The following blogpost is simply an attempt to help musicians who need guidance. There are personal quotes, personal opinions, and tips from certain individuals. These are NOT the rules of music. Many of the following quotes or topics have come from years of experience in the music industry. Take it with a grain of salt.
“If you don't treat music like its your job, it won't be your job. The importance isn't scoring the opportunity. The importance is me being me, and me approaching it as if it would be in any other musical/job situation with anyone, anywhere. You need to do your job like you. Not like the last person. A lot of people who want to make music their job, don't make it their job before its their job. Its imperative to see the importance in what you do.”
-Trenton Starnes
“Put yourself ahead of the curb, building musically. Instead of building yourself in worry and doubt of the fear of the future or what's happened in the past.”
-Trenton Starnes
Drummers-
I am primarily a drummer. So I have a few tips and comments on this topic...
What is your primary focus when playing? Fills? Crowd Energy? How good you look when 'that part' of the song comes up? I hate to break it to you, but THE GROOVE is your best friend. Play tight, Play tight, Play the groove. I've played with countless amazing worship leaders and top 40 cover bands that of course care about the structure and parts of songs, but a pocket groove and close recreation of the drum parts on the record are imperative. What is "pocket" playing you may ask? It's where you are so tight with the clock/tempo/metronome (and bass player) that your skinny jeans can't get any tighter. That tight. Be creative, but be the foundation.
A 4 piece kit is enough. 5 is fine. If you "need" 7 toms, 3 snares, chimes, bells, and 19 cymbals... That's fine. Just please be tasteful. I've played a 4 piece kit with hats, ride and 1 crash for about 5 years now. It fits me everywhere I go. Plus it's easy to back-line when traveling and flying places. Adding another crash or a second floor tom happens from time to time for certain occasions, but i normally use a very simplistic setup.
Please learn how to tune your drums. Now, there are many different ways, tuning styles, etc. Study tuning. Its very important and helps the other musicians, believe it or not. A normal tuning for my Snare is medium to low, Rack and Floor toms are the same, and Kick is fairly dead with some warmth to it. Drumheads, I play coated heads. You might play clear, onyx, etc. That's totally fine.
Bassists-
Simplicity is your best friend. Creative licks are only felt, not heard. If you need a 5 string, play it, if not, a 4 string Jazz or P will hold up in any and every situation. Your other best friend, is the drummer. Love him. Hate him. But groove so utterly tight with him that it makes people shiver and shake in amazement.
“Know these things and it will help everyone... Serve the song, Support the melody and everyone in the band, and get out of your comfort zone.”
-Shae Wooten
“You're the melody, the rhythm, the foundation.”
-Jaco Pastorius
Guitarists-
“Your playing should always serve the song. Practice. Deliberate practice in finding and working on things that you may never use but things that you can learn and conquer just for the hell of it.”
-Joey Signa (Paper Tongues Guitarist)
Even though its a rare shot to take, Tiger Woods practiced the “buried sand-trap shot” over and over because he knew it would only make him better and somehow save him one day on the golf course.
“Someone that you think is incredible probably only practices MORE than you! Practice the things that suck and that are terribly hard, because they will most definitely make you better. Practice with a metronome. Find inspiration that makes you practice and work harder at your craft. Fear holds you because of the worry in not getting a position or not being good enough.”
-Joey Signa (Paper Tongues Guitarist)
When you can work intimately night and day and sacrifice things for your craft and your music, things WILL work.
Keyboardists-
Create tasteful sounds. Use good programs to create them (Reason, Ableton, Mainstage, etc). You should never stop playing. Always be lying under the mix of the band with your pads, ambient sounds, etc. There’s a huge difference in playing piano, and playing keys.
Sound Guys-
Good ones are hard to come by. I appreciate a sound guy/sound tech/sound engineer that cares about what I have to ask or say, instead of just cutting my opinion down because I’m on stage and Im just a “musician.” Work with the band, be a part of the band. Have grace and be mindful of not only the “sound,” but the emotion of the music.
"The main importance is practicing, preparing, and being productive with your craft."
Thanks for reading.
Travis Motley
