Any wedding band types out there? - Tilted Forum Project Discussion Community

Dbass · 06-21-2005, 07:24 PM

I'm trying to make some serious dough this summer, but I'm trying to work as little as possible, and make as much music as possible (lazy to the max!). I was wondering if anyone does the wedding thing and if they have any advice. The current plan is
1. We have a wedding fakebook, 1 violin, 1 cello, and 1 bassist (me!)
2. We want to get a nice formal picture with us and our instruments, in tux-y clothes.
3. We want maybe business cards, definitely flyers, and maybe a sampler cd with excerpts of some wedding tunes.
4. We're also looking into funerals, ritzy parties, real estate type stuff (showings for nice houses) and that type of thing.

Anybody know anything we've missed? Anything we might be doing wrong? Let me know, appreciate it!

aberkok · 06-21-2005, 07:42 PM

Hmmm...sounds like you're on the right track, but I'd say to turn all the "maybes" you have into definitelys.

Definitely get business cards and a sampler CD. There's nothing worse than scrambling to make those things after you get an offer for a gig and someone asks you for those things.

Also think about your network. I'm sure you've thought about where to drop your flyers (like caterers, wedding dress stores, flower shops), but another thing you might think of is to contact other musicians in your area who don't do weddings. Perhaps if they get calls they can pass the work your way; make sure you've considered the power of networking.

For the actual gig, get some set lists together. There's nothing worse than flipping through your fakebook for three minutes before moving on to the next tune. Also, consider having some danceable music in your book, because whether you like it or not, people will start dancing at some point!

Last but not least, beware of Event Co-ordinators! There's a saying about them: "When it comes to event co-ordinators, the shit flows downwards!"

Dbass · 06-21-2005, 08:15 PM

Wow, thanks! That's great advice! Especially asking other musicians - I don't know about you, but I'm in Phi Mu Alpha (national music frat) and we do that sort of thing, so I'll send out an email to them right away!
We're actually arranging selected songs from the fakebook because our cellist ain't so good at the jazz thing :P, so our setlists will be limited to what we have time to arrange, plus bass/violin duets(we'll do a lot of arranging to avoid that!).
Thanks again!

aberkok · 06-22-2005, 11:57 AM

Glad to help, and hopefully you can use some of the advice I've given, most of which I've learnt the hard way.

06-21-2005, 07:24 PM	#1 (permalink)
Dbass Crazy	Any wedding band types out there? I'm trying to make some serious dough this summer, but I'm trying to work as little as possible, and make as much music as possible (lazy to the max!). I was wondering if anyone does the wedding thing and if they have any advice. The current plan is 1. We have a wedding fakebook, 1 violin, 1 cello, and 1 bassist (me!) 2. We want to get a nice formal picture with us and our instruments, in tux-y clothes. 3. We want maybe business cards, definitely flyers, and maybe a sampler cd with excerpts of some wedding tunes. 4. We're also looking into funerals, ritzy parties, real estate type stuff (showings for nice houses) and that type of thing. Anybody know anything we've missed? Anything we might be doing wrong? Let me know, appreciate it!

06-21-2005, 07:42 PM	#2 (permalink)
aberkok “Wrong is right.” Location: toronto	Hmmm...sounds like you're on the right track, but I'd say to turn all the "maybes" you have into definitelys. Definitely get business cards and a sampler CD. There's nothing worse than scrambling to make those things after you get an offer for a gig and someone asks you for those things. Also think about your network. I'm sure you've thought about where to drop your flyers (like caterers, wedding dress stores, flower shops), but another thing you might think of is to contact other musicians in your area who don't do weddings. Perhaps if they get calls they can pass the work your way; make sure you've considered the power of networking. For the actual gig, get some set lists together. There's nothing worse than flipping through your fakebook for three minutes before moving on to the next tune. Also, consider having some danceable music in your book, because whether you like it or not, people will start dancing at some point! Last but not least, beware of Event Co-ordinators! There's a saying about them: "When it comes to event co-ordinators, the shit flows downwards!" __________________ !check out my new blog! http://arkanamusic.wordpress.com Warden Gentiles: "It? Perfectly innocent. But I can see how, if our roles were reversed, I might have you beaten with a pillowcase full of batteries."

06-22-2005, 11:57 AM	#4 (permalink)
aberkok “Wrong is right.” Location: toronto	Glad to help, and hopefully you can use some of the advice I've given, most of which I've learnt the hard way. __________________ !check out my new blog! http://arkanamusic.wordpress.com Warden Gentiles: "It? Perfectly innocent. But I can see how, if our roles were reversed, I might have you beaten with a pillowcase full of batteries."

06-21-2005, 08:15 PM	#3 (permalink)
Dbass Crazy	Wow, thanks! That's great advice! Especially asking other musicians - I don't know about you, but I'm in Phi Mu Alpha (national music frat) and we do that sort of thing, so I'll send out an email to them right away! We're actually arranging selected songs from the fakebook because our cellist ain't so good at the jazz thing :P, so our setlists will be limited to what we have time to arrange, plus bass/violin duets(we'll do a lot of arranging to avoid that!). Thanks again!