You could go to college and university to get your qualifications and make your way up by making beats and producing, but you will need to have connections in the industry. Another route would be self promoting, making beats and producing them and releasing or steaming on networks.
I have always been a fan of queen since a young age. I just loved their songs and found them inspirational. I seen how they could make their songs so different with each other and always changing genre throughout. I liked how they worked well as a group, and complimented each other’s playing. They were very creative when it came to making music, and their even were technical when came to producing. I thought it was amazing how they could play live, and still have the right energy and would always keep the crowd alive.
Before Queen, Brian May was already a guitarist, previously in another band called Smile along with Roger Taylor. Freddie Mercury later joined force with the both from “The Hectics”and then recruited bassist John Deacon and then newly called themselves “Queen”.
After Freddy Mercury’s unfortunate passing, Queen could not be Queen without their frontman. Although Brian May and Roger Taylor continued as solo artists the band could never reunite as a whole.
Queen have had many many hits over the years, winning award and being in the top charts. They have always been popular, and have always made great music. In 1981 they released an album with all their best hits. listen to some of their greatest hits and watch some of the best music videos for their time.
There are many skills needed to be a recording artist, or being a in band like Queen, here are some: •Need to be creative •knowledgeable •skill on instruments or vocally •able to work with others •knowing the recording process •able to listen to others •having a good persona •to have links in the industry •creating musical content •deal with pressure See links below for more information
Skills in relation
I like working with other or in a group, i can take constructive criticism well and think its helpfull. I like to think I’m creative and I am able to make music. Skills i would need to work on: •learn more about the recording process •Dealing with pressure •stage presences •learn to manage content.There’s many things I would like to improve on, and many skills I will hopefully be able to pick up on the way.
The guitarist and bassist of Queen came a long way. John deacon originally started playing in bands, in school and college, where he achieved 8 GCE O level and 3 A level passes which were all grade A.
I studied music in school and left with a B in music.I continued to study music at college, and I am currently in my 3rd year hoping to carry on next year in university. I have a long way to catch up with their education, for example, Brian may has more qualifications than just music. He has CBE, PhD,a world-renowned guitarist, also a Doctor of Astrophysics, 3-D stereoscopic photographic authority and a passionate advocate and campaigner for animal rights.
Inspiration
Carol kaye is an inspiring session bassist who was popular in the 60s. She played on many songs l ike,” im not gonna miss you”, “no matter what shape” and mmm“slick cat”. She also played with other musicians like, Stevie Wonder, Simon and Garfunkel and even Frank Sinatra. She impressed lots of people with her skills for example, Paul McCartney even said she inspired his bass playing. She started playing jazz guitar at the age of 14, and then at 20 she was recognised and was asked by Bumps Blackwell to record in a studio the next day. This is where Carol became a session musician. I admire her for what she does because she has played in different style and with different people which is something I would like to do one day.
Song Carol Kaye has played on
Skills of role
There are many skills needed to become a session musician, here are some:
•Music reading
•availability and flexibility
•strong communication
•knowledge on music theory
•adjusting to the track (what works best for the song
•knowing your instrument
•versatility
Being aware of time and making sure things are quick in the studio is important, waste of time is a waste of money. “Every recording session and tour is a very valuable time to me in terms of getting to spend time with the musicians - whether they're friends and family or people I've just met - because I don't have a job where I get to interact with people everyday”. - Author: Will Oldham
Progression route. 1
Carol Kaye became a session musician by playing with bands in public and in jazz clubs. This is how she got noticed. This is when she was connected with producers who wanted her to play on tracks for them. You need to put yourself and your talents out there to be recognised, then you can continue with your career. Having contacts in the music industry will really help.
Progression Route 2
Unlike Carol Kaye, usually you don’t just get recognised for your playing to become a session musician, there is other ways you should go about to get this job. One strategy would be studying music in college/university to have knowledge about music and the industry. You would then need to promote yourself by, releasing songs or promoting yourself via social media. It helps to get to know other people in the industry, then you can get contacted when somone needs a session musician on their track.
