Graded Unit
Why are the following areas important for being a Session Musician/ Performer?
PEOPLE SKILLS
Teamworking
Teamworking is essential for wanting to become a session musician/ performer because in the future you
will have to be able to work with lots of different types of people and musicians, and be able to work
as a team, and be able to express your opinions and work together whilst being supportive, understanding
and compromising. It is important to not be too demanding and selfish and to be able to listen to other
people, whilst expressing your own views and making sure you are heard at the same time. It is important
as an individual to know your stuff, and a lot about your profession in order to bring your own input to
the table when meeting a new group/band/team etc. This is all important because otherwise tension
could be built, and arguments could arise, which will only create an uncomfortable atmosphere for everyone
and force people to take sides, where you could be the one left short, and miss your chance at what could be
a fantastic opportunity to work with great musicians etc.
Interpersonal Skills
Interpersonal skills are absolutely vital for this career choice, as it is very important to be able to build
relationships with people as soon as you meet them, this doesnt mean you have to become instant best
friends however, just that you have the ability to be friendly and make people feel comfortable in your
presence, especially in a work environment where you have to work together from a professional point
of view, but also to make the situation fun and whatever project you are taking on, to be able to enforce an
exciting energy along with it. Other key interpersonal skills, are to be a good listener, advisor and initiator.
This means it is important to be able to take a situation into your own hands and be co-operative and energetic,
especially in music, it is not very good to be the one lacking in enthusiasm and ideas, as it is a creative project
that works best when more than one mind is brought in to the equasion. Being a good advisor would be, being
able to give your advice in a diplomatic way, without hurting or critising anyone, that could get you in to trouble
and make you unliked, but by being supportive and encouraging whilst being constructivly crtitical in order to
improve.
Customer Orientation
Similar to the others, customer orientation is to do with being friendly and welcoming. Just the common aspects
of being employable in any area in life. For being a session musician/ performer this is exactly the same. Having
approachability and being the type of person who is incredibly adaptable and comfortable with being thrown into
all kinds of situations and being able to improvise and work within them as best as they can. Being tolerant is very
important as you could come across a few difficult characters, and being able to bite your tongue and remain calm
and patient are two of the most important skills in order to carry on and get through the working process with that
particular individual.
GENERALIST SKILLS
Problem Solving/Intellectual Skills
I think this one is quite an obvious one, as with any profession you need to have a strong intellectual knowledge
of your chosen profession. In music this is key as it is a very demanding and involved industry, that in most areas
takes quite a bit of analysing. It is an industry where sometimes dreams can cloud reality, therefore whilst it is
so important to have dreams and goals, it is also important to remain open minded, logical and practical. Again
having a wide knowledge in your craft and particular instrument is so very important in order to be able to advise
others and shape your own opnions and self anaylsis in areas.
Flexability and Adaptability
One of the most important aspects of being a session musician/ performer i believe. As you will be required to be
instantly adaptable to lots of different situations, people and places. For example you may be asked to turn up
somewhere on the day, perhaps somewhere you've never been before, with people you've never met, and locations
you are not familiar with and be able to walk in, no questions asked and perform and adapt to what and whos around
you in a comfortable and open way. Quite a challenge for some people, however key to being on the road and travelling
anywhere with your instrument and your persona as a musician. Also being flexible and willing to pull your weight around
and perhaps take control of certain situations. Being multi skilled within music, is important, having a wide knowledge of
different artists and genres, being an expert, most importantly in your first instrument but also have a good musical theory
knowledge and technical skills and experience as well, that will proove you a success in your field.
Commitment
Incredibly important. Definitely one of the most, as it shows you have a great interest in what you do, and how much you value
your chosen career and subject. Being dedicated to what you do, is what it is all about. Being able to talk and discuss music
for hours, shows a great sense of interest and passion for what you love best. It shows you are committed to your craft, which
will be incredibly important when meeting new people and showing them that you care a lot about what you do and study. If you
show you are not committed, it gives the impression of laziness and carelessness towards your job, therefore no one will want to
employ you if you show you dont care, or have a strong interest and dedication to your profession. Commitment also will help
people trust you, and rely on you to be there when asked and to get things done to a deadline without hesitation, therefore the
morre you prove you are capable of this, the more jobs and opportunites you will get, quite simply. Time keeping is also vital
in the Music Industry, and especially when working in a band, you have to be punctual and reliable, otherwise you can very easily
make people angry and lose yourself fans, friends and opportunities.
SELF RELIANCE
Self-awareness/ Confidence
Another incredibly important area to have in the Music Industry. Knowing yourself as a person and as an artist and having the right
confidence and belief in yourself to succeed. Everyone knows the music industry is one of the most competitive fields out there,
it requires a thick skin and resilient attitude in order to make it. This is why being self aware is so key, so that no matter how many
knocks come your way, you are able to shake them off and keep going. The ability to pursue your dreams no matter how much
competition there is out there, and believing you are just as good and capable as anyone. Self direction is everything. Knowing where
you are going and having an idea on how to get there, these qualities will give you the ability to make your own oppotunites and promote
yourself, and showing you have confidence when meeting people, but especially in your craft, being able to walk on stage and have
stage presence and confidence in what you are doing will make you stand out to employers/ scouts etc. Also being honest, knowing yourself
so well that you can point out your strengths and weaknesses.
