How to Become a Session Musician – Tips to Become a Better Musician

Musicians that are being called up by producers to back up some recording artists or fill out a band on a tour are called session musicians. They are musicians that are temporary parts of a band, but who get the opportunity to work with many songwriters and musicians. Sadly, there are several session musicians who do not work well with others. If you want to become a session musician that every producer wants to hire, you must possess and show some good etiquette so that they will keep on hiring you. This article lists some guidelines on how to become a session musician, the good kind.

Below are the tips on how to become a session musician:
1.    You must always show up early. Be punctual and never disturb the session until you are supposed to be there. Both the engineer and the artist know well that you are paid on an hourly rate and this comes at a specific time.
2.    Ensure that the instruments you’ll be using are all in perfect working order. Check if your guitar needs to be properly intonated and if all the tubes are working. Though it is expensive, your drums must have new heads every session so make sure you include a budget for it.
3.    You are hired to do your part as a session musician, not to play the part of producer or engineer. In case you think there’s something wrong with the performance, talk to the engineer and let him know. But in case you think the vocals is out of tune and you’re the drummer, then don’t say anything. Your job is not to critique the song, but to give your best and help in the groove.
4.    Always follow up after a session. Send an email to the producer, the engineer, as well as the artist. You need to make sure that you delivered the performance based on their standards and that if they are happy with your services.
5.    Make sure you keep your past contracts informed about what you are doing. Let them know the records you have or who you are working with, and also your newest instruments. By this way, you can get another gig if you still wish to find one. Producers endorse a session musician to an artist. If producers tell them that you played on a record that they already heard, it will definitely help you close a deal.

May these tips on how to become a session musician help you become better and may somehow give you opportunities to get hired by many producers.