10 things you can do as a musician in lockdown

Gigs are either postponed or cancelled until further notice. The live events industry is at a temporary standstill, but that doesn't mean you have to be... 1. Organize Take the opportunity to get your gear together. Restring that old guitar you've been looking at for months. Arrange your pedalboard, or if you gig in multiple situations, build another! All of those seemingly tiresome chores you've been putting off like cleaning your cymbals, or re-coiling your cables can now be a reality! 2. Practice Remember that '10 Best Jazz Chops of 2019' video you saved for later? Put the kettle on, plug your headphones in and get cracking. If you're a covers musician, then this is a great time to work on new material. 3. Jam There's probably more backing track content available on the internet today than actual commercial music. From versions with your instrument of choice on mute or acapellas that you could remix - it's all out there! YouTube and Spotify are solid places to look for something to pass a few hours with. Challenge yourself to a new genre and see what happens! 4. Virtual Hangout The video chat market is killing it right now, no question about it. There's several free and subscription services that can reunite you with fellow musicians and singers. How you use it is up to you of course - maybe you could chat about a new idea or play a live stream. Software like Audiomovers is a great way to collaborate in real time through DAW software. 5. Create Write about what you're going through. Music has been known as one of the best ways to trace a sign of the times and the shape our world is in. Getting it all out musically is one of the best cathartic processes known to us. 6. Rework Listen to that old voice memo or EP sitting on your computer and give it a freshen up! You've got the time now to go deep and give it the attention it deserves. You might even find a system that works for you and make some real progress! Pop artist, Charli XCX was originally set to release 2 studio albums in 2020, but dropped a surprise album titled "How I'm Feeling Now", entirely written and produced during current events. If she can do it, so can you. 7. Finish If you intended to release anything this year, there's absolutely no reason why that can't happen. Realistically, if it doesn't involve a stage, a venue and a physical audience then anything is possible. Loose ends at the studio? Call the producer and work something out. Album artwork still being made? Skype the designer and commission another piece of work for the follow up release that you're going to write... and don't forget about the singles! 8. Plan It might not seem like it now, but we WILL return to the stage. When that'll be and whether or not it'll be safe to do so is an entirely different matter, but stay positive and write your battle plan. Work out how you're going to spend your time in lockdown and what's going to be waiting for you on the other side. 9. Listen If you're not in a proactive mood, then remember that's ok too. You should never feel guilty for it. Everyone's going through this in their own way and it's ok to have an off day or week. Simply using this time to recharge and ground is maybe all you need. As musicians, we burn ourselves out quickly and keep going even when we know we should stop. Tours and late night gigs will eventually catch up with you so it's important to reset. There are thousands of new music playlists available to discover. Put something on in the background and zone out. If your friends are releasing music or live streaming during this time, help them out and show your support. 10. Network Every online platform is electric right now. Get involved and stay connected! Let the world know you're out there. On the flip side, if you're going through hell, remember to keep going. You might even find someone on the other side of the screen who can help bring some positive resolve or point you in the right direction. Above all, stay safe out there and be good to each other...