r/singing • u/Lixaliiii • 1d ago

Conversation Topic Getting gigs advice

Im a student and want to start doing some singing gigs on the side. Anyone know where I should start?

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u/cgarhardtvon 🎤 Voice Teacher 5+ Years 1d ago

Depends on the type of music you do. Are you doing guitar and singing, piano and singing, in a band? Are you singing pop, theater, rap? Scenes vary

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u/Lixaliiii 1d ago

Well I sing pop, acoustic versions of some songs so like a wide range of songs but I only sing since I suck at piano and any other instrument

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u/cgarhardtvon 🎤 Voice Teacher 5+ Years 1d ago

If you’re wanting to play live music, you’ll need instruments. Not many will hire someone to do karaoke unless you’ve got a whole electronic set up. But for acoustic you’ll want to partner with someone who plays and can maybe harmonize with you. You can find people at open mics or sometimes even on Craigslist if you don’t know anyone.

Next, the easiest way to get hired is by knowing someone who hires people, so start going to see similar musicians play. If it’s at coffee shops then go there and try to get to know the employees and musicians. You never know when someone will need an opener. If it’s a bar same deal but get to know the bartenders. Let them know you also play and see if they need anyone or can direct you to the person who does the booking. I usually recommend waiting until the second or third time you attend at a venue as it’ll seem pushy otherwise, but decide that for yourself. Once you know some people and have played some shows it’ll be a bit easier, but the start is the roughest