I'd add to that, "in tune" with the rest of the band both literally and figuratively. Gotta listen well and mesh with the vibes; make sure your tone fits the music, your vibes and attitude mesh with your band mates, etc.
Good list. I’m a pro musician, 35+ yrs. The bottom line is this,… #1 be on time, #2 be prepared to play the arrangements, #3 look good, #4 be a chill hang. If you can do these things, you WILL get called back! 🙌🏼
Not being on time or comming to reharshals, not communicating due to various reasons is why one of our synth players had to leave. He didn´t have time due to kids and stuff and he couldn´t play all the synth parts well before a gig at a big alternative festival. Two weeks out from the show we had to tell him he had to do his part pefect in one or two reharshals or we had to use our stand in synth player again. He dropped out of the band and fortunately the gig turned out good with a synth player from another band. The gig went great even though we played early and we sold quite a bit of merchandise afterwards. Funny thing is that our stand in had performed with another band the day before and after our show he went out of the country to tour with a metal band. Three genres in three nights.
I would be a part of bad communication skills because of the technology that I have with poor screen readers. I don't handle change very well in this technology touch screen world fighting with bad software and inaccessible software that blind people like myself can't use, lol.
Especially in politics. If you hold a high enough office, you can make people conform to your time schedule and get away with it. But if if you can communicate, eventually that shines through. Hint. Hint.
Not for Labor Depot. They don't understand what communication even is. They think I keep saying Californiacation whenever I bring it up. Never work for them you'll go insane.
Good stuff. Shout out to churches, that groomed me for playing professionally; we were required to sound, act, and look the part, or we simply weren’t allowed to play.
Communication; HOW you communicate is also crucial. Being bossy (esp when you are not the leader) doesn’t usually work. Being too passive (esp when you are the leader) won’t work either. In a word; always be “respectful.”
Full time professional musician for decades here and I can attest these are accurate. The only exception is that "professional attire" is verrrrry context dependent. I mainly music direct and/or tour with pop artists and I can't remember that last gig I did that called for a suit (though I definitely have one). It certainly won't hurt your career being the sharpest dressed on the gig, but just like in the actual music, context is everything.
I've been a band leader for decades, here is what some musicians do that bugs me the most: 1 - Not going over the songs at home. 2 - Showing up late. 3 - Bad communication by phone, text or email. 4 - Not being honest. 5 - Showing up drunk. 6 - Dressed sloppy, I run RnB bands, not rock. 7 - Expecting more money than is realistic for the situation.
50 years here. all good points and true. what depresses me is the lack of professional skills of people you have to encounter to get work. club owners, food and beverage managers etc. who are more about their own ego, than taking you seriously when you try to discuss issues with them. no professional respect or courtesy
Other than being on time and communication as essentials for being a pro, this guy is putting our blanket statement based on the one genre he plays in. It's different based on the genre you play in. Not everyone plays in a black suit and tie
No sh*t. Use your common sense, dude. 🫤 Dressing professionally mean dressing appropriate for the venue and the genre. He gave an example. You need to be able to think outside the box if you’re going to be an artist, bro.
I would include this one as well. The right gear does matter for the right gig. Other musicians may be different, but I've seen many a scenario as far as bassists where the person brings in a multi-scale, 6 string, Bartolini pickup-equipped bass in hot pink and yellow with fanned frets (exaggerating, of course), into an old-school situation where a P-Bass and Ampeg SVT type sound is what sounds best. Then the sound guy complains about how frustrating it is to get a good mix, because the frequencies are clashing.
@@ДенисКим-р6я If that works, go with it. Sometimes it takes experimenting and trial and error to see what works better. Sometimes a bass that's in between both ends of the spectrum will work, if you need to get a wide variety of warm and bright tones. Just find what's appropriate for what the song and the gig demands.
@@jasonbucklin Lol obviously if you have 0% or no talent you ain't getting any gigs. If you can play well enough and but you know how to market yourself then your setup for success. Not trying to toot my own horn but I can play instrument really well but I need work on selling myself.
I once played in a cover band for a band leader who had no communication. The last gig I did for him I was emailing, texting, leaving voicemails for more than a week asking "do you have a set list?", "are we having a rehearsal?" nothing. I arrive at the gig, three of the five singers up front are subs who also have no idea what songs we are doing. Keyboardist didn't show up. His expectation was that everyone has a repertoire of over 1000 songs and he could just call them out mid set (he was the drummer by the way). Sometimes he would call up the next song (not on any list) during the final chorus of the song we are in and we would all have to improvise a segue to the next song. If you couldn't pull that off he would say "you choked!!". Needless to say the hosts didn't pay and the checks we were given by the band leader all bounced.
I’m looking back on 30 years, and I can honestly say that being on time is all that matters. Any sentence involving phrases like; «things to do», «busy life», «a lot going on» is not just a lame excuse for being late. It’s also a lame excuse for; 1. Not being prepared. 2. Not knowing the music. 3. Not taking it seriously.
It seems like he’s more so speaking to people playing in party bands and corporate bands. If you’re a professional musician playing classical music, you’re not really expected to “engage” with your audience or “entertain” them so to speak. If you’re primarily a studio musician, everything he said about being in front of an audience does not apply. Depending on the genre of music you’re playing, t-shirts, jeans & sneakers are entirely appropriate clothes to perform in. There are venues and audiences that want to hear original music and not covers. I toured with a recording artist who had a wardrobe guy, so our onstage clothing was provided. What he said about punctuality, communication and knowing about your business translates regardless, but some of what he says gets thrown out the window depending on the kind of music you’re playing, the kind of venues you’re performing in and the type of gig itself your playing. Imagine a musician playing drums for a heavy metal band signed to a major label that he’s not meant to be a professional musician because he doesn’t own a black suit, white shirt, black tie and dress shoes.
you took the words out of my mouth, i worked as a recording studio engineer for a company that did music for commercial , tv and radio , seen all kind of professional musicians,dressed all kind of ways, what they had in common? They showed up on time, knew how to read and follow a lead sheet ( 90% of the time these guys never heard the music in advance but they have to record it in an hour or less), they could play their instruments really well. Not all of them are really nice tho, the classical music guys are kind of annoying , they are always sure to remind you that they are paid double scale if the session is longer than is supposed to . :)
@@pjbpiano the first thing I did was identify the specific kind of professional musician I thought he was speaking to. Then I gave examples of why what some of what he said did not apply to other kinds of professional musicians. One of those examples was someone who plays in a heavy metal band. Heavy metal bands play on stage and what he said about owning a suit, tie and dress shoes does not apply to heavy metal musicians who are performing on stage. Entertaining and engaging with your audience outside of a simple greeting before and vowing at the end of your performance is mot necessary if you’re a classical musician performing on stage. Hope this clarified my comment.
His points are know the music, be on time, wear the proper attire, be entertaining (situational i agree), don't be self-centered, communicate effectively and know how to do business. How he expounds his points may be debatable, but his points are valid, with one exception, in most, if not every, venue or gig.
@@Basie-o : you clearly don’t work in the session world. Maybe you ought to look him up, check out his track record and see if you can figure out why he said that.
@@Basie-o You missed the point of the quote. What that means is: show up as early as possible to get yourself set up and prepared. Your bandmates will take notice and appreciate it. It's good for you too because you don't have to rush so that when it comes time for the gig/session, you're much more relaxed and will play better. This is simple common sense.
5:08 - "You think everything is about you"... I see this one ALL the time. Enjoy your practice at home, play as loud as you want, use the exact tone you want, funkin go nuts. But when you are on stage, you are there to entertain those people who paid money or took their time (free shows) to stop by and support you. You OWE it to your audience to work closely with your band members and the FoH engineer to put on the best show you possibly can. And FoH engineers, this applies to you too... don't be a d-bag... the quality of the sound is more important than the quantity (volume), and don't play louder than the situation dictates. Put on a great show, people will love you for that.
A professional should also be able to read music. Written notation , chord charts, the number system, etc... Should also have good sight reading skills and be able to play a song they never heard or played before on the first down beat because you should be able to tell Immediately what the feel and vibe of a song Is as soon as the first chord and drum down beat hit. That comes with time and experience. And If you're doing sessions which I do, this skill Is vitally Important. You don't have hours or days to come up with a part. You have to nail most of what you're going to play on the first or second take, then punch In any fixes. You should always be a little early whether live or session. If you're early, your on time, If you're on time you're late. That's a good habit to get into. also, keep the conversation light and fun. DO NOT talk politics, especially on a session, especially when you might be playing with players you never met or played with before. I've been playing professionally for 35 years In Nashville Tn. One more tip. Be well versed In many styles of music. Be at home whether playing pop, jazz, rock, blues, country, prog rock, Americana, and even classical. You never know where your calls for work may come from. All this applies for live playing as well. Your job live, Is to please the guy who hired you, and the audience.On a session your job, Is to please the artist, and the producer. And ONE more thing. lol Be good at faking . If you don't know a song well enough for what ever reason, you can still get away with doing a good job that won't piss off the MD. Your ears should be developed enough to think, '' Ya, I know where this song is going''. Most songs have enough of the same kind of arrangements that It's second nature. This only applies to playing live. You CANNOT fake a session. You have to 100% hit the right notes, especially If you're reading written notation and there may be many accents you have to read that everyone Is hitting.
I can't tell you how many times I've shown up for a fill-in gig only to discover that the regular band members don't actually know the songs as recorded. Heck, I've played with artists who play different chords than on the reference tracks that they sent to me for their original songs... even different keys than the reference tracks... It all works out in the end, and it's always fun when the artist's wife leans over to him and says, "Hey, he (meaning me) played the thing from the album!"
I don't think Internet musician is the definition of "passive income" If you spent a week putting at tune together or even a day. That's active work. Just saying.
Passive income does not mean that there is no work involved. It just means that you have an asset that continues to bring in income without continuous work.
@TerenceFisher1 it takes a long time for a tune to become a passive income in that case, unless that tune goes viral, you continually have to promote it. But I get your point. I'm just starting, so I can't think of music as a passive income. Also if you are touring then it most definitely isn't passive!
@@KrellStudio Well by this logic, nothing is passive income. You're basically saying that anything that takes time and effort isn't passive income. But again, that's not what passive income is. And you can absolutely have passive income when you are just starting. So don't write it off simply because you are just starting...
@TerenceFisher1 I do get it honestly! But having spent a week on a tune already. I don't think I can just put it out there and expect it to make me money. In fact I honestly don't even know if I can make money no matter how "active" I am with it. There is alot to learn friend! But I will take advice from whoever provides it! So thanks for that advice.
The dress thing IS important, BUT I would say; If you are a rock band, look like a rock band, if you do hip hop; look hip hop, goth? Look goth, Ska? Look Ska, Reggae? Well so on. A muscle tank, black torn slim fit jeans and a patrol cap is kindof my stage look and it gets exactly the right attention at gigs (like when my band performed at Swedens biggest alternative festival). Having band t-shirts and other merch is also a thing!
I think that's the point. Have the right attire for the right event. I used to get calls for Jazz gigs in the 90s until I stopped because I didn't want to wear suits anymore. Another guy I knew would show up to Rock gigs with preppy casual dress and needless to say he looked like the band manager. 😂 It was all lighthearted but yeah, depends on the level too, right?
Being tone deaf is very rarely an argument. You just have to train your tone accuracy. Like if you were on the shooting range. Train your aim, record yourself, review and correct and repeat.
Listen if I can do it you can too. I’m going to tell you something you won’t believe. I felt I had a slight tone deafness some years ago! I tried everything nothing helped, then I found the answer. And listen to me, it was EASY!! After a year of listening in a relaxed way my whole life changed, once I heard it… And now I have perfect pitch! I’ll wait too see if you comment back. If you’re truly interested reply back.
Your audience is your clients. If the crowd isnt feeling what your doing, you need to be able to adapt quickly. Always play to the crowd. So many times ive seen bands refuse requests while bombing. No! They arent there to see you. They are there to be entertained. Make sure you are always checking you ego at the door and provide the crowd with a memorable performance. If you have to play sweet home Alabama for the umteenth time but it makes them happy, the bar owners will most likely appreciate your sacrifice for the betterment of your audience approval.
I've said this other places, but it's worth repeating. This is from my own experience. You can spend weeks learning ELP's Karn Evil 9, and when you play it a few people might clap politely. But you can play the Takin' Care of Business riff for 20 minutes and fill the dance floor. Guess which one will get you hired back?
yes- you need to be entertaining...but, there are gigs where nothing you do engages the people there, or they just see you as an opportunity to do something they want (to sing, play only the music "they" want to hear, etc)...it's always a fine line of "give and take"...
I could care less about the audience. Tbh I could care less about people in general. They've just been selfish pieces of crap to me. I'd rather spend my time making new art/music then to be a robot mimicking other people's music to make people I don't like feel good.
Often I show up early. I don't drive and often I have to rely on public transportation. Doing might also include some walking too. So I like to show up maybe a half hour early so I can take a seat, catch my breath, and maybe have a cool drink before it's time for me to set up and get going. And what would be considered appropriate dress for busking?
Great video!! I'm 61 and I've been a professional musician since I was 18. I learned from the best and there is a professional standard to doing it. If you've got no self discipline or self control you ain't built for it because it is not easy. 👍🏾👍🏾
"You think everything is about you." I remember seeing bands at parties or small clubs in the 70's saying stuff like, "We don't play good until we're drunk, so you all need to get us some drinks." The sensation of audience-turning-away was tangible. For myself, I've never minded a shot of whiskey after the last set.
This is a great checklist about about being professional in any field. Being on time, mastering the skills in your field, communicating effectively etc. are great qualities where you have to work with others in any profession. You have gained a sub. I am not a pro musician but I need to hear more from this channel.
There are some important differences between playing in an originals band and a covers band, and between playing as a member of an established group and as a 'gun for hire' session musician. That said, all of the points covered in this video apply to some extent, because they're all about respect for one's audience, respect for one's client/s, respect for the other people one works with, and respect for oneself.
I was in a very good worship band for 10+ years. I am proficient in several instruments though not a virtuoso. The point is I was very reliable, prepared and easy to get along with. Most of the members were 20 years younger and I was able to relate to them all. Without realizing it, I posses the traits outlined here. This was a good listen and validating too. Thanks
I agree with you 100%. If I ever become a music director or a minister of music? Everyone in the music department is going to dress appropriately from the choir from the praise team down to the musicians. Especially my musicians will all be wearing suits. I don't care what color it is. Unless it's that type of event. But you will have one a suit shirt and tie. Can I think any event? A musician should be in a suit
The church I go to isn’t about suits. The church I was at before was ALL about suit and tie. Depends on the church/venue. He’s not right about EVERYTHING.
I'm working on song #14 (memorizing). I need to jump in the car and drive for hours memorizing my lyrics today. I may never be a great entertainer but I'm working on it. Thanks for your input.
Communication skills are horrible these among all professions and people. Texting culture is making communication and productivity stagnant. But you're right, nothing infuriates me more than someone who takes three days to get back to you about a gig only to say "no". If you're asked about, your availability and you're not sure yet, then respond by saying: I need to check my schedule, can I get back to you by such and such time? With that being said, if you wait 3 days to respond, you really don't wanna do the gig and everyone else should take note. I have a good friend like that. Great guy, great drummer, but he takes forever to respond and often he ends up not being available. I no longer call him. Take note of people like that. When you have a group of hunting dogs and they know you're about to take them out for the hunt, they get all excited. But sometimes you'll have one or two lay back. Don't bother with them, if they're not excited, they won't be any use on the hunt.
Outstanding points, especially being on time. Another point suggestion comes to mind that a few musician friends of mine lacked, is a sense for "sound". Sound correlates with genre and style, can be supportive of the message of the song. A good band or artist can sound great with a better system, and/or settings that really capture your audience. (ie: too shrill can drive people out) In my experience, sound can be a difference maker, or a career killer.
While I qualify on five points (I'm not sure if I know how to entertain and am pretty sure business is not for me) the biggest red flag for me is: I don't want to. I've played classical music for 15 years or so and met quite some pros. While I respect their skills and dedication their way of life never appealed to me. Better to be a happy amateur.
Great video! All very important points. May I add... not just be on time, but 2 hours earlier. Have replacement for any equipment that will stop the show. Guys, hes not saying to wear a suit and tie, but be on the ready. Thanks
Hey mate classical guitar player here.. I'm pretty good but never tried to play seriously . I apologise to you sir, because I'm quite a cynical person so started berating my screen when you mentioned the course but if it's free then I'll check it out mate, and if there's any added options that do involve some small fee then of course I'd be happy to pay that anyway providing the course is good Thanks my friend I will check it out later today 👊 Edit to say that it's very good advice so thank you .. And lol, it's a case of like father like son here.. Dad was a professional musician all his life and he, like me had terrible time keeping! It cost him quite a few jobs.. He could not help it because he had extreme OCD so would take literally half an hour to lock the front door and park a car etc as he felt a uncontrollable urge to double check everything 😓.. This obsessive thought pattern I believe is what made him so good at his music ( He is Greek and played the Buzzuki and was quite a legend in his circles) and was known as the best player in London through the late 70s and 80s and 90s.. Very proud of him , he was never arrogant or anything like that but he was a bit eccentric and very OCD so this definitely cost him some lucrative jobs sadly 😓
I think several of these points are moot if you're playing in a grindcore band. That being said, no matter what style the music is, you should always be on time and know your parts.
@7:16 funny most artistic geniuses are business disabled and have absolutely 0% business skills. Left brain and Right brain are 2 totally different people. Also best musicians in history can’t read or understand music theory. I can play anything by ear and know the chords . Hendrix, Keith, countless blues legends never learned to read music. I was taught by old guys growing up in Chicago and told me my flavor and style would be harmed if I was reading notes. Any feedback?
So I got to correct you on some stuff here. First of all dressing up suits not necessarily attire unless you're doing a cruise ship which is really the lowest end of a musician can do. Yes you're working but it's it just means you can't find work. The bottom line is how to work is song choice.. now if you're getting hired by somebody else you have to do what they say. Get there early. Find out what kind of gig it is. The suit and tie gig doesn't necessarily play the best and those gigs are not fun at all. The funnest gigs is wearing a pair of jeans and boots. T-shirt look kind of more musicianlike. Just a little added touch to your your list
having a very good sense of rhythm and the ability to play tight is probably the most important criteria in my opinion. That's one of the big things that distinguishes pros from amateurs (and prevents amateurs from ever getting out of the amateur stage). You might have a great ear and a great ability for melody but if you're playing is sloppy (rhythmically) you're gonna sound amateurish.
Excuse me sir, I think many of the points you listed, perhaps all of them, are debatable. I don't think Jim Morrison ever bothered to take even a single lesson in music notation from the first day he joined the Doors. Can you describe the appropriate attire for a professional musician of Iggy Pop on a stage during a gig? Etc.
You can show up on time or even early, be dressed for the gig, have communication but still blow the gig. Why? Combination of nerves and overwhelm which unmasks the moment you realize "I am in WAY over my head".
Not knowing how to entertain is a big one. Micheal Jackson could sing but danced and put on a big show along with a great band and vocals. Also, knowing how to read a crowd. I like the "Everthing about you" flag. I know singers who have captivated a crowd with a ballad but couldn't hold the crowd cause every song in their set is a ballad. This a good video that I will be sharing.
Hits all 3 of my points: Punctuality, Preparedness, Communication. Just like the fire triangle of heat, fuel, and oxygen, if any one of those is missing, the thing ain't gonna happen.
These are really great guidelines. I'm a church drummer, not a professional musician per se but thankfully I check all the other boxes :) Quick question -- when do you need a suit? I wear dress clothes for church playing but I mostly go to Jazz festivals and clubs, and the musicians there do not dress up as a rule. I can see in a corporate event, formal club or formal event like a wedding, but outside of those, when would you dress in a suit?
