The Professional Musician is Always Prepared

As Robert Baden-Powell suggested: “Be Prepared” 

For Rehearsals/Performances
Bring everything you need, from the massive to the minutiae.

• Do not be that guy/girl who forgets their strap, or has “lost” their sheet music.

Make sure your equipment is in working order

• Check fuses, wear, electrical contacts, pins and plugs – ensure that your equipment is up to standard and can be relied upon.
• Expect the unexpected
• Have a backup plan for worst case scenario.
• Prepare an equipment “first aid” kit and have it to hand.

Check out the room

• Is your equipment suitable for the room you are going to play?
• What equipment does the venue offer?
• What are the acoustics of the room like?
• Do you need to be amped, or perhaps does it require an unplugged session?

Do your homework

• Rule of thumb – be able to play new music by second rehearsal
• Do not be the guy/girl who still needs to work out their parts.
• You will find very quickly that you are no fun at work with and people will stop asking you to play with them.

Practice

• You must be technically competent before you can add flavour and nuance.

Meeting Client/Employer Expectations 
Get to know what your client really wants from you/your band. 
Do not sit back rely upon the tired old cliché – “I am a musician/artist”. It really does not cut it now-a-days. Client’s expectations include but are certainly not limited to:

• Desired atmosphere
• Desired volume
• Crowd participation
• Finance and Band Management

Remember you are being paid to perform a task for them, ensure that you meet their requirements, not your own. 

Supplier Payments 
Make sure that your suppliers are paid on-time and the amount that was agreed. You will struggle if you become known as a band that does not pay for rehearsal time, or makes fill-ins and session musicians wait for payment. If you need to hire a venue or get a fill-in, make sure you have the money first.