[southernutahsaxman]

I have played lots of gigs in college and beyond, but I now have a day job and a great family. I have kept up my playing and I'm anxious to start putting my name out there for wedding and similar functions. i have thought of fliers, web ads, and business cards, and going to local bridal shops and such to put my cards there. I don't want to spend too much and mostly want to start gigging again. Any suggestions? Also, I live in a smaller college town. thanks!

 

[saxguy007]

Starting point- record a few flattering sound clips of yourself playing.

Cheap option- 1) create a myspace.com or analogous cheap or free page to host your streaming audio clips and some pics. 2) Use Craigslist regularly to post your availability, where you can point people to your myspace page to hear you. They will be able to contact you via re-routed email thru craigslist if you don't want to put your personal contact info out there.

Expensive option- host your clips and pics on GigMasters.com. I use them. However, I perform in the DC metro, so I get a critical mass of referrals and gigs thru them. At $59 per quarter, probably not worth it in a less population-dense area. One gig per quarter thru them might make it worthwhile.

Finally, that you are posting here is a good sign that you realize there is potential there to perform solo over tracks as a very low cost option that will expand your opportunities. IMO, in these crappy economic times, being able to provide live music for the modest cost of a SINGLE performer will get gigs that could not happen otherwise. People might pay $200 for a jazzy sax sound for their small office party or birthday party, but aren't going to pony up $400 or more for a duo+ or a DJ....

 

[Grumps]

I have played lots of gigs in college and beyond, but I now have a day job and a great family. I have kept up my playing and I'm anxious to start putting my name out there for wedding and similar functions.

Do you have a band? Have you done weddings in the past?

 

[saxplayr2000]

Do you have a band?

+1

Network! Hit some jam sessions if possible to connect with other musicians and to demonstrate your talents. Get your name out among the music scene. If you have the chops, you should get opportunities.

Then start promoting...

 

[teledyn]

as Monk told Lacy, "If you want to be IN the scene, you have to be ON the scene"

Go out, be seen, visit places where others are playing 10x more than your own gigs, be known among them, sit in where you can, but sit close by if you can't. Your reputation will spread among precisely the sort who you need as your endorsements, they'll ask you to fill in, take a gig they can't take, recommend you to others. It's an ancient strategy

 

[southernutahsaxman]

Thanks for all of your advice. I really appreciate it.

I did have a band and have spoken with a trumpeter, drummer, and bassist about getting something together.

Unfortunately, there aren't a ton of places here where jazz musicians get together, but there are some blues jam sessions.

I will also look into advertising using music postings on the web and emphasizing the cost savings on craigslist.org.

Yes, I've played weddings and other similar functions in the past. I've almost always had some type of a band to play with though. However, I have built up a good library of backtracks which I have also used at other gigs.

Believe it or not, I also played "Danny Boy" once at a funeral! That was an unaccompanied solo and it went quite well.

Thanks again for your suggestions. I'd love to hear more!

 

[Grumps]

I didn't notice this was in the solo section of the forum when I responded. Quite frankly, I don't think you'll get a lot of business as a solo perfomer on saxophone doing weddings. Weddings are all about playing pop tunes with familiar vocals that people can dance along to. Solo performing is usually all about the performer, not the music.

 

[Swampcabbage]

Similar to what Grumps said, get out and network. Go to as many sessions that you can. Distribute cards. Take advantage of social networking (Facebook, Myspace, and maybe Band Camp, gigmasters, etc...). Check local listings/want ads (some cities have these - I hooked up my first gig in Boston through the Phoenix while still living in Seattle this way - and that gig led to many opportunities).

If you aren't playing much in performance settings - get out and work wherever you can and in whatever situation you can. Blues jams are fine. If that is all that you have there then that is most likely where any other musicians looking for opportunities are hanging out. And there is nothign wrong with playing the blues, it is, after all, the backbone of jazz. If you can play the blues with conviction and accuracy - you will be much more attractive to a pop/rock/R&B/jazz function band than if you can play Giant Steps backwards through all 12 keys, and if that is no problem than you might want to just move to a bigger town/city.

Bottom line. Get to know every musician you can - go to others performances and support the music you love without any expectation to sit in as well. Get to know the players and who knows, you might make some close friends as well as pick up a few gigs.

Good luck.

 

[southernutahsaxman]

Thanks so much for your advice. I will get out to the blues/R&R jam sessions.

Thanks, guys!

 

[saxguy007]

I didn't notice this was in the solo section of the forum when I responded. Quite frankly, I don't think you'll get a lot of business as a solo perfomer on saxophone doing weddings. Weddings are all about playing pop tunes with familiar vocals that people can dance along to. Solo performing is usually all about the performer, not the music.

I have gotten several sax-with-trax gigs for weddings. Mostly listening music for receptions, but on a couple of occasions, playing actual ceremony music! I charge a lot extra for actual ceremonies, since the bride will request a certain song or two that I will have to practice, and even get sheet music for. Much more stress, since all eyes and ears are on ME instead of other people and conversations.

Either way, these weddings have usually been rather low-budget affairs. It was either me for a couple hundred bucks, or no live music at all.... On a couple occasions, I did cocktail hour, then the wedding couple hired a DJ to do his thing when I got done (for the high energy dance).