I asked Smash and Thrash if I could write an introduction type thread to this forum. They were kind enough to let me do so, and then I flaked for the longest time, but I'm finally getting around to it.

I had the idea for this thread (http://www.talkbass.com/forum/showthread.php?threadid=50581) based upon an R&B Live Performance class that I've taken, on and off for the past 8+ years), at a local JC in the East Bay Area. This class was phenomenal because not only did it surround you with other non-classical/jazz musicians in an abundant way, but the teacher provided a very well rounded curriculum. Not only did he teach technique, songwriting and theory, but he taught how to manage a band.

So many of us here at Talkbass are involved in one or more bands, that we would like to see become successful, whether we define success as playing clubs/bars, touring, signing a recording deal, or whatever. As artists, no one ever takes the time to teach us that we are not only artists, we're business people. We spend all of our hours in the shed, but many don't know how to promote the band, create a strong press kit, market ourselves. Well, here at Talkbass we have a wealth of experience, and people from all walks of life.

First, this forum is not for recounting gig stories, let's be clear on that. Post those in the "Bass Humor and Gig Stories" forum. This forum is about how to manage your band, or yourself, and how to perform.

Here is a short list of some of the topics I envisioned this forum covering:


Marketing: This is such a broad topic. How do you get your band's name/logo out there to the venues you want to play? Who do you talk to? Demos, Press Kits, Flyers, Online Postings, all of these areas are not self-explanatory. Let's make it it's own category.

Winning Fans The New-Fashioned Way (http://www.talkbass.com/forum/showthread.php?s=&threadid=71340)

Websites to upload your music to. (http://www.talkbass.com/forum/showthread.php?s=&postid=1126870#post1126870)


Demos: How many songs should go on a demo? Do I have to pay royalties for covers? How can I find cheap, talented musicians for hire to help with my project? What equipment should I bring? How do I communicate with engineers and producers?

Press Kits: What is it? How do I build one? What should be included? How can I produce a good, yet affordable press kit? What are the do's and don'ts of press kits?

Promo Pack Question (http://www.talkbass.com/forum/showthread.php?s=&threadid=70216)


Resume: Should I have one? How do I do it? What should be on it? How long should it be?

Biographies: I need a bio too? How do I write one? What's in it?


Booking the Band: Contracts. How do I talk to? How much should I expect to make? How do I ensured I get paid? Insurance? What to look for?

Getting Paid (http://www.talkbass.com/forum/showthread.php?s=&threadid=65702)

The Going Rate - what's it pay ? (http://www.talkbass.com/forum/showthread.php?s=&threadid=88994)

Managing and Booking Your Own Band (http://www.talkbass.com/forum/showthread.php?s=&threadid=88589)

Booking Agent Deals (http://www.talkbass.com/forum/showthread.php?s=&postid=1126874#post1126874)


Advertising: How do I let people know about my show? How do I reach the right demographic? What is my demographic?

Flyers & Postering, "Everything is either a gig or a flyer" - Mike Watt (http://www.talkbass.com/forum/showthread.php?s=&threadid=64654)


Communicating with Club/BarFestival/Corporate Management: Like most things in life, business is about communication. How do I work out a mutually beneficial, mature, professional relationship with the people in charge of hiring me/my band?
How To Get Management (http://www.talkbass.com/forum/showthread.php?s=&threadid=67354)

What Should A Manager Do? (http://www.talkbass.com/forum/showthread.php?s=&threadid=64590)

Booking Agent Trouble - what to do? (http://www.talkbass.com/forum/showthread.php?s=&threadid=65067)



Do's and Don'ts of Live Performance: It's easy right? Just get up there and play, right? Just have at it. Well, it depends upon what you're looking for. If you're interested in maintaining your crowd, you have to know what they like. Like anything else, there are do's and don'ts of live performance. It can range from setting up and takedown, to talking to the audience, to appearance, to stage "antics", and so much more.

Tips For Gigs (http://www.talkbass.com/forum/showthread.php?s=&threadid=64688)

Backup Gear (http://www.talkbass.com/forum/showthread.php?s=&threadid=90130)

Auditions - how to (http://www.talkbass.com/forum/showthread.php?s=&threadid=73143)

Auditions - music choices (http://www.talkbass.com/forum/showthread.php?s=&threadid=94620)

My first band !? (http://www.talkbass.com/forum/showthread.php?s=&threadid=95179)

My first gig ! (http://www.talkbass.com/forum/showthread.php?s=&threadid=86315)

Act The Fool Live? - Jump up and get down. (http://www.talkbass.com/forum/showthread.php?s=&threadid=65633)


Business:

Going Legit - forming an LLC (http://www.talkbass.com/forum/showthread.php?s=&threadid=94012)

Band Business Models (http://www.talkbass.com/forum/showthread.php?t=173534)

http://www.talkbass.com/forum/showthread.php?t=173311]Getting Started as a Pro



Miscellany: More great links !

Mixerman Documentary - a typical major label recording session. Sad but true. (http://www.prosoundweb.com/recording/mm/week1/mm.php)





Maintaining a successful working band, (or solo act), is not as easy as rehearsing the songs and getting them to sound good. A lot goes into making successful bands work. While it's true that 1% is luck, 99% is hard work, determination, strong planning and a good understanding of the business.

If something isn't going right with your band, or you're just simply not getting as far as you'd hope, or you just want to know how to get the band off the ground at all, this forum is the place to go.

Bump.

Maybe the Mods could make this a sticky??

Originally posted by Mike N
Bump.
Maybe the Mods could make this a sticky??


And we'll add links under those headings/descriptions.

Steady work, Jazzbo. Thanks.

Maybe we could add something to the title that lets Newbies know that there are links in this thread.

Originally posted by jazzbo
Maybe we could add something to the title that lets Newbies know that there are links in this thread.

That's a good idea. I tried, but I have noticed that when you change a thread title it doesn't show up in the site's front page on on the forum views, only shows when you go into the thread.

I'll add more links later on and maybe merge threads where appropriate so we can keep things tidy. If people go over old ground, we can always merge or point them to this post/thread.

Thanks.

Originally posted by SMASH


That's a good idea. I tried, but I have noticed that when you change a thread title it doesn't show up in the site's front page on on the forum views, only shows when you go into the thread.

I'll add more links later on and maybe merge threads where appropriate so we can keep things tidy. If people go over old ground, we can always merge or point them to this post/thread.

Thanks.

Under "Admin Options" where you move and close threads, go to Edit Thread.

Geez, newbie mods. Do we have to tell you everything?!? :D ;)

Originally posted by jazzbo


Under "Admin Options" where you move and close threads, go to Edit Thread.

Geez, newbie mods. Do we have to tell you everything?!? :D ;)

Thanks. I figure the software was goofy - didn't think that one type of editing fails but the other works.

Many thanks Jazzbo!

Another thing folks - this forum is not for gigspam. Please use the Gig Calendar for that. (Link is at top left corner of the screen)

Have a nice day :)

Hey guys, I love the idea of this thread, I would love to talk to some real experianced band managers. I an amature band manager myself, but still have lots of questions. Here is a link to another thread on this site that I have been asking a lot of questions on:

http://www.talkbass.com/forum/showthread.php?t=64590

hey, everyone new to the board, another good idea is to list some good books to read along with the websites. I have a few back at home and will gladly list them, probably can pick them up used real cheap at amazon.

This thread needs to be updated. Many of the links are dead or list websites thats info has changed.

This thread needs to be updated. Many of the links are dead or list websites thats info has changed.

I second that, I've hit a few dead links on my first tries.