mike ansberry

I am a lower eschelon pro in my area. I have my niche and play with a bebop quintet, a 70's style rock horn band, and do a good bit of church music in brass ensembles. I just got a call to do a recording session with some of the big dogs in the area. I took the job, but I know what will happen. I will get up tight, which will affect my ability to concentrate. I'll make a silly mistake somewhere, and then worrying about that mistake will cause others. I know I should relax and attack the job with some confidence. I'm a good player and capable of handling the part. But how do you relax and focus when the pressure is on?

Jimi Michiel

Mike,
You sound like you've already blown it. There's probably a pretty good reason why you're getting called by "the big dogs," so my advice is to just find a way to chill out and remain positive before the gig so that maybe you wont have these problems at the gig. Just my 2/100s.
-jimi

camelbrass

Jimi's right don't blow it before you've played a note.

Relax, take a deep breath and listen. Turn up on time or a little early if you can..don't hurry, make sure you've got all your gear (including pencils etc). You got the call..that's the hard part, you've got the chops or wouldn't have got the call. The guy in charge thinks you can do it..so should you.

Just my thoughts.

Regards,

Trevor

Schwab

Most of the "Big Dogs" I've played with have been genuinely nice guys who are not overly critical and usually have encouraging things to say. I think most of the people who are jerks are not secure in their own playing and tend to take it out on others. Relax, play well, enjoy yourself.

Manny Laureano

dear Mike,

I was going to write last night but this is an important question and I wanted to sleep on it.

Firstly, you're not going through anything that I haven't gone through in the early part of my career. I got to do stuff with a lot of great players, especially jingles and the like. I also felt apprehensive and wondered if I'd do a great job. You should know that each of these fine players you're goin gto work with have been in your position, as well, and would praobably enjoy telling you stories of their first important gigs. However, they'll likely want to tell you after the session not during. It's a head thing.

Secondly, you should know that the only difference between you and these other fellows is time. They've been doing it longer and have a lot more experience. So, let me share a little that you may not have considered.

It goes without saying that you go easy on coffee or anything that's going to overstimulate you. Don't avoid it completely just know how much you need to wake up. The same with foods. Today might not be the best day for the spiciest Mexican or Thai meal you've ever had. You see where I'm going wth all that.

It goes without saying to show up to the session early. You know, the last jingle I did, I had them fax me the music and give me a brief rundown on what I was selling. When I showed up to the gig it was two takes and we were done because I knew the product and what they needed better than they did!

Third, I have a habit of singing mentally while I play. Each and every note, I mean it. I hear the pitches clear as a bell and I have the sense that you can do this, too. You haven't blown it, not by any means. Just flood your brain with the sound of the trumpet exactly what you're supposed to be playing and you won't have room for anything else, my friend. The next thing you know, the gig is over and you have a bunch of people telling you how much they enjoyed playing with you an how much they look forward to the next time.

As Jonathan Kent once said to his son, Clark. " You are here for a reason".

Have fun,

ML

davidquinlan

Yet again, great advice from Manny!

Cheers dude!

wiseone2

Always get to the date early. Have a pencil. Have a selections of mutes.
Some of the guys in NYC have all the paperwork done before the date begins. Local 802 has downloadable W-2 and I-9 forms available.
When you get to the gig DON'T sit in the lead chair
Let the lead player do the talking.

That's a start.

Play great!

Wilmer

PH

I love Gary Grant's "Studio Musician's Manual" here. http://www.garygrantmusic.com/

mike ansberry

I know it sounds like I'm defeated before I start. That isn't the case. It is just that I have had a couple of experiences that have left a very negative images in my memory. I have done some studio work before, and I do get called to do some other stuff. I usually get called back, partly because I am easy to work with. I do know better than to sit on the lead book (I'd be an idiot to try that in this crowd) and that kind of thing. I will go in there with a positive attitude and give it all I've got. I just thought that maybe some of you had some visualization techniques, dietary suggestions (for some reason bananas help), or other ideas that would help calm my nerves. I knew a girl at North Texas that was a phenomenal player, but had her performances wrecked by nerves. She took beta blockers and it helped her a lot. I'm not interested in resorting to drugs, but I'm just looking for a way to calm my nerves.

Manny Laureano

Mike,

Take a breath and read my post... again.

ML