Comments on: How Do I Become a Studio Musician?

By: Tim Smith

Tim Smith — Thu, 15 Dec 2011 02:31:00 +0000

Great info for all musicians looking to make money as a session musician. Our studio near Detroit is always on the lookout for talented players. In fact we have a sign up form available on our website. Unfortunately, not everybody has the chops to get on the list. Horn players seem to the most difficult to track down for us. Never the less, great article!

By: Art

Art — Thu, 01 Dec 2011 15:21:00 +0000

This is a good article and it’s clearly stating how to work as a successful studio musician. Here’s the problem with the article. But here I am, a very good musician, I’ve been playing for 30 years, can read, studied music theory, played in all types of bands. I would like to become a studio musician. WHAT ARE THE FIRST FEW STEPS? Who do I call, who do I write, and what do I say when I do these things? Can we please break it down to that level? I want to know how to break into the business, I get how it works, but where do you really start as far as getting the first few gigs. Does anyone know or is it just a gift from god or something. To me, the hardest part is breaking into the industry, not what you do once you’re in, Can someone please comment on that? Thanks! Art

By: CharlesRayBatchelor

CharlesRayBatchelor — Thu, 01 Dec 2011 14:15:00 +0000

Please say, “Thank You” from all us readers to Bobby Owsinski and Paul Ill for sharing from their book to help us who are learning. Thank You.

Charles R. Batchelor
c/o A “Higher Call” To Artists

By: Winston Gay

Winston Gay — Wed, 30 Nov 2011 22:06:00 +0000

Excellent article! It all needs to be heard by all. Regarding studio ‘etiquette’, I believe that it is a universal term that can certainly be applied in all of life’s circumstances and situations. For the most part, the key idea is respect and consideration for your fellow man/woman. For example, if upon entering the session
you discover that they don’t allow: Smoking in the session room/eating or drinking of alchoholic beverages/ loud or lewd behavior/consumption of food/pets/children not performing on the session/ your personal cheering section/unessassary remarks /jesting/sleeping or lounging outside of the lounge area, or anything else that might disrupt the session. You would be expected to comply. This is part of etiquette in or out of a recording session. If you want to look futher, read my chapter on ‘microphone etiquette’ in my first book, ‘The Monster Musician’s Manual’ by Winston Gay on Amazon.com.

Winston Gay

By: JJ Gross

JJ Gross — Wed, 30 Nov 2011 02:25:00 +0000

Nice info & invaluable stuff. A couple other points I’d like to add
having been on both sides of the studio (hiring & being hired):
1.
Make sure your instruments are not only in tune, but can stay in tune
no matter how much you beat them up. If your B strong on your favorite
guitar slips flat regularly, get it setup so that doesn’t happen any
more. If you’re out of tune the engineers aren’t going to blame your
guitar, they’ll blame you & rightfully so. You brought it, it better
work right.
2. No Noodling! You’re not paying the bills here &
every second you spend screwing around because ‘this sounds so awesome’
is another nail in the coffin of your career. Warm up when you get there
EARLY, not on the clock. Practice your own stuff & your favorite
licks at home, not in the studio when you’re paid to play someone else’s
music.

Just being known for these 2 things can put you miles
ahead of the out of tune noodlers out there – and there are plenty.
You’d think these 2 things wouldn’t need to be said out loud but …
uhhhh … Read more: How Do I Become a Studio Musician? | Echoes – Insight for Independent Artists http://blog.discmakers.com/2010/01/how-do-i-become-a-studio-musician/#ixzz1f9SbeGBP

By: JJ Gross

JJ Gross — Wed, 30 Nov 2011 02:24:00 +0000

Nice info & invaluable stuff. A couple other points I’d like to add having been on both sides of the studio (hiring & being hired):
1. Make sure your instruments are not only in tune, but can stay in tune no matter how much you beat them up. If your B strong on your favorite guitar slips flat regularly, get it setup so that doesn’t happen any more. If you’re out of tune the engineers aren’t going to blame your guitar, they’ll blame you & rightfully so. You brought it, it better work right.
2. No Noodling! You’re not paying the bills here & every second you spend screwing around because ‘this sounds so awesome’ is another nail in the coffin of your career. Warm up when you get there EARLY, not on the clock. Practice your own stuff & your favorite licks at home, not in the studio when you’re paid to play someone else’s music.

By: Wferguson89

Wferguson89 — Tue, 29 Nov 2011 21:43:00 +0000

AWSOME AND WISE ADVICE. Bill(drummer)—’FALLEN’

By: JMCD

JMCD — Tue, 29 Nov 2011 19:54:00 +0000

I can’t believe that this article missed the number one thing: BE ON TIME! Really. Know the call time and the time of the first downbeat. If you need more time than the others to set up and be ready for the downbeat, then get there that much earlier. I know players that can’t get there without being an hour late even if you lie to them about the session time. The don’t get the call.

By: Andrewjustice1177

Andrewjustice1177 — Fri, 11 Nov 2011 12:26:00 +0000

my name is andrew justice..im a musician thats stuck not knowing what to do!! im ready to sit down and record my demo..but i need some guidance..can anyone help me!!??

By: Egbert O'Foo

Egbert O'Foo — Thu, 06 May 2010 03:24:10 +0000

Nice story about Tommy T. You should add the Vinnie Colaiuta legend, where he plays a page full of notes in a totally wacked-out time signature for Frank Zappa, and manages to pop a bite of sushi in during a page turn and push his glasses back up his nose in the same measure…. again, chops rule.