AUTHOR

ABOUT SONATA PUBLISHING I founded Sonata Publishing in 1994 to provide missing educational materials about the music business. Over the years I discovered that the answers to many of the questions my students had were not in print. So I surveyed what people wanted to know and wrote my first book, “HOW TO MAKE A LIVING AS A MUSICIAN -- So You Never Have To Have A Day Job Again!” 272 pages (index/bibliography), $29.95 paper, ISBN 0-9642529-6-1 As years went on I found a need for shorter compilations of information for musicians to use and created the “Musicians’ How-to Series,” which are short- to medium-length booklets about a variety of music-related topics. These are mainly breakdowns of the larger book and are extremely useful. The main title is in many libraries across the United States and has received rage reviews and awesome testimonials. All titles are available in softcover or e-book download at Sonata Publishing.com WHAT THE TRADES SAY… Guitar Player magazine “…remarkably thorough… he delivers worthy advice concerning matters that we musicians tend to think we’re too cool to confront. Bass Player magazine “Unlike the many ‘make it in the music biz’ publications on the market, this is a practical guide to earning a steady income with real-world general-business gigs....” “Educational value: A” L.A. Jazz Scene “This is a book that should be in every budding musician’s library and it probably wouldn’t hurt even well-established musicians to take a browse through it either. “This book should be purchased by every new musician who wants some answers and by those musicians who maybe need a kick in the pants to get their careers re-started.” Berklee College of Music — Career Development Coordinator, Peter Spellman “OK, now let’s focus in. The world of the freelance musician has its unique demands. [The many] gig possibilities require players to rapidly switch gears (sometimes more than once a day) and also have at their fingertips details that will make any particular gig shine: choice of appropriate repertoire, clothing selection, level of performance intensity, sensitivity to audience cues, etc. Such details and their practical applications usually take years to acquire — unless you have How To Make A Living As A Musician, So You Never Have To Have A Day Job Again! by Marty Buttwinick. Buttwinick pulls out the stops as he discloses all (or most) freelance trade tips and secrets he’s used over a successful twenty-year stint as a self-employed musician. If you’re a freelance musician this book is essential reading. Get it.” Mix Bookshelf “The outstanding feature of the book is the extremely high level of detail in every single section; for example, he lists every item you need to bring to a gig, describes common visual cues, and so forth.” Drum! “Chapter Three: Freelancing is quite good, especially the section Colliding Activities, where he discusses how to prioritize one’s time when playing in a number of groups. In Chapter Four: Starting a Band, Buttwinick outlines an eight-point system for finding players which could be helpful to those just starting out in the business.” Aquarian Weekly “How To Make A Living... is a motivational exercise in literally getting your act together. “He realistically covers the kinds of jobs that are out there for aspirants, delving into each instrument and its potential for gigs. Getting specific with rehearsal info, organizing, exactly what song to open up with at a local dance, handling a bandmate’s attitude... it's all here. There’s a 55 step ‘home application program’ for starting a band and keeping it afloat with gigs and a separate 58-step ‘freelancing program’.” Los Angeles Daily News “It’s well-organized, reader-friendly and packed with examples of résumés, brochures and programs for playing at weddings and other events.”

THE MUSICIANS’ HOW-TO SERIES The “Musicians’ How-to Series” consists of short- to medium-length booklets about a variety of music-related topics. This series provides musicians and singers with supplemental information that for the most part isn’t taught in schools, and might or might not be learned on one’s own or from a private instructor. Much of this information has never been in print before. They are designed to throw in your bag or instrument case, take to your gig, rehearsal or jam... and PUT TO USE! (Somethings you don’t have to learn the hard way!) “One can learn how to play from many sources, but these books provide information that I've only learned by hard experience, word-of-mouth, and investigation. To have things codified in this way provides a seldom taught foundation to one's musical life” Justin Meldal-Johnsen Bassist / Producer / Songwriter Beck, Tori Amos, Air, Ima Robot, Macy Gray, Dixie Chicks, Seal, and many more... THESE ARE THE CURRENT TITLES: • What Do I Play? — The Basics of Jamming • Starting Your First Band • How To Rehearse—To get the most out of your time • How to Run a Band • Organizing—To Maximize Your Time • What Kind of Gigs DO Musicians Play for Ca$h? • Booking Cover Gigs for $ • Elements of a Successful (Cover) Gig • How to Make a Living as a Guitarist (Guitar Player Magazine original article) • Making a press kit • Brochures, Postcards & Flyers • Gigging: Reality or Illusion? • A Gigging Supplement • How to Run a Wedding from Beginning to the End • The Musicians’ Tax Guide

Click HERE to enter the SONATA PUBLISHING Website! ”Our purpose is to provide easy to understand, sane and applicable music-oriented information that steer an individual or group closer to their musical ideal scene.”