Article

Mel Bay's Guitar Sessions© / Cover Story

April 2004

Guitar Workshops- Voices of Experience (excerpt)

by Stephen Rekas

Richard Gilewitz

Currently, I have sponsorships or endorsement agreements with D'Addario strings and Planet Wave products, Audio-Technica, and Breedlove guitars. Every company operates differently and availability of swag or giveaway merchandise constantly fluctuates, but generally there are promotional items of sorts involved in the seminars. I intersperse the giveaways with lessons on technique, insights on the instruments I'm playing, humor, and performances of several tunes. I also take questions from the audience as a means of finding ways to address their specific needs.

I don't know how a given company may work with another artist, but it seems as if some sort of balance is achieved wherein the dealers, artists, and manufactures all contribute to a workshop in some fashion. Every situation may be different depending on whether the event is held on-site, at a separate location from the dealership, or at a big box store [like Guitar Center or Sam Ash]. There is no set formula as manufacturers often interact with music dealers with their own agendas.

If people are interested in attending one of my workshops, they generally go to my website www.richardgilewitz.com; at the bottom of my home page they'll find an opportunity to sign up to get on the mailing list. This way, they can obtain updated tour schedules, info and news of product releases.

Not to be vague, but earnings from workshops vary widely depending on tour schedules. I never know in advance if I will wind up doing a greater number of concerts or more seminars at a certain time of year. For me, it feels good to maintain a healthy balance between concerts and seminars. If I am doing more of one than the other, I try to re-balance the schedule. I like to teach, but it's also fun to simply let it rip for a night!

The net income is usually not zero; I simply couldn't handle a tour like that! I usually have a general concept of the profit an entire tour may net before I even get my plane ticket. I never know exactly what product sales will bring or when I may pick up an extra student or two on the road in my spare time. Oftentimes players who attend a clinic may want to engage me for a private lesson or group lesson before I leave town.

Just be prepared, and always be ready to adapt. You never know what type of setting will be presented to you, sound systems, room qualities, etc. Although a contract rider may be initially requested, sometimes a store may not carry what you need. It is always important to know your equipment and be able to adapt. You can also help the dealers prepare by offering them a tip list to encourage them to follow through based on past success stories.

In terms of cost cutting, book tight tours (but not too tight); Consider flying in a day early to avoid airport stress, check ahead of time for good hotel rates, and avoid high prices on cars, hotels, fancy restaurants, etc. It's not just a party. Such expenses can really add up, but treat yourself reasonably well, get your rest, exercise, and eat right. Your health is not only crucial to presenting a good show but helps with your frame of mind when dealing with people professionally, not to mention general road safety.

I have always felt a responsibility to my sponsors, promoters, music dealers and audiences. If you show them respect, you will get respect and this is one of the many keys to longevity in this industry. Not too many negatives come to mind other than my own critique of my performance in thinking I could have done this or that better. For the most part, workshop experiences are very positive for everyone involved. Workshops are good for the community, store sales, manufacturer exposure, and the sharing of music and education.

Sometimes there are hilarious moments. During one of my first clinics I had my eyes closed during my first tune, performed while seated on a swivel stool. At the end of the tune, I couldn't figure out why the applause was coming from behind me. Apparently during the song the stool rotated completely backwards and I played the second half of the tune to the wall behind me! (I still wonder if the audience thought I meant to do that...I didn't).

I hope to see you on the road,
Richard Gilewitz