B. Thomas Cooper
Editor
So you want to be a session cat'.
Way cool, daddy-O! After all, those cats just may be the coolest musicians you'll ever work with, even cooler than the big stars themselves.
What's so cool about being a session cat, you ask? Well for starters, good old fashioned professionalism goes along way in this business. It's not about how many notes, or how many decibels, or even how agro' you may look with that new tattoo on your forehead. Being a session player requires a disciplined attitude toward your craft, and a level of musicality usually not appreciated by the average player. It means showing up early and being well prepared. It means listening to the ideas of the artist or the producer. Most importantly, it means learning to listen to music in a whole new way.
A great session player always plays what is right for the song. A drummer plays for the pocket and the bass player lays down the groove. I can't stress how important it is to build upon a theme, not on top' of it. As a staff producer for the legendary Power Station Studios I was fortunate to work alongside some of the most sought after session players in the industry. I needed only a few minutes to understand why they were the go-to guys,
because they had earned it.
Ego is the killer of all good ideas, and seems to prey hard on musicians. When at all possible, leave yours at home. Instead, show up at the session with an open mind. A bad attitude will not impress the producer, nor will drugs or the like enhance your playing. Show up ready to work. Making music should be fun, but business is business. Stay focused. Learn all you can about your craft, and by all means, enjoy the experience.
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