I Would say as a general rule, dress as good, or better, than your audience. If they're showing up in fancy attire, put on a suit. If it's a casual wallpaper jazz gig in the corner of a casual diner, a suit would be overkill. Since you're a drummer, it's not likely you'll be doing solo gigs. If you're working with a band all the time, coordinate with them. It's never a bad thing to have your band looking sharp - if that means everyone wears a suit just so it's easy to coordinate, then do it. Easier than having everyone find matching outfits of just about any other kind! Hope that helps :)
@@backonstageapp that’s helpful, thanks. I imagine too it’s a situation where some artists have more leeway than others. Artists who are well known can often get away with dressing down when that would be frowned upon if someone unknown did it. Appreciate it, thanks again.
@@TheThinkersBible Yes indeed. I think as an "artist" you should dress to compliment your music...but as a 'performer', like if you're in a cover band, band for hire, church group etc, where you are not performing your original music, attire is more about matching the event.
Interesting, the distinction you made between “artist” or “performer.” But I know what you mean. With that in mind, for you personally, as a musician, what do you think we need more of in the industry to better serve the music? More artists or performers? I’m also keeping in mind that many who think they are one, are actually meant to be the other!
Another one and unfortunately im a big offender of this is not owning a car. I have a chrobic phobia of driving and rely on peiple to give me a lift to gigs. Its extremely limiting for me 😭
Three things that will eventually lead to not a lot of callback gigs. First Showing Up Late, Second when it’s a week before the gig and the band leader gives you a set list and links to the songs… LEARN THE DAMN SONGS.Three when you ask for advice about playing the song you have never heard and your given the advice “ It’s definitely rock,8th note straight, no walk just root note 1+2+3+4+.. the verse is 1 5 6- 4” and you say ok great, then proceed to WALK THE BASS LINE.. that’s how you don’t get callback gigs…
I think the biggest sign for me that I’m not meant to be a pro musician is that, when I sing, I put two fingers on my headphones and close my eyes. Or, I start Gregorian chanting during ad-libs.
i grow weary of most of these you tube influencers laying down blanket statements telling other musicians what they "NEED' to know. Rick Beato is awesome (thank you Rick), but even he has once or twice seemed a bit biased by his own taste. Music is for everyone and therefore sounds, looks, and feels like everything. Can you dig it?
Taking low paying gigs, flexing your jazz chops at a rock gig, not learning the songs properly and busking through a fill in gig, playing too loud, not learning words if you’re a singer…
I feel like this is a list for a certain type of professional musician. There's whole other world out there of professional pub cover musicians that half of this list doesn't really apply to. Like, I'm not wearing a suit to a pub to play a covers gig....
I agree with everything you mentioned, however most muscians are about jeans and black shirts etc..suit and tie gigs are used for political fund raisers, possible weddings and or other black tie events but up here in the midwest, it jeans!!
Is there signs you aren’t meant to be it, or maybe it’s just signs that you need to work harder if you want to be it? The only sign that you aren’t meant to be it is if you don’t love it, at least in my mind.
I feel this Pro Musician title is in error all the Full Time Working musicians i know call themselves Gigging Musicians and the push for excellence is honing your craft thru practice in order to make the roster for rehearsals sound checks and performing. If you cant play they dont pay. Simple. Its always been this way. Sometimes the process let fakers get the gig but if you are lacking its going to be revealed. I keep hearing that a lot of the younger musicians can be problematic when they are fired due to lack of preparation thru practice. The world does not treat them like the church elders and trying to let a lot of these immature musicians know they are not the headliner they are working for their "skill set"? And i have seen this situation go left real fast too many times.
I would go with most of your points, but the dress code considerably depends on the kind of music you perform. Imagine a heavy metal band in black suits.
Interesting. I became a Professional Entertainer in 1985. I just had to go solo as I was exhausted with band members that were still. um, in the local rut. I tried to get them into the festivals I had already done, but nah. Something for everyone, eh?
Other than the very last one (I have some business skills but not a ton) I check all the boxes. I don’t play music professionally but I feel like I could. I have insane imposter syndrome though like I’m simply not good enough
![DDG & G Herbo - Nosey [Official Video]](http://i.ytimg.com/vi/I9Ra0Zc2NlQ/mqdefault.jpg)
I’m a pro with 50 years in the business. My tips are “On time, In time, In tune.”
Yea its horrible when a the guitar isn't in tune dude can't keep time for shit and a legend in their own mind and no improv skills what so ever .
I'd add to that, "in tune" with the rest of the band both literally and figuratively. Gotta listen well and mesh with the vibes; make sure your tone fits the music, your vibes and attitude mesh with your band mates, etc.
I Like That.
😎🤙
Well said !!!
Nice
Good list. I’m a pro musician, 35+ yrs. The bottom line is this,… #1 be on time, #2 be prepared to play the arrangements, #3 look good, #4 be a chill hang. If you can do these things, you WILL get called back! 🙌🏼
#% be on drugs, he forgot to be on drugs, over half the musicians i jammed with were on drugs. yeah he doesn't mention drugs.
Some people can't help number 3, its genetic😂
Not being on time or comming to reharshals, not communicating due to various reasons is why one of our synth players had to leave. He didn´t have time due to kids and stuff and he couldn´t play all the synth parts well before a gig at a big alternative festival. Two weeks out from the show we had to tell him he had to do his part pefect in one or two reharshals or we had to use our stand in synth player again. He dropped out of the band and fortunately the gig turned out good with a synth player from another band. The gig went great even though we played early and we sold quite a bit of merchandise afterwards. Funny thing is that our stand in had performed with another band the day before and after our show he went out of the country to tour with a metal band. Three genres in three nights.
What does being a chill hang involve ?
@@JayboTheHood be chill, be on drugs, when you play your nerves and jitters get to you some do drugs to chill.
Not being on time and poor communication skills isn’t just a killer in the music business. It’s a killer in practically any job.
I would be a part of bad communication skills because of the technology that I have with poor screen readers. I don't handle change very well in this technology touch screen world fighting with bad software and inaccessible software that blind people like myself can't use, lol.
Especially in politics. If you hold a high enough office, you can make people conform to your time schedule and get away with it. But if if you can communicate, eventually that shines through. Hint. Hint.
@@visionquest09 Right
Not for Labor Depot. They don't understand what communication even is. They think I keep saying Californiacation whenever I bring it up. Never work for them you'll go insane.
And not only that it is so horrible to everyone because the musician is then not at his/her best rushing around no proper sound check it is so awful
Good stuff.
Shout out to churches, that groomed me for playing professionally; we were required to sound, act, and look the part, or we simply weren’t allowed to play.
Communication; HOW you communicate is also crucial. Being bossy (esp when you are not the leader) doesn’t usually work. Being too passive (esp when you are the leader) won’t work either. In a word; always be “respectful.”
Bang on. Exactly!
Exactly. A good leader should have a balance.
