So, You Got the Job – How Do You Keep It?
by Tracy Broussard
Whether you got the gig by audition or by recommendation, now you have to prove that it’s yours to keep. I have gotten gigs both ways and been through many types of preparation. From having several rehearsals before the show or none at all, I have been through it! Don’t forget, not only will your preparation reflect on you, but on the people that recommended you. You may be a smoking hot player with the best gear, but if you are not properly prepared, you won’t keep the job.
In the time before the first show or rehearsal, do as much homework as possible. If you are rehearsing, prepare just as you would the actual gig. It would be great if you can get your hands on a live recording. Don’t just learn the material, live with it. Load it into your iPod. Listen to it while driving, at the gym or jogging. Make charts or notes and if you are able, actually play through the material. All of these together will help you master it. Simply playing through it might cause you to miss some signature elements. On the other hand, if there are some fills or riffs you are unsure of phrasing or playing-wise, it would not hurt to run those sections on the kit. If you have any questions, call someone in the band, probably the band leader or musical director.
If you are in a time crunch, you may not be able to capture every nuance in the songs. Hit the signature elements – accents, hits and dynamics. If you are a drummer, be sure that you have the correct tempos. Make sure that you have the count-offs down. Also, don’t forget the endings – ask about the songs without them. Once you have these down, and if time permits, you can move on to the finer elements.
Also, check out the set list. Focus on the songs that you are the least familiar with – especially any originals.
This may seem silly, but make sure that you have correct directions to the rehearsal and give yourself plenty of time to get there and set up. You don’t want to make a poor impression before you have even play a note.
At the rehearsal, relax. If you have prepared well, you will have nothing to worry about. Bring a metronome and use the tempos from the material as a guide. Sometimes the songs may be performed slower or faster live. Tap out the song’s tempo and ask the band how it feels.
If you have charts or notes, use them as a guide but don’t obsess on them. Keep your head on a swivel and make eye contact from time to time with the rest of the band. Look for cues from the band leader or lead singer. After each song, make notes and ask questions. Don’t forget to adjust the tempo if necessary.
Recording the rehearsal is another great tool. All of this can be quite overwhelming. It is almost impossible to remember EVERYTHING from the rehearsal. The Zoom H-2 Digital Hand Held Recorder is perfect for this application -although any hand held recorder will work. Don’t be concerned with quality; you will be using it to help you remember hits, arrangement changes and endings.
Something else to consider is to get with the monitor and front of house engineers and crew to let them know how much and what type of gear you are using. Be reasonable – if the previous drummer had a four-piece kit it is probably not a good idea to bring the double bass drum rig and 14 cymbals! Also find out what type of monitor system the band is using and if you have to bring your own ears, etc.
Your best friend or worst enemy can come from the crew, depending on how you treat them. Some of my best friends are crew guys. If you treat these guys poorly, they are less likely to go the extra mile to help you out. Don’t forget that the monitor engineer controls what you hear on stage and the front of house engineer controls what the crowd hears. No matter how much or how well you have prepared, a horrible monitor mix can be very unnerving – just enough for you to loose concentration. Likewise if you are the next Eddie Van Halen and you have pissed off the front of house guy, no one will hear it! If you encounter a problem during the show, keep your composure and do your best to get some help. You are the new guy! Rule of thumb: treat other people as you would like to be treated!
Since it is your first show, make sure that you know when leave time is and from where and get directions, if needed. Also factor in time to load your gear. Remember to be reasonable with the amount that you bring. The pack may have to be arranged, so get with the production manager and or crew to make this as painless as possible. Don’t be afraid to help – you don’t want a stranger loading your gear!
Another great way to cement the show in your head is to use the travel time to review. Don’t spend every moment with headphones and your head buried in charts. You also want to get to know the guys that you will be taking the stage with. Take a break from the songs and hang. When the guys do see you reviewing, it reassures everyone else that you are prepared. I’m always leery of a guy that stays up late and sleeps late on his first show!
Sometimes the only rehearsal is the sound check before the show. In a perfect world, you would be able to run the whole set, but that rarely happens. Focus on the songs that you are unsure of first. Make sure that you have the count offs and endings down. Adjust any tempos and don’t forget to write down any changes. Use your hand held recorder!! You can always go back and listen!
Lastly, relax and get ready for the show. Get your head right. If that means warming up or stretching, do it! Get excited about the show; you’re just playing music! Have fun! During the show, don’t stay buried in your charts. Maintain eye contact with the band and especially the band leader and lead singer. Don’t beat yourself up if you make a mistake. If you dwell on it, that one mistake will snowball into a horrible gig. Usually they are not as bad as you think. Make mental notes on anything that was weird and record the show, if you can. Seek feedback from the band leader after the show. Also, keep an open mind to suggestions from the band – don’t take it as criticism. Do whatever you can to make the next show better.
Hopefully these tips will help you to nail the shows and begin to forge a rock solid reputation for work ethic and preparation.
Gregg Lohman will discuss the ongoing role that his musical education plays in his career in a multi-part series.
