A Drummer’s Guide To...

164 - How I Got My Gigs

🚨 If you’re a musician looking to get on a named gig, then this may be for you!

🎙 If you’re a musician wanting to get some intel on HOW to actually get on a tour with an artist people have actually heard of, then check out my podcast episode A Drummer's Guide To… How I Got My Gigs

🧐 In this episode I go through how I got on the radar of the various artists I’ve worked for, to give you some intel to bring into your own journey.

😖 I’m not gonna lie, I felt weird doing this episode, cause it could be seen as a bit ‘look at me, look at who I’ve worked with’, but I had a moment of overriding that insecurity, to hopefully bring you some useful information that you can implement.

😌 Also, if you’re well on your way, it may be useful in giving you some solace that if you’re doing the same, it does work… but it sometimes takes time and patience (a virtue I struggle with!)

🎧 So if this sounds good to you, and if you’d like to lift the curtain further on all the other things it takes to be a professional musician, aside from playing your instrument, then look for A Drummer's Guide To... on all good podcasting platforms and youtube

 

---If you'd like early access to future podcast episodes, join the patreon: https://www.patreon.com/emilydrums--- #ADrummersGuideTo #Podcast #promusicians #musicianproblems #musiciansofig #sessionmusician #musicianlifestyle #sessiondrummer #musiceducation #musicianslife #behindthescenes #musicindustry #professionalmusician #drummer #drums #drumming #lessons #drumlesson #drumlessons #remoterecording #homestudio #remotesession #productivity #ama #askmeanything

163 - Instagram

🚨 If you’re a musician who is lost on what you should be posting on Instagram, then this is for you!

🙋‍♀️ Are you struggling to know what to post on Insta, are you overwhelmed, are you unmotivated or just are thinking ‘what’s the point?!?!’ then check out my podcast episode A Drummer's Guide To… Instagram

💪 For me, I see using Instagram as my personal marketting platform that I get to ‘speak’ to my ideal follower, with a view to them becoming the ideal musician, artist, or student I get to work with!

1️⃣ So first things first, WHO are you posting for?

🤔 Posting for other musicians who play the same instrument as you for ‘clout’ as it were is fine, but musicians who may want to hire you probably won’t be interested that you can play through all the permutations of a paradiddle cycling through each note as an accent and hitting all the subdivisions on a practice pad! #IYKYK

2️⃣ WHY are you using Instagram?

🧐 If you’re using it to get more work as a session musician? As an artist in your own right? As a teacher? These are all very different reasons, require different content to reach very different goals. These answers should lead you to…

3️⃣ WHAT should you post?

🤓 Here’s the ‘formula’ I use when working out what to post:

(Who is it for + Why are you using it) x (allowing people to know, like and trust you)

👍 Then, create content within the context of this formula such as:

🔥 Showcasing your skills

🔥 Showcasing your personality

🔥 Showcasing your schedule… everybody loves a busy person, so show you’re in demand!

🫶 In my experience is the most rich way to build connections and have clients coming to you in the most aligned way.

👀 Also, for a laugh, here’s my first ‘to camera’ piece:

https://youtu.be/NTkaAc3NTRw

🎙 If you’d like to hear some real life examples of how to and NOT to do Instagram, then check out my episode A Drummer's Guide To... Instagram

🎧 …and if you’d like to lift the curtain further on all the other things it takes to be a professional musician, aside from playing your instrument, then look for A Drummer's Guide To... on all good podcasting platforms and youtube

162 - Burnout

😥 If you want to eliminate burnout, then this is for you!

🎙 If you’re a musician who is suffering with feeling burnt out, then check out my podcast episode A Drummer's Guide To… Burnout!

😬 In this episode I go into how I tackle my endless battle with burnout as my body and mind seem to be in a constant battle with each other! And fun fact, it’s another real-time situation as I was suffering whilst recording this episode!

🤔 My recovery plan when dealing with burnout is:

1️⃣ I only tackle ONE essential thing every day and ONLY do it for a MAXIMUM of 3 hours concentrating on it.

