Hi, my first post so be gentle.

I'm looking into playing the violin at weddings, christenings corporate events etc and was wondering how I might get the show on the road so to speak.

I play the violin to a high standard (post grade eight), have much and vast experience of performing, have taught the violin for a number of years in the past. I've only just started back, having a number of years off (because of job, family etc). I have my own amp, pick-up and backing music so basically ready to perform. Trouble is, where do I start?

I would ultimately like to have a partner to accompany me (violinist/pianist/keyboard) but not sure where to find the right person.

Having registered with Bandmix and having no luck (mainly rock/jazz musicians etc) I'd like a little nudge in the right direction.

Anyone have any ideas?

Cheers

Alan

try posting on here you may get lucky :thumbsup:
http://www.sheffieldforum.co.uk/forumdisplay.php?f=101

Hi Alan, I am a wedding planner, there are people who do like this particular music. give me a shout if you want any contacts.

Also I have a 7 year old who is wanting to play, do you do private lessons?

i no some one who does wedding fares every one who goes gets lots of bookings from each show if ure intrested give me a pm and ill get u in touch

went to a family wedding last year - they had a lady playing the cello while the meal was taking place. Got talking to her, pointed out that she had missed a couple of tricks by
a - not having business cards & passing them round and
b - not having cd's for sale on the day

Why don't you go to a few wedding fairs as a visitor just to see what goes on?

I have done this with singing at weddings (let me know if you ever want a vocalist) to be honest I just got the word round and just started doing it. Set up meetings with couples, found out the popular songs so made sure they were in my repertoire. I never (And will never as I work full time) hit the appropriate level of income to set up a 'real' business so perhaps test the water with it first before you dive in.

Another route to go down would be to sign up to agency, there are plenty about but one of the top ones in terms of weddings at the moment is Rhythm of your Choice http://www.rhythmofyourchoice.co.uk/index2.html they will find the work for you and deal with everything from weddings to corporate events and small parties which could be a fantastic line of revenue for you (Accompanying dinner parties etc)

Many thanks, I've already e-mailed rhythm of your choice so fingers crossed.

Cheers

Alan

I know a pianist who may or may not be interested in this line of work
Gimme a prod if you want me to contact them to find out

PS - If our sax player/pianist had treated our wedding like her own gig and turned up with CDs for sale I'd have been not best pleased (though I wouldn't object to her having them in the boot of the car, or her having business cards about her person)

PS - If our sax player/pianist had treated our wedding like her own gig and turned up with CDs for sale I'd have been not best pleased

Even if you got a cut?

well lets go the whole hog and have the dress designer splatter her logos all over me, the photographer falling over his own sandwich board, the hotel providing somebody with a clipboard signing guests up for their Christmas package when the plates are being cleared away, and the DJ throwing in an ad for his availability between every record

don't be ridiculous

A wedding is about two people promising to spend the rest of their lives together, and providing a suitable method of accommodating the guests invited to witness this joyful event - it isn't a sodding wedding fayre

it isn't a sodding wedding fayre

But this is a business forum :smile:

I know a pianist who may or may not be interested in this line of work
Gimme a prod if you want me to contact them to find out

PS - If our sax player/pianist had treated our wedding like her own gig and turned up with CDs for sale I'd have been not best pleased (though I wouldn't object to her having them in the boot of the car, or her having business cards about her person)

Sounds good to me. A keyboard/pianist with violin does sound well so give that person a shout for me. :)

Cheers

Alan

But this is a business forum :smile:yes, so suggestions which are likely to annoy clients aren't helpful

I'll text the piano player's brother Tazbot :thumbsup:

Do you have any samples of your work available as downloads. There are plenty of studios that will be happy to help you create sound tracks that could be linked as mp3s.

I'm not familiar with many violin pieces of music so it would be good to hear what it sounds like.

Do you have any samples of your work available as downloads. There are plenty of studios that will be happy to help you create sound tracks that could be linked as mp3s.

I'm not familiar with many violin pieces of music so it would be good to hear what it sounds like.

Yes I do, I have already got some of my backing tracks as MP3s and I use a electric pick-up on my violin and send it through my amp-it all sounds really good. Can't wait to start playing at weddings etc :D

It seems that all kinds of places can be hosts to weddings these days and so having a violin is certainly more transportable than a church organ.

Im sure your amplifier doesnt take up much space either and all you need it to plug it into a mains socket.

Is your amp PAT tested which is a requirement for any social premises and do you have a web link to any of your mp3's?

It seems that all kinds of places can be hosts to weddings these days and so having a violin is certainly more transportable than a church organ.

Im sure your amplifier doesnt take up much space either and all you need it to plug it into a mains socket.

Is your amp PAT tested which is a requirement for any social premises and do you have a web link to any of your mp3's?

I do not have a web ling to any of my MP3s as yet. Having said that, I will be purchasing an 8 track Tascam Portastudio within the next couple of weeks. This little beauty will enable me to produce my own CDs and demo CDs. Business cards are nearly finalised and I have a great photographer ready at hand.

I have also got myself a couple of musicians who are ready to hit the road with me. With a list of wedding fares to target up and down the country and promoting myself with demo CDs and business cards I now feel more confident that work will come my way.

:D

As soon as I get some CD tracks done I will send you a link. The violin does sound rather nice in the right setting and my aim is to produce a sound that most will want/like.

and promoting myself with demo CDs and business cards

Steady now - its a wedding where 2 people get together, blah blah - not a wedding fayre :D



The violin does sound rather nice in the right setting

Thats what I was trying to point out with the lady playing the cello during the wedding breakfast :thumbsup: