A session musician is a singer or instrumentalist who works for a fee. Session musicians may be hired to play for an event or record music for an advertisement, or they may be hired to play with groups that need an extra player on a temporary basis. To work as a session musician, no special education is required, but artists must prepare extensively before applying for positions.
Session musicians are needed for all types of music, including rock, classical, hip-hop, and big band. A musician who wants to work as a session musician must be versatile and able to play in a variety of genres. If a musician can only play heavy metal, for example, the number of job opportunities is drastically reduced. A session musician’s ability to perform in a variety of musical styles prepares them for almost any job.
Natural talent is a valuable asset for anyone who wants to work as a session musician, but musical ability must also be developed. A session musician must be able to sight read music, and the ability to read charts and tabs is advantageous. Typically, sight reading music can be learned and practiced at home without the need for lessons. If a musician can play a song on the spot, the band or producer can move forward with recording without a lot of rehearsal time.
Other skills that will help an artist become a session musician include ear training and a solid foundation in music theory. This may necessitate formal training for some people. Ear training is especially important for singers who want to hit the right note every time, but it also aids musicians in coming up with harmony parts or playing music without sheet music.
Without hard work, perseverance, and connections, no one can become a session musician. A musician should have a good demo recording and some black and white head shots when applying for jobs. Radio and television stations hire freelance musicians for jingles and backup work, and job postings for parties, weddings, and other events are common. Producers, songwriters, and studios that need musicians to make demos or do backup work advertise in trade magazines or studio technology magazines for musicians with more work experience. Session musicians can also apply for jobs directly with recording studios or agents.