I’m going to join on Monday. I’m a singer and am interested in doing commercial jingles or anything really that will pay me for my voice.
Do any of you dopers have any experience with the Union and getting jobs like that? I have no idea how it works and was just wondering if anyone could give me any advice. Thanks.
I was at one time. Basically when someone needs a musician to work and they don’t know where to find you they can contact the local union who will give them your name. It also ensures that you get paid a set wage. Also, you get special prices to work with other musicians. It is ok, but I didn’t get too much work out of it as a classical guitarist and composer. I didn’t pursue it much either and have since let my membership lapse. If I ever decided to get back out there and perform again I would likely rejoin the union.
PS. Most ads only use guilded musicians for either TV or radio. If you are gigging on your own, you likely won’t need to join the guild. (In other words, if you play in a band you don’t need to join since you are basically contracting yourself out rather than having them do some of the legwork for you.) Also, if you have an agent who can get you work, you will work more often than if you simply have a guild membership.
I do have a band with my SO who is also a union member and we do gigs on our own. We would like to meet other musicians in our area and I think this would be a good way to do that as well as finding professional paying gigs for TV or radio.
How do you get an agent?
Los Angeles, Local 47. Viola.
It’s complete bunk. You’re in for a big disappointment if you think joining the Union will somehow help your music career.
If you’re a good musician and if you get a good gig based on your talent, you may be required to join because your employer has a union contract.
It’s not a ticket to fame and success, that’s for sure. Best rely on your skill and, to be perfectly honest, who you know.
Fortunately, Musician’s Union dues are very affordable, so you don’t really have anything to lose.
Is it a way to meet other (Pro) musicians though?
I thought that people in the “industry” that are looking for good musicians and singers would go through the union to find them. Is that not true?
I suppose I can’t really speak with authority about anything other than classical music, but in that world contractors do not flip through the union directory just looking for random people to play for them.
Either you already know good players or you don’t, and the Union is not where people go to find them.
Thanks for posting this, dreamer. I’ve been trying to decide for a long time whether or not to join the union. I am a solo piano player and composer, and based on what I’ve heard from Jpeg Jones and dorkus I’m probably better off not doing it.
Really the only other reason I would have to join would be because I would love to play in the pit for a musical, and you have to be a part of the union in order to join the theatre division. The only thing is though, when I look at the listings for what they need for a show, it’s usually not keyboards. And besides, I live in NYC, so what the hell do they need me for?
So it sounds like my (and possibly your) best bet would be to stay on my own and promote my CD myself. You may want to consider joining TAXI or Tonos though… I am a TAXI member and the “industry professionals” go through them to find musicians (at least that’s what they tell us, 
)
Hey DooWahDiddy (love the name!). What is Tonos? I was considering joining TAXI too but it sort of seems like a scam. How long have you been a member and have you gotten anything out of it?
I’ve been a member for about nine months now… I wouldn’t call it a scam; it’s just like having an agent: if you’re not talented you’re not going to get work anyway. TAXI is just a way of getting your music into the hands of the ever-elusive “right people”.
As for my personal experience, I have a drawer full of forwarded submissions (which means they surpassed the TAXI critiquers’ standards) but I have had no offers from the actual company that was looking for the music.
It’s something to look into, but definitely make sure you are at a place in your life where you can honestly say you have talent and believe you can make it in the business. Otherwise it’s just a waste of time and money. Check out www.taxi.com and www.tonos.com.