Self-promotion skills
In order to get as many jobs as possible in being a session musician, you have to be able to sell yourself and make yourself stand out from the
crowd. It also shows you have individual ideas and your own agenda, it also shows determination, by continuing to write and record in your
own time, by practicing absolutely as much as possible. Practice is everything, in perfecting your craft and selling yourself as the most reliable
and trustworthy musician, and being as best as you can at what you do. You should always be able to back up what you say, this will show honesty
and commitment also. Persistentness also shows you have fight and dont easily give up and want to get what you want at any cost. All things very
attractive to an employer or someone interested.
Initiative, Proactivity, Self motivation
Having determination, drive and self motivation and being self disciplined are a few of the vital aspects of making it in any field, but in particular,
the music industry, as one of the most competitive, fierce and commercial industries going, these qualities are a major advantage in succeeding.
By showing employers that you are resourceful and take tasks and projects into your own hands, you are showing them that you as an indivdual are
strong and committed to what you do and also have a lot of will power and self belief in succeeding in your career. Being self reliant, a self starter and
self disciplined shows that you can make it on your own, and that you have the determination to succeed yourself. As in this industry everyone is out
for themself, it is important to be self protected and have your own personal plan and initiative in creating your own opportunities.
Networking Skills
Contacts are everything in the Music Industry. A lot of the time it is who you know, and the right timing. Thats why it is important to have great
networking skills in this industry. Having good people skills, being friendly, welcoming and likeable when meeting new people is very important
as you will gain yourself contacts, people who know people who can perhaps give you exactly what you are looking for. Especially at gigs and music
venues, you never know who could be watching, thats why it is always important to do your research, and self advertise yourself at all times, if you
are an artist you have to stand out. Good networking skills will also appeal to people as it shows you again have self initiative and have made the
effort to get in contact with people and discover new opportunities.
Willing to learn
The will to learn and keep moving forward is a fantastic characteristic that should get you far. Personally it shows you have a clear path to success, and
that you have your feet on the ground, and are focused on purely making it. Continuing to learn through life is essential, as especially in the music
industry and being a session musician/ performer you will meet lots of new people, places and situations that you will have to learn from in a positive
way, it is also important to see where you have made mistakes and learn from them so that you can improve in the future. As a performer you have to
be prepared to experience every kind of live situation, which is great because you can take something new from each gig and event. Being able to
watch or listen after the performance and see what went well and what could be improved for the next time. Keeping a resilient skin and not letting
minor knocks set you back, and remaining strong and confident to keep moving forward is so important.
Action Planning and Self regulatory skills
Action planning and self regulatory skills are something required for every field of profession. The Music Industry is a sressful one, that requires good
time keeping and organisational skills, especially when there are more than a few things to get done. Being able to plan your workload is key in
prioritsing what is the most important thing to be done on the list etc, and staying on top of everything, by doing this you are creating much less stress
for yourself. It is important to be a foward thinker in this respect and know your personal timetable so that you can plan for more and stay on top of the
game, something very important in this industry, especially in planning your next gig, your next studio project, placing yourself targets to follow and having
specific dates so that you make sure everything actually gets done.
SPECIALIST SKILLS
Company- specific skills
In wanting to enter the Music Industry as a session musician/performer songwriter, you have to have a large knowledge of the industry, so that you are not
naive and know what you are entering in to. Being confident in your knowledge and understanding is key. If you want to stand out and make people pick
you, you have to know how to promote yourself in the most effective way and know your audience and who you want to target and appeal to. Also knowing
the commercial needs, by marketing yourself as an indivdual, whos music and sound defines them as a person.
Technical skills/ knowledge
In wanting to become a session musician/ performer, it is important to know a strong basic knowledge of the technical sides of musical equipment and
have good experience in live performances, in setting up and taking down equipment, especially your own, so that wherever you travel to, you are able
to take care of your instrument and equipment and not take too much time setting up when working with a band for example, so that you look
professional and know what you are doing. Also by having some common knowledge of the technical sides of music, you will be able to help out fellow
band mates/ musicians when doing a gig or working in the studio. Also when performing at a venue, if something doesnt quite sound, right it would be
an important skill to be able to identify why and be able to help solve the problem.
Understanding commercial goals of company
This is about being a good businessman in your industry. Again a good sense of self promotion and priority skills. It also shows you as an artist/indivdual
have done your research and know about your field, and know about the goals and requirements of yourself and your trade. Also with a wide knowledge
you will be able to know how to compete in your industry and how to go about certain situations, how to promote your band, advertise well, how to grab
every opporunity and know what is coming up and where. Commercially image is very important in the industry, so you have to embody an indivdual or
eyecatching look and sound in order to appeal to your market. Therefore if you set out a plan with all of this in mind, you will have a clearer idea of what
you are doing and how you are going to go about it.
By Alissa Toolan HNC Music
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