2️⃣ Healthy stuff like eating well and exercising, but not overdoing it… at the moment boxing twice a week seems to be working for me… hopefully I can up it soon 👀

 3️⃣ Self-Care and Compassion, aka listening to my body, allowing myself to rest, and not beating myself up if I’m not able to do everything I want or need… perfection is not the goal here, kindness is.

👀 So if this resonates with you and you want to find out more about what I do to deal with burnout, then listen to my podcast episode A Drummer's Guide To... Burnout

🎧 …and if you’d like to lift the curtain further on all the other things it takes to be a professional musician, aside from playing your instrument, then look for A Drummer's Guide To... on all good podcasting platforms and youtube

 

161 - (are you) Pro Gig Ready?

👀 Are you ready for a pro gig?

🧐 Are you ready for that audition?

😳 Are you ready to tour?

😵‍💫 Are you ready for recording sessions?

🎙 Musicians! If you want to know if you’re ready to get on a pro gig then check out my podcast episode A Drummer's Guide To… (Are You) Pro Gig Ready?

💪 Here’s how I get as ready as possible for a gig, tour or session, and I’ll never feel 100%, but here’s my process:

1️⃣ Learn the material

2️⃣ Research past performances for live work (if they exist)

3️⃣ Ask about the mechanics of the gig, like how the gig runs, what it entails, any peripheral skills you may need, and find out any important information

4️⃣ Do the work! Record yourself and listen back (of course!), film yourself and watch back (if applicable), get those peripheral skills up to scratch

5️⃣ Get your fitness levels up, especially if you’re heading on the road, and try to maintain it whilst on the road. Callisthenics is a great shout on that front 💪

🎧 If you’d like to delve further into how to be ready for a pro gig, then check out my podcast episode A Drummer's Guide To... (are you) Pro Gig Ready?

👀 and if you’d like to lift the curtain further on all the other things it takes to be a professional musician, aside from playing your instrument, then look for A Drummer's Guide To... on all good podcasting platforms and youtube

---If you'd like early access to future podcast episodes, join the patreon: https://www.patreon.com/emilydrums---

#ADrummersGuideTo #Podcast #promusicians #musicianproblems #musiciansofig #sessionmusician #musicianlifestyle #sessiondrummer #musiceducation #musicianslife #behindthescenes #musicindustry #professionalmusician #drummer #drums #drumming #lessons #drumlesson #drumlessons #remoterecording #homestudio #remotesession #productivity #ama #askmeanything

160 - Common (mis)Beliefs

Is what you believe holding you back?

Are you a musician that has certain beliefs about yourself or others and what you should be doing to move your career forward?

Ellusive I know, well in my podcast episode A Drummer's Guide To... Common (Mis)Beliefs I address topics that seem to be coming up again and again in my one on one coaching sessions, and let me tell you, they’re not only not serving my students, they’re actually undermining them and creating unnecessary barriers in moving themselves forward, and I’d like to share them with you too.

The three most common I seem to be coming across are:

‘If I could be as good as ‘that person’ then I can have a successful career’

‘If I just keep posting consistently on social media, then musicians and artists will be reaching out to me left, right and Chelsea’

‘I don’t want to play other musician’s parts, I just want to play what I want to play!’

If any of those statements resonate with you on any level (and I apologise if you’re uncomfortable right now) then maybe it would be worth watching or listening to A Drummer's Guide To... Common (mis)Conceptions.

And if you want to lift the curtain further on all the other things it takes to be a professional musician, aside from playing your instrument, then look for A Drummer's Guide To... on YouTube and all good podcasting platforms.

159 - Saying No

😵‍💫 How good are you at saying no?

😬 Are you a musician that feels they have to say yes to everything, leading to overwhelm, burnout and just generally bad mental health?

🫵 If the answer is yes, then my podcast episode A Drummer's Guide To... Saying No might be for you

🙋‍♀️ Personally, saying no is something I struggled with for DECADES! I just couldn’t say no to things through mainly fear of missing an opportunity, so I guess FOMAO!

