Session Playing Confidence In Tough Economic Times And Coming Out Ahead--Who Knew?

There are tough financial times for every musician where you don't get any work, or the Sessions you're doing pay very little.That's the way it goes even for top sidemen. Even though you may be great chops wise,that doesn't always result in getting the gig so to speak. Remember what I said in a previous session playing article. A Producer or band frontman usually wants you to play their way.

Just play a part nothing more nothing less. If they want you to give them a bit of your original playing style   and tone, they'll ask you. Otherwise don't. But if you can't play certain types of music don't bullshit your way through it. Humans are a weird lot aren't we? If you said you could do a Jazz Session and can't get the changes,  or the tempo and tone, you have wasted their time and yours.


If you're used to doing Blues and Country Sessions, stick to that and you'll be more confident and succeed a lot more in getting session work. And no, you shouldn't worry about failing a session audition--but don't play music you have no right in doing because you've never really played that type of music.


But going back to having to play a certain way in a session...


Even if you have to play a well known player's song their way, that can at times end up helping you later in playing certain styles of music and be able to get that elusive live or studio session.Whether it's playing sessions with bands you don't know or your own bands material, you'll gain valuable guitar techniques that help in your album marketing and other players looking at your work more closely and intently.

You'll even gain insight into how recording sessions work and how they write songs and parts for session players as well.And even how to write music and scores for movies or other types of media.Doing Session work can even get you off the beaten path work like Songwriting and even recording other artists material.


Even when your band opens for national acts--if you're known as a session player and played with many others, they'll ask you out of the blue to join them onstage. This kind of work even the free variety can give you confidence to play with other players,and study and get down other styles of music. You'll get more sessions and work for your band.


Doing Sessions Your Way...


Unless you've been fortunate to be part of a major recording session or hit song,chances are you're limited to what you're allowed to contribute to a session,your way. But when shit like I just described happens, the Producer and Band leader will start letting you contribute your way, and not how they want you to sound.


Mark Grove