Gregg Wright: GW's BLOG

I've had the blessing of a 30 year career making a living doing what I love most . . . creating and playing music. It's carried me to every corner of the earth. I've met and worked with some of the most fascinating and amazingly talented people on this planet, too numerous to name. This is not by chance. I work very hard at being the very best "professional" musician I can be. If you want a career playing music, here are ten "must know" tips to help you acheive and maintain that goal:

1. Practice Makes Perfect: There is no substitute for hard work and getting to know your instrument inside out. Hit the "woodshed." You want to be able to play easily and smoothly, whatever an artist or producer asks of you.

2. Always Be On Time: This is one of the most important marks of a true professional. Music is a business and runs like any other business or profession. Time is money! Too many musicians think because they're talented, they can show up whenever they want. Big mistake!!! I remember when I worked with Michael Jackson. He was a real stickler for being on time. If you showed up late, you simply disappeared. Your services were no longer required. What a shame if you lost a great gig like that because you couldn't be on time!

3. Be Well Prepared: I can't tell you how many times I've seen excellent players show up to a session or rehearsal completely unprepared for the day's work. If someone gives me a tape or CD of material to learn, by God when you see me again, I will know that material better than you, inside out!

4. Have Good, Reliable Gear: Make sure you have the very best gear you can afford. A good musician can make crap gear sound great. Imagine what that same musician can do with great gear. Expensive but worth it. Nothing can replace a great sound!

5. Be Courteous; Be Nice: Why do so many people have the misguided notion that being difficult or unpleasant makes you a better artist? Being an asshole doesn't make you "edgy" . . . it just makes you an asshole! Trust me, nobody wants to work with an asshole!

6. Modern Communication: Once upon a time, musicians waited for gigs by the telephone. This is no longer the case. I'm talking especially to you older players! Today's working musician needs to have his or her communications universe in complete working order. A laptop, business cards, cell phone, web presence, etc. If you don't have these tools at your disposal, you are completely out of the loop. You literally don't exist!

7. Have Reliable Wheels: Very hard to be successful if you can't get from point A to point B on time, with all your gear, ready to rock.

8. Get A Passport: Kinda hard to do those international festivals without a passport. Proper documentation for everything is paramount. Get it done!

9. Show Up Sober:  Save the party favors for after the gig or session. Nobody wants to pay their hard earned cash to watch you stagger around the stage, hitting sour notes because you have double vision and can't see your instrument clearly!

10. Keep It Real: In many ways, this is the hardest because there can be so much B.S. in show business. My mantra for keeping it real is simple; the world was perfectly fine before I was here and will continue to be be perfectly fine after I'm here. It doesn't need me or anyone else. It's up to each of us to contribute something positive while we are here. The world owes us nothing! The true mission of the musician is to uplift the soul and spirits of people. Humble yourself, serve the music and wonderful things will happen.

 Written By Gregg Wright
©2010 Left Hook Music 

Photo by Amedeo

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