Professionalism as a Musician: More Than Playing the Right Notes

Last month we discussed the financial or business side of being a musician. And, as if we put the cart before the horse, this month we’re talking about one of the most important (and often overlooked) aspects to building a career as a musician.

Let's be honest: most of us got into music because we love music. We love playing, performing, and the feeling of locking in with other musicians and creating something together. But if you want to make music your profession, there's another side of the job that has very little to do with what happens when you pick up your instrument.

It's called professionalism.

Here's a lesson hard-learned: your musicianship might get you the gig, but your professionalism is often what gets you the next one.

Be Someone People Can Count On

Think about the musicians you've worked with who you really appreciate. Chances are, you appreciate them for more than just their playing. They show up. They know the music. They have their gear together. They answer their messages. They communicate when something changes.

In other words, they're dependable.

Being prepared is a big part of that. If you're given music ahead of time, look at it. Listen to the recordings. Bring what you need. Make sure your instrument and equipment are ready to go.

Leland Sklar (bassist - James Taylor, Phil Collins, Toto, Carole King, Linda Ronstadt, etc…) describes how he would listen to recordings of his sets each night during a tour so that he could show up the next night better prepared. He believes his responsibility as a bassist is to know the songs better than everyone else so that he can be relied upon.

None of this is particularly glamorous, but it shows respect for everyone else's time. When a bandleader or contractor can call you and think, "Great. I don't have to worry about this one," you've already established a lot of value.

Listen More Than You Play

Being a great working musician isn't always about showing everyone what you can do. Sometimes the best thing you can play is less. Maybe the vocalist needs space. Maybe another musician has the musical moment. Maybe the song simply calls for simplicity rather than virtuosity.

Learning to listen and understand what the music needs is a huge part of becoming a professional.

This goes for both dynamics and stage volume, as well. Ron Carter (bassist - Miles Davis, Herbie Hancock, Art Farmer, Bill Evans, Thelonious Monk, Roberta Flack, etc…) once said, while discussing his reliance on mixing engineers, “I don’t think about any of that. I am the mix.”

The best musicians are capable of playing to the dynamics of the stage, venue, and ensemble. The more you blend with the rest of the band, the less the mixer has to do, allowing them to focus on the quality of the mix rather than just the levels.

And the same is true off the stage. You're going to work with people who do things differently than you would. You won't always agree with every musical decision, and that's okay. Professionalism doesn't mean you never disagree. It means you know how to work through those differences without making everything personal.

You don't have to win every musical argument. Sometimes you just need to make the music work.

The Little Things Become Your Reputation

Professionalism isn't just about what happens during the gig. It's also the seemingly boring stuff: practicing the tunes, maintaining your instrument, putting equipment away, responding to messages, dressing appropriately, and taking care of your responsibilities.

These little things add up.

People remember the musician who was easy to work with. They remember the musician who communicated when there was a problem instead of disappearing. And they remember the musician who made their job easier rather than harder.

That's your reputation.

And in the music business, reputation matters.

You're Going to Mess Up

Eventually, you're going to miss a note, forget something, lose your place, or have a bad night.

Welcome to being a musician.

Professionalism doesn't mean never making mistakes. It means knowing how to handle them. Recover. Keep playing. Don't make the mistake bigger than it needs to be. Learn from it and show up better prepared next time. The ability to stay calm when things don't go according to plan is one of the most valuable skills you can develop as a working musician.

Be the Musician People Call Back

Every gig is connected to the next one. The person who hires you today might recommend you tomorrow. The musician standing next to you might eventually put together a project and call you. You never really know where the next opportunity will come from.

That's why I try to approach every gig with the mindset that I'm not just playing this job. I'm building my reputation. And professionalism doesn't mean becoming stiff, boring, or someone you're not. You can have a personality. You can joke around. You can be relaxed and have fun.

It simply means being reliable, prepared, respectful, and aware of the people around you.

There will always be someone who plays faster, knows more theory, has better gear, or has a longer résumé. That's okay. A sustainable career isn't built on being the best musician in every room. It's built on becoming someone people trust.

Your talent matters. But if you want to keep working, don't underestimate the value of being the person everyone is happy to see walk through the door.