How to Get Gigs as a Drummer
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Gigging is the end goal for many drummers. But when you’re starting out finding gigs can be difficult. Here are some strategies to help.
Learning to play drums is great fun and extremely rewarding. But at some stage we all want to play with other people and in front of other people.
Perhaps you’re aspiring to make a living from drumming, or just to have fun. Either way finding gigs is a key part of your journey.
So what types of gigs can you get as a drummer? How do you get gigs? How much should you get paid? And how do you keep gigs once you’ve got them?
In this article I take a look at common ways of tackling this to push your drumming as far as it can go. There’s a lot of variety in the paths drummers can take. Here we drew on our experience of gigging over many years, and also gathered the opinions of several experienced drummers.
I also recommend this book for any aspiring musicians looking to make a success of their music careers, particularly for those who want to know more about the how the music business works in general.
What types of gigs can drummers get?
There are several different types of gigs you can play as a drummer. Deciding which you want to aim for depends on your goals: are you trying to earn money, just have fun, or try to make it with your band? Here are a few common types of gigs you could aim for:
Playing around town with an ‘originals’ band
Playing your won music can be extremely fun and rewarding, but unfortunately often not financially unless you’re a major headline act or well established musician whose name brings in the crowds. But if your goal is to do what you love and have heaps of fun with good friends in the process, playing your own tunes is a great way to go.
Providing the entertainment in bars
Bar gigs usually involve playing covers. There are lots of things to consider to make this successful, such as establishing your niche and brand, and creating marketing material amongst other things. But often a key aspect is actually speaking to bar managers and making a case that by booking your band they’ll make a good return by bringing more people in.
Playing functions: weddings, parties cruise ships etc.
Playing functions is usually one of the more lucrative avenues for most drummers. Taking this route means being professional and tight, and often means learning to work with technology such as click tracks or backing tracks. It usually means having a well organised band with reliable musicians and being very committed to gigging as you’ll be playing at weekends during the summer.
Playing with established acts
Of course you don’t need to wait for your own band to make it, you can try to become the trusted drummer of an established act. This usually requires knowing the right people, making a name for yourself, attending (and probably at first not being successful at) auditions, and of course a good amount of skill, technique and industry know-how.
Pit bands at musical shows
West end or broadway shows (or more local equivalents) needs musicians. These can be fun gigs and will usually need you to be able to commit to rehearsals, be professional and be able to read music. Often these gigs will extend well beyond the drum kit into a range of percussion instruments.
How to get drumming gigs
Get to Know Other Musicians
Being a successful musician means building strong relationships with other musicians. Treating fellow musicians, venue staff, and fans with respect can open doors to numerous opportunities, and doing the opposite can certainly close doors.
In order to get to know the musicians in the first place you need to find like-minded people. Reach out on social media groups, search for try-outs on notice boards, and head to jam sessions. You’ll soon get to know people start building a network.
2. Head to Jam Sessions
Jam sessions are a great way to meet like-minded musicians and show what you can do. These informal gatherings are also great for honing your skills. You can usually find jam sessions advertised on social media and eventually by word of mouth once you get to know your local scene. Typically a jam will focus on a certain genre of music, so seek out sessions where you think you’ll fit in well, find musicians who want to play the same music as you, and most importantly, have fun.
I have two pieces of advice if you’re going to jam sessions:
Be friendly: talk to people and try to build relationships. It’s not all about appearing cool and aloof if you want to get to know people.
Show what you can do by playing sympathetically. Don’t overplay or drown out the other musicians. Show that you can be the backbone of a band with moments of flair when the time is right.
3. Try Out at Auditions
Attend auditions not just for the chance to perform, but also to meet other musicians and industry professionals. You can find audition listings online on notice boards and social media groups as well as at local rehearsal studios where bands advertise for new members.
Don’t worry if you don’t get gigs straight away from auditions: Doing the audition is a great learning experience in itself and most drummers, even your favourite pros, will have been turned down for gigs before they get their chance.
4. Start Your Own Band and Take it On the Road
Starting your own band is a nearly guaranteed way of being able to make music, and finding gigs isn’t difficult if you look in the right places: Speak to local bars and promoters and establish a local network of people who will book you. They can help you get your first gigs and build a following. It helps to have a demo or videos of you playing to give the promoter confidence about you.
If you’re an originals band these may be support slots at first, and you might not get paid much. But if you’re in it for fun and to build something over time this is a great experience.
A covers band can bring in people to a bar, so a bar manager may be happy to book you if you have a good niche and can prove you can play by showing a demo.
5. Build a Social Media Presence
In today’s digital age, having a robust social media presence is crucial. Regularly post updates, share your music, and engage with your audience to grow your fan base.
6. Word of Mouth
Encourage your fans to spread the word about your music. Personal recommendations are incredibly powerful in building a loyal audience. Over time when bar managers and promoters know you’re a gigging band and are reliable and quality, they may reach out to you requesting your services.
7. Sign up to an agency
If you have a band that’s ready to go and you have recordings or videos of you playing, signing up to an agency can be a good way to get gigs that otherwise you wouldn’t be able to access.
How to Keep the Gigs and Boost Your Profile
Once you’ve got the gigs, you want to keep them, or grow into bigger and better gigs. Here are some tips to stay on top:
1. Be professional
It’s important to always conduct yourself professionally. Show up on time, be courteous, and respect the commitments you make. No bar manager or band mates will put up for long with consistently being late, no-shows, forgetting equipment and so on.
2. Be everywhere
Increase your visibility by attending industry events, gigs, and jam sessions. The more people see you, the more likely they are to remember you.
3. Be prepared
Always be ready for unexpected opportunities. Keep your instruments in top condition, have a good set of equipment that can save a gig when things go wrong, and have a setlist ready that you’re confident with for impromptu performances or last-minute call ups.
4. Stay on Top of Your Chops
Regular practice is essential. Keep improving your skills to ensure you’re always at your best for performances and recordings. Take stock of the psychology of practice routines, to give yourself the best chance of improving. Even if you only practice your rudiments this will help your hands to stay loose and your beats to stay tight.
5. Be good value for money
Ultimately you need to be good value for money to bar managers, promoters, band leaders or whoever is hiring you. You need to look after yourself, so charge a price that you would be happy to play for. But ultimately for a bar you need to bring in enough people to make it worth paying you for. So be sensible about your while being fair to yourself.
If you’re a session drummer it’s slightly different as people will pay for your partiuclar skills. But remember there’s still a competitive environment. Don’t price yourself out of work, and don’t undersell yourself either. Research the local market to see what others are charging, and figure out a fair price for your services.
How Much Money Do Drummers Make at a Gig?
Understanding the financial aspect of gigs is crucial for any musician. For drummers, the earnings can vary widely based on factors such as location, the type of gig, and their level of experience. On average, drummers can expect to make between $50 to $300 per gig for playing at bars and functions.
High-profile events or well-established bands can offer more, sometimes ranging from $500 to $1000 or more per performance. For example wedding bands charge a little more and the drummer will take a cut of that.
How much you can charge as a session drummer depends on your profile and skills, and the profile of the work and size of the project you’re playing on.
Conclusion
Building a successful music career requires a combination of talent, hard work, networking and business sense. By getting to know other musicians, starting your own band, and maintaining a professional attitude, you can significantly enhance your chances of making it in the industry. Remember to stay visible, prepared, and always keep improving your skills. With dedication and perseverance, you can make a living as a drummer, although it’s not always easy or as glamorous as some make it look! But as the saying goes, if you do what you love for a living you’ll never work a day in your life.
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