The concept behind The Touring Musician's Survival Guide is to educate younger, aspiring or existing musicians about the realities of a life on tour; What to expect, to watch out for, to maintain, to do, to learn...all with the aims of making you a more well rounded, equipped and employable musician in today's industry.
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Written by musicians for musicians from first hand experience, consider me your checklist, your first aid kit, your careers advisor and your life coach all rolled into one step-by-step musical manual.
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Welcome to The Touring Musician's Survival Guide!
The Touring Musician's
Survival Guide
eBook
£8.99
Paperback
£14.99
Is this book for me?
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Ever wonder how your favourite artist found their band?
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Do you want to put yourself in the best position to be selected for a tour?
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Interested in what a life on the road is really like...and how to make it financially sustainable?
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Do you struggle with poor mental or physical health due to the instabilities of music?
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Wanting to organize your own tour or secure support slots, but unsure where to start?
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Just graduated or starting your career?
Then, YES! This book can help YOU!
Download Free Chapter
"How do I get the gig?"
Find what Pro musical directors look for when selecting musicians for their artists and how to put yourself on their radar!
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Chapters
- Tour Management - Musical Gear - Rehearsal - Packing for Tour
- What to Expect - Transport - Downtime Efficiency - Daily Timings
- Money - The business: Do's & Dont's - Dealing with Stress & Negativity -Chain of Command
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Tour Management
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Musical Gear
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Rehearsal
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Packing for Tour
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What to Expect
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Transport: Sleeper v Splitter
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Downtime Efficiency
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Daily Timings
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Money
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The Business: Do's & Dont's
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Dealing with Stress & Negativity
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Chain of Command
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Diet
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Alcohol
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Sleep
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Fitness
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Mental Health: Anxiety / Depression / Burnout
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Tips to Alleviate Symptoms
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What is Networking?
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My Success Story
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Networking on Tour
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What is a Musical Director?
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What do they look for in employing musicians?
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Self Employment
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What are Expenses?
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Getting Paid
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Set your Business up the Correct Way
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How to get Support Slots
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Reduce your footprint
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Benefits of simple setups
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Merchandise & Promotion
Your questions answered truthfully and to the point.
Words of wisdom from the Professionals in their various fields.
Engineers, Artists, MD's, Session Players...
Customer Reviews
"This book was somewhat of a revelation!"
Dom Robson-Tull
University Music Graduate - Jan 2020
"You don't talk with irrelevance and everything you write strikes me as honest and real. Through reading your experiences (positive and negative) with music I feel so inspired to set goals and push myself to super proactive where time can be spared to achieve these. The advice you give to spare unneeded mistakes in the process is super helpful; especially with touring protection, insurance, taxation and sticking to the day sheets.
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I've gone through the book twice now but there's so much to unpick that I keep finding new stuff to work on. This really is a comprehensive guide to the touring industry and there were many things that caught me off-guard and also didn't know (after studying for 4 years no less!)."
Beauitfuly written self help book for budding muscians
The Travelling Bookworm - Feb 2020
Smashed it!
Aaron Lennon
Touring Lighting Director
"I'm no musician, but I do tour A LOT and much of the information in this book relates largely to all touring crew, not just musicians! It explains everything in Layman's terms, rather than jargon you would find in mainstream books and documents on the subject.
Anyone starting out in the industry or those already touring who want an insight into another touring pro's career - give this book a read!"
Made me feel so much more confident and knowledgeable!
Rafi - Jan 2020
Genuinely explained so much and made me feel more confident and knowledgeable about the touring lifestyle!
Customer Reviews
Leave A Review
"This book was somewhat of a revelation!"
Dom Robson-Tull
University Music Graduate - Jan 2020
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"I've gone through the book twice now but there's so much to unpick that I keep finding new stuff to work on. This really is a comprehensive guide to the touring industry and there were many things that caught me off-guard and also didn't know (after studying for 4 years no less!).
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For me, this is an essential read for every aspiring musician, artist, manager- or anyone looking to find out more about the touring industry and process. This guide covers lots of do’s & dont’s which Ross delivers in a fun and engaging format. Ever since I finished this book, I feel more connected to my musical goals and have a better insight of what is required to reach them. Could not recommend this book enough!"
Must have!
Cathal Hawk - Feb 2020
"This book is ideal for any aspiring musician, already traveling musician or even if you are just intrigued by a musicians life.
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As a travelling musician of 20+ years, I wish I could have read this before it all started. Some really great tips in here!"
Life Saver!
drumeverything - Feb 2020
"I was given this as a gift and didn’t know what to expect. Just went to read it more as entertainment than knowledge but man, this book earned itself back after the first third. Highly recommend, it’ll save your ass on tour."
Smashed it!
Aaron Lennon
Touring Lighting Director
"I'm no musician, but I do tour A LOT and much of the information in this book relates largely to all touring crew, not just musicians! It explains everything in Layman's terms, rather than jargon you would find in mainstream books and documents on the subject.
Anyone starting out in the industry or those already touring who want an insight into another touring pro's career - give this book a read!"
Made me feel so much more confident and knowledgeable!
Rafi - Jan 2020
Genuinely explained so much and made me feel more confident and knowledgeable about the touring lifestyle!
Beauitfuly written self help book for budding muscians
The Travelling Bookworm - Feb 2020
"I was extremely lucky to be asked to review another book over the weekend - The Touring Musician's Survival Guide by Ross Craib. The novel is a self help guide for a musician providing background into types of touring, habits and techniques to keep yourself on top and ways to promote yourself for further jobs. Although not my industry - the Burnout and Mental Health Guidance within the book is relevant to everyone, in any industry and i adored the conclusion of " to truly avoid burnout and for a healthier brain, it is important to step back"
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"I also like the theme throughout the book which is "dont be a princess" if you want the work you need to be flexible, go with the flow and friendly. I also really enjoyed learning that going on tour is a lot more complex then just booking venues and playing, the logistics behind is just wow! Overall the novel was beautifuly written self help book for budding musicians and was explained extremely clearly with notes from other well known musicians backing up the tips and tricks. If you are looking into this scene or have an interest, this book is for you!"