Six Sigma? What could a statistical math term possibly have to dowith music? Well I could bore you with a long answer on the statisticalbenefits, or I could explain it in one simple sentence.

Six Sigma is about quality, service, and making sure that yourcustomers or “audiences" keep coming back for more! Would you like youraudiences to come back for more? 

The more youraudiences come back to see you;

• The more of your music they purchase.
• The more concert tickets you sell.
• The more promotional items you sell.
• The more venue’s you fill.
• The more publicity you get.
• The more money you earn!

Of course you want your audiences to come back for more!Every musician wants to have his or her music appreciated. Every musician wantsto sell more albums and more concert tickets.

So what does six sigma have to do with that? Using six sigmatechniques provides you with a clear understanding of what your customersexpect. It helps you identify who your customers or audiences are and ensuresyou reach them.

Does six sigma mean you change your music to accommodate themasses? Well of course not! Your music is your creative essence. The key tosuccess is not to change your music to fit the wrong audience, the key is to reachthe right audience and make sure they always know where, when, and how to findyou.

Do you actually know who your customers are? Can you tell mewhere they come from? How they found you? Or even what it is that they likeabout you, your music, or your work?

Most musicians and bands that I come across always say thesame thing! “Of course we do!" Yet when I ask them how their audience foundthem they would always answer “At the bar!" When I asked for specifics I alwaysgot the same answer! “I don’t know".

The key to music success is knowing who your audience is andhow to reach them. If you where a Gospel Singer, where would you most likelyfind an audience that appreciates your music, in a church or a Jazz bar? Iknow, I made it a bit obvious but rest assured it is not always that clear.

Ok, so I said that six sigma means quality! What does thatimply? Well in general terms six sigma means that out of 1,000,000 occurrencesno more then 3.4 have defects. Looking at it from the music industry point ofview it could mean that:

• For every 1,000,000 people that hear you sing all but 3 want more!
• For every 1,000,000 concerts that you perform all but 3 sell out completely!
• For every 1,000,000 albums you sell all but 3 customers want to buy more of your albums.

Do I need to go on? I think you pretty much have the idea!Think of the possibilities. A large audience full of very happy people or“customers". How much money is that worth? Its mind boggling!

Ok, I know, the next question is always, “Why just 3, whynot 4, 5, or even 100 out of 1,000,000, it is still a very small percentage ofthe total?"

Yes that is true and it is often the most common mistakethat anyone in the industry can make. The key to understand this is inrecognizing that it is impossible to actually measure lost opportunities. Theone person that left your concert in disgust could have represented the recordlabel that would have sold the largest quantity of your albums.

Many years ago companies where targeting the three sigma levelof quality. This translates to about 2,700 defects per million. Consider whatthis would mean if it was applied to other processes used today.

• No modern computer would function
• 270 million wrong credit card transactions
• Don’t even think about getting on an airplane!

I think by now you have probably gotten the point. The thingto consider is this. How much money would you be making if every 999,997 peoplethat listened to your music wanted to hear more!