5 answers
Samuel
Student
Valparaiso, Indiana
1
Question
Asked
222 views
How do you get your name out there as a musician ?
I'm a bass player and i want to know how to get my name out and make it as least reliant on luck as possible .I am just starting music school in the fall at Berklee College of Music and I'm was wondering about this question so i can get a start on getting my name out there.
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5 answers
Aaron Cloutier
Musician
1
Answer
Jeffersonville, Indiana
Updated
Aaron’s Answer
Great question! So, while timing and opportunity play a role in the music industry, you can control momentum and minimize reliance on the idea of getting lucky.
Here are some focused steps to take:
1. Be reliable and easy to work with. Your reputation spreads faster through word of mouth than through social media. It’s super important to show up on time, be prepared and conduct yourself in a professional manner during every session or gig.
2. Build real relationships, not just contacts. Berklee is full of future collaborators, producers, and artists so you already have a huge opportunity available to you right now. Network and focus on building meaningful connections. Show up to jam sessions, support others’ projects, and be generous with your time and skills l.
3. Create a strong online presence. Choose a platform whether it’s Instagram, YouTube, or TikTok and post short clips showcasing your playing, versatility, and personality. I personally recommend starting with just one or two platforms you gravitate towards the most. Keep your presence clean and updated and make sure to prioritize quality and consistency over “going viral.”
You’re playing the long game with this so make sure you can find ways to enjoy the process as much as possible.
4. Document and share your journey. Share your experiences at Berklee, practice routines, behind-the-scenes from gigs, and collaborations. Authenticity and consistency are key.
5. Say yes to opportunities. Even smaller or unpaid gigs can lead to bigger things. Focus on building a strong body of work and a network that respects your talent and work ethic.
6. Diversify your skill set. Expand your skills by learning basic production, sight-reading, or marketing. You will unlock a world of opportunities!
7. Follow up and stay in touch. Send a brief thank-you after working with someone. This can leave a positive impression and help you stay top-of-mind without being pushy, which can increase your chances of being the first call for a gig.
Hope this helps!
-Aaron-
Here are some focused steps to take:
1. Be reliable and easy to work with. Your reputation spreads faster through word of mouth than through social media. It’s super important to show up on time, be prepared and conduct yourself in a professional manner during every session or gig.
2. Build real relationships, not just contacts. Berklee is full of future collaborators, producers, and artists so you already have a huge opportunity available to you right now. Network and focus on building meaningful connections. Show up to jam sessions, support others’ projects, and be generous with your time and skills l.
3. Create a strong online presence. Choose a platform whether it’s Instagram, YouTube, or TikTok and post short clips showcasing your playing, versatility, and personality. I personally recommend starting with just one or two platforms you gravitate towards the most. Keep your presence clean and updated and make sure to prioritize quality and consistency over “going viral.”
You’re playing the long game with this so make sure you can find ways to enjoy the process as much as possible.
4. Document and share your journey. Share your experiences at Berklee, practice routines, behind-the-scenes from gigs, and collaborations. Authenticity and consistency are key.
5. Say yes to opportunities. Even smaller or unpaid gigs can lead to bigger things. Focus on building a strong body of work and a network that respects your talent and work ethic.
6. Diversify your skill set. Expand your skills by learning basic production, sight-reading, or marketing. You will unlock a world of opportunities!
7. Follow up and stay in touch. Send a brief thank-you after working with someone. This can leave a positive impression and help you stay top-of-mind without being pushy, which can increase your chances of being the first call for a gig.
Hope this helps!
-Aaron-
Faith E Anderson
Tenth Child Inc. CEO
5
Answers
Dallas, Texas
Updated
Faith E’s Answer
Amira's answer is pretty perfect! My only value add would be collaborate with other artists as a Feature on songs, jam together, or do small joint concerts. Their audience becomes your audience too. Additionally, building relationships with DJs, Radio Hosts, and Curators
Local radio, college stations, indie podcasts, Spotify playlist curators — they’re always looking for fresh music to showcase.
Continued success on your journey!
Local radio, college stations, indie podcasts, Spotify playlist curators — they’re always looking for fresh music to showcase.
Continued success on your journey!
Amira Gadd
Songwriter, Sync Consultant
8
Answers
Laguna Hills
Updated
Amira’s Answer
Hi Samuel,
Congratulations on starting in the fall at Berklee College of Music! That's a great school to study music there. You are in luck for being in this era of social media. And also for being in a time where there are more opportunities to get a start on getting my name out there. Here are some suggestions:
1- Social Media: Your social medias, whether TikTok, Instagram, Youtube, etc. should show the world who you are and want to be. Search other successful bass players and study how they present themselves, then figure out how YOU want to present yourself. Create your own brand. There are plenty of bass players out there. Think of how you can stand out on your own. Declutter what does not present yourself well. It does not have to be extra polished. In fact, a good mix of being messy and professional is good. Take advantage of these tools that are free and show off your skills.
