I haven't written an "original" blog post in a while and in that tradition I'm going to re-post a blog that spoke to me today. I receive daily DIY tips from my friend Brian at Thorny Bleeder (you should subscribe because he's awesome and got his ears down on the ground) and this link was in my inbox today.
Over the past few years I've gotten a taste of what it would be like to be a full time musician and have witnessed and/or been guilty of "what not to do" if you're a musician. I thought I'd share these 10 "tips" for being a pro-musician. I hope you can gain some important knowledge from them. Most of these are either common-sense or very obvious, but you'd be suprised as to how true the "stereotyping of musicians" is.
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TEN IMPORTANT TIPS For Aspiring Professional Musicians! by Gregg Wright
I’ve had the blessing of a 30 year career making a living doing what I love most . . . creating and playing music. It’s carried me to every corner of the earth. I’ve worked with some of the most fascinating and amazingly talented people on this planet, too numerous to name. This is not by chance. I work very hard at being the very best “professional” musician I can be. If you want a career playing music, here are ten “must know” tips to help you achieve and maintain that goal:
1. Practice Makes Perfect: There is no substitute for hard work and getting to know your instrument inside out. Hit the “woodshed.” You want to be able to play easily and smoothly, whatever an artist or producer asks of you.
2. Always Be On Time: This is one of the most important marks of a true professional. Music is a business and runs like any other business or profession. Time is money! Too many musicians think because they’re talented, they can show up whenever they want. Big mistake!!! I remember when I worked with Michael Jackson. He was a real stickler for being on time. If you showed up late, you simply disappeared and your services were no longer required. What a shame if you lost a great gig like that because you couldn’t be on time!
3. Be Well Prepared: I can’t tell you how many times I’ve seen excellent players show up to a session or rehearsal completely unprepared for the day’s work. If someone gives me a tape or CD of material to learn, by God when you see me again, I will know that material better than you, inside out!
4. Have Good Gear: Invest in yourself! Have the very best gear, whether its guitars, amps, effects, etc. Be sure it’s always in reliable working order. A good musician can make crap gear sound great. Imagine what that same musician can do with “great” gear. Good gear can be an expensive, but worthwhile investment. Nothing can replace a great sound!
5. Be Nice: Why do so many people have the misguided notion that being difficult or unpleasant makes you a better artist? Being a jerk doesn’t make you “edgy” . . . it just makes you a jerk! Trust me; nobody wants to work with a jerk!
6. Communications: There was a time when musicians waited for gigs by the phone. This is clearly no longer the case. I’m talking especially to you older players! Today’s working musician needs to have his or her communications universe in complete working order. A laptop, business cards, cell phone, web presence, social media, etc. If you don’t have these tools at your disposal, many of which are free you are completely out of the loop. You literally don’t exist!
7. Have Reliable Wheels: Very hard to be successful if you cannot get from point A to point B on time, with all your gear, ready to rock.
8. Get A Passport: Kind of hard to do those international festivals without a passport. Proper documentation for everything is paramount. Get it done!
9. Show up Sober: Save the party favors for after the gig or session. Nobody wants to pay their hard earned money to watch you stagger around the stage and miss notes because you have double vision and can’t see your instrument clearly!
10. Be Realistic: In many ways, this is the hardest, because there are so many falsehoods and false notions in show business. My personal philosophy for keeping it real is simple; the world was perfectly fine before I was here and will be perfectly fine after I’m here. It doesn’t need me, you or anyone else. It’s up to each of us to contribute something positive and uplifting while we are here. The world owes us nothing! The true mission of the musician is to uplift, heal and bring people together. Humble yourself! Serve the music and your audience faithfully, and wonderful things will happen.
Showing posts with label Thorny Bleeder. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Thorny Bleeder. Show all posts
January 24, 2011
TV Heart Attack
Once upon a time in a land far far away I played in a really fun band called Grace Nocturnal with some friends from the island. We used to come to the mainland often to play shows all over Vancouver, and one such show I met my soon to be long term friend Jason Corbett from a band (at the time) called Speed to Kill.
We loved hanging out with these guys in those days, as they were an amazingly talented group of people but also their music appealed to me.
Fast forward 3-4 years.
A couple years ago I'd heard that Speed to Kill had disbanded and that Jay (affectionette nickname) had started a new reincarnation called TV Heart Attack.
Fast Forward another few years.