Tips to become a session musician
Skills and skill gap in relation
Carol Kaye has many skills that she has needed to become a session musician.
Some are:
•people skills
•music theory skills
•sight reading
•communication skills
•listening skills
•being unique
•networking
I have a long way to go until I meet with Carol Kaye’s skills
I would need to work on, sight reading, music theory, networking etc. However, I think that o have good communication, listening and people skills. I study music theory and I am learning to sight read but I still have a lot to improve on. Carol Kaye was not just unique in herself but her bass playing too, I have a lot more experimenting to do to become as unique.
Qualifications and gap
There are definitely courses you could take to get the right qualifications to help you with your career being a session musician.
During the course you will gain a deep understanding of working in a studio environment, including listening skills, mixing and remixing, mastering, acoustics, psychoacoustics, music technology and much more, providing you with an advanced skill set in recording and music production techniques. There are more skills I would need to work on. I would need to take a certain music course in order to get these qualifications, currently I am studying music in college and after this I will have my level 3 extended diploma qualification.
Studio technician. Inspiration. Bob Rock
Bob Rock is a sound technician who has worked with big names such as, Bon Jovi, Mötley crüe, Bryan Adams and Metallica. He started by playing guitar in a band of his own, he then changed to the more technical side of recording, however he still played on dr.feel good, Mötley crüe and played bass on Metallica’s st. Anger.
Skills required
Skills required: •To have ur own equipment •knowledge on technical aspects •advertising •broadcasting •post production •able to monitor audio signals •ability to mix
Progression routes
There are two routes you could take. You could go to university where you would choose if you wanted to do a music recording course or just the recording side. One will include music performance while the other is more to do with science and maths. You could also try to get work experience in a studio to gain knowledge.
Skills and skill gap
There are many skills you could learn from Bob Rock such as. Am understanding of the physics of sound, good aural skills, awareness of current sound and technology and technical aptitude. Many of which I am still yet to learn. I have a lot to learn and a lot of skills to work on.
Qualifications and gap
There aren’t really any specific qualifications you need to become a session musician however there are skills you need to have. It would help to have a university degree to help you get recognition and to help with ur knowledge to become a good studio technician. I am yet to go to university but after college I will be doing the hnd course to get further qualifications.
Inspiration
Paul bouton is an impressive recoding engineer who has won Grammy awards. He has worked with famous people such as Kennith Edmonds (babyface), Micheal Jackson, Stevie Wonder and phill Collins. He has 23 gold records, 16 multi-platinum records and 4 singles in the billboard hot 100 top 10.
Skills required
Skills needed: Communication, active listening, problem solving, flexibility, teamwork, organisation, and continuous learning. With these skills a sound engineer can prepare themselves for a successful career.
Skills and skills in relation
think I have good communication and listening skills. I can be organised when it comes to music and I do like to work as a team. However I lack other skills like thinking fast, mixing boards,patience and knowledge.
Progression routes
One way you could become a recording engineer is taking a uni course, the course teaches you lots of things, for example you will gain a deep understanding of working in a studio environment, including listening skills, mixing and remixing, mastering, acoustics, psychoacoustics, music technology and much more, providing you with an advanced skill set in recording and music production techniques.
Qualifications and gap
Course informationYou could do a foundation degree or degree in sound engineering and production, audio engineering or music production. You'll usually need at least one A-level (or equivalent) for a foundation degree and two to three A-levels (or equivalent) for a degree.
Music producer inspiration
Dj Shceme
I think Dj is an inspirational producer. He mates beats and tracks and works with lots of artists that I like. I think his music is different and always brings a good vibe. He is very talented and I would like to create music how he does. He has lots of different songs and likes to change things up.
Skills required
Here are some skills needed to be a music producer:
Playing an Instrument. Having a comprehensive understanding of music is a must.
Sound Engineering, Music Theory & Composition (aka Song Writing), Managing People, Communication, Business Finances and Contracts.