Members FSMSR Posted October 14, 2009 Members Posted October 14, 2009 Hey, I've recently come across an ad in my area saying that they were going to be auditioning studio musicians. I'm a guitarist with no prior professional experience, so I realize my chances are slim but I'd still like to try for it. I'd like to know how should I respond to this ad, with a cover letter and resume? If so what kind of thing would I put on that resume? Or should I just respond with an email looking for an audition time? Also what kind of thing should I prepare for this audition, the ad said it was focusing on rock, so I assume I should show up well practiced in that idiom but aside from that any help or suggestions would be greatly appreciated.
Members JohnMCA72 Posted October 14, 2009 Members Posted October 14, 2009 How does the ad say to respond? I'd start there. Call, e-mail, etc. for more information. Worst case: You've made contact with somebody & expanded your network. Even if you don't get the gig, you can get your name on somebody's "list". There might be similar (or not) opportunities in the future. JM
Members 3shiftgtr Posted October 14, 2009 Members Posted October 14, 2009 Hmmm..... Advertising for a studio musician? Like that happens a lot. A studio with business usually has players lined up around the block. Be careful...I smell a rat. Make sure they don't record anything you play for them.
Members Grubgoat Posted October 14, 2009 Members Posted October 14, 2009 Why would you say that? I've got a basement project studio, I'm getting pretty good sounds and in the next 6 months or so I WILL be working with local people. While I can competently play all the standard instruments, sometimes its faster to have solid musicians to record with, plus a live recording "feels" live and feels like other people helped out, versus me tracking everything in my own style... I've been looking for other guys who are down for precisely this reason. Probably won't be able to pay them much to start, but hey, you gotta start somewhere...
Moderators daddymack Posted October 14, 2009 Moderators Posted October 14, 2009 Hey,I've recently come across an ad in my area saying that they were going to be auditioning studio musicians. I'm a guitarist with no prior professional experience, so I realize my chances are slim but I'd still like to try for it. I'd like to know how should I respond to this ad, with a cover letter and resume? If so what kind of thing would I put on that resume? Or should I just respond with an email looking for an audition time? Also what kind of thing should I prepare for this audition, the ad said it was focusing on rock, so I assume I should show up well practiced in that idiom but aside from that any help or suggestions would be greatly appreciated. First of all, who is advertising? Most established studios have their cadre of session guys, so I would guess this is a newbie independent producer or a start-up project studio. It would, of course be helpful to see the actual ad, but I would say you need to reply wih a recording of your work and a resume of who you have recorded for, or at least local bands you have been in, genres you are competent in and your gear capabilities*. When I used to do session work through a few small studios here for independent producers, I had a 'sampler' from work I had done, covering several genres, electric and acoustic. Originally it was from my own band's recording sessions (fortunately we were pretty eclectic) and home studio work. * listing the fact I had a Ric 6 string actually got me a couple of sessions, even though usually it turned out not to be the guitar on the final recording. Most small studios do not stock a lot of high-end gear, so be prepared.
Members 3shiftgtr Posted October 15, 2009 Members Posted October 15, 2009 Why would you say that? I've got a basement project studio, I'm getting pretty good sounds and in the next 6 months or so I WILL be working with local people. While I can competently play all the standard instruments, sometimes its faster to have solid musicians to record with, plus a live recording "feels" live and feels like other people helped out, versus me tracking everything in my own style... I've been looking for other guys who are down for precisely this reason. Probably won't be able to pay them much to start, but hey, you gotta start somewhere... Ya know, you might be right. I'm based out of Nashville and you just don't see that around here. If a studio has clients and is payin' musicians, the word will get out, and the line will form. Tryin' not to get too cynical or jaded, so thanks for the gut check....
Members Grubgoat Posted October 15, 2009 Members Posted October 15, 2009 The LA Times recently had THIS story, I think what I'm talking about is going to be the norm around the world soon, even though places like Nashville might fight it off for a while...
Members FSMSR Posted October 15, 2009 Author Members Posted October 15, 2009 So I emailed him, sent a sample I recorded on my computer using different tones for rhythm and lead to show some variety. I talked about what prior styles I had experience in. I'm waiting to hear back about an audition, I'll let you know what happens. Also, from the ad it does seem to be a small studio starting out and trying to find go musicians in the area without having to pay big money for the established guys in the area. I'm not saying he's looking to cheap out, just that it's a smaller project studio and doesn't have the budget of a larger established studio and is most likely going to be dealing with clients who are also on budget constraints. Not to be a noob starting an argument, just trying to give a little more info. Thanks for all the sugestions, does anyone have any advice on what I should be preparing in case I get an audition. I assume I should have a few well practiced pieces in different styles, but anything beyond that would be great.
Members slight-return Posted October 15, 2009 Members Posted October 15, 2009 Not to be a noob starting an argument, just trying to give a little more info. Not at all! I don't think the other guys are really in opposition either - just coming from different perspectives. I think 3shift brings up a specific instance that can lead to a more general caution -- The studio may very well be operating in good faith, but they also sound like they might be a really new operation. So the stability of their financing and how cohesive the whole operation remains in question.I'm not saying it is a shady operation, but they just not might have too much airspeed over the wings yet (as with any startup) so just be aware of those issues (like getting paid in a timely fashion, being prepared to Alan Smithee your credits, etc) On the plus side - you are a starting session musician, so you guys might be on the same place in the curve Thanks for all the sugestions, does anyone have any advice on what I should be preparing in case I get an audition. I assume I should have a few well practiced pieces in different styles, but anything beyond that would be great. how's your sight reading?
Members FSMSR Posted October 15, 2009 Author Members Posted October 15, 2009 Hey, Yeah, I hadn't considered the full implications of the cash flow issues that potentially face a new studio. However, I'm a university student looking for an income during the school year, so while being paid in a timely fashion is nice the opportunity to gain experience seems to be worth the risk as I don't believe the same opportunities present themselves to unestablished musicians when dealing with established studios. Further it isn't as though I have a family to support with this income that will have to go hungry while I wait to get paid. I haven't hear back yet, so I'm doubtful on getting the audition at all. My sight reading is good though.
Members JohnMCA72 Posted October 15, 2009 Members Posted October 15, 2009 Do it, watching out for the issues raised about getting paid. Get names, phone numbers, e-mail addresses, etc. of everybody you meet & start building your network! JM
Members MartinC Posted October 16, 2009 Members Posted October 16, 2009 Thanks for all the sugestions, does anyone have any advice on what I should be preparing in case I get an audition. I assume I should have a few well practiced pieces in different styles, but anything beyond that would be great. Without knowing if the studio has a specialty, how could you prepare? You could be asked to play anything. There is a great book for preparing to be a studio guitarist by Tommy Tedesco called "For Guitar Players Only" It has stuff I've never seen elsewhere about reading on the guitar, and is full of real world scenarios. It's also a very entertaining read, as he relates stories of his forty years as the top studio guy in LA. Every guitar player should read it for that alone, regardless of any ambition to do studio work. Studying that book is about the best thing you could do IMO short of getting in a studio and doing sessions. Also, if you have your own recording gear, working to get good sounds on record, tweaking your gear and effects so that you can walk in, set up, and sound great as soon as they put a mike on you, will ease the path a bit.
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