Playing for Free

So here's the eternal question, do you play for free to get seen? Of course you do. But where's the line drawn?

I often wondered how one gets connected to other artists when you're new to an area. Of course there's the obligatory coffeehouse scene, open mics and anything where musicians gather. You play them all hoping you're going to connect with other musicians but also get seen enough to get gigs.

But I think it's more than that. I think you also have to choose your venues and play no matter what the pay is. Of course I'm not saying you need to play every mall opening and bar mitzvah. But it's a good idea to get out there in your new world and play for anybody.

Much like songwriting and sharing, playing for free has a lot of merits. It's a way to introduce yourself to others and hopefully connect enough to get a future gig.

I'm playing a fundraiser in Toronto on Saturday and it's virtually my first kick at the can in that city. I've playing little gigs where I've shared the stage with others, but this is my first solo gig where I get to play for an hour. It's an opportunity to be heard. Not just by other artists but by a potential future audience members that could come to my gigs should I play anywhere else in that area.

I like the lack of pressure in these kinds of gigs. You don't have to be the best, you just do your thing and hope folks like it.

I've had conversations with other artists about this very thing and there are several opinions about the merit of it. I personally choose my gigs and don't often play in ones I don't feel comfortable in. Legion jams scare me and I stay away. It's not my comfort zone.

I guess that's what this is all about, the comfort zone. Play where people celebrate you and you'll always feel rewarded whether you get paid or not.