The Office
After working in the corporate world for over a decade, I can't help but see the parallels of my new [non-corporate] work environment. I'll use this picture to illustrate:
A: My Boss (Headphones)Although mainly used to hear the rest of the band so I can play along with them, it is also used to communicate with the producer and/or engineer of the song - a lot of
bossy instructions and a lot of encouragement
(most of the time) are spoken into those headphones.
B: Co-workers (Guitars)That is the team that helps a song get their colors and sounds. Each guitar has a unique sound and adds its own flavor to a track.
C: Computer Keyboard (Guitar-in-use)The notes played across the fretboard are like letter-keys on a keyboard. The combination of chords and melodies are what create the letters/words/sentences/paragraphs of the music.
D: Computer Monitor (Music Stand)I probably look at the sheet music on the stand most of the time while recording, just like I would stared at a computer monitor in the office while working. The sheet music is my
task-list and outline of what I need to do.
E: Sales Team (Effects Pedal Board)All the different pedals, and the different combinations of the pedals, add a different personality to the guitar sound which enhances it. They are like a sales-team, making the product I deliver sound more appealing [than it really is - no offense to any sales people out there, ha ha].
F: Printer (Amps)Once I figure out what to play, how to play it, and what to play it with
(all in a split-second!), my
product is outputted from my amplifiers and
printed out for my boss to hear so I can get his feedback.
Life as a working musician has been fun, challenging, and rewarding. People always ask me at what point will I know that have "made it" in the music world. My answer is, "I'm there!" in the sense that, as long as I can do this everyday and make a living out of it, whether it is recording, bar gigs, wedding bands, bar mitzvah gigs, whatever - that's the dream for me. The ultimate challenge for me is to find ways to do this everyday for the rest of my life!
