This is the New Word. I've been writing alot of articles for magazines and stuff lately, and I thought you might wanna check 'em out. So, instead of updates on what I'm doing, this space is gonna be where I post my latest articles. Hope you like 'em, let me know what you think.If you missed an article, check the archives at the bottom of the page. |
Jack of All Trades |
| We've all heard the expression ‘Jack of all Trades, Master of None’. Well, I like to think that as musicians, it’s important to be a jack of all trades and a master of at least one. What I mean is, I feel it’s crucial to have an understanding of a lot of styles so you’re able to keep working, but you should have a total handle of at least one style if you want to get to the next level, and that style is usually the one that you have a true passion for. When it comes to landing that big gig you really want, you have to have an edge. The main edge is whether or not you can play that particular style better than the next guy. I've never seen a touring act jump between Rock, Jazz, R’n’B etc. When an artist is on the road it is to promote an album, and that album usually has a main style. When the artist is recording that album each track has a style. So in order to get that gig you have to master that style. I don't get upright bass calls ‘cause I don't promote myself as an upright player, even though I can find my way around one if push came to a shove, but I'm no Dave Young. I'm not great with a pick, so I’ll have to pass on that rock session that needs a steady, sticky 16th note ‘pick feel’. Let's see what's left... Jazz! Ya, I got some stock licks but if it's real jazz, I would probably need to play an upright (damn Dave Young). Get my point. That's why there's a circle of guys that do the majority of gigs within a certain style. How many times have you seen the same player backing up different artists? I see it all the time, and that’s because they do at least one thing really well, so they get referred from other artists and musicians within that style. Those are the guys who are working and will continue to work. The beauty of others recognizing that you’re very good at something, is that you get a chance to prove that you can do other things they might have thought you weren’t as strong in. I'm a perfect example of that; I always wanted to be a professional musician, with my first love being bass. When I started my music production company I focused only on Urban music because I had a passion for it, and I developed a client base that knew if they wanted something funky they could come to us. It so happened that one of my clients happened to be a producer of a new talk show called "Open Mike with Mike Bullard". They were looking for a Musical Director and a band that could be versatile, but have an edge - a funky edge. I was their first and only interview for the job. See how it works. To tell you the truth, they didn't even know what instrument I played, they just knew they wanted it different from anything else that had been done (that's where being a bass player really sealed the deal). The same producer has hired me for several other gigs, including a lot of different styles. I've produced Hip Hop, Rock, Broadway, Jazz, Classical, House, Techno, Soul, R’n’B, Pop... Man, I've done a lot of different things for him. I know what your thinking, "I thought he said he wasn't great at a lot of those styles". I'm not. That's my point. Can you believe that I've actually had to hire other bass players for my own sessions. That's ‘cause I needed the part to be played by a master of a particular style, and I'm honest enough to know when that player isn't me. So how do you do it, how do you master a style? Easy. Practice, practice, practice. And you can forget the rule that practice makes perfect, ‘cause in reality, only ‘perfect practice’ makes perfect. What if you got the skills but there are no opportunities in your area that you live in. The cream rises to the top, so get in the cup. Great players are known and people at a certain level work with people at their level and they have no problems with travelling or relocating. I call this ‘[going where your gonna get love’. If you want to get to the next level you have to create the opportunities, or go to them and prove to people you have what it takes to help them succeed (and in turn you succeed). You have to prove to them you're a master of at least one. Good luck. Till then, mad love to all my bottom dwellers. |
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