[Harp-L] Seeking career advice: How to market as versatile harp?

[Michael Rubin]

People don't follow leaders.  They follow followers.  Find one person to
begin a band with and go to jams  Everyone will wonder, "What does that
person see in Robert?  I need to get in on this."

Buy people beers and blow smoke up their behinds.

Be upfront.  "I am starting a band and I think you would be a great
addition.  Come to my place to jam.  I buy the beers."

Can you sing?  How long are the gigs in your town?  Learn enough songs to
fill up a gig.  Keep them very simple.  Get a headshot.  If you want, pay
some people to pretend to be a band and take a photo.  Make a website.
Hire great musicians and record three songs.  Get gigs.  Pay people to back
you up.  If you always pay what you say you will and treat people with
respect, you will soon have a regular band.

If you cannot sing, find a singer and repeat above.
Michael Rubin
michaelrubinharmonica.com


On Tue, Apr 25, 2017 at 10:26 AM, Robert Hale <robert at xxxxx> wrote:

> ​I have not been successful at marketing myself as the valued "4th piece"
> in a band.​
>
> DIGITECH
> My sounds are largely inspired by Richard Hunter's RP patches over the
> years, with big keyboard sounds of B3 Leslie organ, funky wah envelope
> filter, octave-down in the Tenor sax range, and clean to crunchy tube amps.
>
> ADDED VALUE
> Also added last year the Electro Harmonix Mel9 pedal with VERY effective
> strings,orchestra, and solo flute sounds! (Recommended)
> The organ and string section are especially effective with Spiral tuning
> for full major and minor melody choices, no roadblocks of the standard
> diatonic tuning.
>
> STIGMA
> My Sax and Fiddle player friends are working duos. How can I get the call
> instead?
>
> SEE ME, HEAR ME
> I am out 2 and 3 times a week to 10 different jams and open mics. I
> continue to meet new players, and occasionally pick up a gig. The music
> always seems enthusiastically appreciated by host band and audience. I have
> made sampler videos to YouTube showcasing these sounds. A regular weekly
> band schedule is one lifestyle, but also interested in local music theater
> and becoming the on-call guy in town for touring groups.
>
> Robert Hale
> Serious Honkage in Arizona
> youtube.com/DUKEofWAIL
> DUKEofWAIL.com
>