Untitled

Bring the Right Gear for the Job

One of the fastest ways to gain—or lose—the respect of a bandleader or music director has nothing to do with how well you play. It has everything to do with whether you come prepared.

I've lost count of how many times we've performed on silent stages—productions where there are no amplifiers, no floor wedges, and no traditional stage monitors. Everything is run through in-ear monitors.

Before the show, every musician is told exactly what to bring: in-ear monitors or quality headphones so they can hear the mix, the talkback microphone, click tracks, guide vocals, and musical cues.

Yet someone inevitably arrives without them.

The result? They're lost for the entire performance, unable to hear important instructions, missing cues, and making the show more difficult for everyone else.

Preparation is part of professionalism.

Sometimes having the right gear also means bringing a different instrument than you normally use because it's better suited for that particular venue or production. Every show has different requirements, and successful musicians adapt.

Just as important, respect the production requirements.

If you're told to bring in-ear monitors but instead show up with a guitar amplifier, you're ignoring the wishes of both the venue and the music director.

If you're told there won't be live horns on stage but you bring two saxophone players anyway, that's the same thing—it shows a lack of respect for the production plan and for the people responsible for making the show run smoothly.

Professional musicians don't guess. They follow directions.

Finally, make sure your equipment is reliable.

Before every performance:

Install fresh batteries in any wireless packs, active pickups, pedals, or other battery-powered equipment.

Test every cable and always carry backups. Cables almost always fail at the worst possible moment—usually during a solo or another critical part of the show.

Guitarists and bass players should carry a complete spare set of strings. Don't rely on a single replacement string; Murphy's Law says a different string will be the one that breaks.

Drummers should carry a backup snare drum or at least a spare snare head, along with extra sticks.

Keyboard players should always have a spare sustain pedal and the necessary power supplies. Those pedals have an uncanny ability to quit without warning.

Vocalists should bring any specialty microphones, in-ear equipment, adapters, and extra batteries they depend on.

Everyone should pack extension cords, power strips, adapters, and anything else required to make their own setup work without borrowing from someone else.

The audience expects a great performance—not excuses.

Professional musicians understand that talent gets you hired, but preparation gets you hired again.

Success on stage begins long before the first note is played. Come prepared, respect the production, and always bring the right gear for the job.

How Much Should You Practice?

One question I'm asked regularly is:

"How much should I practice each week?"

Before answering that, let's talk about what you should be practicing.

Most musicians performing at the professional or semi-professional level don't play with just one group. Many perform with:

A primary band

A secondary band where they regularly sub or perform

A church or other religious organization

Additional freelance opportunities as they arise

Over time, it's easy to become comfortable. You know the material. You've played the songs for years. You begin to think, "I've already learned this."

That mindset can quietly become your biggest obstacle.

As a bandleader, I've noticed something interesting. When I write a new arrangement or make changes to an existing song, I often teach it to my substitute musicians first. They learn it exactly as written because they have no preconceived ideas about how it's "always been done."

Only after the subs have successfully performed the arrangement do I introduce it to the regular band.

Why?

Because experienced musicians can sometimes become attached to old habits. They play well—and often that's enough for today's gig—but continual growth requires a willingness to change.

Great musicians never stop learning.

Practice isn't just about running scales or repeating songs you already know. It's about intentionally working on the things that challenge you.

That may mean:

Learning music outside your favorite genre.

Studying new concepts, scales, or music theory.

Asking another musician to teach you something you don't know.

Completely rethinking your approach to your instrument.

Growth only happens outside your comfort zone.

The musicians who embrace continual improvement become the first call.

Those who stop growing often become the third or fourth call—someone the bandleader reaches out to only after others aren't available.

So, how much should you practice?

As much as you reasonably can without neglecting your family, your health, or your career outside of music.

If music is your full-time profession, develop a weekly practice regimen. Spend dedicated time preparing the songs for upcoming performances, and then set aside an additional two to three hours each week devoted solely to improving your musicianship—not your repertoire.

The goal isn't simply to stay good enough.

The goal is to become better than you were last week.

Having a gig nearly every day last week kept us busy. Thankfully, 95% of those experiences were enjoyable. So what's the other 5%?

A guest musician who isn't fully prepared.

If you're ever hired as a guest musician or artist, here are a few things you can do to ensure a great experience—and increase your chances of getting called back.

1. Learn the Band's Material and Culture

Do your best to learn the music, arrangements, and overall vibe of the group. Watch the band's social media content, listen to recordings, and familiarize yourself with how they perform.

2. Ask Questions Early

If you're unsure about an arrangement, song version, transitions, or expectations, ask questions in advance. Most professional bands provide charts, recordings, set lists, and other resources well before the performance date.

3. Don't Bring Excuses to the Stage

If you've been given materials ahead of time, don't wait until rehearsal, soundcheck, or worse—while you're on stage—to announce that you don't know the material. Preparation is part of the job.

4. Treat the Gig Like You Care

If you don't care about the opportunity, don't take the gig.

At the very least, show up with a professional attitude and a positive outlook. Audiences, fellow musicians, and band leaders can all tell when someone is engaged—and when they're not.

5. Arrive Early

Arriving early is far less stressful than arriving "on time" or late.

Early arrival gives you time to:

- Set up properly

- Troubleshoot equipment issues

- Ask questions

- Relax before downbeat

People remember musicians who arrive early. They also remember musicians who arrive late. One earns trust; the other creates stress—especially for the bandleader.

6. Look Like a Professional

Invest in your wardrobe.

Whether the dress code is casual or formal, look intentional and polished. Never look like you grabbed the first thing you found in the closet.

Professional appearance matters. In fact, some venues take presentation so seriously that they've sent bands home because their appearance didn't match the venue's standards.