| Here are some tips for the solo wind
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| | some cases, a brief discription on what
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| musician. If you play, woodwinds, brass,
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| | to do with them.
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| strings, or any single line instrument.
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| | 1. PA equipment: You will need some kind
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| You can make a substantial amount of
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| | of PA equipment, preferably something
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| money using your play-a-long
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| | small and compact, but of efficient sound
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| library.That's right!...Your play-a-long
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| | quality
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| library can be a goldmind of income.
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| | 2. Microphone: You will need a
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| I know it works because I've done it. If
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| | microphone for the times when you are
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| I can do it, anybody should be able to do
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| | showing off that great voice of yours.
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| it. Here's the plan.
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| | You will also need a microphone stand.
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| First: You have all of these wonderful
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| | 3. Speaker Stands: I recommend speaker
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| play-a-longs that you use to practice
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| | stands for your speakers, to raise your
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| with. You have spent many, many hours
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| | speakers up above peoples heads when
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| learning these songs, and perfecting your
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| | playing in restaurants, and coffee shops,
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| talent. A lot of these play-a-longs are
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| | ect... You dont want to drive people
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| really great accompaniment, and some are
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| | away, or blow anybodys ear drum.
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| recorded by professional musicians.
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| | 4. Promo Stand: You will need a promo
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| Well!...Why not put together a nice
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| | stand that you can use to place your
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| sounding PA, or sound system, (what ever
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| | promo material, your CD's, and any of
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| you can afford)use all of those wonderful
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| | your contact material for people to see,
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| play-a-longs you've had for years, put
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| | purchase, and take as they come, and go.
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| some song sets together, go out and
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| | This can be something that is portable,
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| target all the venues in your area that
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| | small and compact, but looks presentable.
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| would be great for a solo musician as
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| | 5. Tip Jar: I recommend a tip jar,
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| yourself to perform in, and make some
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| | something that, again, looks presentable.
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| easy money. Sound crazy?...think again,
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| | 6. Play-a-Long Library: I recommend a
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| you will be surprised to find out just
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| | play-a-long library for all musicians,
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| how many places want live entertainment,
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| | especially for solo musicians. As I have
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| but dont have the room, or the budget to
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| | stated in my previous article, "Tips for
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| hire a full band.
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| | the solo musician", you can make a living
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| Here's an example from my real
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| | just playing solo gigs, and targeting
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| experiences. I have played a restaurant
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| | small establishments.
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| in early afternoon, a coffee shop after
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| | 7. CD, or, Cassette player: You should
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| work hours, and played with my regular
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| | have a CD, or cassette player with a
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| band that night. The result,...Three
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| | pitch control to play your play-a-longs
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| times the income that I would have
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| | through your PA.
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| normally made that day.
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| | 8. Computer: If at all possible, you
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| I charge $50-$100 for small venues,
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| | should have a powerful enough computer to
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| $100-$200 for larger establishments, and
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| | record your own CD's. You can also make
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| parties, $200 and up for high dollar
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| | your own Play-a-longs with your own style
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| fundtions. You have to be the judge as to
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| | of music.
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| how much you need to charge per gig. Also
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| | 9. Recording Software: You will need
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| keep in mind your expenses.
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| | some kind of recording software for your
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| Oh!...I forgot to mention the tips.
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| | computer. I recommend, Cakewalk.
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| That's extra bravy , or icing on the
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| | 10. Soundcard: You will need, in some
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| cake.
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| | cases, a sound card for your computer. I
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| So go ahead!...Make that money! Put those
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| | recommend, Sound Blaster Live.
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| old dusty play-a-longs to work.
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| | 11. Keyboard: I think all musicians
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| Since I play mostly jazz, I use this
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| | should have some kind of keyboard. There
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| source for my play-a-longs:
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| | are hundreds to choose from, according to
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| THE SOLO MUSICIANS TOOLBOX
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| | your budget.
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| If you are a solo musician, there are
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| | 12. CD Burning Software: You should have
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| tools that you should know about, and
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| | some kind of CD burning software. Again,
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| have in your tool box. It is best to be
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| | there are hundreds of choices. Microsoft
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| prepared for whatever comes your way in
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| | Media Player is free.
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| the form of gigs, and musical
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| | 13. Business Card Software: I recommend
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| opportunities. In this article I will go
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| | some kind of business card software for
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| over some of the general things in the
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| | your computer. "Parabim Business Card
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| form of gear, hardware, and software,
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| | Builder", is a very efficient one.
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| that will give you an edge in this
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| | 14. Musicians Website: Every musician
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| competetive, and demanding world. Keep in
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| | should have a website. I recommend, "Host
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| mind that these are all suggestions, and
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| | Baby", everything you need in a musicians
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| it depends on your personal circumstances
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| | website is here.
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| as to what you are, and are not able to
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| | 15. Internet Promotion Program: A
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| obtain.
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| | program to help promote your music, and
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| I will asume that you already have the
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| | yourself on the internet. I recommend,
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| musical instrument of your choice, and
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| | "Musicians Power Promotion System".
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| that you have already spent the thousands
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| | These are just some of the things that
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| of hours that it takes to perfect your
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| | will help you on your quest to be a
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| talent. There is no way around it!...You
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| | successful solo musician. One thing to
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| get out of it what you put into it. If
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| | remember is,...Always Act...Look...and
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| you spend the time to perfect your
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| | Dress proffessionally. That first
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| talent, you will definatly reap the
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| | impression can make, or break you.
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| benefits.
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| | Just click on the links provided in this
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| So,...Lets get started. I will list all
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| | article where indicated, and you will be
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| of the items that I have in mind for this
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| | taken to the particular website, were you
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| article, and where to obtain them. In
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| | can find the item.
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