In this post I would like to hear feedback from players who have experience of doing gigs. First, check out this brief story.
A prominent band leader was on a gig with Big Sand last year and he said that for every gig like this where the band ticks all the boxes, there are 4 or 5 other situations where the clients do not ever want to see that band again!
I was shocked and surprised to hear this. Surely this cannot be the reality in 2013? It sounds like a horror story. On the next gig, I bounced it off another experienced player to hear his response and it was like lifting a stone and seeing worms as he explained what he had seen and heard on some gigs. I then bounced it off another musician who has covered a full spectrum of gigs with different bands and he said that the stories are a disgrace, but other bands are just as bad.
Is this the reason why some musicians are experiencing what I call "radio silence?" What is your view?
From my perspective, I see opportunity; lots of opportunities; money on the table. I see bands using social media effectively to develop networks and large online footprints to attract quality clients. In my band, the drill is always to tick the important boxes; punctuality, performance and professionalism. The entire operation is run as an SME service business with lots of attention to details. Some of the other steel bands have stepped up and upgraded their websites, but what is needed is a complete makeover. Some players are just too stiff with clients; they act like they are doing the client a huge favour. They remind me of some immigration officials. Do you ever experience a stiff attitude when you are passing through immigration in most Caribbean Islands? It is almost like their face will crack if they attempt to smile; and a bone will break in their throat if they say please or thank you, so they use hand gestures to call you over and a sour expression to move you on. Why? Where does that intensity come from? What type of anti-virus will it take to neutralise it and make these people happy again? Do musicians have a similar inherent problem, or is it just a small percentage of players who need to wake up and enter 2013?
Replies
As a person that utilizes the services of many professional solo steel pan players I think I can offer some very basic professional advice; The key word here is "professional", someone who produces income from their skill set. You can be a "part-timer" professional or a full-time pro and yes, there is a difference. The difference is not only the income but the service attitude to back it up.
If you don't have people skills you had better get a day job because you are not meant to be a professional musician. The people that are giving you the opportunity to make income are your priority. I have met way too many so called pro pan players with such demanding and outrageous perceptions about their worth that it hampers their ability to achieve their goals.
Go solo, period. I know I'll get bashed from all the band guys but I have to be realistic. If your a good solo pan player with great backing tracks your whole world opens-up. You have your own identity and you are in control of your success. If you sing on top of this you will open it up more.
Be reasonable in your expectations in setting your rates and be open to anything and everything. This is the only way to gain character and wisdom, get out and play, play as often as you can. If not, you'll sit at home when you could have been out playing and making some money and gaining that valuable experience.
This is the basic stuff that every pro has to go through: People Skills, Solo Act, Reasonable Financial Expectation, Communication with the Client, Attention to all the Details to the Gig, Attire, Time Adherence, Stage Presence, No Drugs or Alcohol, Upbeat Personality, Willing to do Anything the Client Asks, Volume Awareness and Self-Promotion.
Being a pro is more than a full time job, it's a life, it's hard work. You either do it the right way or you lose.
Just my two cents.
By the way (selfless promotion), I am looking for some talented solo pan players to play at some new restaurants in the New Jersey area (Woodbridge, Paramus, Wayne, Tom's River), also Potomac Mills, Virginia and Tyngsborough, Ma.. If you know of anyone interested have them contact me.
Thanks King James, it was more than 2 cents, closer to a full dollar!
Im a Professional musician playing Tenor Pan, Percussion, Vocals and Flutes, and many other ethnically diverse instruments. In the 20 plus years that I have been performing in the Metro NY, NJ, Ct area, Globally in Italy, UK, Japan and now SE Asia and China I have some input on the discussion of " Gigs". Lets begin by agreeing many of the comments that Professionalism is key to success. How you speak with your prospective client to following thru with a lead to executing a contract, to performance and finally gig day. Whats changed since 20 years back?DJ's , Guys/Gals who play Pan as a source of income selling their souls short for $100. Please brothers and sisters of the Pan . Do not accept cheap pay for the artform you have spent a long time perfecting. There are industry standards and apparently those agents and Dj's outside the Pan community have no clue about Pan and its evolution. and they simply dismiss us and the music as Cruise ship mambo.
We must strive to elevate our artform to a level of respect worthy of good pay for good work.
Ive heard stories of DJ;s in metro NY and LI hiring NYC guys to play for 100 or 150.. We should all join forces and put these lads to pasture..Stand up and tell them No Thanks!! Years ago a Pannist playing a cocktail could earn 300-350 or more for an hour or so.. and why not? Why should a harpist or violinist command that pay and a pannist be relegated to the bottom of the heap?? Demand more on your gigs when clients call this is turn will send a clear message to the agents and Dj's we wont work for cheap..The client will value your your services when they have paid a fair share People will pay more for quality. So make sure your show is polished, rehearsed and seemless. Be open for requests and like working in Disney..or Fantasy Island.. Smiles Smiles Smiles..
Hi KJ,
You have just enhanced this discussion with a quality response. If I find anyone that is interested in this gig I will definitely have them contact you. Now, would you be able to provide your alternate contact to further discuss the specific details and allow players to do their due diligence? No pressure, just asking.
Mike
Interesting topic that will have variations according to country and culture of same. Down here in TNT it is mainly from a lack of professionalism.
I am a regular gigger on pan and other percussion instruments. I have only had one experience where a customer was not satisfied with what we provided. Although we played quite well, and the person that hired us admitted that, they booked the wrong group for their event. Other than that, I have only had positive comments from the performances that myself and my group (Potts & Pans) has done.
I agree with Mike, too many people gigging simply don't care about the customer. I would also add that many people today just do not understand what customer service really means. In an age where it is difficult to talk to a human being on many "customer service" related issues, there is no wonder that some people do not understand how to treat and take care of a customer.
Even with customer service in my focus, I still do not do a lot of repeat business. Many of my gigs are private parties, or special occasions where the host is looking for a "caribbean" theme. Although I play mainly jazz tunes, I have not been able to escape that stereotype of the instrument. I have played a Bach Partita for a show and somebody came up to say it made them want an umbrella drink and to sit on the beach. This used to really bother me, and still does a little, but it is the actuality of performing in the Chicago area (and likely most of the US). Due to that mentality, people primarily book me for "caribbean" parties which is typically not a reoccurring event.
To sum up, many people do not know what customer service really is. The few that do understand that, can still be hired once and never again due to our instrument choice. I do everything I can to discourage the stereotype around the instrument, and have made some progress, but this does appear to be a never ending crusade. There will be some repeat gig out there, but just because somebody doesn't get many repeat customers does not necessarily mean that they are doing anything wrong.
This is a great discussion in the making. I do steelpan gigs in Canada and the US as a soloist on a double second and the clients/customers are expecting a great experience which builds a lasting relationship for their businesses, be it non-profit, corporate or otherwise.
With your permission I'll like to express just a couple of my thoughts.
1. A large part of what's missing is a basic and genuine care for the customers and
2. An education in customer service.
My summary for success:
I overcame the tendency to be like the average Caribbean business person by recognizing that the customer is really the boss and to please the boss for a future gig/payday, I had to ensure that I provided a great experience that the boss's client would like to have a repeat event with my "pan" services.
If I had not attended a major computer corporation sponsored training in customer services I would have thought that I was doing well. Finally, change can only be permanent when the wrong notions are displaced through proper education.
Thanks people.
PS: Submitted with no intentions of creating a controversy, peace and love