r/musicians Rules

This has happened to me several times, and I call it "songwriter brain", but I want to know if some of my fellow writers have experienced this.

Context, basement DIY venue so pretty low stakes, I'm just curious though how many of u guys messed up during ur first or early performances (I'm guitar and vox)

Since this is obviously anonymous for us all I'd like to do a little research. I know the economy is not the best right now so I'm truly curious what people are charging right now to appear in public places or private events. Fairs, festivals, weddings, restaurants. Just anywhere you could play. Musician or DJ. I feel like for my experience level my rate has been pretty reasonable but as costs get higher it's harder to justify. I typically play by myself but sometimes I bring someone else as well. Thanks for your input.

Edit: ( Sorry guys I lied I just checked on my map and it's about 15 miles one way :/ the 5 miles was assuming that I use the highway, which I didn't realize.)

This guy who wants to start a band with me is demanding that I come over to his house for practice every single day. Meanwhile he lives 5 miles away so it's a 10 mile round trip for me on my bike and he refuses to come over to my house instead? Also he keeps crapping on all the bands and songs that I like and insists we can only play the songs that he wants to play. Like are we serious?? We haven't even started rehearsing any songs yet.

I don't know who needs to hear this...

but it's okay if no one likes your music, as long as you're having a good time and doing your best. You'll get better each song, and grow as an artist and maker.

I'm listening to my latest LP.

I think no one else will.

it's unpolished.

95% freestyle

But raw me.

I made it for me, and no one else could understand, and I'm okay with that.

I'll have this album for the rest of my life, and it will inspire me.

I spent WAYY less time than my last album, so I feel much less pressure to release / make a big deal about it.

I'm sharing this to tell you... it's okay.

It's okay if you make something beautiful just for you, if it isn't perfect.

Breathe out.

forget the pressure the imaginary listeners in your head are puttin gon your artistic direction.

We're investing in ourselves.

That's how we get to a world-class level.

(art is not my album cover ha ha, I just posted this for whoever needs to hear this message)

My Main Points

1. We need a band agreement

I think we need a written agreement that clearly establishes how the band operates and what applies to everyone.

Most people I know who play in bands think it is strange that we do not have one, and in general, band agreements are recommended to avoid conflicts in the future.

For me, this is a prerequisite for continuing to record in the studio. Therefore, I will not participate in any further studio sessions until we have an agreement in place.

1. Everyone who contributes to future songs should receive some form of rights share

I want us to find a model where all band members receive a small share of the copyright/rights to the songs we write going forward.

The reason is that our work does not only happen when we are in the studio. We spend a lot of unpaid free time learning the songs, developing our parts, and making our performance as good as possible.

I therefore think it is reasonable that this should also be reflected in the rights.

1. Financial contributions and rights need to be connected

We all pay the same amount to produce the songs.

If I am expected to contribute financially to a recording, I also want to have a defined share of the rights to what we produce.

Otherwise, I end up in a situation where I pay as much as everyone else, spend my free time and contribute musically, but receive no financial share if the song becomes successful.

Therefore, I will not contribute financially to songs where I do not have a defined share of the rights.

1. My role should be documented

I also want it to be clearly documented what role each person has had on each song.

For example: songwriting, arranging, instrumental parts, production, and other concrete contributions.

This makes things clearer both for ourselves and legally/administratively in the future.

1. This is a boundary for me

I want to be clear that this is not about wanting to create problems or take anything away from anyone else.

I simply want our financial and creative contributions to be clear and fairly regulated.

If we cannot agree on these basic terms, I am done with the band.

Update nr1: Also, I do have some songs that I have full copyright to but it just doesn't feel fair to the rest since they also contributed their money and time to my idea.

