Remote Session Artist Roster: POST HERE

[Chris Alpiar]

simply reply to this thread, include all instruments you play and all that you can record remotely comfortably, your basic DAW info and a link to your website or contact info

[Chris Alpiar]

Yea I have always considered a pre-requisite of being a "studio musician" to be the ability to read as well as have great ears. But today with remote session stuff I think it can change a little, especially with instruments like guitar.

I can vouch that Doug is a very high quality musician within his style and concept and if you like his music you would do well to hire him.

"studio musician" is a changing thing, which used to be musician X is a "studio musician", and that was a badge that means "he can read anything, he can solo in any style, he can play in any key, he can play in a section, he can play solo and with a great sound, great intonation, he can play strongly in many styles and he can do a fair pastiche of _any_ style music" and the better studio musicians also would have some chops in arranging and in doubling on other instruments, as well as being fun to work with, extremely focused and energized and always on time with the right equipment. At one point in life I was that to the T and while I spend more time writing today than playing I can still get a B for all those qualities. But its not necessary with the internet to have all parts of that anymore with the caveat that its up to the contracter to understand what they are trying to get

With that in mind, I think shopping for session musicians is all about understanding what each person brings to the table and the skills they have. Like if I was going to record a tune with insane giant steps type of changes and very specific intricate written parts I probably wouldn't be sending it to Doug, but there is a TON of stuff that he would be very viable and an excellent choice for.

So the lesson to be learned here I think, is that if you are hiring session musicians, its up to you to do your research and understand what you are looking for and to lose at least some preconceptions or bias based on old school standards. as far as rates go, 50 bucks an hour is pretty standard, and while personally I would not hire a guy to do a studio session *here* that can not read, I would have no problems if its remote and I know what I expect in 2 hours with a class A musician. As long as I get that result and I dont have to spend a lot of time prepping to be able to communicate with someone that cant read, I dont care if they took 10 hours to get the 2 hour job done as long as I am paying for the 2 hours and not the 10 and the music sounds great ;-)



phil Kelly said:

Doug:

no offense as to the level of your playing .but at the rates you're asking, for a lot of work
your going to be somewhat handicapped by your non reading status . Maybe you could
elaborate on what kinds of things you can do by ear -and how much usable music
can you turn out in 2 hours ?