session work? how?

[RockfordStone]

hey guys, a question for all the session musicians out there.
im looking to get into some session work.

i love doing what i do band wise but id like to spread my musical wings and play some other styles.
i dont know where to start with doing session work with people.

is it as simple as offering yourself on multiple forums etc, or is there like a good forum specifically for musicians to meet?

any advice would be appreciated

cheers

[6stringbassist]

You need to be very, very versatile.

Being able to read can be quite useful.

Time is money, that's something I was told ages ago. You need to be able to get the job done with the minimum of fuss.

Having the ability to play a couple of different instruments is useful too, BG and DB for instance.

[JakeBrownBass]

From what I know, you need great chops, great ears & being able to read is a massive bonus.
You need to be able to have chemistry with players straight off the beat. A people person.

In terms of getting the sessions, its all down to networking & who you know. Getting your foot in the door is the easy bit, getting through the door isn't!

[Faithless]

Oh, mate, there were a few large threads about this, just do a bit of search thing..


And, wattabout reading skill, I wouldn't even dare to call it a 'bonus', or 'a useful thing' - I think, it's [i]essential [/i]for every session guy.

[witterth]

Quick one ..
its not so much what you know, it's WHO you know...
that's the REAL key......

[jakenewmanbass]

[quote name='witterth' post='688965' date='Dec 19 2009, 11:39 AM']Quick one ..
its not so much what you know, it's WHO you know...
that's the REAL key......[/quote]
That's a common misconception, because it sort of suggests that you don't have to be good, just know people....well you really do have to be good to have a good rep and consistent work, especially now that there are less sessions than ever.
I wouldn't for a moment say that networking isn't important, it really is, but you have to have the skill set. The skill set to do general sessions is to be very good and authentic in a variety of styles. To be able to make your own charts very quickly for stuff that isn't written down so amazing ears are required, and you need to be able to read and interpret written music very well and quickly, ideally right first time everytime.
You also need to be able to work with people well.

And an important edit...
when you play something that you think is the best idea for the music and the producer says no! Then you need no ego and to come up with an alternative.

To the OP:
If you are thinking of trying to use sessions (if you can find any) to expand your capability then I would suggest you are looking at it from the wrong angle. You need to have all that stuff in place BEFORE you enter the building

Edited December 19, 2009 by jakesbass

[JTUK]

You get asked... IME.

[jakenewmanbass]

[quote name='JTUK' post='689055' date='Dec 19 2009, 01:44 PM']You get asked... IME.[/quote]
exactly

[Doddy]

When you say 'sessions' I am assuming you mean studio sessions.
In this case it's not as simple as going on a forum or anything.
It's more a matter of meeting people and being invited in-that's the
easy part. The hard part is being able to stay there.You need to have really quick
ears for times when there are no charts,and be able to read well when there is. You need
stylistic diversity-unless you are being hired as a specialist(which is rare),and be able to
keep your ego in check,amongst other things.

I'm guessing though that really you are just looking to play with people outside of
your band-not sessions per se.
In that case advertising yourself may work a bit initially,but a lot of the same applies-
just without the extra pressure of the studio. I will always advocate reading to anyone,but you should also know
a load of tunes so that you can jam with people and be able to busk.

[Chris2112]

Yes, if you're looking to get into proper session playing, then superb ears and reading skills are essential. If you can't sit down with a track that is completely new to you and either work out the bassline from listening to a rough chord structure and click track or read it once or twice and be able to nail it then you're not going to go far.

And, as has been said, because there are relatively few sessions on the go these days you've got to be fantastic, every time. I have been fortunate in that the few sessions I have played I've had the material well in advance so I was able to produce on the day of recording. Otherwise, I know for certain I couldn't cut it on the "real" session scene, yet I have no trouble finding my way around a bass guitar!

Try and read of Jeff Berlin's articles online about session playing. He will tell you the harsh, ugly truth about just how dedicated, talented and lucky you have to be!

[RockfordStone]

thanks for the replies guys, i shoulda made it slightly clearer.

im not at this stage looking to do it as a form of career, more as a side step to my normal stuff, more for small scale solo artists than professional outfits if that makes sense.

all of your advice is appreciated... i best brush up on reading music

[Doddy]

[quote name='robdeadstereo' post='689667' date='Dec 20 2009, 12:25 PM']thanks for the replies guys, i shoulda made it slightly clearer.

im not at this stage looking to do it as a form of career, more as a side step to my normal stuff, more for small scale solo artists than professional outfits if that makes sense.

all of your advice is appreciated... i best brush up on reading music[/quote]

Even though you are thinking on a smaller scale,the same rules still apply. People are more likely to hire you
for a recording if you can get the job done correctly and quickly.

[J3ster]

Session work requires a lot of practice and skill and not something you can just walk into, all my work was mostly word of mouth. You need to be able to read music and play off the cuff and out of the box.
Don't take comments on your chosen Bass line to heart and for the most part keep it simple and do what is required.

I got into it by basically being invited to do a session after I was seen playing live in The Red Lion in Brentford and it went from there. (it's now a McDonalds - But that's not my fault ... Honest)

Play live lots and with many different musicians ask friends put up notices in recording studios and rehearsal rooms and get your name about..
Don't believe its all about who you know, being successful is a LOT about what you know and today i would guess it's not so easy to make a living at by doing sessions alone either!!

[derrenleepoole]

Why not get yourself down to local pubs and clubs supporting singer/songwriter artists and start networking. Most people are very approachable and if you explain that you're looking for opportunities in supporting other artists as a bassist you never know where it might lead. The worse that can happens is someone will say no.