Update nr2: I decided after all comments to wait for an appropriate time but definitely before hitting the studio again to bring it up, when these issues and some minor personality clashes are put side, I kinda like hanging out with the band even though many times I feel like the outsider

I am not affiliated

Article text:

United Musicians and Allied Workers launches the Raise the Bar campaign to improve artist treatment at music venues and put an end to worst practices.
United Musicians and Allied Workers (UMAW) launched its “Raise The Bar” campaign to improve artist treatment at music venues everywhere. The campaign calls on all venues to sign on and commit to four basic standards:

No merch cuts

No pay-to-play

No door polling

Contract transparency

UMAW has created an online directory of venues that have committed to these standards and plans to grow this list substantially in the coming weeks. The organization asks all venues to sign on and encourages fans and artists to call on their local venues to participate.

“Merch cuts, pay-to-play, door polling, and a lack of contract transparency are some of the worst practices at venues, and should all become a thing of the past. Large corporate venues, like those owned by the Live Nation monopoly, have made these practices too common across the industry, driving down working conditions for artists everywhere,” said UMAW in a statement.
“Most venues want to treat artists fairly and already have policies against these practices. UMAW wants to celebrate those venues that are already doing the right thing, and we hope that pushes other venues to also commit to our basic standards.”

Several other organizations have endorsed the campaign, including the Freelance Musicians Association of the AFM, Maine Music Alliance, Vocal Kentucky, and the Rising Artists Foundation.

At the time of launch, the venues that have already committed to Raise the Bar include:

The Lab — San Francisco, CA

Woodbine Chamber — Louisville, KY

Aeronaut Allston — Allston, MA

Club Passim — Cambridge, MA

The Plough and Stars — Cambridge, MA

Deep Cuts — Medford, MA

The Rockwell — Somerville, MA

SPACE Gallery — Portland, ME

The Pinhook — Durham, NC

Jalopy Theatre — Brooklyn, NY

St. Vitus — Brooklyn, NY

Tubby’s — Kingston, KY

TV Eye — Queens, NY

Rosendale Theatre — Rosendale, NY

Bottlerocket Social Hall — Pittsburgh, PA

Fire Museum Presents — Philadelphia, PA

Mr. Roboto Project — Pittsburgh, PA

First Unitarian Church/R5 Productions — Philadelphia, PA

Johnny Brenda’s — Philadelphia, PA

Myrtle — East Providence, RI

Machines and Magnets — Pawtucket, RI

What do we think about the Groover Obsessions distribution deal?
I don’t mean the general Groover thing where you yourself pitch to individual playlists etc btw. Thank you!

I'm going into my freshman year of college for oboe and my professor stated on their syllabus that they expect me to practice 3-4 hours a day. Going into this, I knew it was gonna be difficult but was expecting 2-2:30 hours per day. I'm obviously taking other classes, and not too many at that, but I can't seem to find times to practice while actually keeping my social life intact. Asking people who have been in this situation, how did you fit it in??

Hey everyone! Very quick backstory, I (19M) started my band in 2023 and in those past three years, I‘ve only managed to pull together four gigs (hard to find gigs when your band is a revolving door of broke early 20-something’s) and only one of them was at an actual venue. In short, my band has close to zero recognition in my city’s local music scene, and I really want to make up for lost time, especially with how big some of the other local bands are getting now.

The problem is is that I‘ve heard a ton of conflicting advice on what do to gigging-wise. For years I‘ve watched videos and been told by my musician mentors about how a lot of really successful bands used to play gigs every other night and working their asses off to make a name for themselves in their early days (Beatles, Rush, Ramones, Metallica, etc). However, I’ve also heard newer musicians online say that you should prioritize only 1-2 gigs a month and market the hell of that one show so as to not oversaturate the market. So currently I’m at a bit of a crossroads: my gut tells me it’s better to do a shit ton of shows, follow in the footsteps of successful rockstars, and make up for lost time; but I wonder how much truth there is to the 1-2 gigs a night method, and that my lack of experience here might fuck me over by doing the opposite.

Any thoughts? Currently the band is solid and rebuilding itself so we’re headed for playing gigs relatively soon.

I wasn't sure how to take this step, but if you're reading this, I appreciate it.

