People like to give advice but it's easy to mix up the confidence of the advice giver with its actual value. Sometimes it takes quite a while to realize whether a piece of wisdom is wise at all In this episode, we begin a series of discussions on noteworthy advice we've received and debate whether … Continue reading Ep. 6: Good or Bad Advice? Eyes vs. Ears →

This episode is part 2 of our discussion on things you might want to bring up when you're lining up work. If you're newer to the gigging thing, or if you have had some unfortunate surprises on the job recently, you'll definitely want to go back and listen to the previous episode as well. Don't … Continue reading Ep. 5: Be Right or Be Effective? →

This is the first of a 2-part discussion that, besides being a subject that evokes strong reactions in us - and indeed working musicians everywhere - will be of particular value to music directors, orchestrators, and contractors who are new to hiring and working with freelance musicians, and especially percussionists. When you're new to being … Continue reading Ep. 4: *Always* Communicate →

We start with a little follow-up about the NYC marimba schlep anecdote from ep 1 and fleshing out the concept of instrumental "doubling". Early on, a guest conga player appearance challenges the guys' ability to stay on track.

The conversation takes a random side trip to answer the perennial question about what a movie set "key grip" is and Pete throws out the concept that musicians tend to fall into one of two categories: readers or practicers. That idea gets explored through Andy's performance watching preferences, tangentially through Josh's show-learning abilities, and Andy's part-assigning technique, hammer dulcimer and vibraharp experience notwithstanding.

Finally, our guest, non-brush-using conga player makes a brief, on-mic appearance!

The worst feeling in the world is realizing during your commute to the gig that you may not make it before the downbeat. Although getting there on time is just part of a musician's job, sometimes you just wish that the audience knew what it took for you to get there.

In this premiere episode, Pete, Josh, and Andy talk about the three main factors that contribute towards getting work as a freelance professional musician, why people choose to take certain jobs, 89 year-old conductors, the epidemic Josh has diagnosed within the musical world, and a little schlepping anecdote.