Full time professional musician for decades here and I can attest these are accurate. The only exception is that "professional attire" is verrrrry context dependent. I mainly music direct and/or tour with pop artists and I can't remember that last gig I did that called for a suit (though I definitely have one). It certainly won't hurt your career being the sharpest dressed on the gig, but just like in the actual music, context is everything.
I've been a band leader for decades, here is what some musicians do that bugs me the most:
1 - Not going over the songs at home.
2 - Showing up late.
3 - Bad communication by phone, text or email.
4 - Not being honest.
5 - Showing up drunk.
6 - Dressed sloppy, I run RnB bands, not rock.
7 - Expecting more money than is realistic for the situation.
can I put all of my stats into fashion to compensate for a severe lack of talent?
No excuse for not practicing at home.
Showing up drunk must be social anxiety that they need to address another way.
Showing up drunk never harmed Joe Walsh's career.
@@ChorltonM21 The world was drunk back then. No one noticed.
Personally rock bands dress better than RnB bands, but i agree with the rest 💯
50 years here. all good points and true. what depresses me is the lack of professional skills of people you have to encounter to get work. club owners, food and beverage managers etc. who are more about their own ego, than taking you seriously when you try to discuss issues with them. no professional respect or courtesy
Other than being on time and communication as essentials for being a pro, this guy is putting our blanket statement based on the one genre he plays in. It's different based on the genre you play in. Not everyone plays in a black suit and tie
Facts
that's true. it depends on the genre and the venue.
No sh*t. Use your common sense, dude. 🫤
Dressing professionally mean dressing appropriate for the venue and the genre. He gave an example. You need to be able to think outside the box if you’re going to be an artist, bro.
I would include this one as well. The right gear does matter for the right gig. Other musicians may be different, but I've seen many a scenario as far as bassists where the person brings in a multi-scale, 6 string, Bartolini pickup-equipped bass in hot pink and yellow with fanned frets (exaggerating, of course), into an old-school situation where a P-Bass and Ampeg SVT type sound is what sounds best. Then the sound guy complains about how frustrating it is to get a good mix, because the frequencies are clashing.
to be fair, most often it's the opposite, band wants modern big hi-end sound, while bassist has cheap p-bass with year old rounds XD.
@@ДенисКим-р6я If that works, go with it. Sometimes it takes experimenting and trial and error to see what works better. Sometimes a bass that's in between both ends of the spectrum will work, if you need to get a wide variety of warm and bright tones. Just find what's appropriate for what the song and the gig demands.
4:16 - "You don't know how to entertain" - that's the one.
One of my friends told me that it's 15% talent and 85% business when it comes to being a pro musician.
He told you the truth..
True. But develop the talent first for longevity when you do get the business.
Not so sure about the 15% talent thing. No talent means NO GIGS, regardless of how “professional” you might be.
@@jasonbucklin Lol obviously if you have 0% or no talent you ain't getting any gigs. If you can play well enough and but you know how to market yourself then your setup for success. Not trying to toot my own horn but I can play instrument really well but I need work on selling myself.
@@jasonbucklin I think he means your talent is going to carry you 15% of the way, not that you're 15% talented.
100% correct on every issue. The time issue is a major one for me. If you are not very early to a gig, you are late.
I once played in a cover band for a band leader who had no communication. The last gig I did for him I was emailing, texting, leaving voicemails for more than a week asking "do you have a set list?", "are we having a rehearsal?" nothing. I arrive at the gig, three of the five singers up front are subs who also have no idea what songs we are doing. Keyboardist didn't show up. His expectation was that everyone has a repertoire of over 1000 songs and he could just call them out mid set (he was the drummer by the way). Sometimes he would call up the next song (not on any list) during the final chorus of the song we are in and we would all have to improvise a segue to the next song. If you couldn't pull that off he would say "you choked!!". Needless to say the hosts didn't pay and the checks we were given by the band leader all bounced.
I’m looking back on 30 years, and I can honestly say that being on time is all that matters. Any sentence involving phrases like; «things to do», «busy life», «a lot going on» is not just a lame excuse for being late. It’s also a lame excuse for;
1. Not being prepared.
2. Not knowing the music.
3. Not taking it seriously.
Great points... not just in music but in life. :)
It seems like he’s more so speaking to people playing in party bands and corporate bands. If you’re a professional musician playing classical music, you’re not really expected to “engage” with your audience or “entertain” them so to speak. If you’re primarily a studio musician, everything he said about being in front of an audience does not apply. Depending on the genre of music you’re playing, t-shirts, jeans & sneakers are entirely appropriate clothes to perform in. There are venues and audiences that want to hear original music and not covers. I toured with a recording artist who had a wardrobe guy, so our onstage clothing was provided. What he said about punctuality, communication and knowing about your business translates regardless, but some of what he says gets thrown out the window depending on the kind of music you’re playing, the kind of venues you’re performing in and the type of gig itself your playing. Imagine a musician playing drums for a heavy metal band signed to a major label that he’s not meant to be a professional musician because he doesn’t own a black suit, white shirt, black tie and dress shoes.
you took the words out of my mouth, i worked as a recording studio engineer for a company that did music for commercial , tv and radio , seen all kind of professional musicians,dressed all kind of ways, what they had in common? They showed up on time, knew how to read and follow a lead sheet ( 90% of the time these guys never heard the music in advance but they have to record it in an hour or less), they could play their instruments really well. Not all of them are really nice tho, the classical music guys are kind of annoying , they are always sure to remind you that they are paid double scale if the session is longer than is supposed to . :)
He is talking about stage performing musicians.
@@pjbpiano the first thing I did was identify the specific kind of professional musician I thought he was speaking to. Then I gave examples of why what some of what he said did not apply to other kinds of professional musicians. One of those examples was someone who plays in a heavy metal band. Heavy metal bands play on stage and what he said about owning a suit, tie and dress shoes does not apply to heavy metal musicians who are performing on stage. Entertaining and engaging with your audience outside of a simple greeting before and vowing at the end of your performance is mot necessary if you’re a classical musician performing on stage. Hope this clarified my comment.
His points are know the music, be on time, wear the proper attire, be entertaining (situational i agree), don't be self-centered, communicate effectively and know how to do business.
How he expounds his points may be debatable, but his points are valid, with one exception, in most, if not every, venue or gig.
yeah- think these are "general" principles he's discussing, here...depends on what you're doing, and where...
Thank you. I have to do better at a few of these.
Paul Leim once said that if your’e on time, you’re late.
That’s just dumb. On time is on time. Late is late. It’s not complicated.
@@Basie-o : you clearly don’t work in the session world. Maybe you ought to look him up, check out his track record and see if you can figure out why he said that.
