What does it take to be capable of being a studio musician?

alexthecheese

alexthecheese

alexthecheese

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Apart from an obscene amount of natural talent and more practise than you could possibly imagine?

It would be a dream of mine to be a studio musician (yes, you may scoff, I'll let you just this once), but what do you need to know in order to be capable of playing with the best?

I'm fairly competent on the guitar, but would like to become a musician rather than just a hack guitarist.
 
patience? being able to play the same thing spot-on over and over and over and...

...all without exploding with boredom.

*n
 
I'll add to that:

being incredibly proficient in every possible style of playing you can think of...

being able to play by ear, improvise, keep time (obvious), switch time with ease, play various timings, do what you're told, be prepared for idiots to keep asking 'once more...?'

*n
 
penski said:
I'll add to that:

being incredibly proficient in every possible style of playing you can think of...

being able to play by ear, improvise, keep time (obvious), switch time with ease, play various timings, do what you're told, be prepared for idiots to keep asking 'once more...?'

*n
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Those idiots are the ones that get your favourite albums and songs sounding top.

if it wasnt for those idiots, youd be listening to half assed songs.
 
Penski's pretty much summed it up, versatility and patience are both very important. You also need to be a likeable person, because as far as I know the best way to get your name around in the recording industry is to just be a nice bloke and try and get to know as many people as possible.
 
What about sight reading music, would you expect that to be a key factor in considering a musician for the part? It seems to make sense to me. I’m far from great but it’s something I’m learning at the moment with the help of my tutor.

I keep thinking that seeing as I put so much time into practising I might as well do it properly, with a loose aim for it all.
 
My 2 best friends from school are in their final year of a music related Degree...

They are caking themselves i think because there seems to be a very small opening when they finish...

What are their chances anyone?
 
Sight reading is in no way essential to be a session musician. You don't need any kind of paper qualification. Obviously if you do take a degree or something similar, you learn a lot of stuff which would aid in your progression as a musician. And you'd start building up a list of contacts. But you don't need anything other than to be a fantastic musician. And you do have to be very good.
 
It takes a lot of talent being a studio musician than actually being in a renowned band :)

Looking at todays bands, anyone can do it!

I just hope me mates do well and dont end up being bums, they were my band mates afterall :)
 
you need a lot of experience if you havent got it atm, get it.

do as much work as possible bands, adverts etc, joining a college course is a step in the right direction as it opens up possibilites.
 
naffa said:
Sight reading is in no way essential to be a session musician. You don't need any kind of paper qualification. Obviously if you do take a degree or something similar, you learn a lot of stuff which would aid in your progression as a musician. And you'd start building up a list of contacts. But you don't need anything other than to be a fantastic musician. And you do have to be very good.
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Disagree.

if someone turns around and says hey we got this scripture for this classical piece, here you go.

whats he gonna do go "oh i cant read music"

it is very essential.
 
Urrr.. No it's not. :rolleyes:

I'm friends with a bass player that has sessioned on numerous top 10 singles and used to be Alanis Morissette's bass player. Can't read music, yet has made a very sucessful career as a session player.
 
naffa said:
Urrr.. No it's not. :rolleyes:

I'm friends with a bass player that has sessioned on numerous top 10 singles and used to be Alanis Morissette's bass player. Can't read music, yet has made a very sucessful career as a session player.
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Well i believe it is.

if he stumbles across some work one day and they say heres the piece, now play it.


whats he going to do? theres session musicians and theres "Session Musicians"
 
Ok.. So you're telling me that even though I know numerous people that have made very successful livings as session players, without being able to fluently read music, it's still essential?
 
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naffa said:
Ok.. So you're telling me that even though I know numerous people that have made very successful livings as session players,without being able to fluently read music, it's still essential?
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i believe to make it really big, yes.

i know session musicians i dont know any of them that can't read music.
 
Fair enough, but you still maintain the view that to be a successful session player, you NEED to be able to fluently read score?
 
I agree that being able to read music must be huge help to any studio musician...

In my first year at college i did music (quit after the year) one of our tutors used to do it and he always drummed into us the importance of being able to just get handed a piece of music and there you go play it.

He said storied of guys struggling and they are out the door and the next guy comes in... a bit cut throat in a way
 
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