Try to find out what is considered to be the standard method book for your instrument at your level of playing, whether it be a Hanon piano exercise book, an Arban's trumpet method, or a book of Concone vocalises for mezz-soprano.

Before purchasing a used instrument, get an idea of what others are paying and charging for like instruments. You can look at ads on Craigslist and eBay. If you sign in to eBay, you can even search "completed listings" to see what they actually sold for (or didn't sell for if the auction went unsold).

Another good idea, if you have the time, to help you choose a teacher, is to go to a recital of their students or hear one of their students play.

If the economy is poor and you are having trouble getting gigs, try this - make a deal with the owner of a bar to take only the cover charge. The more people you draw in, the more you get paid, and the more food and drinks they buy from the bar owner!

If you perform in venues where you can involve the audience in the performance, you would do well to go to a piano bar. They are masters at this and do a good job of getting their tip jar filled up.

In a poor economy, colleges can be a good source of gigs. They always seem to have an entertainment budget.

If your band is just starting out try to pick songs you can really play well and ask a few friends to listen and give you their opinion of what you are doing well and what you need to work on before you get in front of an audience.

Cover bands - unless you are a jam band or a fantastic soloist - keep the solos short. Most of the audience just wants to hear the song the way its played on the radio. Sad but true.