2- Create a PR kit tool for your self. You can rely on Chat GPT for now to guide you until you are able to afford hiring professionals, but you can also ask your fellow students at school too and exchange helping each other. For example, a photographer for a professional photo of you while you're playing the bass, a student writer to write up a bio and a short one (elevator pitch), a student journalist who can help you with writing an article about you, a web designer to create a page for you online, a graphic designer to create a logo for you and so on. Create both a QR code with the info and links and cheap business cards for now to give out or leave at permissible places.
3- If you haven't done so, start playing at school events, on campus just because (like how No Doubt did on CSUF campus), play at local stores and restaurants, find fellow musicians + songwriters + performers + artists and collaborate on a song for a cause or volunteer at a local senior center on Valentines Day... The possibilities are endless.
4- Show up at music events in-person and online. Conferences such as ASCAP, NAMM, SXSW, etc. are one of the best places where you can network and get your name out there. There are always Networking Google Docs that goes around for people to fill out their information to exchange with others for collaborations.
5- VOLUNTEER. I wrote this in caps because when you volunteer at music events or music festivals, and you volunteer with love, respect and being professional, believe me when I say that Industry people will take notice. They love respectable, hardworking, and talented people they can work with. They stand out.
6- Music Studios are a great place to volunteer, hang out and/or intern or maybe even work at.
7- Initiate: Contact indie artists you like online or in-person and ask to collaborate with them. I say Indie artist because you have to start somewhere. When you show that you are talented and professional by showing up on time, understanding the music business such as knowing what the splits are or terms in your Musician contract, it stays. Many times one of the collaborators starts going to the top and pulls with them the other collaborators they had a good experience with.
8- Be creative. You can be the coolest stand out bass player ever. Think about something you're passionate about and mix them together. For example of you love Skateboarding, try skateboarding while playing the bass if possible. And wear a certain brand for the type of videos. Eventually the brand will take notice, the skateboarding community will take notice and the word of mouth starts from there. Another example if you love tacos. Start serenading the bass to tacos and send tag a taco company and so on. Or if you love classical music, then combine TikTok videos of you playing the bass to a piano player playing Mozart. Unlikely collaborations stand out because they're fun and new.
Speaking of luck, there's a quote that indicates that "Luck = Preparation + Opportunity." Keep preparing because I guarantee you opportunities will start popping out of nowhere because you initiated your energy in the universe. By then, you'll have half of the above ready to present.
Good luck!
Congratulations on starting in the fall at Berklee College of Music! That's a great school to study music there. You are in luck for being in this era of social media. And also for being in a time where there are more opportunities to get a start on getting my name out there. Here are some suggestions:
1- Social Media: Your social medias, whether TikTok, Instagram, Youtube, etc. should show the world who you are and want to be. Search other successful bass players and study how they present themselves, then figure out how YOU want to present yourself. Create your own brand. There are plenty of bass players out there. Think of how you can stand out on your own. Declutter what does not present yourself well. It does not have to be extra polished. In fact, a good mix of being messy and professional is good. Take advantage of these tools that are free and show off your skills.
2- Create a PR kit tool for your self. You can rely on Chat GPT for now to guide you until you are able to afford hiring professionals, but you can also ask your fellow students at school too and exchange helping each other. For example, a photographer for a professional photo of you while you're playing the bass, a student writer to write up a bio and a short one (elevator pitch), a student journalist who can help you with writing an article about you, a web designer to create a page for you online, a graphic designer to create a logo for you and so on. Create both a QR code with the info and links and cheap business cards for now to give out or leave at permissible places.
3- If you haven't done so, start playing at school events, on campus just because (like how No Doubt did on CSUF campus), play at local stores and restaurants, find fellow musicians + songwriters + performers + artists and collaborate on a song for a cause or volunteer at a local senior center on Valentines Day... The possibilities are endless.
4- Show up at music events in-person and online. Conferences such as ASCAP, NAMM, SXSW, etc. are one of the best places where you can network and get your name out there. There are always Networking Google Docs that goes around for people to fill out their information to exchange with others for collaborations.
5- VOLUNTEER. I wrote this in caps because when you volunteer at music events or music festivals, and you volunteer with love, respect and being professional, believe me when I say that Industry people will take notice. They love respectable, hardworking, and talented people they can work with. They stand out.
6- Music Studios are a great place to volunteer, hang out and/or intern or maybe even work at.
7- Initiate: Contact indie artists you like online or in-person and ask to collaborate with them. I say Indie artist because you have to start somewhere. When you show that you are talented and professional by showing up on time, understanding the music business such as knowing what the splits are or terms in your Musician contract, it stays. Many times one of the collaborators starts going to the top and pulls with them the other collaborators they had a good experience with.
