Session Musicians?

  • Thread starter Thread starter kidkage
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kidkage

kidkage

Bored of Canada
(Not sure where to post this so I'll do it here :o)

I've always been interested in and curious as to how exactly people become session musicians. I mean, I know what a session musician is and how they work for the most part - one has to be recommended by studio owners, producers, etc.
but what do you have to know skill wise to become one (on guitar, drums, bass)?
Read music?
Stuff like that?

:confused::o:)

EDIT: Also (I didnt feel like starting another thread) I'm wondering if you can tell me what it takes to be a guitar tech, what should they know?
 
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I"m not an expert but I strongly suspect that "real" sessions musicians - ie. the ones that play on records you'd want to buy, probably specialise in their instrument of choice rather than be a jack of all trades.

They almost certainly read music, have uber-professional gear and substantial chops across at least a few styles that will enable them to do whatever's required in a relatively short period of time.

On the other hand, people running small project studios, especially ones that cater to people with an idea but not much cash, probably benefit from being not only the engineer, but handy across a few instruments as well...

This is all conjecture on my part, however. :D
 
kidkage said:
(Not sure where to post this so I'll do it here :o)

I've always been interested in and curious as to how exactly people become session musicians. I mean, I know what a session musician is and how they work for the most part - one has to be recommended by studio owners, producers, etc.
but what do you have to know skill wise to become one (on guitar, drums, bass)?
Read music?
Stuff like that?

:confused::o:)

EDIT: Also (I didnt feel like starting another thread) I'm wondering if you can tell me what it takes to be a guitar tech, what should they know?
Click to expand...

Reading music definitely helps, if that's what you're asking! Stuff to know....really as much as you can, I guess. Different styles are nice, but I know some session players probably concentrate on one or two genres. Session players have to be highly adaptable and fast learners who are easily able to keep up.
 
So lets just say I have this friend, and lets just say this friend is me [I'll refer to this friend (and by "this friend" i mean me) as "I"].
If I wanted to get into session-ing, I should learn to read music? I've been looking into those "Modern Method for Guitar" books, do you think those would work?

I'd do better at guitar as it's my first love, I also assume that a session guitarists wouldnt have to hard of a time being a bass player if needed.

Honestly though, im very interested in actually becoming a drummer too instead of being a guitar player that messes around on drums. (I'm sure there's no shortage of guitarists out there :p) Can you guys recommend any materials to help me become a better drummer?

Actually feel free to recommend any materials on any of those 3 instruments, I primarily a "rock" guy, but I really would LOVE to learn as many styles as I can.

:o
 
kidkage said:
So lets just say I have this friend, and lets just say this friend is me [I'll refer to this friend (and by "this friend" i mean me) as "I"].
Click to expand...

My head just exploded :laughings:

kidkage said:
I'd do better at guitar as it's my first love, I also assume that a session guitarists wouldnt have to hard of a time being a bass player if needed.
Click to expand...

I think you would be pretty surprised at the skill levels of most session bassists...they take it to a whole other level!
 
Nice article.
I live pretty close to Nashville actually ...

The session world seems like a scary place :(

:drunk:
 
It's definitely a job and requires qualifications like any job. Getting those qualifications requires a combo of talent and a lot of hard work and probably a bit of luck!
 
From my experience a heck of a lot of it is word of mouth (until you establish your name) so it is important to network a lot with other musicians. Playing with many different bands certainly helps in that regard, because everyone knows someone who knows somone who's lookig for someone... The more people you know the better chance you will have to do fill-in gigs. The more fill-in gigs you do the better the chance that one of them may want you to record for them. Once they know they can trust you live then the chances of recording increase (it would be rare to record for someone you have never performed with while you are building your reputation). Even auditioning for a bunch of bands that you may not have any real intention of joining can plant seeds in the minds of the band members. They may just think of you when their next project comes along.

The more skills you have the more chance that people will want to use you.

* Sight reading - a very big plus. Knowledge of theory is probably more important.

* Mature playing - an even bigger plus. Nothing worse that hiring someone who wants to show off how good they are every four bars. Play what is required unless you have been encouraged to improvise.

* Reliability - the biggest plus. Punctuality, a sober disposition (whilst playing, at least), and reliable transport.

When you feel confident, advertise yourself as a sideman. Get those fill-in gigs and do a good job :)
 
I'd really just be into being a session drummer. not sure what I'd need to know to do that. Can drummers read music?:confused:
 
They have to be able to follow a chart... which is music...

They don't have to be able to read the notes necessarily as they're not relevant particularly to drumming, but they'll have to be able to follow a standard chart and decode it into whatever it is that's being played. ie. count the bars, change for the chorus, bridge etc.

Again, I'm guessing...
 
Yay - 1000th post..

Only took me 10 years 4 months...

Such a crap work ethic I have..:cool:
 
If you have a chance this book http://www.amazon.com/Hal-Blaine-Wrecking-Crew-Goggin/dp/0918371015 is incredibly interesting. Hal is the most recorded musician in the history of music, the top session musician.

The main requirement to me would be that you've played zillions of songs to the degree that when someone shows you a sheet of music paper you can tell what the song needs already.

You've got to be a person that people like to be around.

You've got to realize that your #1 thing is to be an accompanist and make the singer and the song sound great.

Tommy Tedesco's book is probably interesting, he was the guitar player on a lot of Hal's recordings. http://www.amazon.com/Tommy-Tedesco-Confessions-Guitar-Player/dp/0931759714/ref=pd_sim_b_2
 
Armistice said:
Yay - 1000th post..

Only took me 10 years 4 months...

Such a crap work ethic I have..:cool:
Click to expand...

Your at work doing this Armistice? Dam I should have a job like yours ....working for the man. Sitting around joking around on HR. What a life.
edit ....as of now your count is 1005.

Psssssss (I just talked to your boss on the phone .....he is standing right be hind you now watching you here on HR) :laughings:





:cool:
 
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