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We know that being a DIY musician is far from easy. Going out into the music industry on your own is intimidating at times, but it can be so rewarding in the end. In this new series, we're giving you a quick roundup of our best tips and advice from experts every Monday to help you become a better DIY musician.
1. Stop skipping practice
"Improving your playing and your performance is essential, so don't skip practice because it's boring, rote, or because you have other things to do. Make it flexible enough so that if you have to cancel one practice, you immediately reschedule for the next day, barring life or death circumstances. Don't make it a habit of canceling practice without a Plan B, or you won't ever leave the basement." – Amy Sciarretto, owner of Atom Splitter PR
From: 5 Habits That All Musicians Need to Break
2. Eliminate the "there's not enough time in the day" mindset
"Find a couple of hours throughout your week that you can dedicate to music without any interference. Don't go too hard and burn out, though. Keep it short and easy, but be sure to treat this time with respect. You may find other people trying to squeeze into your time, but if you respect the schedule, you'll deny their efforts." – Anthony Cerullo, freelance writer and keyboard player
From: Why You're Not as Musically Productive as You Want to Be (And How to Change It Right Now)
3. Plan how you're going to pump up the energy at your next show
"You need to be 100 percent aware of when you want the crowd to start clapping or chant a certain part of the lyrics, because once you let that moment pass, it's nearly impossible to get the audience to adjust. You're not only a performer of the music, but also the conductor who has the power to create the exact type of atmosphere you think your music represents." – Eric Bernsen, marketing/public relations professional and music journalist
From: 5 Ways to Get More Energy From the Audience at Your Show
4. Write as much as you can, as often as you can
"Just as we’re taught to practice daily, we should create daily. Exercising your creativity only helps you to be a more imaginative songwriter. We all know those giant bursts of inspiration that practically write your best songs for you, but you can’t sit around waiting for them." – Sam Friedman, electronic music producer and singer-songwriter
From: 4 Reasons You Shouldn't Be Waiting for Inspiration to Write Songs
5. Find great venues to play by attending shows there
"The first step to booking any great gig is finding a great location for it. The best way to find these things out is by actually attending concerts at lots of different local venues (which is also a great opportunity to do more networking). Try to go see local bands that you like, and keep track of what venues they play." – Dylan Welsh, musician and writer
From: 5 Things Every Musician Needs to Book Great Gigs
6. Soak in inspiration by listening to something completely new
"Seeing that you’re a musician, you probably already listen to a lot of music. That’s great, as it likely inspires you, and there are influences of some of your favorite artists, songs, and albums in your own music. If you're finding it difficult to craft that next tune, try playing something completely different from what you're used to and letting it soak in." – Hugh McIntyre, freelance pop music journalist
From: 5 Ways to Jumpstart Your Musical Creativity
7. Use your local music scene as an opportunity for networking
"People you befriend in your local scene can introduce you to others you want to work with – and not just in your own city. The difficult process of organizing your first-ever tour is made simpler when you've got contacts handed down from a bud's previous jaunt. You never know who someone could potentially hook you up with – or who you're pals with that could help someone else." – Jhoni Jackson, venue owner and music journalist
From: Why Being Part of Your Local Music Scene Matters So Much More Than You Think
