Careers In Music.com

Session Musician

$15,000 to $100,000+

Studio Musicians, Session Player, Sideman, Freelance Musician

Plays background music for a recording artist in a studio setting.
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About This Music Career

The Session Musician is also called a Studio Musician, a Session Player, a Sideman or Sidewoman, a Freelance Musician, or a Backup Musician. Their main responsibility is to play backup for the Group Leader of recording studio Group. Additionally, the Session Musician might play music in commercials, and at times, is the backup to the leader of the Group at a live concert.


In terms of skills, the Session Musician should have ability to sight-read, and should be responsible, reliable, easy to get along with, and easy to get a hold of. Also, because of the fact that studio and personnel are expensive, mistakes are never tolerated.


The Studio Musician should strive to play a number or different instruments and musical styles in order to obtain as much work as possible. It is a contractor who usually hires Session Musicians. He or she will usually call those musicians they know about, or those musicians that they have successfully worked with in the past. If called, the Session Musician will either accept or reject the job based on a number of factors, but understandably, if the Contractor hears "no" continuously, he or she will stop calling that particular musician.


The Session Musician does not have free reign to play the types of music he or she enjoys. Rather, they are to play what he or she is told and in the manner that the Group Leader or the Producer wants it played. Session Musicians are usually paid by the hour and their minimum fee is set by the AFM. Of course, if they are a popular Musician, they can demand higher fees. Over a short time, the Session Musician will usually work with a number of different groups. To work as a Session Musician, one must be willing to sacrifice creativity and should be able to accept working in the shadow of another musician and not receiving credit for some work performed.

Salaries
The type of recording, how much work is performed, geographical location, and demand all impact how much Session Musicians earn. With that said, the American Federation of Musicians (AFM) will dictate the minimum rate Musicians should receive. Individuals should check with the local AFM for specific rates and fees to get a better idea of earnings. As mentioned, individuals who play more than one instrument will usually be paid additional monies. Those Session Musicians who are in demand and are talented can expect to earn around $100,000 or more per year.


Employment
Again, if Session Musicians are talented, employment prospects are fair, but he or she needs a lot of contacts to get his or her foot in the door because, unfortunately, talent on its own doesn't make it. As mentioned, Contractors are the ones who hire Session Musicians, and they will continue to hire Musicians who do a good job in the studio. As one would expect, most studio work is found in New York, Los Angeles and Nashville. Of course, there are studios located all over the country.


Advancement
Session Musicians have the ability to advance their careers in a number of different ways. For example, they can become Group Leaders, which isn't always easy. Additionally, Session Musicians can become top Studio Musicians, but to do so, one must be more talented, versatile, and better connected than the competition. Another option for advancement is for individuals to increase the number of gigs they land, leading to more work and increased earnings.


Education and Training
Session Musicians do not need a formal education. However, they have usually had extensive private study in mastering their instruments. With that said, many successful Session Musicians are self-taught. Either way, individuals should have the ability to read music. It's not to say that Session Musicians do not have degrees, because many are educated in music or in unrelated subjects.


Experience, Skills, and Personality
Obviously, Session Musicians are great musicians, with many starting their careers in local bands while in high school. Like sports, muscle memory is a big part of getting better, so any performance experience is useful for a Session Musician. Also, as mentioned earlier, the ability to play more than one instrument can pay huge dividends.


Unions and Associations
Session Musicians can become members of the American Federation of Musicians (AFM), which is union that sets the minimum wage paid to musicians.


Suggestions for Getting Started

  • Start small by performing in a local band – many aspiring Musicians travel this route.
  • With some experience, consider placing an ad for in music-oriented newspapers or trade magazines.
  • Try to get a job doing anything in the studio in order to get your food in the door, even as if a Gofer, because you will learn more and establish contacts.
  • Gain affiliation with the American Federation of Musicians.