Step 4-It’s a Small World After All

As the Disney ride says, we really don’t live that far apart. Six degrees of separation can cut to two very fast in the music business. When you work with people, do your best to be easy to be around. No one wants to play with someone that’s difficult.

You can be the hottest thing since sliced bread, and play like no one on the planet, and still, if you’re a jerk, I’d rather sit next to a player with far less skill, but is easy to work with. Most of the time, the extra ability is not needed, so a lesser player that is a good colleague is just fine, thank you very much.

Little things mean a lot, also. Don’t come on the stand and play through all your concertos, or warm up with the designed intent to impress. If you’re a great musician, trust me, everyone will find out. Have some faith, do your job, and relax.

Another thing, don’t practice someone else’s part on the stage. Just imagine how you’d feel if prior to performing the Mozart Requiem, you hear the first trombonist blowing through Tuba Mirum. It doesn’t matter if they’ve trashed it at every rehearsal, and you have the definitive version. Just cool it. You’ll get your chance. You’d be surprised how word travels. It also follows you forever. If you do something stupid in your youth while living in New Jersey, years later in another state far away, you end up sitting right next to the person from the “moment” in question. It never fails.

So try to be the best colleague Play great, get along, be low maintenance. Your colleagues will thank you, you’ll get more work, and life will be better for all concerned. If you do happen to make a less than smart move, don’t be too proud to say something. We’re all human, and at times have not been our best. Just fess up, and move on. This can go a long way towards keeping a job, getting the next one, or just earning some points. Doing so might even make you feel better.

Ok we covered the get along part of being a good musician, what’s next?