Keith Richards Interview 1974: Why Playing Live Is The Pulse Of A Band and Doing Rythm Guitar Session Work Can Fuel Your Leads

This 1974 interview with Keith Richards was when The Stones were in England at the time and contemplating doing some US Shows. Keith was doing a lot of Sessions and was working with Ronnie Wood as well in some rythm work.

Richards talks about why bands need to focus on doing shows and to keep on doing what you love as a musician in your own band.

Your band and you as a musician can learn a lot from interviews with the top players from the 60's and 70's like Keith.

Mark

Session Playing--Why You Should Wait To Include Any Element Of Your Own Chops In The Mix

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I was reading a recent article in http://guitarplayer.com/ in the back section called;Session Stories. Steve Lukather has been the main player in these articles. Anyway, he talked about learning from other players   and the masters of session work before including your own elements in any recordings. Unfortunately,Session work is not about chops or improvizing the hell out of someone else's work. You have to be able to play literally note for note another player's material. That's why I think most lead guitar players today do not make very proficient session guys.

Some players are more suited to session work but the odd amazing player can get the feel better than some sideman.It depends on the situation too. But take the most simple song,commercial jingle or even jam piece,and the best players can't get it. It's kind of like being a Scout for a label or a pro sports team. What you see isn't always what will transpire in a studio session. But going back to what this post is about. You have to learn from the best studio session players and producers--and be willing to play their way. Then when you're a known commodity who is adept at session work, than you can add your own improvizational elements into the mix.

Talk to a local blues band or a studio and offer your services for free as a studio musician until you can play exactly what they want,then add your own way of playing to a song. Most players won't do this, and that's why they never make the kind of money they deserve as session players,or sidemen playing live or on albums that sell well. That's just the way it is guys. I'm here to help you in any way I can with the Musicians Instant Press Kit which will also delve into how to play for other bands as a steady sideman and session player as well.

We are always here to help musicians like you who want to succeed. So get started today on being a great sideman.Read the piece from Lukather on Session stories.

Much Success on stage and in the studio guys.


talk about jams too.

Session Playing is Not About Having Major Chops--And Why You Need To Realize That As A Player

By Mark Grove

With a Little Help From My Friend and Mentor Dee Curtis--Blues Bandleader

If you've been fortunate enough to work through years of session playing for free,little money and been humble about it,yet continued learning--Pat yourself on the back.

Now get back to work.The best players are like the best athletes.They make lousy utilit yplayers or coaches for that matter.I've seen Dee Curtis my consultant here on the blog go through a multitude of players who couldn't keep it simple to save their life.

Yeah,there's room to make small mistakes with Dee,but if you can't keep the bottom down as a bass player or drummer--forget it.Whether it's live or in the studio Dee could screw you up if he wanted,but he's not that kind of band leader.

He throws players a bone,yet a lot of them don't get it.They think session playing is all about playing like a bad ass mother-fucker to impress people.Not it's not.Dee taught one bass player named Dave.Yes,he does exist and finally got it together as a bottom-feeder. Dee didn't cut him off at the pass and make him do parts that were beyond him.He worked with him and showed him how to play blues bass like a
bastard.

He could have just fired him,which he considered many times.Dee is a player you want to hang with,and that's what you want to be if you want to do session work with Dee.If you're a player who wants to do session work--you have to learn your part like a son of a bitch.Dee also says to include an element of your own playing, but to limit it and keep the bottom down.That's the key.

In our little music community,if you're a session guy who plays like he knows it all,you won't last long.Be humble and approach session playing whether it's live or studio like a pro.

For more info on how to be a great session player,email me.

mdgrove@rock.com