::: MERCHANDISING

If you happen to make enough of a dent on your audience's ears when playing out, they might want something more than your recorded music to confirm their approval. T-Shirts and stickers are the obvious, practical choice, and, whilst it might be amusing to order 700 tin openers with your band's name emblazoned across the handle, your bank balance might not see the funny side of such gimmickry. Be aware that, when you set out your stall at a gig, the venue may ask for a percentage of any takings, too. Checklist

1. Make sure whoever mans the stall has the stamina for the job and is not afraid to sell - a friend, or better still, a trusted fan who will do it to get in free and appear part of the 'crew'. Since they may need to be there from 7pm-3am, insomniac friends are probably best of all.

2. Set up a separate merchandising bank account to keep track of your finances. Remember that your supplier will probably require a hefty percentage (25-50% isn't uncommon) upfront.

3. Ring the venues and check that you'll be to run the stall, and whether lights and a table will be provided.

4. Place yourself somewhere prominent - by the bar or next to the entrance or exit. Make sure you have an adequate supply of pins, tape and Blu-Tac for your display.

5. Make sure you know what time you are expected to shut up shop.

6. Start with a float of at least £50 in change. You can often get emergency change from the bar of the venue, but don't count on it. Get your coins in counted bags from the bank on the day of the gig.

7. Safeguard your money and stock, never leaving it unattended. Try to set up with a wall behind you and with a bouncer in close proximity. Avoid using a cashbox, as these can be nicked easily. A better option is a street trader-style apron, so you can sell your wares and fulfil your cock-er-nee barrow boy fantasies all at once.

8. Make sure all stock and prices are visible, as transactions are likely to be done with the deafening din of a live band to contend with.

9. Make sure you know how much stock you have to begin with, so it's easier to account for things at the end of the night. Budget for a certain amount of freebies, and try to stick to that quota.

::: ORGANISATIONS

ACCESS TO MUSIC
309 Central Park Ind Est, Petherton Rd, Hengrove, Bristol, tel: 0800 281 842
"Run for musicians by musicians", ATM run a selection of music-related courses from the state-of-the-art ATM Studios in Bristol. Free for 16-19 year olds and people on benefits, and heavily subsidized for everyone else, courses include a Vocal Artists Programme, a Contemporary Popular Music Programme, a Creating Music for Technology Programme for budding DJs and producers and a Music Facilitator Programme for people who want to teach.

CEED MULTIMEDIA CENTRE
97 -107 Wilder St, St Pauls, Bristol, tel: (0117) 942 9555
Various helpful courses available here, including radio production, video production and advanced music technology (sampling etc) with the added advantage of having all the equipment you need onsite.

CITY OF BRISTOL COLLEGE
College Green, Bristol, tel: (0117) 904 5000
Offers a full range of full- and part-time Music Technology courses from BTEC and OCN levels through to BA Hons. Not free but affordable and covering all bases.

GENERATOR NORTH EAST LTD
Black Swan Court, 69 Westgate Rd, Newcastle-upon-Tyne NE1 1SG, tel: 0191 245 009
Provide a wealth of support for all things musician-based. Current projects include Sound Scope, a series of free one-day workshops focusing on the crafting of music, and META, the nationwide music info resource. Which is why theyÕre here.

HUMPHREYS & CO
14 King St, Bristol, BS1 4EF, tel: (0117) 929 2662; fax: (0117) 929 2722
Solicitors here advise artists, publishers, writers, managers and record companies in the music and entertainment industries. "In the music business," they say, "our solicitors not only act for those who have already achieved success but we aim to help new acts and writers striving to break into the industry to establish themselves." Solicitors here are pro-active and can assist unsigned or unmanaged artists to secure recording and publishing deals and the right management.

KAYTO SOUND
Tel: 07813 183 465
A music-making and DJ tuition company working with young people throughout the south west. Kayto Sound also provides consultancy for organisations and regional councils on setting up and funding music projects. The workshops are mobile, run by young, qualified, police-checked tutors and make use of the latest technology in mobile recording, to allow workshops to take place within any venue or situation. Kayto Sound are able to work with novices, musicians, able or disabled young people to produce original material at end of every workshop: "We can provide either female or male DJ tutors and pride ourselves on providing exciting, informative and fun workshops." Kayto have worked for a number of organisations including North Somerset Youth Service, Guernsey Youth Service, South Gloucestershire Youth Service, Mencap, Connexions, Drugs Awareness, Filton College... to name but a few.

MECHANICAL COPYRIGHT PROTECTION SOCIETY (MCPS)
29-33 Berners St, London, W1T 3AB, tel: 020 7580 5544; fax: 020 7306 4455
Collects, on behalf of its members (songwriters, composers, music publishers), royalties due from the recording of their copyright musical works.

MOVE ON UP
Tel: 0781 677 1196
Offer three-day intensive residential courses designed to get you thinking realistically about your career.

MUSIC OPEN LEARNING PROGRAMME
Tel: (0117) 924 3494
Part of the new deal for musicians, created "to support those seriously considering careers in the music industry". Offers the opportunity to learn songwriting and composition, management and enterprise, performance and demos through showcases and workshops. First point of contact is your job centre advisor or call MOLP for more info.