💪 As I progressed, I realised i can’t do all the things, I’m just one person, so it became more about saying yes to the RIGHT things that would move the needle in terms of skills, exposure, or just paying my bills!

🧐 These days, I look for certain markers that inform me as to whether I’ve said yes too much, and taken on more than I can handle, and I take action on that.

🚨 Then it becomes about looking at what I’m doing, and asking myself:

1️⃣ Is this serving my overall goals in life?

2️⃣ Is this moving the needle towards where I want to go? Am I gaining new skills? Is this a new group of people? etc

3️⃣ Is there another less intense way I can get a similar result?

🎙️ If you want to learn more about not just when to say no, but HOW to say no, and lift the curtain further on all the other things it takes to be a professional musician, aside from playing your instrument, then search for A Drummer's Guide To... on all good podcasting platforms and youtube

---If you'd like early access to future podcast episodes, join the patreon: https://www.patreon.com/emilydrums---

 

#ADrummersGuideTo #Podcast #promusicians #musicianproblems #musiciansofig #sessionmusician #musicianlifestyle #sessiondrummer #musiceducation #musicianslife #behindthescenes #musicindustry #professionalmusician #drummer #drums #drumming #lessons #drumlesson #drumlessons #remoterecording #homestudio #remotesession #productivity #ama #askmeanything

158 - Professional Musician Myths

😩 I can’t be a professional musician because…

🤔 What’s the end of that sentence for you?

🎙 If you have a solid belief that something is holding you back from being a professional musician, then my podcast episode, A Drummer's Guide To... Professional Musician Myths is for you!

🙅‍♀️ I debunk some of the most common (mis)beliefs I come across with my students and give you evidence for why they just aren’t true! Here are some of the most common:

1️⃣ You have to be a flashy player with lots of chops.

❌ Absolutely NOT! As a session musician we are there to provide a service to the artist, their music and their fans, and the parts need to played, not overplayed and ruined!

2️⃣ You can only take on gigs firmly within your wheelhouse of skills.

❌ Nah. Whilst it’s great to lean into your strengths, it’s also important to always be pushing your boundaries and taking on a gig that is slightly on the edge of your comfort zone can make you grow in ways you may not have felt possible. That’s my experience at least!

3️⃣ You need expensive flashy gear.

❌ Absolutely not! The only thing you need are the tools to get the job done! Just get enough to get started and then build from there. The way you utilise the tools you have is waaaaayyyy more important! My rule is: Start with the end in mind.

4️⃣ Looking to others for what is possible.

❌ Everyone has their own biases, unhelpful beliefs, helpful beliefs, experiences, etc etc etc that govern what they believe is possible, but don’t take that on as your own experience.

Develop your own compass to not only work out where you want to be, but be very cautious about other people’s reasons for telling you if something is/isn’t possible (they may be positive, i.e trying to protect you) and seek out those that have successfully done what you’re trying to do and ask about their experience…

Just always know it’s their experience, and use it if it serves you to create your own.

🎧 If you want to learn more about these myths and lift the curtain further on all the other things it takes to be a professional musician, aside from playing your instrument, then look for A Drummer's Guide To... on all good podcasting platforms and youtube

---If you'd like early access to future podcast episodes, join the patreon: https://www.patreon.com/emilydrums---

#ADrummersGuideTo #Podcast #promusicians #musicianproblems #musiciansofig #sessionmusician #musicianlifestyle #sessiondrummer #musiceducation #musicianslife #behindthescenes #musicindustry #professionalmusician #drummer #drums #drumming #lessons #drumlesson #drumlessons #remoterecording #homestudio #remotesession #productivity #ama #askmeanything

157 - Mistakes

😱 If you’re a musician who hates making mistakes, then this is for you!

😬 Are a musician who is feeling paralysed by the fear that you might make a mistake?

🫣 Or do you feel you may ruin the reputation you’ve built if you’re not perfect 100% of the time?

🙋‍♀️ If you do feel like this, you are not alone!!! 🎧 Check out my podcast episode, A Drummer's Guide To... Mistakes

😳 The fear of making a mistake informed so many of my life decisions in both a positive and negative way throughout my life.

