More Something From Nothing Ideas

With the economy so tight at the moment, and so many musicians I know sitting idle while their favorite instrument is in the pawnshop, it's nice to know that there are still a few things you can do, musically to keep going. Here are a few ideas to while away that time until you get your favorite writing partner out of prison and your career back on track.

GO SHOPPING

This may seem like a silly thing to do when you are broke, but the people at the music store don't know that. If you can afford some bus fare or gas for your car, and don't have a garage sale planned to earn some extra cash, head to the music stores. You can easily get some practice in at least doing a few scales on the new keyboard or guitar or whatever you've had your eye on, anyway. Make this a chance to cheer yourself up and at least get an instrument under your fingers for a few minutes. Don't be a hog, or inconsiderate, though, and watch things like your volume and how long you are sitting there one just one instrument. Try several, and get an idea of what models other than your own are like, because this can help you in lots of other ways, as well.

WHAT ARE FRIENDS FOR?

I don't know about you, but most of the guitarists I know have more than one axe. The same goes for keyboardists and many other musicians. This is really important, in case a string breaks or a memory goes out or something during a show, or, in many cases, the instrument just plain has a different sound. Chances are, if you are in a band, there is someone else who can lend you an instrument for a bit. In the first real band I was in, I didn't have an instrument they deemed good enough, anyway, so I was given one to practice on and play with at gigs. Ask around your friends, too-chances are they have one just sitting around that may be totally cruddy to them that you can at least work on your riffs with until you get your instrument back. The important thing is just keeping your chops up-sound quality can always come later. This is also a time to see if you can get some work in at a local studio or school that could use someone to give lessons, or just putter around the studio in exchange for a few hours of play (and maybe recording!) on their instruments. Your local church, or a neighbor might also have an instrument you can putter around on, especially if you are there to practice to play for sermons or an upcoming party. It's amazing the places you can find a piano or a set of drums-maybe your local bar will let you play theirs if you agree to play in their house band some nights-it doesn't hurt to ask.

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