MUSIC PUBLISHERS ASSOCIATION
3rd Floor Strandgate 20 York Buildings, London WC2N 6JU, tel: 020 7839 7779; fax: 020 7839 7776
The UK trade organisation that represents music publishers.

MUSICIANS UNION
199 Newport Road, Cardiff CF24 1AJ, tel: 02920 456585; fax: 02920 451980
If you earn a full-time living from music, or are considering such a move, membership of the MU is strongly recommended, especially if you're likely to appear on TV. The MU is committed to improving fees and conditions for all musicians, and spends a great deal of time chasing unpaid fees for bands. Among the services offered by the union are practical advice on royalties and copyright etc, as well as a free contract-vetting service, free public liability insurance up to £10m per member, and careers advice. For full details contact Bristol, Bath and South West officer Paul Westwell.

MWM CHARTERED ACCOUNTANTS & BUSINESS ADVISERS
6 Berkeley Crescent, Clifton, Bristol, tel: (0117) 929 2696
Headed by Craig Williams, who is the chairman of the Institute of Chartered Accountants Entertainment and Media Special Interest Group, and also a retained consultant to the national Musicians Union on International Tax relating to touring artists. An exhaustive array of specialist services includes tour accounting, business management, financial planning, contract negotiation, royalty audit, UK and international tax advice/planning, litigation support, plus the usual standard book-keeping, VAT, accounts preparation and company audits. Note that initial consultations are free of charge.

PERFORMING RIGHTS SOCIETY (PRS)
29-33 Berners St, London W1P 4AA, tel: 020 7580 5544; fax: 0207 306 4050
The Performing Right Society is the UK society that administers the performing right in the musical works of composers, songwriters and music publishers. It currently has around 38,000 members and, during 2002, distributable income to members - collected from the licensing of their works for UK public performance and broadcasting, and from international usage - totalled over £231million.

::: TUITION

J BLAKE
Guitar tuition
Bishopston, Bristol, tel: (0117) 914 8987
Pro musician, teaching all styles - jazz, blues, rock, classical etc, beginners to advanced.

BRISTOL CENTRE FOR VOICE
Tobacco Factory, Raleigh Rd, Southville, Bristol, tel: (0117) 963 0966
Singing tuition, all levels, all styles, beginner to pro. Also run full-time courses in musical theatre.

BRISTOL FIDDLES
Gill Newlyn, tel: (0117) 978 3877
You opt for individual tuition/workshops, or else attend the fortnightly beginner/advanced sessions at the Nova Scotia pub, Hotwells. Fiddles available on loan.

JOHN BRITTON
Kingsdown, Bristol, tel: (0117) 924 3287
Guitar and bass tuition, beginners to pro, styles include indie, blues, jazz, rock etc.

DAVE BUXTON
Bradley Stoke, Bristol, tel: (01454) 202347
Keyboard tuition - jazz, rock, gospel, soul, country, piano and keyboard.

DRUM BANK
203 Gloucester Rd, Bristol, tel: (0117) 975 5366
Offering drums, vocals, guitar and bass tuition. See Music Shops section.

DAVE EASTO
Bedminster, Bristol, tel: (0117) 963 4849
An experienced teacher of pro guitar, also bass.

EVERYMANS MUSIC
209 North St, Bedminster, Bristol, tel: (0117) 966 1445
See Music Shops section.

BEN HEWLETT
Tel: (0117) 908 3838
The only full-time harmonica teacher in the UK, Ben is the tutor of five national harp champions, and he lives near you. Private lessons, school teaching, Saturday courses and blues sessions for all instruments.

VALERIE HODGES
St Werburghs, Bristol, tel: (0117) 955 7509
Qualified and experienced full-time pro, teaching clarinet and saxophone, most styles, ages and stages. Exams with recognized boards offered, with low income discounts available.

CHRIS KIMBLE
Fishponds, Bristol, tel: (0117) 958 6811
Enjoy learning and playing with 'The Puffing Pres'. Saxophonist Chris specializes in jazz improv, reading and classical, but will teach whatever you're after.

JANA RUNNALLS
Tel: (01458) 831327
Jana is a singing teacher offering fast-track vocal tuition for both individuals and groups.

SAXAPHONE/FLUTE/CLARINET
Southville, Bristol, tel: (0117) 9636779
Tuition for all standards in classic and jazz, also prep for pop, etc. Piano/organ/keyboard lessons as well.

SOUNDS INTERNATIONAL
5 Monmouth Place, Bath, tel/fax: (01225) 319979
Runs piano, keyboard and harmonica, guitar (acoustic/classical/electric), bass guitar teaching schools. See Music Shops section.

SPANISH GUITAR CENTRE
103 Coldharbour Rd, Westbury Park, Bristol, tel: (0117) 942 0479
Provides tuition to all levels of ability. See Music Shops section.

VIOLIN TUITION
Tel: (0117) 942 2136
Experienced teacher: BA, PGCE.

WWW.ACOUSTICGUITARWORKSHOP.COM
A Bristol-based online service providing courses in the art of finger-style blues. Worth noting the free resources on offer: MP3s, newsletters and call links.

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