🥺 I thought by making a mistake I would be letting myself and everyone around me down, it would make me unprofessional, and I would get thrown off gigs INSTANTLY!

😵‍💫 Not a great headspace to be in, and also can you imagine how tense I felt all the time!!! Not a great vibe to be bringing to the stage, rehearsal room, studio or on tour!

😌 It was only when I realised that mistakes were not only inevitable, they were necessary in creating moments of connection with those around me, and bringing more depth and honesty to my playing 🫶

🎙️ If you’d like to hear more about my experiences with making mistakes, then check out my podcast episode, A Drummer's Guide To... Mistakes

🎧 And if you want to lift the curtain further on all the other things it takes to be a professional musician, aside from playing your instrument, then look for A Drummer's Guide To... on all good podcasting platforms and youtube

🙏 Thank you to Mike Tuppen for inspiring this episode 🙏

---If you'd like early access to future podcast episodes, join the patreon: https://www.patreon.com/emilydrums---

#ADrummersGuideTo #Podcast #promusicians #musicianproblems #musiciansofig #sessionmusician #musicianlifestyle #sessiondrummer #musiceducation #musicianslife #behindthescenes #musicindustry #professionalmusician #drummer #drums #drumming #lessons #drumlesson #drumlessons #remoterecording #homestudio #remotesession #productivity #ama #askmeanything

156 - Being Sick As A Session Musician

📣 Calling all sick musicians!

 

🫣 No I’m not talking about awesome musicians - you can be awesome too, but I want to share what I do when I’m ill as a session musician!!!

 

🎧 Listen to my episode A Drummer's Guide To... Being Sick As A Session Musician

 

😱 So on the road is the worst version of events - not only are you a victim to the schedule, you’re around people that you desperately don’t want to get ill, but chances are you’re in close quarters!!! It’s a nightmare!!

 

👀 So what do I do?

 

✏️ Firstly I isolate myself as much as I physically can, and on every tour I do, I have my own ‘pharmacy’ with various medications that can help me deal with any issues for the 2 hours I need to be on stage, and the other 22 hours, I rest, I sleep, I hydrate, and literally cross my fingers it passes quickly without infecting anyone else!

 

🙈 If I’m home, weirdly it often is harder because I won’t LET myself rest! What a ‘mare! So I try to do ONLY what is ABSOLUTELY NECESSARY and then rest every other minute I can - I’m rubbish at this, I know I am, I’ve literally just come off the back of being a bit sick and it being drawn out much longer than it probably needed to be because I didn’t just stop! I know, I know, nightmare!

 

💰 The other component to this that I think is important is to have a financial buffer, so some sort of savings that if you had no work whatsoever, you could survive. This is beneficial way past just being sick and allows for the inevitable fluctuation in this creative world.

 

🎧 If you want to learn more about being sick (as strange as that sounds!) and lift the curtain further on all the other things it takes to be a professional musician, aside from playing your instrument, then look for A Drummer's Guide To... on all good podcasting platforms and youtube

155 - Optimising Instagram For More Gigs

📣 Musicians! Is this the REAL reason your Instagram might not be hitting the way you want it to?

👀 Are you a musician finding it hard to use Instagram as a tool for getting work, getting more gigs, recording sessions and ESPECIALLY at a professional level?

🎧 If you're struggling then check out my newest episode A Drummer's Guide To... Optimising Instagram For More Gigs

💪 Personally it’s only when I worked out that social media was actually an empowering platform to showcase myself exactly how I wanted to that I got really inspired about it!

 

🧐 I got really specific about the kind of drummer I was, wanted to be and the kinds of gigs I wanted to be on, and then tailored my Instagram to suit my perfect follower that I’d like to hire me, and I still do that to this day! I leverage my bio, pinned posts and stories to allow people to get to know me, and resonate with more weirdos like me that I will then (hopefully) get to work with!

 

🎧 If you want to learn more about optimising your own Instagram for more work, and lift the curtain further on all the other things it takes to be a professional musician, aside from playing your instrument, then search for A Drummer's Guide To... on all good podcasting platforms and youtube