Do's and don'ts" when getting a gig as a session player:

1. Don't show up late. Try to arrive a bit early for levels. Be ready to start when the session is scheduled.

2. Do be prepared. Bring your outboard gear and amp and tuner etc. A studio is not a rental hall, so don't expect them to supply you with amps and other things.

3. Do be quiet when the engineer is trying to get levels from other players. Don't be jamming around while he's doing this. Its annoying and doesn't impress anyone.

4. Don't complain about the studio gear. This pisses off the engineer & producer. If there's a problem, use tact when bringing it up.

5. Don't bring your friends or family to someone else's session, unless invited by the producer. This happens a lot and it disrupts the business at hand.

6. Do what the producer says. He's the boss. Its his show. If the artist or the engineer is bending your ear, always double check their requests with the producer before you agree to anything.

7. Do stay out of the booth unless invited in. Session players should be on the "floor" working. They're not "producing" and it tends to be very distracting to the engineer & producer to have the bass player, or guitar player, hanging over their shoulders in the booth. Up until the late 60's, artists and musicians weren't allowed in the production booth. That's why most studios had big playback speakers on the main floor.

8. Do work as a unit with your fellow players, and remember that most of the "great stuff" you play on the date will NEVER be heard! Don't expect every note you play to make it on the mix; play as a team member. This is what separates the great session units from amateur players.

9. Do pay attention to what's going on. Time is money and you shouldn't use the studio as a chat room or rehearsal hall.

10. Finally, if you do bring your girlfriend to the studio, keep her away from the drummer. They're known for stealing girlfriends away.

© 1999 Just Plain Folks.

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