technical clinic

You may have noticed that the first question my colleague asked about someone we were considering hiring related to this topic. It is amazing how important this consideration is, and how often it is overlooked. Notice also that I chose the word "pleasant" instead of nice, or friendly, or any number of others. It is not necessary that you create life-long friendships with everyone on the gig, just don't be irritating. These are my most basic rules of gig behavior:

Be polite to everyone. The obvious reasons you should do this aside, you never know if the person you are being rude to is the contractors mother.

In situations where it doesn't cost you anything try to be helpful. Stand up to let the flute player get to her chair. Hold the door for the cellist. If you're there early, help the conductor carry a few stands.

Don't forget to smile occasionally.

Avoid rolling your eyes, or exchanging "knowing glances" with others about something the conductor has said, even if he says something really stupid.

Try to be flexible about things that don't matter. You don't need to worry about most things unless they put you in physical danger of some kind. Where you are sitting relative to the other brass is not something that should cause you great concern. You can certainly make suggestions if it is done in a way that makes it clear you are trying to be helpful rather than judgmental, but be careful. Don't make a lot of suggestions when you're starting out. I almost never make suggestions to someone I haven't worked with before unless specifically asked for my input.

NEVER take musical criticism personally. "You're sharp" means exactly that. You played a note that was sharp. It is a statement of fact, not an insult.

Don't forget to thank the person who hired you. If you're working through a contractor than means both that person and the director who hired them. Let them know you appreciate being called, and look forward to working with them again.

Don't ever have a negative conversation about anyone in public. This is especially true of comments about someone who is present in the building. If you have to look over your shoulder before saying it, just keep it to yourself. You can vent all you want with your friends in private, but while you're at the gig keep your mouth shut.

Even someone who is gigging heavily won't spend much more than 8 or ten hours a week actually at the gigs, so take advantage of the opportunity to network. You may want to just sit quietly on the break, but if there are contractors there that you don't know this is the only opportunity you are going to get to meet them.

Always have some of your own cards with you, but don't push them on people. Gigs will not beat a path to your door, so you must be prepared to make it as easy as possible for jobs to find you. It is not at all uncommon for people to ask if you have a card, and it is O.K. to offer one after talking about future work even if they don't ask.

Have a good attitude about the performance. It can seem like a real come-down sometimes playing cheesy arrangements of simple tunes after training for years to be a performer, but that is your job that day. Your task is to do the best possible performance of the music that's in front of you at that moment. A good attitude will often result in both a better performance and a more enjoyable day for you. You can still get together and laugh about it later with your friends.