Lessons Learned
The last few days I've been involved in a certain gig through which, by my own mistakes and the mistakes of others, have taught me valuable information which serve as reminders throughout a musical career:
1) you cannot always control how much prep time you will have before an important performance. You strive of course to get as much rehearsal and practice time in as you can, but it may not be as much as you would like. This is the nature of the "sideman" role in music. But when it is your concert and your show, you over-prepare for everything. Run the music both collectively (with your group) and individually as much as needed so that the music is automatic. It may take losing money for the gig because you have to pay your guys more money to show up for a few more rehearsals, but do it. Though you cannot control the circumstances for other people's gigs, you damn well can, and must, for your own.
2) When you write original compositions, or arrangements, or anything for that matter, presentation, clarity, and accuracy are absolutely important. So much valuable time is lost in sloppy presentation, be it ugly handwriting or silly mistakes. Correcting a wrong or unreadable note in the music implies to the musicians you hire that not only do you not care about the music, but you don't truly value their time either. Established musicians will not tolerate these amateurish shenanigans, and if they don't call you out on it on the spot, they will certainly remember it and be wary of further work with you. With good, clear, accurate, and readable parts, even very hard music is playable without too much fuss.
3) Being truly professional goes a long way in an industry filled with people caught up in the romance of the "bohemian creative starving artist" ideal. I showed up to the gig an hour before it started. The bassist showed up with 3 minutes to downbeat. Don't think these things go unnoticed. I'd rather be initially assumed a professional and have to fuck it up than be considered a fuck up and have to prove that I'm a professional. Being a professional, aside from the musical considerations of playing well, includes looking sharp and dressed appropriate to the venue, keeping yourself well groomed and in shape, respectfully communicating with colleagues and personally relating and respecting your audience. After all, they could have been doing anything else except watching you play, and they even paid money. All for you. Never forget to thank them for this patronage.
1) you cannot always control how much prep time you will have before an important performance. You strive of course to get as much rehearsal and practice time in as you can, but it may not be as much as you would like. This is the nature of the "sideman" role in music. But when it is your concert and your show, you over-prepare for everything. Run the music both collectively (with your group) and individually as much as needed so that the music is automatic. It may take losing money for the gig because you have to pay your guys more money to show up for a few more rehearsals, but do it. Though you cannot control the circumstances for other people's gigs, you damn well can, and must, for your own.
2) When you write original compositions, or arrangements, or anything for that matter, presentation, clarity, and accuracy are absolutely important. So much valuable time is lost in sloppy presentation, be it ugly handwriting or silly mistakes. Correcting a wrong or unreadable note in the music implies to the musicians you hire that not only do you not care about the music, but you don't truly value their time either. Established musicians will not tolerate these amateurish shenanigans, and if they don't call you out on it on the spot, they will certainly remember it and be wary of further work with you. With good, clear, accurate, and readable parts, even very hard music is playable without too much fuss.
3) Being truly professional goes a long way in an industry filled with people caught up in the romance of the "bohemian creative starving artist" ideal. I showed up to the gig an hour before it started. The bassist showed up with 3 minutes to downbeat. Don't think these things go unnoticed. I'd rather be initially assumed a professional and have to fuck it up than be considered a fuck up and have to prove that I'm a professional. Being a professional, aside from the musical considerations of playing well, includes looking sharp and dressed appropriate to the venue, keeping yourself well groomed and in shape, respectfully communicating with colleagues and personally relating and respecting your audience. After all, they could have been doing anything else except watching you play, and they even paid money. All for you. Never forget to thank them for this patronage.