Making a career in music.

[Reuben Garza]

Hi, my name is Reuben and I have been a member for about 8 months, but I have been a daily visitor to HOD for about the past 5 years following all the hot topics and drumming news! I think this is an awesome site where we drummers can talk about the next hot lick or Vinnie doing something impossible, and become inspired by one another.

I have been playing the drums for all my life, since about the age of 4, and I now am an 18 year old heading to college in a few months to study with Paul Wertico. I aspire to one day become a session musician and tour the world.

My question is: Does any one have any advice or personal experience on how to both approach becoming a studio musician and getting one's name out to other musicians, producers, studio's, etc.

Thank you for your help. I sincerely respect everyone on this forum and what they both have to say and share and I thank Steve Holmes for providing us with a great site that allows us drummers to share each others knowledge and information, allowing us to become better drummers and musicians.

[Odd-Arne Oseberg]

Gig yourself and go to shows and when you do network all you can. Befriend your music friends' music friends.

Focus on the people you like and trust, because giving too much energy where nothing comes from it can drain you, even so much that you can become a drain.

Stay positive and always remember what music really is about.

[DSOP]

Times are tough for musicians. The schools are cranking out players left and right. In spite of that, I believe that if you're great at what you do, and you're sincere and work very hard, nothing is impossible. You can't have it all though, so keep that in mind. Sometimes you will need to accept getting by with much less money than many of your friends with "normal" careers. Relationships have a way of throwing a wrench into your plans too, so tread carefully there.

You're young, and it looks like you have somewhat of a plan. Studying with Paul Wertico will be great for sure. Pick his brain about his past experiences and try to gain advice from him. Aside from that, play with as many musicians as possible. College should expose you to many players, so be sure to take advantage of it all, especially while you're young. Don't worry too much about four or five years down the road. Focus on the present, and get everything you can out of college.

Good luck!

[Josiah]

major in business or some other more generally applicable degree, and minor in music. or double major if you have the time.

thing about school is, as a musician nobody really cares. you'll never be asked for a resume at an audition, just to play. most people seem to concentrate on the 'music' side of things and forget all about the 'business' part of the 'music business'.

music and the instrument is something youll always be working to improve. the education at a college is something you really only have 1 shot at.

[circh bustom]

1- If you are thinking about all the notes and licks you could be playing while on a gig, you are on the wrong gig.
2- Be confident, but remember there are a hundred guys that could and would do the gig you are on.
3- Listen with very big ears.
4- Put the sticks in your hands everyday.
5- Do not let club owners or bandleaders take advantage of you.
6- Change the oil in your gig wagon frequently.
7- Your best friends should be bass players.

[deseipel]

go study with Chicago's Tom Hipskind.

I don't think that the days of becoming a session musician still exist. Being a full time musician means wearing a bunch of different hats to get by. The hats might include: teaching, gigging, session work (whatever that means these days; I'm saying that it's changing since you could do it 'virtually' these days), etc.

Personally, I'd use school to network with people

[chris perra]

If you want to be a professional in the music industry, 2 things will need to happen..

1 You'll need to be at the right place at the right time...
2 You'll need to have the skills to take advantage of your opportunity..

Networking/Self Promotion is a must,... all artistic professions are make your own work at first..
Go to jams, Answer Adds, take lessons with great well known drummers, when you are at the level that you can get something from it and saying "I took lessons from so and so" and it can be shown in your playing,..

You'll need to play in as many bands as you can with as many people as possible to build the skills you need. Some for money, free, fun whatever, but play with enough people that you are know as a musician in the scene....Network as much as you can..

However don't put yourself in a situation that's way over your head if it's with well known professionals,.. The same networking that will build you up, can take you down if your not ready..

Record yourself all the time,..

[willyz]

From what it sounds like you’re off to a good start, mate. I moved to LA after high school to attend the LA Music Academy and it was the best decision I could have made. School with bring not only the education behind the instrument, but also a great opportunity for networking and a great way jam/gig/etc with other players. I’m 23 now and while I’m not able to go full-time with music at this point financially, I hope to shift over from my day gig at some point. Here’s some things I’ve learned over the years:

-Set yourself some goals. Could be big-time stuff, could be wanting to nail some figures on a play a long chart.

-Put yourself in a smaller pond and gain some stripes. I moved out to Austin pretty much from LA and through to old routine of hanging, jamming, and advertising I was able to find work quickly. Since then I’ve learned about the scene here, what people like-what they don’t like, what kind of players are here, what’s going to get me hired and what’s not

-Don’t be afraid to quit a gig. Sometimes you’ll find yourself in a position when you just don’t see eye to eye about things. Could be business stuff, could be musically, could be personal. You’ll know when something is worth your time or not.

-Don’t be afraid of getting fired (it’ll happen). Sometimes you’ll find yourself in a position when you just don’t see eye to eye about things. Could be business stuff, could be musically, could be personal. You’ll know when something is worth your time or not (sometimes getting fired is the best way to discover this stuff).

-Women will only complicate your life. This is from my experience, but relationships will only end one of three ways: 1)you’ll wind up getting hurt for whatever reason. 2) you’ll be put in a position where you have to choose to let go of something great or let go of your career and dreams. 3) (this is the rarest of them all) She’ll know and understand what you’re trying do and will be incredibly supportive and will naturally not distract you from your chosen path.

-Learn to write charts on the fly. You never know when you’re going to get a last minute call for a gig (because it’ll happen)

-Learn song forms in all styles of music. That way, when you called called at 8PM for a gig at 10PM with people you’ve never played with and all you know is that you’ll be playing two-step country, you’ll be able to listen and follow the players.

-Don’t ever, ever give up. This is the tough part. I’ve dealt with enough ego-maniac guitar players, shitty band leaders, horrible venues, terrible pay, been really busy one month and really slow the next month- it’s never going to be easy. You’ve just got to keep your head in the game and do what you can to keep a clear head and remain positive (easier said than done, but, you know).

Good luck! Cheers!

[Steve Holmes]

Good stuff Willy, thanks for sharing.

[Reuben Garza]

I want to thank everybody for their comments. I appreciate every one taking the time to reply and share their thoughts and insight about making a career in the music industry. This just proves that HOD is a great community in which we drummers can help each other out and share new things in order to make us all better musicians.

I'd especially like to thank "DSOP" and "Willy" for sharing some deep insight and thoughts based on their own personal experience's.

I'll keep you guys posted on my journey!