Guitarology #2

So You Call Yourself a Professional?

I’ve had occasion from time to time to be confronted with what being a professional musician is really about. One of these occasions occurred recently as you will read later. So friends, this time around I’d like us to take a look at what’s involved in being truly professional. Ya’ll probably know this stuff but it doesn’t hurt to perhaps be reminded.

”I get paid. That makes me a pro.” .......... Uh, really?

From Webster’s dictionary: Professional adj. (1) characterized by or conforming to the technical or ethical standards of a profession (2): exhibiting a courteous, conscientious, and generally businesslike manner in the workplace. Noun: one that is professional, especially: one that engages in a pursuit or activity professionally.

Notice that there’s no mention of how good you have to be, how much you get paid, or even if you get paid. The definition is all about how you conduct yourself and one’s attitude to the job. May I submit a few criteria a musician might consider when describing themselves as "professional".

Do you show up? Yeah, silly question right? I’ve known world class players in terms of skill who find themselves unable to find work because they’ve considered themselves too good to show up on time or even to show up at all for gigs, rehearsals, meetings, interviews, etc. Demanding respect but showing none. Amateurs can do what they like, pros can not.

Are you prepared? Not only rehearsed, and that is important, but equipped? Gear in good working order, tools for any and all occasions, spare fuses and weird bits, and of course lots and lots of strings and cables!

Are you willing to adapt and do whatever is necessary to get the job done? Even things you really shouldn’t have to do like humping PA cabinets, moving tables, setting up stages, fixing things. Hey, you might even have to compromise. If a job needs doing just do it, then get on with the fun.

Are you aware of what the occasion calls for? Remember the Blues Brothers Band at Bob’s Country Bunker? When they had to become "The Good Ol’ Boys"? An outstanding piece of professionalism. Well, except maybe for the bar tab.

On the other side of the nickel there is distinctly unprofessional conduct, even by those who have been lucky enough to have "made it".

I had occasion awhile back to attend the taping of a Dutch television program. Quite influential program actually. Some of the biggest names in popular music have appeared. The format is playing live in a studio or other special setting and an interview. On this occasion the setting was a well known venue in Amsterdam with two successful acts who had recorded a couple of songs together for a CD which was then on current release. I will refrain from naming names to protect the guilty. Suffice to say that one artist was a singer of planetary, if not galactic, stature for over 35 years, the other a young band who was riding on the success of their first album’s two million plus sales.

The band were scheduled to perform first as they were to later back the vocalist. They had not brought any of their own gear. They had chosen not to even bring their own instruments though they did bring several friends and crew.

Through out the sound check and later performance of their own songs complaints were rife. The guitarist in particular continually moaned and griped about his hired guitar, his amp, the temperature of the beer, the lot. On camera during the interview it was f*ing this, f*ing that, and f*ing the other thing. This was Holland so they did not insert bleeps or edits in the broadcast. My daughter, a fan of the band, when she saw the final broadcast commented, "What a brat. It’s like he just learned a new word? "

When the real star arrived the prats suddenly shaped up and behaved like the sweetest boys next door. Our star, by the way, just strolled in with no entourage and gave an absolutely fantastic vocal performance, cold at two in the afternoon. He later did a relaxed, humorous, and interesting interview for a separate radio show despite being interrupted while taping by the aforementioned guitarist barging past all restraining hands just to say good-bye. Our illustrious friend even made the time to hang out and have a conversation with yours truly for about half an hour.

The epilogue: Our professional’s single (without this band) got loads of airplay and made the Top 10 in Holland and pretty much every other nation on Earth. Our two million selling amateurs have hardly been heard of since.

A final thought. BB King’s band members have mostly been with him like 15-20 years. Regarding the rare occasion of having to hire a musician he once said, "I first look for what kind of man is he. I can make a musician. I can’t make a man."

Courage,

Steve Power © 2005

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