training to be session guitar player

Hello guys and girls

Im a "good" guitar player know my theory have my grades.

I dont feel ready for the next step and that is to be a session musician. Its weird I can pull off most stunts but still dont feel polished.

My site reading is one thing im looking at. I wondered what you guys think id need to get there?

Im more a black keys, cream , hendrix kinda dude than a slash and slayer player.

Originally Posted by: guitarlessons1I wondered what you guys think id need to get there?

Seems like a very general question if we have no idea how you actually play.

This is nothing I know about, but maybe one has to pay thier dues as a band member first. Make a name and all that. I read an article in Guitar World or or similar mag, where they author was lamenting the difficulty of getting session work. And that it requires the highest skill levels, etc.

Question is; can you play everything?

In the end, when you go to a session, someone is going to point to you and say play. You have to execute quickly. You have to know what they want. You have to be able to play in a large variety of styles. You have to be very precise and feel very at home with a metronome/click track.

Here's a video of a Nashville session keyboard player and gives you a small sample of what it takes.

Lots of money to be made as a session guy but you have to be the best to make any money at it.

Ya you have to be able to play anything. Saying you are more of a ___ guitarist as opposed to ___ doesn't really matter. You play what they want you to play. If you don't....then you don't make money. Can't be too selective of the styles you play if you want to be a session guitarist. You are a session guitarist because you can play basically anything.

Having been in that seen for the last few years, here's the deal... You cut 5 songs in 3 hours (demo sessions) you have to be fast and come up with great parts But it HAS to be vibey and cool...you can do fixes, so you don't have to play perfectly every time but it has to be cool and appropriate for the song
Also, you have to have great sounding flexible gear...for example, if this song needs a 12 string electric part, you better have one in your coffin...

If somebody put a gun to my head and told me to be a session guitarist I'd tell them to just pull the trigger. I couldn't do it. I ain't got the chops. :)