The Blen’s 10 tips for being a session Bassist
- Smile, it’s your lucky day, you have a session.
- Turn up on time not looking like you just fell out of bed.
- Bring several instruments, they always want the one you didn’t bring.
- New strings ( just in case they don’t like your trusty old flatwounds ).
- Make sure all your gear works with no crackles or hisses ( a good spit on a lead usually solves the former ).
- Bring your own coffee and plunger ( just in case the stuff in the studio is instant & they insist that it’s the real thing ).
- Have an open mind and a really good attitude, it’s somebody’s dream you are playing on.
- Play everything with loads of feel, in time and in tune ( if you can’t you shouldn’t be there ) and do it in the first take or two, it usually doesn’t get any better after that, in my experience.
- Don’t hang around too long after you’re done, pack up quietly, thank everyone, tell the producer you would love a copy of the finished product and exit stage left, ( leaving your card of course ) they usually want to get on with the next session.
- Smile, you’ve just helped to make a dream come true 🙂
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Published by James Blennerhassett
I am a session bassist and contemporary composer based in Ireland, most of my studio work these days is done from my own studio via Dropbox etc. I am also a member of Derek Ryan's touring band.
I play Double bass and Bass guitar and most recently a derivative of the Chapman Stick, the NS Stick and several other instruments when I must :-)
I have two solo instrumental albums on release called "End of a longer day" and "A small shadow" and my sister Susan and I are currently writing and recording a series of Audiodramas/Books called the The Todalie Stories, a series for kids of all ages including adults that refuse to grow up. comprising Text, Audio & Illustrations (by Vitya Malirsh), inspired by special people, the unseen little folk, and other fantastic creatures that inhabit the woods, streams and lakes on this island .
The stories explore the concept of triumph over adversity and illustrate the importance of inclusiveness, the powerful impact of community spirit, bringing together disparate groups to achieve a common goal in a respectful inclusive space.
The first story (abridged) is available as a Podcast called The Todalie Stories on all good podcast providers and on www.todalie.com.
During lockdown I completed a course in Music Composition for Games in Pulse and Griffith College Dublin, and am currently involved in several exciting writing projects so watch this space!
View all posts by James Blennerhassett
Great tip about bringing your own coffee bodem, hadn’t thought of that and I just can’t bring myself to drink the brackish swill of the coffee pot.
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In my experience getting work and sustaining it is as much about working on your interpersonal skills as musical skills. Just be prepared, be respectful and attend to the music. Great tips James.
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