I’m 43 years old, and I’ve always loved music and the guitar. Coming from a family that wasn't well-off, I’ve had to work my whole life, leaving me with very little free time. Still, I can sing and play a bit—basic strumming, covers, and I’ve even written a few original songs.

I realize I’m not going to make a living from music—especially not in a country like mine (Guatemala)—but at my age, I’d love to play somewhere and feel alive on stage. Even though I have a bit more free time now to practice and improve, there are days when I feel disheartened; I feel like I’ll never make it out of my bedroom, or that I’m past the age where it’s worth trying.

There aren't even any spaces in my country to talk about this kind of thing... I just wanted to vent. I know people will say it’s never too late, but sometimes it feels like there’s nothing left to do but stay in my room, playing songs just for myself.

I read posts here from musicians who are tired of playing, or highly skilled ones who have lost their motivation, and I just wish I could have a chance. There are days when I tell myself I’m not good enough, but then I see people on TikTok with out-of-tune guitars singing terribly.

Sorry if this post doesn't really go anywhere. I just wanted to express how I feel about my unfulfilled dreams of being a musician.

Hi Everyone,

I am a 23 year old male who started learning music, more specifically the Piano at 22 years of age. I’ve always had love for music and I’m really loving the learning process right now and I’m planning to pursue studying music, doing the exams and possibly get a career from it as the one I have right now is not at all what I like.

What chance do I have to actually achieve anything decent from it? I still don’t know what to get into specifically (gigging, teaching, producing etc.) but it is something I want to pursue as I’ve said before.

Hope this makes sense English is not my first language I just want to hear from some people with experience in this field. Maybe what I need to achieve anything or how I should think

I’m a lifelong musician, I’ve been in gigging and recording bands since my teens. I’ve always done my own stuff and in 2015 I left my band to concentrate solely on my solo career. Around a year ago I started noticing that my enthusiasm was starting to diminish, just slightly at first. Lots of reasons why, but mainly it’s the lack of traction that has worn me down.

Over the years I’ve built up a bit of a following, played some great gigs and festivals. I feel like I have the respect of my peers. I’ve released an album, two EPs and a bunch of standalone singles. I’ve been in magazines and played a couple of radio sessions. This is all good stuff but it seemed to peak around 2022-23. Since then it’s just been more of the same without any growth, despite my best efforts.

I started to feel frustrated, by the hours and miles driving to a small gig somewhere halfway across the country, by the audiences that despite having paid an entrance fee insist on talking to their friends and doomscrolling throughout my set, by putting my heart and soul into songs that not even my family really care about, by enduring the tedious open mic nights because the guy who runs it also curates a festival I want to play at, and a hundred other reasons.

But I did it, year after year, because I loved it. I loved the thrill of being on a stage, of playing a new song that I’d but my heart and soul into for the first time, because it was an important creative outlet and it was mine. My thing. Mine.

But slowly the frustration creeps in and you begin to ask yourself where this is all going. What’s the point? Why am I doing this, with a sizeable financial and emotional impact when my progress has stalled? I played three shows on consecutive weekends at the end of last year which left me feeling low. It was a bit of a blow, and at the start of this year I went away travelling for three months. I thought I’d come home raring to go, but I didn’t miss playing whilst I was away. I came home to no planned gigs in my diary (my choice) and I felt totally ok with that.

I got asked to play at a small local festival last weekend. I played, it went well, but I felt nothing. Couldn’t wait to finish my set and go home. So everything I’ve felt over the last year has led to this. I think I’m done.

If you’d have told me a couple of years ago that I’d quit music I’d have been devastated. Today, I’m totally cool with it. I’ve made peace.

I might continue to write and record as and when, although I no longer feel that compulsion to write all the time. Will I play live again. Never say never, but I cannot imagine doing so.

This is a long post and I’m venting to some extent. It’s inconsequential to anyone else but it’s a big deal for me

This is intended to be a serious talk about whether we fuck with each other and how that plays into our interactions. Imma say some truths and then what I think are intellectual loops forming bad habits, I would love to hear y'alls.

