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

Guitar Players--How To Be An In Demand Session Player--Or Be An Also Ran

"I Think Most Players Filled Out The Application Form When They Started Playing Guitar, And Forgot How To Be An Original Guitarist"    Mark Grove

I was reading an article in the September issue of Guitar Player in the "Session Stories" section at the back of it. Carl Verheyen was the profiled session guy. Anyone who knows session players or is involved with players of his "ilk" or anywhere in his chopdom, know he's still a very sought after session guy. Hell, he even does sessions from his home on the internet. Not many players can do that. And that is not where I'm going with this piece on how to be a wanted session player.

But in today's 5 bucks a gallon of gas world it's an option once you start getting regular live and studio work with other bands besides your own. It will definitely cut down on expenses. But here's the gist of all of this mumbo jumbo of session playing.If you've been a player for any length of time playing in your own band here is what to do to get extra work as a sideman.

Start talking to and interviewing band's whose music you like and remember this, make sure they play the kind of music you play or complements yours, and you can make a good contribution to with your style of play and tone. If you play blues and you're looking at a Jazz or Metal act, but have never played that music, don't go near it. You'll say, I want the experience to learn different music and make extra session cash. If you can't play to the changes, keep the tempo or the feel don't bother.

Chances are if you don't like the music but like the Paycheck because it's big, chances are you won't enjoy doing that kind of work. It will feel like going to a regular day job, and you don't want that. You'll get more sessions and be more in-demand if you look for sessions of music you like or love and want to be a part of.  You'll probably like hanging with those musicians too if you love the music they play.

If you play slow blues well, and like Country bands that play slow Country-Blues, seek out local or regionally based Country acts of that kind who might be searching for a good session man. Go out of your way to talk to local Country bands, or blues acts of the kind I mentioned above, and interview them on something like the kind of gear they use. Don't ask for a job. This way you're getting some good intel on the kind of gear they use without tipping your hand.

Put that interview on your site, and ask local media to publish the interview. Keep interviewing this band, go to their gigs and buy a CD. And when you do another interview, ask if you can attend a practice session to get a good handle on what they want tone and feel wise. Once again some under the radar intel.

If you know they use session guys regularly, you'll have one over on the majority of players who want to work with this band. Chances are at some point they'll ask if you play and you'll say yes. Then ask them if it would be okay if you practiced with them sometime. Chances are they'll say yes as well. Keep playing with your current band and have them come out to a gig or blues jam. Ask them to jam with you on stage.

Keep interviewing this band and them only. This will keep you from stretching yourself too thin trying to deal with a bunch of bands. You'll get more work if you stick to one or two bands you want to work with. After you've done all that with the band you're interested in and you enjoy playing with them, ask for sideman work with them. All they can say is no.

 I get no's constantly from people I want to write for in the music business. If they say yes and employ you doing either live or studio work,work hard learning their material and what they want from you to complement their music. Keep helping them out interviewing them and getting them local media. As well, you won't feel burnt out from trying to get session work from 10 million other bands, bands you don't like, and you'll be more focused and results motivated, and actually succeed.

As well, what you can do is search out your local Musicians Union for session gigs, and keep your session work to blues or country bands. Don't say to unions you'll do any sideman work. Keep to the plan I outlined above. Learn all you can about how to use the Union to your advantage and become a member.

Start a Separate Bank Account For Sideman Gigs:

At some point you'll want to start a bank account outside your regular band's business account, and start an account strictly for your session work gigs. Take some money and become a paying member of the Union, not just to get better paying side gigs, but to learn how to structure your music business like a professional  and how to work with other bands opening for them and working in Joint Ventures with them.

As well, if you're a union member you can get a reputable agent who can help your main band get gigs, and get you session work. Make sure you interview a number of agents so you're not stuck with one that doesn't help bands that play blues or country. Or they have so many bands they ignore yours. No you don't want that.

Even interview the agent who becomes your booker, and learn all you can about what he does. But don't just leave all the work up to him. Look for jobs yourself and keep doing media for your band.If you have an agent who will work hard for you and sees you care and have a good work ethic business wise, you'll have more success with your main band and your side work.

Back to the extra bank account:

Use it to pay not just for gas to gigs but for guitar strings that will be appropriate for the kind of session work you'll be doing. A solid practice amp of even 10 to twenty watts and all tube. You don't need a 50 watt amp for doing some session work. Once you get enough money in that account, buy an axe with pickups and strings that are right for those gigs. Even the proper effects pedal. There are good deals to be had on gear and accessories out there.    http://www.sweetwater.com

If your money is limited, take the train to go to sessions that are at least 2 hours away or more. You'll save money on gas if you take a train or bus on a regular basis. If you do make good cash as a sideman, yeah you can use your own vehicle. But if not, take alternate routes. Your bank account will thank you.

But helping local bands you want to do session work with, and play complementary music will get you faster to success than going all over the musical style map. Keep practicing your ass off, write songs and even do backing vocals as well, to make you more employable.

Keep promoting your band and the side acts you're playing with. It's easier than you think. Once you start doing sessions with a band and it ends for a while such as 3 months, search out other bands and help them as well. Make sure they play music you love and would like to hang with. If these bands see you're not just a great player, but will go out of your way to help and learn their material, you'll most likely be an in demand session boy.

If you follow these little tips, you will make more money as a player. Your own version of  "Session Player Money Grab". But remember this, don't try to get and do session work online. Do live auditions for bands.

Chances are you'll be frustrated and never get sessions, and eventually quit. That type of work is non existent for almost every player except good ole' Carl Verheyen.

You can do it as a session lad guys. Go for it.

Mark Grove  mdgrove@rock.com

Hiring Session Players And Why The Best Players Aren't Necessarily The Best Choice

 Just because some guitar player is considered one of the best doesn't mean you should hire them for their talent or ability to increase album sales.Yeah, that's all great but what's important is that they can play what you want, and add just a little bit of their own feel and texture. Not their style.

Great axe chops aren't a guarantee and they shouldn't be. That's all great but you won't always spot or hire the right players.Even if it's the best player and they can't do what you want, move on to the next player.Don't keep trying with the same player if they aren't getting the material. Be cool to your band and your fans that get your music.

Even players like Gus G or Paul Gilbert can't play everything.

Playing someone's material your way only works to a point then you have to play it like they want. As well,  learn the ins and outs of the changes in the song. Other wise you're dead in the water. Sometimes you can play your way, but guys that I know like Dee Curtis, like Bass players who can play straight up and keep the bottom down like a pro.

No Showboating.

So hire players for what you want them to bring to your album just a little, but mainly get what you want down and kill it!!! So the best player may not have the best chops. They may play basic riffs, but the way you want.