Youve got your recording (or songwriting) contract in hand and everythings coming up roses, right? You get your check, finally, but its not quite what you expected. If you sign not knowing whats owed you then you might be shorted some well-deserved income. So make sure that anything you sign contains a statement to the following areas (preferably in your favor):

Discover the phenomenonal complexity of music and reflect on the way it can positively influence your life with this sound collection of riveting quotes...

1. "Music, the greatest good that mortals know, And all of heaven we have below."

   -- Joseph Addison
   

2. "Music was my refuge. I could crawl into the space between the notes and curl my back to loneliness."

   --Maya Angelou
   

3. "Music is either good or bad, and it's got to be learned. You got to have balance."

I was listening to NPR the other day when they did a report on tipping in the restaurant industry. One they had a list of tips on how wait staff can increase their tips.

That got me brainstorming and surfing the net for other ideas to boost tips. That combined with lots of performances at Renaissance Festivals helped me to develop my own list of ways musicians can improve their tips.

1. Introduce yourself by name

"The difference between success and failure is information," notes Ritch Esra, and he should know. Along with his partner, Stephen Trumbull, Esra is a leading part of the number one most-reliable source of information on "who's who" and "who does what" in the music business. Best of all, they can tell you where everybody is located.

FIVE VOLUMES OF DATA.

What is it with these performers and their politics? Do they really think that people who pay $100 or more to hear them sing want to hear them utter political opinions?

Do you have a wide variety of things that you practice. Or do you like to binge? (You know...the type of player who
practices sweep picking for a kazillion hours a day but only know three chords)!

Having a balanced practice routine is essential if you want to become a versatile guitarist. If you just practice one or
two things, sure you'll get great at those things...but you'll be weak in other key areas.

Welcome to the wonderful world of music. As you begin reading this Music Mini Course it is fun to realize that you are also participating in a very important cultural aspect from around the world which has been going on for centuries. Did you know that pianos in some form have been around for over 500 years?

To most people, owning the "genuine article" is the only thing that will suffice. As a guitar player, and one who appreciates classic "vintage" instruments, I can fully understand this point of view. I can't think of a single guitarist who wouldn't absolutely adore playing a real 50's Les Paul or Stratocaster. However, becoming the proud owner of a true vintage instrument does have its drawbacks.

Where music meets licensing, there's money to be made. How much money? "I have synched quite a few thousand songs into productions over the years," states Peter Jansson of Janssongs, Inc., "and have charged anywhere between US$1.00 and US$250,000 for each one."

You have to find radio airplay time if youre going to be heard and were not just talking the local college campus. The trick is called promotion. Now that doesnt mean you just put your press kit in an envelope with a demo and hope they take pity on you. Perhaps you call a station and they give you the standard pitch of, Send it and if we like it well put you in rotation. After a few months of never hearing your music, you automatically think youre not worthy.