In 2009 Sweetheart was a part of the "Peak Performance Project" which is a radio contest supporting BC talent sponsered by Music BC & 100.5 the Peak (a great local radio station here in Vancouver). As part of this contest, all 20 of the artists were to spend 1 week at a "bandcamp" where seminars and networking opportunities were held with local industry people. Initially I was skeptical but when the top 20 artists were announced I was pretty excited when TVHA's name was mentioned. I knew that they would be an ideal group of guys to hang out with for a week in the woods as they are probably the funnest, craziest individuals I know. Jason, Ryan & Art have the constant ability to make me laugh just by looking at them. Maybe it's because I can read what they're thinking before they say it. It's usually about the same kind of thing I would say. Our humour is identical, it's awesome.
I'm really rambling here but my intention was to review a song of theirs.
Here we go. Jay will probably hate me for picking "AO" because it's an "old song" but to be honest, it's a great song.
Some people have the knack of writing a hook that is so strong that it stays in your head for days. TVHA is this band for me. I don't have much to critique in this song, to me it is the perfect mix of style and substance. The chorus has a little songwriting trick in it where the band doesn't repeat the line on the 3rd time instead using guitar to repeat the hook. It's ingenius. Also the "Satellite of Love" throwback in the middle 8 is great. One time I told Jay that I wanted them to repeat it but he told me that it keeps you coming back for another listen. It totally does. I like this song so much that when Sweetheart went out for a tour with TVHA we started throwing AO at the end of one of our songs live. Also, I love this band so much that when I heard they were looking for a new member I suggested one of my heroes/best friends Adam to join. Is this making you sick reading this? Bromance is delightful.
I'm really excited to hear the next record from these guys.
--
To wrap up: TV Heart Attack is a Vancouver band that has become on of my favourites over the years as friends and as colleages. I've also become a huge fan and like to tell everyone about it! They perform this Thursday January 27th, 2011 at the Forum on Granville (1163 Granville Street). You should go. You should tell all your friends.
Check out their website here:
http://www.tvheartattack.com/
Check out AO on Youtube here!
(this video is cool, right?)
Love,
Marty
@martyzylstra
We loved hanging out with these guys in those days, as they were an amazingly talented group of people but also their music appealed to me.
Fast forward 3-4 years.
A couple years ago I'd heard that Speed to Kill had disbanded and that Jay (affectionette nickname) had started a new reincarnation called TV Heart Attack.
Fast Forward another few years.
In 2009 Sweetheart was a part of the "Peak Performance Project" which is a radio contest supporting BC talent sponsered by Music BC & 100.5 the Peak (a great local radio station here in Vancouver). As part of this contest, all 20 of the artists were to spend 1 week at a "bandcamp" where seminars and networking opportunities were held with local industry people. Initially I was skeptical but when the top 20 artists were announced I was pretty excited when TVHA's name was mentioned. I knew that they would be an ideal group of guys to hang out with for a week in the woods as they are probably the funnest, craziest individuals I know. Jason, Ryan & Art have the constant ability to make me laugh just by looking at them. Maybe it's because I can read what they're thinking before they say it. It's usually about the same kind of thing I would say. Our humour is identical, it's awesome.
I'm really rambling here but my intention was to review a song of theirs.
Here we go. Jay will probably hate me for picking "AO" because it's an "old song" but to be honest, it's a great song.
Some people have the knack of writing a hook that is so strong that it stays in your head for days. TVHA is this band for me. I don't have much to critique in this song, to me it is the perfect mix of style and substance. The chorus has a little songwriting trick in it where the band doesn't repeat the line on the 3rd time instead using guitar to repeat the hook. It's ingenius. Also the "Satellite of Love" throwback in the middle 8 is great. One time I told Jay that I wanted them to repeat it but he told me that it keeps you coming back for another listen. It totally does. I like this song so much that when Sweetheart went out for a tour with TVHA we started throwing AO at the end of one of our songs live. Also, I love this band so much that when I heard they were looking for a new member I suggested one of my heroes/best friends Adam to join. Is this making you sick reading this? Bromance is delightful.
I'm really excited to hear the next record from these guys.
--
To wrap up: TV Heart Attack is a Vancouver band that has become on of my favourites over the years as friends and as colleages. I've also become a huge fan and like to tell everyone about it! They perform this Thursday January 27th, 2011 at the Forum on Granville (1163 Granville Street). You should go. You should tell all your friends.
Check out their website here:
http://www.tvheartattack.com/
Check out AO on Youtube here!
(this video is cool, right?)
Love,
Marty
@martyzylstra
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