8- Be creative. You can be the coolest stand out bass player ever. Think about something you're passionate about and mix them together. For example of you love Skateboarding, try skateboarding while playing the bass if possible. And wear a certain brand for the type of videos. Eventually the brand will take notice, the skateboarding community will take notice and the word of mouth starts from there. Another example if you love tacos. Start serenading the bass to tacos and send tag a taco company and so on. Or if you love classical music, then combine TikTok videos of you playing the bass to a piano player playing Mozart. Unlikely collaborations stand out because they're fun and new.
Speaking of luck, there's a quote that indicates that "Luck = Preparation + Opportunity." Keep preparing because I guarantee you opportunities will start popping out of nowhere because you initiated your energy in the universe. By then, you'll have half of the above ready to present.
Good luck!
Saint P
SongWriter and Creative writer
75
Answers
Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
Updated
Saint’s Answer
Hey Samuel!
Congrats that’s awesome I’m actually starting at Berklee this fall too, so I totally get where you’re coming from.
I’ve been thinking about the same thing how to stand out and build something real without just relying on luck. From everything I’ve learned so far, the key seems to be getting involved as much as possible from day one. Play with different people, say yes to sessions and gigs, and just be present. Berklee is full of insanely talented musicians, and making genuine connections with your classmates can open way more doors than you’d expect.
Also, I’ve heard it’s smart to start building your online presence early like posting clips of your playing, working on some small recording projects, or even just showing up consistently on socials so people can see what you do. It doesn’t have to be perfect just honest and consistent.
Let’s both hit the ground running this fall.
Good Luck
Saint
Congrats that’s awesome I’m actually starting at Berklee this fall too, so I totally get where you’re coming from.
I’ve been thinking about the same thing how to stand out and build something real without just relying on luck. From everything I’ve learned so far, the key seems to be getting involved as much as possible from day one. Play with different people, say yes to sessions and gigs, and just be present. Berklee is full of insanely talented musicians, and making genuine connections with your classmates can open way more doors than you’d expect.
Also, I’ve heard it’s smart to start building your online presence early like posting clips of your playing, working on some small recording projects, or even just showing up consistently on socials so people can see what you do. It doesn’t have to be perfect just honest and consistent.
Let’s both hit the ground running this fall.
Good Luck
Saint
Izzy Relapse
Musician
1
Answer
New York, New York
Updated
Izzy’s Answer
Music school is not nearly as useful for musicians as you are led to believe. Kurt Contain could barely play, neither could Sid Vicious or Nikki Sixx. Didn't stop any of them from becoming famous rock stars. You only have to be good enough to play your own songs. Music college will start you off with a mountain of debt, you'll spend most of your time trying to pay it back before you ever even see a penny from your music. That's reality.
If you want to get your name out there, first, stop using phrases like "get out there" it's a stupid meaningless phrase, and you can always tell who doesn't know anything, because they use phrases like that.
Record and release your music and then promote it with whatever means you have available.
I have dozens of album production points, a Grammy credit, and my own label. I've done work for Universal MGM, HBO, and Kia Motors, just to name a few. I can only tell you that there are no guarantees and that your success will rely on only one thing.
Whether or not people like your music.
That is literally the only thing that can make you successful. It means focusing every aspect of your life on your music. Literally nothing else will work. It also means learning to compromise, if you want to make a living with music, you can't be the only person who gets your music. If you join someone else's established band, respect them, you are the replaceable one in that situation.
To believe otherwise is arrogant and stupid and self defeating. Ask to see the credentials of anyone who says otherwise, because they are liars or stupid.
I know plenty of Berkeley graduates who have good jobs in construction. Music school does not entitle you to a career in music.
Keep that in mind.
If you want to get your name out there, first, stop using phrases like "get out there" it's a stupid meaningless phrase, and you can always tell who doesn't know anything, because they use phrases like that.
Record and release your music and then promote it with whatever means you have available.
I have dozens of album production points, a Grammy credit, and my own label. I've done work for Universal MGM, HBO, and Kia Motors, just to name a few. I can only tell you that there are no guarantees and that your success will rely on only one thing.
Whether or not people like your music.
That is literally the only thing that can make you successful. It means focusing every aspect of your life on your music. Literally nothing else will work. It also means learning to compromise, if you want to make a living with music, you can't be the only person who gets your music. If you join someone else's established band, respect them, you are the replaceable one in that situation.
To believe otherwise is arrogant and stupid and self defeating. Ask to see the credentials of anyone who says otherwise, because they are liars or stupid.
I know plenty of Berkeley graduates who have good jobs in construction. Music school does not entitle you to a career in music.
Keep that in mind.