News

Don't give up your day job! - I am dismayed by young guitar students who become dazzled by the apparent "glamour" of being a muso and seem to think that they can abandon their school work to become instant professional musicians. Think again. It is generally reckoned that 75% of Musicians' Union members are part time musos who also have a regular day job. Have you any idea how difficult it is to persuade people to pay good money just to hear you play? Those that do succeed in their chosen profession often have additional relevant skills e.g. business and/or technical expertise. Be a winner. Get your home work done first and then enjoy your music. Take full advantage of all the musical opportunities your school has to offer e.g. guitar lessons and choir singing. Embrace the full and diverse broad-based education that is offered to you. Then, when you are an adult, you will be equipped, without limits, to take advantage of all employment opportunities. "Being a professional musician doesn't mean you spend 12 hours a day playing music. It means you spend up to 12 hours a day taking care of business, dealing with litigation, with the various characters who've stolen your interests, or fending off hostile lawsuits from former members of the band. I recommend my students not to be professional unless they really have to be. I tell them, 'If you love music, sell Hoovers or be a plumber. Do something useful with your life.'" - Robert Fripp guitarist of King Crimson in The Daily Telegraph newspaper 8 December 2005. Interview with drummer Charlie Watts: "Tell us what it's like Charlie to be gigging for thirty years with the Rolling Stones." "Five years on stage and twenty-five years waiting around in an airport lounge!" ;)

Musicians' Union - 60/62 Clapham Road, London SW9 0JJ Tel: 020 7582 5566. Everyone who plays an instrument knows that it can be a source of tremendous enjoyment. But if you have ambitions to make all or part of your living from any kind of music then it can become a serious business. You will need the help of the only organisation that cares about every kind of musician. The Musicians' Union was founded in 1893 and has a proud history of service to musicians of all genres, ages and abilities. The music profession and the music industry have seen constant evolution and change over the years. The Musicians' Union has evolved and changed with them, with one aim in view - to offer musicians a better service and a democratic organisation dedicated to their needs. They have specialist full time officials available to tackle the issues raised by musicians working in the recording studio, the media, or whilst writing and composing. Help them to help you. Join, get involved and make a difference right now! The Musicians' Union is the largest organisation for musicians in the UK and their services can save you more than the cost of membership. Find out what the MU stands for and what it can do for you. Essential advice regarding; contracts, managers, tax, public liability insurance, representation, working abroad. I joined the MU when I left college at the age of seventeen. I believe it is important that I should be part of a community of musicians. Whatever your musical activities there's a place for you in the MU. I am proud to be a member of the Musicians' Union. Web Site

Gear - The UK's #1 free musicians magazine containing useful tips, information and competitions to win free instruments and equipment. Available from music shops, or request your copy by e-mail: gear@jhs.co.uk or Subscriptions (free): Marlene O'Grady, Gear, Salem House, Parkinson Approach, Garforth, Leeds, LS25 2HR Telephone 0113 2865 381.

Sound Control - Free Sound Control Magazine for music gear news reviews interviews competitions. Interesting articles well illustrated with colour photographs. Request your copy by e-mail: direct@soundcontrol.co.uk or from 61 Jamaica St. Glasgow G1 4NN. Freephone 0800 525260. Web Site

The Guitar Handbook by Ralph Denyer, Publisher: Pan Books, ISBN: 0 330 32750 X Second Edition: 1992, Price: £17. Number one reference book for guitarists of all levels for many years. The complete guide to playing the guitar - from simple chords to advanced improvisation. The Guitar Handbook is also a comprehensive manual on guitar special effects, recording and sound equipment. It examines every aspect of guitar maintenace and repair. "I bought it as a present for my husband, it's brilliant." Thank you Claire. Unfortunately this book is out of print but may still be available from local libraries.

Reverse stress by playing a musical instrument. A groundbreaking study published in the February 2005 issue of the international research journal Medical Science Monitor shows for the first time that playing a musical instrument can reverse multiple components of the human stress response on the genomic level. "In simple terms, using a unique combination of the latest genomic technologies, we showed for the very first time that we could turn off the DNA-based switches that literally turn on components of human stress response," said Muhammad A. Sharaf, Ph.D., Senior Staff Scientist at Applied Biosystems. The study's principal investigator, Barry Bittman, M.D. of the Mind-Body Wellness Center in Meadville, PA, USA, says; "These unique findings not only shed new light on the value of active music participation, but also extend our understanding of individualised human biological stress responses on an unprecedented level. One possible explanation relates to the degree of active engagement in a calming expressive activity in contrast to merely settling down to relax and read. With ongoing research, recreational music making could potentially serve as a rational stress reduction activity along with other lifestyle strategies that include healthy nutrition and exercise."