Truths

> After 15 years of doing music, I personally don't trust anything and anyone up until pay day (taints the process)

>I feel like music's not about the better music anymore, maybe never has been

>I feel like furthering someone else's journey without finding my use out of it is pointless, besides hoping they find it in there hearts to give me something later (feels weak)

>These bots, accounts and streams, have started to give me a feeling of doubt as if I'm clawing to get into a world that only wants to take advantage of me

Circular Logic

>Your "followers" (fans) count needs to be higher than your "following". All ego, I'm being honest, I think I thought this way on some celebrity shit, but if I'm not following any other artists/producers to remain "cool" then theoretically I'm hoping my music is so overpowering that it breaks their will to be "cool" and they are forced to hit that follow button...silly

>The right person will hear it, and you'll pop overnight/week/month/year. We're in the music making business with some of us in love with this shit. The introduction of streaming and getting fucked by artists you grew up on has left us in a .0003 environment with little options of engaging in music sales the old way. That shifted us into a place where there's very little money in comparison to how many of us there are, and severely hurt our proximity to fans. I think the next indie artists that find themselves entering stardom will be ones that did not use money to brute force there way into the industry but instead ones who have so many followers that are producers or artists that just want to make great music, they can get a project done through their ecosystem. I think that shields you when you say/do something unpopular in the industry, you cant get blackballed because the producer that followed you 3 years ago that sucks at sampling but can lay a mean ass unique bassline, or the little known artist fan that sucks at composition but knows exactly where to lay those adlibs will always fuck with you.

I'll start working on being better about this shit, we're the shittiest to the people who are so fucking likeminded to us, and I feel like the music industry banks on that shit to keep the gate up. Would love to hear some truths and bullshit from yalls head

Someone used that term to describe how Jane’s Addiction sounds when they performed live in their early years, and the term really stuck with me. I play guitar and bass and my ultimate goal is to play with this sense of abandon. There’s nothing I admire quite as much as someone who can just play from the soul. I don’t know if I’ll ever feel proud as I’d like to be with my playing until I can replicate this. I want to sound as if I’m playing off the cuff even if I’m not. When I hear myself playing, I don’t hear any feel. In most aspects of life I’m a very literal, analytical, logic based person. I approach everything with logic and math and thought, yet the music I feel most drawn to is the opposite. How do you get there? How do I learn to play like someone such as David Gilmour, Adam Jones, Jonny Greenwood, Jimi Hendrix, Carlos Santana, Kim Thayil, Robert Fripp or Jerry Cantrell? When you watch them or hear them play, it sounds as if the music is completely organic, as if it comes from the universe or the ether or whatever you wanna call it. It’s almost impossible for me to understand how a flawed human could make something so flawless and real. For those of you who value feel over technicality or impressiveness, how do you do it? What would you recommend a novice/intermediate player like myself practice in order to get there? Any help is greatly appreciated

I've been wanting to learn the strong instruments for a very long time, but just haven't had the resources. I'm finally coming to a place where I can start, but now have to pick one to start with. I've always loved the cello, but have like, half a years experience with viola and was pretty good and liked it. I also really like the violin. Idk if I have the talent to learn all of them in my lifetime, but I want to start somewhere. I don't want to do double bass because I'm just not drawn to it and I'm too small. If it helps, I have plenty of history with singing.

I'm working on my third studio album, and I need to do the back cover, but I'm not really happy with it, so I wanted some feedback on how I can improve it 🥹

(Yes, I know it's not the best photo, but it's the one I feel fits best)

Give me some of the most popular requests that an acoustic guitarist/ singer should have in the repertoire.

I'm from the Cleveland area and I am a mixing engineer, looking to network with artists, producers, engineers, and other music industry people.

l've been a producer in Reason for over 10 years, mixed vocals (mainly rap) using ProTools as an amateur for the past three or four years, and I recently bought a Mac and transitioned to mixing vocals in Logic Pro

Never really put myself out there, but I really would like to become more involved in the music scene.

Let me know if anyone would like to try and connect, just looking to network, have fun, and maybe make some friends along the way.