Guide to Gigging - Part 2

I GRADUATED… now what?
What to Expect In Your First Year as a Gigging Musician

Article #2

“Reliability and Base” I was cool and confident playing my first gig in Nashville at a small club called Windows on the Cumberland with an avant-garde jazz band called “The Transcendental Crayon Ensemble.” Ok, I was a nervous wreck! Walking into a place I had never been to, drumming on a house kit I had never seen, with musicians I had never met. Oh yeah, the drummer that called me to sub for him… I hadn’t met him either!! I was a little uneasy.

The gig ended up being very fun. Thankfully “free space” is open for interpretation. How I got the call was a result of an initial contact* giving me the drummer’s phone number. I talked to him on the phone one night and the next day he called me to sub for him. I was in town less than a week and I made my first $20. It felt like a million to me!

Reliability

I hope that I have made my point concerning how important making initial contacts are. The next question is what to do when the first gig arrives. First of all, always write down the date, time, and location of the gig. If you don’t know exactly where the venue is, get detailed directions. Also try to find out, as best as can be estimated, the travel time from your home so you can BE ON TIME!!! Every graduate of Eastern Illinois University knows what that means - EARLY!!!! Don’t be late. Showing up late lets everybody know that they are working with a second-rate musician before a note is played. These mistakes will build a reputation that is very difficult to correct.

Other don’ts: Don’t drink too much alcohol (or partake in any other mind-numbing substances) prior to or during the show. What you do after the show is your own business, but before/during the show - STAY CLEAN!!! There is a job to be done and you owe it to your boss and audience to be at your best. Don’t have an attitude about your playing. Nobody is the perfect drummer for every situation. If the bandleader tells you to change something, change it without a fuss. You can argue if you want, and you might even get your way, but I guarantee it will be the last time you work with that band. Don’t bring your problems on stage with you. I know you just got in a fight with your boyfriend/girlfriend and you want to patch things up, but there is nothing you can do about that while you are onstage. Keep your mind on your job; call him/her when you get home.

Following these simple steps will build people’s confidence in your RELIABILITY. The word “reliable” means “able to be trusted to do what is expected or what has been promised.” Musicians, especially young ones, have a reputation of being very unreliable. We are stereotyped as being lazy, drunken bums that make a career out of relying on our girlfriends for rent. I KNOW PEOPLE LIKE THIS!!! Establishing trust in your reliability by being on time (early), sober, and having a good attitude is a breath of fresh-air and will set you apart from your peers.

Base

What happens after the gig is just as important as the performance. I thanked the bandleader for the opportunity to play with the group and invited him to hire me anytime. A warning: if you didn’t enjoy the band or the music, don’t lie. You aren’t doing anybody any favors lying to them. Don’t be rude, still say ‘thank you’, but leave it at that. You’ll be glad you did.

There were nine other musicians on the bandstand that evening. I introduced myself to them and gave each of them my business card. Then I let them know that I’m available for hire. It’s been two years and I still have a business relationship with two members of that group.

By introducing yourself and handing out business cards to the other musicians in the group, somebody will eventually drop your name when a drummer is needed in another band. You will no doubt notice over time that you are seeing familiar faces on the bandstand from one show to the next, as these people know you are reliable and hire you. This group of people will become your BASE.

The word ‘base’ has many definitions. I am referring to ‘a center from which activities start or are coordinated.’ It is from this center of musicians that your career can begin to take shape. Musicians will undoubtedly know more musicians. As you continue to work with them, your base will expand and your career will grow. Make sure that you return the favor to hire members of your base when the chance arises. Camaraderie is the name of the game.

Over time people will gain confidence in your reliability. This will increase the chances of getting hired by other musicians, causing your base to grow, which means more people learn about your reliability, etc. until one day the phone rings with “The Call.”

Thanks for reading!
Tony Artimisi

* To learn more about initial contacts read Guide to Gigging - Part 1