An Inside Look At Living Like A Rock Star

What Way to The Top Is About• step-by-step look at the process for

becoming a successful musician.• Utilizes both concepts from

professional musicians, and practical examples to help convey advice.

• Provides real-world advice pertaining to the music industry, and the requirements people in the business look for.

What Way to the Top CoversWay to the Top covers a variety of issues for individuals concerned with becoming successful musicians such as: • Finding a place to start

and the attitude to have.

• Making your way from the small time to the big time.

• What qualities best suit you in the music business.

• How to know when you’ve made it and the way to keep yourself there

Why The Guide

Can HelpWay to the top encompasses real world advice and tips that can help to steer you in the best direction possible in an industry that is so hard to break into. It helps to show you what you need to set you apart from the vast sea of hopefuls who just don’t have what it takes, and shoot in the direction of success. Furthermore, It gives you not only direction, but advice for your look, attitude and sound, that will help to get you noticed.

Approximate Success Rates Of Aspiring

Musicians

Hopeful Rocker

Successful Rock-Star

Starting Out Small

Finding Your Sound

Playing Your First Show

• It is important to find your sound before anything. You need to know what you want to play to play it well.• Be ready for harsh criticism, and don’t take it to seriously. Music is completely subjective, and what one person may think could be the exact opposite of someone else. • Know where you want to go with your music. If it’s playing for ten, or 10,000, knowing what it is you want to accomplish is a huge part being successful.

• As far as playing your first few shows is concerned, be willing to play anything. • Try to make a good impression on everyone. You never want to make enemies that could come back to haunt you.• Make as much noise as possible. If you want to make it big, people need to remember you so they can tell other people, so playing as much as you can and trying to memorable will always be beneficial.

Building Momentum

Posters Internet Concerts Radio

Approximate Representation of the Probability of Success for

Different Means of Advertising

Probability for

Success

Means of Advertising

0%

25%

50%

75%

100%

After you have built a small fan-base and have some credibility, it’s time to take things to the next level.

• Start looking for more opportunities for exposure. Things like record label showcases and “mobfests” are normally easy way to meet people in the music business and getting a making deals.• Be ready to sell yourself. Record

• Work a little more on your imagine, people would remember you by now and it’s important to emphasis these memorable qualities.

Industry representatives want to know that you are not only popular and talented, but that you are dependable, loyal and ready to give your best effort.•Give some thought to making posters, websites or touring, to get your sound more readily available to those outside of your original sound radius.

What It Takes To Make It• Devotion:

– You need to be willing to devote all of your time to yourcraft as to develop the best possible sound and image to sellto those you want to be heard by. Obviously, you have to practice enough to be talented or people will not respect whatyou do, so put enough effort in to be taken seriously.

• Time and Patience:– You must understand things will not all happen at onceand that it will take time to reach your end goal. Of course what you wish to achieve may not entirely happen, but by puttingin the time to make a serious attempt, you will undoubtedly makeit at least to a level that resembles what it is you had originallyintended.

• Aggression:– You need to be willing to put yourself on the line and to havethe presence and edge to be respected. You need a backbone tostand up, otherwise people will walk all over you.

Knowing When You’re A Rock Star

There are different levels of rock star. These can vary from hometown musical heroes, to world wide acclaimed superstars. The important thing is recognizing when you have succeeded and how you should act in order to maintain your status.• Never think you are too good for anyone, you’ll only find that you’ll soon not be good enough.• Always take the time to thank those who show their appreciation and respect for the work you produce.• Take the time to show your respect for the little guy, you’ll always be remembered for that.• Never forget what city you’re in when you stand in front of 10,000 people ready to shout, “Let me hear you, (place city name here)!”• Stay true to what it is you were when you started, and be ready to evolve in a way that people will still respect you for later.

By keeping these, and a few other rules you may learn along the way, in mind, you’ll be out and rocking in no time!

Image References:• http://xd3.xanga.com/1b1c12f604d30151128409/z112644809.jpg• http://www.gerryg areau.com/Live%20a%20Granby.JPG• http://www.aeroforceone.com/af1/CMS/st_2862_paris.jpg• http://www.rablog.ca/wp-images/kristal_blog_008.jpg• http://images.google.ca/imgres?imgurl=http://www.telegraph.co.uk/connected/graphics/2008/05/10/dlweb110.jpg• http://www.dennisflood.com/photos/gallery/madison/large/state-street-posters-3473.jpg• http://viewmorepics.myspace.com/index.cfm?fuseaction=viewImage&friendID=21087482&albumID=1309254&imageID=11568034• http://users.viawest.net/~keirsey/bono.jpg• http://lh5.ggpht.com/_MKdZFnruGvU/R5WCsy4E0uI/AAAAAAAADso/fH5Hq98N_5g/IMG_7540.JPG• http://www.vnn.vn/dataimages/original/images144638_Stratocaster_StevieRayVaughan.jpg• http://www.geocities.com/SiliconValley/2966/kc89pic.jpg• http://images.google.ca/imgres?imgurl=http://www.john-mayer-tickets.com/john_mayer1.jpg• http://image.guardian.co.uk/sys-images/Guardian/Pix/arts/2007/04/19/stones460.jpg• http://www.concert-pictures.com/rock/avenged-sevenfold/2006/M-Shadows-a7x-02.jpg• http://www.blavish.com/wp-content/uploads/2006/04/Elvis%20Presley.jpg

Works Cited:Hess, Tom. How to Become a Professional Guitarist and Musician: Facts and Myths. 2006. 12 October. 2008 <http://www.ultimate_guitar.com/columns/general_music/how_to_become_a_professional_guitarist__musician_facts_and_myths.html>