@@Basie-o You missed the point of the quote. What that means is: show up as early as possible to get yourself set up and prepared. Your bandmates will take notice and appreciate it. It's good for you too because you don't have to rush so that when it comes time for the gig/session, you're much more relaxed and will play better. This is simple common sense.
Basie-o, clearly, you've never been late!
The variant I've heard is: "Early is on-time, on-time is late, late is unemployed."
5:08 - "You think everything is about you"... I see this one ALL the time. Enjoy your practice at home, play as loud as you want, use the exact tone you want, funkin go nuts. But when you are on stage, you are there to entertain those people who paid money or took their time (free shows) to stop by and support you. You OWE it to your audience to work closely with your band members and the FoH engineer to put on the best show you possibly can. And FoH engineers, this applies to you too... don't be a d-bag... the quality of the sound is more important than the quantity (volume), and don't play louder than the situation dictates. Put on a great show, people will love you for that.
A professional should also be able to read music. Written notation , chord charts, the number system, etc... Should also have good sight reading skills and be able to play a song they never heard or played before on the first down beat because you should be able to tell Immediately what the feel and vibe of a song Is as soon as the first chord and drum down beat hit. That comes with time and experience. And If you're doing sessions which I do, this skill Is vitally Important. You don't have hours or days to come up with a part. You have to nail most of what you're going to play on the first or second take, then punch In any fixes. You should always be a little early whether live or session. If you're early, your on time, If you're on time you're late. That's a good habit to get into. also, keep the conversation light and fun. DO NOT talk politics, especially on a session, especially when you might be playing with players you never met or played with before. I've been playing professionally for 35 years In Nashville Tn. One more tip. Be well versed In many styles of music. Be at home whether playing pop, jazz, rock, blues, country, prog rock, Americana, and even classical. You never know where your calls for work may come from. All this applies for live playing as well. Your job live, Is to please the guy who hired you, and the audience.On a session your job, Is to please the artist, and the producer. And ONE more thing. lol Be good at faking . If you don't know a song well enough for what ever reason, you can still get away with doing a good job that won't piss off the MD. Your ears should be developed enough to think, '' Ya, I know where this song is going''. Most songs have enough of the same kind of arrangements that It's second nature. This only applies to playing live. You CANNOT fake a session. You have to 100% hit the right notes, especially If you're reading written notation and there may be many accents you have to read that everyone Is hitting.
I can't tell you how many times I've shown up for a fill-in gig only to discover that the regular band members don't actually know the songs as recorded. Heck, I've played with artists who play different chords than on the reference tracks that they sent to me for their original songs... even different keys than the reference tracks...
It all works out in the end, and it's always fun when the artist's wife leans over to him and says, "Hey, he (meaning me) played the thing from the album!"
I don't think Internet musician is the definition of "passive income"
If you spent a week putting at tune together or even a day. That's active work. Just saying.
Passive income does not mean that there is no work involved. It just means that you have an asset that continues to bring in income without continuous work.
@TerenceFisher1 it takes a long time for a tune to become a passive income in that case, unless that tune goes viral, you continually have to promote it. But I get your point. I'm just starting, so I can't think of music as a passive income.
Also if you are touring then it most definitely isn't passive!
@@KrellStudio Well by this logic, nothing is passive income. You're basically saying that anything that takes time and effort isn't passive income.
But again, that's not what passive income is. And you can absolutely have passive income when you are just starting. So don't write it off simply because you are just starting...
@TerenceFisher1 I do get it honestly! But having spent a week on a tune already. I don't think I can just put it out there and expect it to make me money. In fact I honestly don't even know if I can make money no matter how "active" I am with it. There is alot to learn friend! But I will take advice from whoever provides it! So thanks for that advice.
The dress thing IS important, BUT I would say; If you are a rock band, look like a rock band, if you do hip hop; look hip hop, goth? Look goth, Ska? Look Ska, Reggae? Well so on. A muscle tank, black torn slim fit jeans and a patrol cap is kindof my stage look and it gets exactly the right attention at gigs (like when my band performed at Swedens biggest alternative festival). Having band t-shirts and other merch is also a thing!
I think that's the point. Have the right attire for the right event. I used to get calls for Jazz gigs in the 90s until I stopped because I didn't want to wear suits anymore. Another guy I knew would show up to Rock gigs with preppy casual dress and needless to say he looked like the band manager. 😂
It was all lighthearted but yeah, depends on the level too, right?
Exactly! Look the part. 👍
I guess my constant battle with tone deafness won't be a problem!
That’s the elephant in the room that no one is allowed to speak of😂
Being tone deaf is very rarely an argument. You just have to train your tone accuracy. Like if you were on the shooting range. Train your aim, record yourself, review and correct and repeat.
Listen if I can do it you can too. I’m going to tell you something you won’t believe. I felt I had a slight tone deafness some years ago! I tried everything nothing helped, then I found the answer. And listen to me, it was EASY!!
After a year of listening in a relaxed way my whole life changed, once I heard it…
And now I have perfect pitch! I’ll wait too see if you comment back. If you’re truly interested reply back.
Your audience is your clients. If the crowd isnt feeling what your doing, you need to be able to adapt quickly. Always play to the crowd. So many times ive seen bands refuse requests while bombing. No! They arent there to see you. They are there to be entertained. Make sure you are always checking you ego at the door and provide the crowd with a memorable performance. If you have to play sweet home Alabama for the umteenth time but it makes them happy, the bar owners will most likely appreciate your sacrifice for the betterment of your audience approval.
I've said this other places, but it's worth repeating. This is from my own experience. You can spend weeks learning ELP's Karn Evil 9, and when you play it a few people might clap politely. But you can play the Takin' Care of Business riff for 20 minutes and fill the dance floor.
Guess which one will get you hired back?
yes- you need to be entertaining...but, there are gigs where nothing you do engages the people there, or they just see you as an opportunity to do something they want (to sing, play only the music "they" want to hear, etc)...it's always a fine line of "give and take"...
Imagine if SRV changed his act when he was getting boo'd during his Montreux show in '82 just because the audience didn't like it.
I could care less about the audience. Tbh I could care less about people in general. They've just been selfish pieces of crap to me. I'd rather spend my time making new art/music then to be a robot mimicking other people's music to make people I don't like feel good.
Often I show up early. I don't drive and often I have to rely on public transportation. Doing might also include some walking too. So I like to show up maybe a half hour early so I can take a seat, catch my breath, and maybe have a cool drink before it's time for me to set up and get going.
And what would be considered appropriate dress for busking?
Thank you for dissecting the difference
Great video!! I'm 61 and I've been a professional musician since I was 18. I learned from the best and there is a professional standard to doing it. If you've got no self discipline or self control you ain't built for it because it is not easy. 👍🏾👍🏾
"You think everything is about you." I remember seeing bands at parties or small clubs in the 70's saying stuff like, "We don't play good until we're drunk, so you all need to get us some drinks." The sensation of audience-turning-away was tangible.
