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Professionalism on the Road

by Michael Tarabay

Ok, so you just got your first professional gig with an artist on a major label and you're playing shows from club dates to county and state fairs, private functions, and multi-act festivals. Way to go. Getting hired is actually the hardest part. But, as with all new jobs, there are some things you must do and learn right away. Now, let's talk about keeping this job so you don't find yourself back to rolling oriental rugs everyday at the furniture store, which is what I had been doing before my first road gig. Hopefully you know someone in the band or organization so you're not an outsider in this new "family".

When I got my first pro gig I really didn't know anyone in the band but what I did know was the music really well. I had all the bass parts learned from the CD and my own charts of the songs. I also tried to emulate as best I could, the tone of the bass on the recordings as well, even though I didn't particularly like it. I made sure I kept my gear up to date and had extra cables and road cases made. I was making the jump from bar band musician to professional road musician. In other words, I was doing everything I could to have the music down, my gear together, and my "look" appropriate for the job.

Another good idea is to know what the rest of the band is playing and singing, not just what you're doing. This takes some time to learn but is well worth it. Only after knowing all the bass parts inside and out, can you then listen to everyone else and develop your ear. This is what band leaders do and they also make more money for it, so why can't you.

Alright then, you got the music parts covered and everyone is happy with your playing, so the next thing to do is just be quiet and listen and watch everyone else in the band while on the road, and on the bus. Use your personal charm to befriend your band mates with out driving them crazy and chatting away like I do (sorry guys). It's a good idea to be friends with the band leader and your front of house engineer if you have one. Your band leader won't want to have you fired if you blow it on the new single, which is a ballad, two nights in a row if he likes you (unless the artist says something, but they usually don't notice the bass too much anyway, right?). Likewise, the front of house engineer that listens to your playing everyday won't report that you're blowing it on stage, not that you are, but you see my point. Let me turn this around too. You rock on stage and you're friends with both of these guys. Who is going to keep their job and get good reports and make a good name for themselves? You got it. People talk. Everyone does, so it's better they say something nice about you. Being easy to live with, getting along with others, you know the old sayings. They apply here too, big time! I've personally seen great players get sacked from the gig because of poor attitude and causing trouble. It's always their mouths that get them fired. It can really be a case of, "well he's not as good as the last guy, but he sure is easy to get along with and everyone likes him".

You've been playing a lot, opening or headlining shows across the country and again with your great personality, you've been real nice and friendly to everyone you meet right? Of course you have, because they say that once you get your first gig start looking for your next one. This usually involves networking and meeting all the other bands on the road and establishing relationships. These other bands, no matter what you really think of who they play for, can and often will recommend you after they have seen you play at shows that you've done together with them. It's really like you're auditioning every night, and it will pay off later for you. When you're working on getting with the next band, you won't be auditioning because they will have already heard you play and they've already gotten to know you fairly well. Last thing I want to address is that everybody has opinions of what is good music and bad music, but please keep in mind that you're a hired hand, paid to represent the artist. Don't ever say anything bad about who you are working for, not to your band, and especially not to other artist's bands. It will come back to bite you, which means goodbye career. Remember, words travel fast, as does word of your bad reputation. What happens in your band should also stay in your band. Do not talk about others in your organization to others outside of it. Keep your music opinions to yourself, especially when they're negative about someone in the same genre of music. The idea is to do your job the best you can because the audience is listening really, and they will talk back. Let's make positive feedback and a long bass playing career. You've practiced too long and hard to get left behind on account of a bad attitude and most deadly, your mouth. So finally, remember the more friends you have in the industry, the more doors that will open for you. Good luck.

Michael Tarabay
Bassist for Pat Green