbridge revealed the model music career of a multi-instrumentalist with blazing chops and musicality, who has made it far by making friends. And speaking of musicality, Musical U announced its new Resident Pros: star artists/teachers that embody and teach how to become more musical on your instrument.
The Professional Edge
At Musical U we focus on the skills that create more fluent, natural, spontaneous and satisfying musical expression – and apply to any instrument, voice, or genre. These skills are given too little attention in traditional music education scenarios.
This is the magic that we admire in our musical heroes, and this magic is learnable.
Over the past two years, we’ve noticed that as our members master these skills, they begin looking for ways to apply them to their instrument or singing. And so we introduced Musical U Instrument Packs to bridge this gap.
These instrument packs include dedicated ongoing discussions, new monthly resource packs with a video tutorial, and personal guidance by an all-star lineup of experienced professional performing artists/musical mentors. Come by and meet them as we Introduce our Resident Pros!
The Full Package
Once you’ve melded the inner musical skills with your instrumental or singing prowess, you’re ready for prime time.
Or are you?
In The Top 2 Must-have Skills for the Modern Musician, we had a look how to apply your burgeoning creative energy to branding and marketing. This week, we turned to 3 More Must-Have Skills for the Modern Musician and looked at technology, social skills – online and offline – and that drive to improve both musically and in all the non-musical skills that make a musical career possible.
The music industry has never been more accessible – yet simultaneously more complicated. Omari MC has published this list of 10 things that you need to do to get a record contract. Great way to promote that new piece of music that you just finished!
Networking is crucial for musicians. But where are you supposed to start? Fortunately, you can get your networking going right from your device with this list of 10 Facebook Groups from Last Minute Musicians.
Everyone could use help to up their networking skills. Music Think Tank lists 10 tips that you can start using now to up your game and build your network.
There are many suggestions on how to best book gigs and get in front of your audience. he Music Lab has some tips on how to best manage your gigs to make the most of your time and opportunities
Your Own X Factor
Auditioning for orchestras, bands, and shows is one way to jumpstart your musical career. In How to Prepare for the Big Audition, Part 1 vocalist Gino Burgio – who’s been on both sides of the table – shared with important steps in building confidence and time management. This week in How to Prepare for the Big Audition, Part 2, he wrote about the other two aspects that helped him qualify for the X-factor: developing your personality and managing your environment.
Auditioning can be one of the most stressful activities that a musician will have to go through. Fortunately, there are many industry experts that provide tips and guidance to help make sure that you are prepared. Molly’s Music has this list of 5 tips for your next singing audition.
Gino’s wisdom applies to all auditions, but what’s different when auditioning for educational opportunities? Connolly Music has these suggestions to help you prepare for that big music school audition.
The day of the audition is the most important day in your preparation. Grab these 7 tips from Bulletproof Musician to best prepare your mind and body for the stress.
Finally, as you continue your musical journey, don’t be afraid to take the chance and accept auditions. Even if you have never done one before, folks like Seth Allyn Morris have so much information to help you prepare.
A Life in Music
Why would you consider a career in music? Oftentimes we are inspired by our heroes and the stories of others who have “made it”. Multi-instrumentalist, multi-genre Dave Bainbridge seems to be always smiling: his colorful career is equal parts instrumental prowess, musical imagination, and friendly warmth.
While today he is well known for his Celtic ambient prog-rock band, Iona, Dave’s earlier career was rooted in blues music, playing as a sideman for blues stars such as Jack Bruce and Buddy Guy during his stint with Norman Beaker’s band. This week we interviewed Dave about Blues, Celtic Music, and his Passion for Instruments.
Dave came from an incredibly musical family, which no doubt influenced his growth. This infographic from Keytar HQ talks about the benefits that music education can have on young children.
Many of Dave’s biggest influences were from popular music. One of the greatest bands of all time was the Beatles. While John Lennon is principally remembered for his songwriting, this great video from Mike Pachelli talks about the genius of his playing.
The blues were a major inspiration to Dave and influenced his musical journey. How is playing the blues different than other forms of popular music? This introduction to blues soloing from True Fire will help get you started on soloing in the blues style.
Many musicians play multiple instruments. There are some great benefits to expanding your musical reach and learning a second (or third) instrument. Guitar Hippies gives 12 reasons to become a multi-instrumentalist.
Dave Bainbridge speaks of the deep connections we make to the past, to the natural environment, to our inner selves and to the outer world of human and beyond human experience when we make music. Enjoy for yourself this week’s offerings from Musical U – whether you choose music in your life, or a life in music, the adventure awaits!