For myself, I've never minded a shot of whiskey after the last set.
This is a great checklist about about being professional in any field. Being on time, mastering the skills in your field, communicating effectively etc. are great qualities where you have to work with others in any profession.
You have gained a sub. I am not a pro musician but I need to hear more from this channel.
When you're a musician, you are in the music business...... business being the operative phrase.
There are some important differences between playing in an originals band and a covers band, and between playing as a member of an established group and as a 'gun for hire' session musician. That said, all of the points covered in this video apply to some extent, because they're all about respect for one's audience, respect for one's client/s, respect for the other people one works with, and respect for oneself.
I cannot perform in a suite, reggae music is energy. Jeans and a Tshirt is 🔥🔥
I was in a very good worship band for 10+ years.
I am proficient in several instruments though not a virtuoso. The point is I was very reliable, prepared and easy to get along with. Most of the members were 20 years younger and I was able to relate to them all.
Without realizing it, I posses the traits outlined here. This was a good listen and validating too.
Thanks
2:04 I seriously thought the brother was about to hit a spliff.
Always dress for the occasion be on time and know you’re material and always look and be professional.
I agree with you 100%.
If I ever become a music director or a minister of music? Everyone in the music department is going to dress appropriately from the choir from the praise team down to the musicians. Especially my musicians will all be wearing suits. I don't care what color it is. Unless it's that type of event. But you will have one a suit shirt and tie. Can I think any event? A musician should be in a suit
Wearing a suit depends on the gig and atmosphere. A lot of them don’t require suits.
The church I go to isn’t about suits. The church I was at before was ALL about suit and tie.
Depends on the church/venue. He’s not right about EVERYTHING.
Oh thank god, what a relief. I was worried when I first started this video.
I'm working on song #14 (memorizing). I need to jump in the car and drive for hours memorizing my lyrics today. I may never be a great entertainer but I'm working on it. Thanks for your input.
People showing up late is always a drag.
Communication skills are horrible these among all professions and people. Texting culture is making communication and productivity stagnant. But you're right, nothing infuriates me more than someone who takes three days to get back to you about a gig only to say "no". If you're asked about, your availability and you're not sure yet, then respond by saying: I need to check my schedule, can I get back to you by such and such time? With that being said, if you wait 3 days to respond, you really don't wanna do the gig and everyone else should take note. I have a good friend like that. Great guy, great drummer, but he takes forever to respond and often he ends up not being available. I no longer call him. Take note of people like that. When you have a group of hunting dogs and they know you're about to take them out for the hunt, they get all excited. But sometimes you'll have one or two lay back. Don't bother with them, if they're not excited, they won't be any use on the hunt.
ayo I made 10k in some heelys the other day, and I was an hour late to the show fwm
lol
Outstanding points, especially being on time. Another point suggestion comes to mind that a few musician friends of mine lacked, is a sense for "sound". Sound correlates with genre and style, can be supportive of the message of the song. A good band or artist can sound great with a better system, and/or settings that really capture your audience. (ie: too shrill can drive people out) In my experience, sound can be a difference maker, or a career killer.
Business Skills is what I need
A place in a band is what I need.
First time here, these are very much Life Lessons as well…Great video Brother!
While I qualify on five points (I'm not sure if I know how to entertain and am pretty sure business is not for me) the biggest red flag for me is: I don't want to.
I've played classical music for 15 years or so and met quite some pros. While I respect their skills and dedication their way of life never appealed to me. Better to be a happy amateur.
as an amateur I agree: #1 is, "you're willing to make it a job."
Great video!
Great video! All very important points.
May I add...
not just be on time, but 2 hours earlier. Have replacement for any equipment that will stop the show.
Guys, hes not saying to wear a suit and tie, but be on the ready.
Thanks
downbeat at 9pm? I'm there 8pm at the latest. If the venue allows an earlier load in, even better.
Amen Bro!!!.....This Video is Goldworthy!!.....Thank You So Much!
Hey mate classical guitar player here.. I'm pretty good but never tried to play seriously .
I apologise to you sir, because I'm quite a cynical person so started berating my screen when you mentioned the course but if it's free then I'll check it out mate, and if there's any added options that do involve some small fee then of course I'd be happy to pay that anyway providing the course is good
Thanks my friend I will check it out later today 👊
Edit to say that it's very good advice so thank you ..
And lol, it's a case of like father like son here.. Dad was a professional musician all his life and he, like me had terrible time keeping!
It cost him quite a few jobs..
He could not help it because he had extreme OCD so would take literally half an hour to lock the front door and park a car etc as he felt a uncontrollable urge to double check everything 😓..
This obsessive thought pattern I believe is what made him so good at his music ( He is Greek and played the Buzzuki and was quite a legend in his circles) and was known as the best player in London through the late 70s and 80s and 90s..
Very proud of him , he was never arrogant or anything like that but he was a bit eccentric and very OCD so this definitely cost him some lucrative jobs sadly 😓
Yep, that's the list. Great Review, Thanks.
I can't keep this pressure I'm out il be a film producer instead thanks for this I'm free
True and knowing the venue and what is expected ❤
thank you! this is very helpful
I think several of these points are moot if you're playing in a grindcore band.
That being said, no matter what style the music is, you should always be on time and know your parts.
@7:16 funny most artistic geniuses are business disabled and have absolutely 0% business skills. Left brain and Right brain are 2 totally different people. Also best musicians in history can’t read or understand music theory. I can play anything by ear and know the chords . Hendrix, Keith, countless blues legends never learned to read music. I was taught by old guys growing up in Chicago and told me my flavor and style would be harmed if I was reading notes. Any feedback?
So I got to correct you on some stuff here. First of all dressing up suits not necessarily attire unless you're doing a cruise ship which is really the lowest end of a musician can do. Yes you're working but it's it just means you can't find work. The bottom line is how to work is song choice.. now if you're getting hired by somebody else you have to do what they say. Get there early. Find out what kind of gig it is. The suit and tie gig doesn't necessarily play the best and those gigs are not fun at all. The funnest gigs is wearing a pair of jeans and boots. T-shirt look kind of more musicianlike. Just a little added touch to your your list
This are must haves in ANY job. He’s just applying it to music industry
having a very good sense of rhythm and the ability to play tight is probably the most important criteria in my opinion. That's one of the big things that distinguishes pros from amateurs (and prevents amateurs from ever getting out of the amateur stage). You might have a great ear and a great ability for melody but if you're playing is sloppy (rhythmically) you're gonna sound amateurish.
ONCE SAID AND DONE< BE A DEDICATED TEAM PLAYER!
Excuse me sir, I think many of the points you listed, perhaps all of them, are debatable.
