The music industry is one giant community. Take away the corporate jungle, and you get a group of artists who enjoy making music and love to share it. Collaborating with other artists is a great way for both of you to tap into each other’s fan bases and learn about other musical styles.
1. Remixes
While admittedly there are some terrible remixes out there, it’s another way of getting your song heard in a different atmosphere. Team up with an electronic musician and see what comes out of it. Your song may end up funkier and maybe unrecognizable but people will be hearing it at clubs and parties, and as long as your name or band is listed as the original recording artist you’re set.
Sending your music to another artist to remix is another possibility. Perhaps they have an idea for your sound that you’d never thought of. The possible outcome of a better track is a great reason to share your music. Hopefully the artist knows what they’re doing.
2. Jam Sessions
Getting together for a good old jam session can be an energizing experience that will bring life back into your music and inspire new sound and progressive songwriting. Make new songs together or rework old ones to develop a new sound for them. You’ll likely learn a thing or two from each other, another building block to becoming a well rounded musician.
3. Music Festivals or Live Events
Live events offer a great stage for you and another band to jam or play songs together. While rehearsal is recommended, an encore provides good space for spontaneous collaboration. If you know each other’s songs this will be a lot easier and sound better.
Music festivals are great places to come across other musicians and bands you’d be interested in working with in the future. Make a lot of friends and be open to new ideas. Consider partnering with another band if you’re a solo artist for a music festival, to be able to player a fuller, more complex sound.
4. Charity Events
While this also falls under live events, many great artists have collaborated for charity events and benefits like Live 8. Not only is your partnership helping raise money for a great cause, but it leaves artists who value the same things open to working with each other.
5. Cover Songs
By sharing music with other artists and producing good covers of their songs you’re both paying homage and reaching out to a wider fan base. If another band produces a cover of one of your songs and it becomes a hit—you’ll find that fans will start searching out the original or recognizing that song as yours.
Collaborating and partnering with other bands helps not only strengthen your musical chops by giving you opportunities to learn new techniques, sounds and songs, but it’s also great for your creative process. Always be open to new ideas, styles and genres and your music will feel timeless and progressive.
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