Any professional musicians on here?
Discussion
After completely f
king up school and being a talented guitarist/pianist, I'm wondering exactly how difficult it is to become a professional musician. I do go to a music college so have that under my belt. I'm looking to do session musician/band member work, and willing to travel. Anybody on here with the know-how or any work for me?
king up school and being a talented guitarist/pianist, I'm wondering exactly how difficult it is to become a professional musician. I do go to a music college so have that under my belt. I'm looking to do session musician/band member work, and willing to travel. Anybody on here with the know-how or any work for me? Practice until you can play anything that is put in front of you on sight. Then practice some more. For instruments like guitar and piano you are going to have a lot of competition.
Do as many (decent, though not necessarily paid) jobs as you can to build up contacts - musicians get hired on their reputation for reliability as much as their musical ability. If you let someone down they will remember it, especially if you drop them in it and they have to find a dep at the last minute. Once you are known as being reliable and capable then you might find yourself getting recommended to others. Be flexible and willing to do stuff at short notice - people also tend to remember if you help them out.
Do as many (decent, though not necessarily paid) jobs as you can to build up contacts - musicians get hired on their reputation for reliability as much as their musical ability. If you let someone down they will remember it, especially if you drop them in it and they have to find a dep at the last minute. Once you are known as being reliable and capable then you might find yourself getting recommended to others. Be flexible and willing to do stuff at short notice - people also tend to remember if you help them out.
V100 said:
I can read music. Not going to London though as I have no money and no job, still, I'm 16 so I've got a while yet.
You need to go to London to be a professional pop music musician, end of. Expect to do many, many hours of menial jobs while you build up contacts. You'll need to get yourself into a band just to get access to the scene really. 
davepoth said:
V100 said:
I can read music. Not going to London though as I have no money and no job, still, I'm 16 so I've got a while yet.
You need to go to London to be a professional pop music musician, end of. Expect to do many, many hours of menial jobs while you build up contacts. You'll need to get yourself into a band just to get access to the scene really. Although I am most certainly not one myself, I know several people you'd term as professional musicians. All of them teach to supplement what they can get from gigging, depping and session work, though. It's only the lucky minority who are full time performers I think.
With that in mind it might be worth taking on a few local students? I don't think you need any formal qualifications if you're a decent player with a good grasp of theory, and it can be timetabled to fit in with other commitments.
With that in mind it might be worth taking on a few local students? I don't think you need any formal qualifications if you're a decent player with a good grasp of theory, and it can be timetabled to fit in with other commitments.
davepoth said:
V100 said:
I can read music. Not going to London though as I have no money and no job, still, I'm 16 so I've got a while yet.
You need to go to London to be a professional pop music musician, end of. Expect to do many, many hours of menial jobs while you build up contacts. You'll need to get yourself into a band just to get access to the scene really. Elderly said:
BTW He's always found sight reading a struggle!
I think many people do, however it is an essential skill and there is no easy way around it especially if you want to do session work. You will be expected to be able to turn up and just play whatever is given to you, unless it is an extraordinarily difficult part. In that case the composer is likely to be aware of it and make arrangements accordingly.tank slapper said:
I think many people do, however it is an essential skill and there is no easy way around it especially if you want to do session work. You will be expected to be able to turn up and just play whatever is given to you, unless it is an extraordinarily difficult part. In that case the composer is likely to be aware of it and make arrangements accordingly.
We're talking about a few different types of session work at once I reckon. A lot of rock and pop musicians, very talented though they are, can't read music. They'll be fine for rock and pop session work. I guess if you want to get into doing more orchestral stuff (including shows and musicals) it will become much more useful.
davepoth said:
We're talking about a few different types of session work at once I reckon. A lot of rock and pop musicians, very talented though they are, can't read music. They'll be fine for rock and pop session work.
I guess if you want to get into doing more orchestral stuff (including shows and musicals) it will become much more useful.
This is true, I did an album with Neil Taylor Gtr > Tears for Fears/Peter Gabriel/Rod Stewart/Morrissey/Tina Turner/The Pretenders/Van Morrison/Paul Young etc.I guess if you want to get into doing more orchestral stuff (including shows and musicals) it will become much more useful.
...and he can't read a note, or even play a chord to order. Ask him to play a C#- and he'll just look at you blankly. However, he's very talented in the 'ear dept', very lucky and very good looking...
I'm one of those annoying bds who plays guitar, bass, drums and piano. I record at home for song writers who can't play a note, and I do sessions in commercial studios too, a recent session was Rockfield.
Self taught from 12yrs old and still play now at 45.
Sessions were very tough to find when I was younger but I eventually started to see work come in by reputation. This has meant working with many folks you've never heard of and few you might of, like Steve Hackett (Genesis) or Kelly Groucutt (ELO)
One thing I've never took the time learn, is how to read but I guess I feel I can improvise to get though a session/gig, either way it hasn't inhibited me from getting out there.
I have turned up to gigs and sessioned for bands with a day's notice on the other side of the country, and the gig is the rehearsal, I love that because they are still grateful even though you might have shagged up some notes, and they are always covers bands anyway.
So, I would suggest this, never turn anything down no matter how small and insignificant, there's always someone that knows someone who needs you and be reliable and punctual, don't act like a tt rockstar.
Best of Luck.
ds who plays guitar, bass, drums and piano. I record at home for song writers who can't play a note, and I do sessions in commercial studios too, a recent session was Rockfield.Self taught from 12yrs old and still play now at 45.
Sessions were very tough to find when I was younger but I eventually started to see work come in by reputation. This has meant working with many folks you've never heard of and few you might of, like Steve Hackett (Genesis) or Kelly Groucutt (ELO)
One thing I've never took the time learn, is how to read but I guess I feel I can improvise to get though a session/gig, either way it hasn't inhibited me from getting out there.
I have turned up to gigs and sessioned for bands with a day's notice on the other side of the country, and the gig is the rehearsal, I love that because they are still grateful even though you might have shagged up some notes, and they are always covers bands anyway.
So, I would suggest this, never turn anything down no matter how small and insignificant, there's always someone that knows someone who needs you and be reliable and punctual, don't act like a t
t rockstar.Best of Luck.
Pretty much confirming what everyone else has said..
Only things to add from my experience of making a living from music for the last 20 years, are:
Ear training - I know some amazing players, but they can't busk or play by ear very well at all. I know some average players but they have better ears and get more gigs.
Networking with other musicians - Be friendly, take any gig offered (unpaid at first cos your worth nothing without a rep), go to as many auditions as possible, go to jam nights and gigs and get chatting to the bands.
Be flexible - Learn to read if you can, learn how all the gear works, learn how to sing, learn another instrument, how to use a mixing desk, get some basic electronics knowledge so you can bodge through a gig if something breaks.
Good luck and go for it !
Only things to add from my experience of making a living from music for the last 20 years, are:
Ear training - I know some amazing players, but they can't busk or play by ear very well at all. I know some average players but they have better ears and get more gigs.
Networking with other musicians - Be friendly, take any gig offered (unpaid at first cos your worth nothing without a rep), go to as many auditions as possible, go to jam nights and gigs and get chatting to the bands.
Be flexible - Learn to read if you can, learn how all the gear works, learn how to sing, learn another instrument, how to use a mixing desk, get some basic electronics knowledge so you can bodge through a gig if something breaks.
Good luck and go for it !
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