I don't think Jim Morrison ever bothered to take even a single lesson in music notation from the first day he joined the Doors.
Can you describe the appropriate attire for a professional musician of Iggy Pop on a stage during a gig?
Etc.
You can show up on time or even early, be dressed for the gig, have communication but still blow the gig. Why? Combination of nerves and overwhelm which unmasks the moment you realize "I am in WAY over my head".
on the entertaining issue, practice stagecraft with a person who can tell you what you are doing.
Not knowing how to entertain is a big one. Micheal Jackson could sing but danced and put on a big show along with a great band and vocals. Also, knowing how to read a crowd. I like the "Everthing about you" flag. I know singers who have captivated a crowd with a ballad but couldn't hold the crowd cause every song in their set is a ballad. This a good video that I will be sharing.
Hits all 3 of my points: Punctuality, Preparedness, Communication. Just like the fire triangle of heat, fuel, and oxygen, if any one of those is missing, the thing ain't gonna happen.
Mostly agree a part from that "attire" point... we're musicans first not fashionistas..dont judge book by ts cover?
It’s been drilled into everyone’s head forever that they are an artist( like Jim Morrison)!
A suit and tie arent required in a honky tonk., but the knowing how to entertain,very true
Playing in a rock band with a suit and a tie doesn't really go well with the look but I do dress the part for on stage to stand out from the crowd
Ramones say differently. In all seriousness, good video. Know your shit, of course.
Yep know your stuff!
These are really great guidelines. I'm a church drummer, not a professional musician per se but thankfully I check all the other boxes :) Quick question -- when do you need a suit? I wear dress clothes for church playing but I mostly go to Jazz festivals and clubs, and the musicians there do not dress up as a rule. I can see in a corporate event, formal club or formal event like a wedding, but outside of those, when would you dress in a suit?
I Would say as a general rule, dress as good, or better, than your audience. If they're showing up in fancy attire, put on a suit. If it's a casual wallpaper jazz gig in the corner of a casual diner, a suit would be overkill. Since you're a drummer, it's not likely you'll be doing solo gigs. If you're working with a band all the time, coordinate with them. It's never a bad thing to have your band looking sharp - if that means everyone wears a suit just so it's easy to coordinate, then do it. Easier than having everyone find matching outfits of just about any other kind! Hope that helps :)
@@backonstageapp that’s helpful, thanks. I imagine too it’s a situation where some artists have more leeway than others. Artists who are well known can often get away with dressing down when that would be frowned upon if someone unknown did it. Appreciate it, thanks again.
@@TheThinkersBible Yes indeed. I think as an "artist" you should dress to compliment your music...but as a 'performer', like if you're in a cover band, band for hire, church group etc, where you are not performing your original music, attire is more about matching the event.
@@backonstageapp great guideline, makes perfect sense. I'll keep that in mind.
Interesting, the distinction you made between “artist” or “performer.” But I know what you mean. With that in mind, for you personally, as a musician, what do you think we need more of in the industry to better serve the music? More artists or performers? I’m also keeping in mind that many who think they are one, are actually meant to be the other!
Another one and unfortunately im a big offender of this is not owning a car. I have a chrobic phobia of driving and rely on peiple to give me a lift to gigs. Its extremely limiting for me 😭
Yes! No car has kept me from countless nightmare and slit throat music experiences 😂
I broke all your rules and still paid off my house with the proceeds. Anybody else out there?
Yes Bro same here🎉🎉🎉
Those are the rules for a pro entreteinment ;) art Is different
Three things that will eventually lead to not a lot of callback gigs. First Showing Up Late, Second when it’s a week before the gig and the band leader gives you a set list and links to the songs… LEARN THE DAMN SONGS.Three when you ask for advice about playing the song you have never heard and your given the advice “ It’s definitely rock,8th note straight, no walk just root note 1+2+3+4+.. the verse is 1 5 6- 4” and you say ok great, then proceed to WALK THE BASS LINE.. that’s how you don’t get callback gigs…
I think the biggest sign for me that I’m not meant to be a pro musician is that, when I sing, I put two fingers on my headphones and close my eyes. Or, I start Gregorian chanting during ad-libs.
You rock dude!
Amazing I was worried about watching this video but checking OK ✅
Legit advice
Right on Sir 💪🏿💯
I don't know how to entertain 🤣 and every reason from there on.
i grow weary of most of these you tube influencers laying down blanket statements telling other musicians what they "NEED' to know. Rick Beato is awesome (thank you Rick), but even he has once or twice seemed a bit biased by his own taste. Music is for everyone and therefore sounds, looks, and feels like everything. Can you dig it?
Taking low paying gigs, flexing your jazz chops at a rock gig, not learning the songs properly and busking through a fill in gig, playing too loud, not learning words if you’re a singer…
Great Video Cheers
… makin’ money on YT … 😂
Excellent analysis 👍
How bout performing Songwriter/Singers who record and sing for living.
I feel like this is a list for a certain type of professional musician. There's whole other world out there of professional pub cover musicians that half of this list doesn't really apply to. Like, I'm not wearing a suit to a pub to play a covers gig....
Passion Passion Passion ; three most important virtues of professional musicians
I agree with everything you mentioned, however most muscians are about jeans and black shirts etc..suit and tie gigs are used for political fund raisers, possible weddings and or other black tie events but up here in the midwest, it jeans!!
Is there signs you aren’t meant to be it, or maybe it’s just signs that you need to work harder if you want to be it?
The only sign that you aren’t meant to be it is if you don’t love it, at least in my mind.
I feel this Pro Musician title is in error all the Full Time Working musicians i know call themselves Gigging Musicians and the push for excellence is honing your craft thru practice in order to make the roster for rehearsals sound checks and performing. If you cant play they dont pay. Simple. Its always been this way. Sometimes the process let fakers get the gig but if you are lacking its going to be revealed. I keep hearing that a lot of the younger musicians can be problematic when they are fired due to lack of preparation thru practice. The world does not treat them like the church elders and trying to let a lot of these immature musicians know they are not the headliner they are working for their "skill set"? And i have seen this situation go left real fast too many times.
I would go with most of your points, but the dress code considerably depends on the kind of music you perform. Imagine a heavy metal band in black suits.
According to this list there’s TONS of professionals that aren’t professionals! 🤷🏿♂️
Yeh then the comments are full of people talking about anything but music.
Interesting. I became a Professional Entertainer in 1985. I just had to go solo as I was exhausted with band members that were still. um, in the local rut. I tried to get them into the festivals I had already done, but nah. Something for everyone, eh?
Nice ❤
Great advice
Wow, who's that beauty at min. 5:25 playing guitar?
Other than the very last one (I have some business skills but not a ton) I check all the boxes. I don’t play music professionally but I feel like I could. I have insane imposter syndrome though like I’m simply not good enough