Help!Bars, clubs and JOBS in europe

[rumpleteazer]

Hi people,
I need help. I am planning to go to Germany (or UK) and live there for some years. I will be actually a PhD student there (either in Germany or UK). The problem is here: We want to go there with my boyfriend who plays guitar and now currenty studies jazz guitar at university. However we need to make our decision very well because It is easy for me to find a place in scientific field either in Germany or in UK but for him, he wants to earn money by joining a band and playin in bars or pubs. (I mean he needs to do something while I am doing PhD). We want to learn if it can possible for him. Because, We were told that now not in many places people have live music, its generally dance clubs, DJs etc... If you have some useful info or advice to tell us, it would be very helpful and we will appreciate that. Do you know how possible to find such jobs, or bands in Germany, (for someone who is quite good at playing guitar, and who is experienced quite a lot at being on stage)? Do people frequently go to jazz bars, clubs there? Also what about UK? etc etc....

Thank you in advance...
Duygu

[rebetiko blues]

dear rumpleteaser
maybe i'm not exactly the right person to help you on this since i don't live in either of the countries you are about to go.
but having visited berlin for 2 weeks last year ,i think there is a huge market and places that play live music of any kind in the german capital and probably a little searching is enough for your boyfriend to find something.
try to find places in berlin through the web-it's rather easy.
good luck in your search and have a nice time in good(?) old(definitely) europe.

[Andy Williamson]

Hi Duygu/Rumpleteazer

I'll try and shed some light. I've been a UK-based musician, working semi-professionally as a saxophonist and running a band in London since leaving college in 1989.

The towns I know well in the UK are Oxford, Bristol and London. There are lots of small places to play in all of these, though they tend not to be particularly lucrative, and making enough money to live on doing this is hard work. I have two friends - both guitarists - who moved to the UK a few years ago, and have managed to keep themselves going. One was from Australia, and one from Argentina. I know both of them found it very hard work at first. They are both extremely good too. There's a reasonably good number of private engagements available - at weddings and other 'functions' (as they tend to be called there). There are lots of entertainment agencies, bands and bandleaders (like me who book musicians for these events. Most important things are to be versatile, have a good ear, good sightreading of lead sheets, and to be good company!

The licensing laws in the UK (which govern bars and restaurants) have created a tradition of providing duos as live entertainment. A guitar player and singer or horn player can be good for these. The reason for this is that no special 'Live Performance' licence has been required for up to 2 performers. There's a new (very controversial) law going through at the moment which technically changes this - and not for the better unfortunately. I don't know how that's going to affect things. I'm new to these boards - that may have been discussed in depth here before as it's been a hot topic for musicians for a long time.

Teaching is another possible way to earn money, both privately, and in schools. Let them know you're around, or advertise in local newspapers and music shops.

I've spent a while living in France, and travelling in Germany. It seems like the scene there is similar. If anything, musicians are treated a little better. To work regularly - especially if your friend wants to teach - you'll need to speak the local language reasonably well.

I've written enough! If you have other questions fire away, and I'll try and help. Where are you based right now?

Regards

Andy