Originally Posted by beartrumpet74

In the last year I have nearly doubled my gigging income by doing one thing.....
playing classically again. I spent years as a primarily classical player, but time and life moved me in the direction of jazz and commercial music. Jazz is still my first love, but dusting off my C trumpet, taking a couple of weeks worth of lessons from the local trumpet professor, and hitting the church/wedding/brass quintet scene has made all the difference.
I FINALLY bought a new car this year...the first I have had in ten years...a Scion TC sports car....( yes, that's bragging...it's the nicest damn material thing I have ever had...I obssesively wash it twice a week and treat it like a really expensive imported italian job)
SO... to make a short story long... you have to be versitle and open to playing anything that pays a reasonable amount....In addition, it's not enough just to play anymore...I make a substantial part of my money writing music for things....
To get work... go to any gig that is appropriate and at a appropriate time speak with the people playing and introduce yourself.....repeat as needed and BAM!!!
things will start to roll in....
AND...
always be early, wearing the right clothes, and know when to keep your mouth shut...( read- if you are a side man.... this means ALWAYS!)

That's all I know at this point... considering the experience level of the posters in this thread I doubt I have shed any new light... but that's my 2 cents

Peace
Matt