11 Things Top Working Musicians NEVER Do! (well...rarely) ;)

Get exclusive footage, become my Patreon: / theartofguitar
Avoid these common amateur mistakes so you don't have to learn the hard way, like me. ;)
Check out all our lesson videos at: www.the-art-of-guitar.com

[@jakegerovac]

Hope everyone realizes how important and valuable this advice is!

[@bryanleigh6497]

Jake Gerovac -- valuable to a child only. Just basic, obvious stuff about preparation and good behaviour, do what your told, be polite, work hard, and no drugs and booze!

[@TiagoLageira]

True

[@thesleepstate]

He missed out the most important, number one all-time thing a professional musician _would NEVER_ do - make a KZbin video listing things a pro wouldn't do! A professional wouldn't even have time to read these comments even.. ;)

[@TheArtofGuitar]

You have a warped idea of what a pro musician is. Do you think we’re 24/7 on a plane or something.

[@yapyap66]

i told my dad that i want to be a Musician when i grow up, he said i better make my mind up you can't do both :/

[@mikemonte286]

When I was a high school jazz band director (about 15 years ago) I had one student in particular (a guitarist) that always showed up early for rehearsals/performances. One evening it was 10 minutes before the start of rehearsal and he's sitting there, tuned and ready to go...he and I were the only ones there until 5 mins before rehearsal. The student said to me: "What is it with these guys?? I treat every rehearsal like it-is-a-gig..get here early...geez." That boy went on to Berklee College of Music to get a degree in Jazz Composition and then went off to grad school somewhere.....

[@JustASadBoi]

@LIQUID FX what happened to him

[@Monkeypole]

@@JustASadBoi He got bad touched by his high school jazz band director.

[@kinniecas9004]

@@Monkeypole or he simply is guitar andrew neiman

[@bluesriderDF]

As a hobbyist, I won't encounter most of these situations, but I watched your video from the perspective of an office worker. If you take the guitar away, much of what you said applies to ANY profession. Be on time, responsible, prepared, considerate of others, do your part well, etc. Great advice, and nice vid!

[@Taletad]

And don’t come absolutely plastered

[@TheZenytram]

you should change the title to "how be a reasonable adult".

[@LucasJagneaux]

Zenytram Searom 😂😂😂😂😂😂

[@warplanner3258]

Agreed. Reasonable == Responsible.

[@trackmyactivity]

Exactly. I don't play Guitar, but every thing is just very good general life advice.

[@LordoftheStrings109]

Zenytram Searom Yep. Unfortunately a lot of people try to make money playing music because they want to avoid that.

[@DanSistos]

I’ve been a full time professional musician for 20 years and this list is absolutely correct! A few other things to add: Learn to read music. At the very least chord charts. Playing by ear is awesome, but if you get a call for a gig next week and you need to be ready to play 50 songs, there is no way you can memorize all that by then! Reading is a must for professional musicians. Learn to play as many styles as you can. The more styles you can play, the more gigs you can do. Learn to play as many guitars as you can. Not just electric and acoustic but classical, ukulele, baritone, mandolin, or any thing else with strings. Again, the more instruments you can play, the more gigs you can do. Dress the part. Don’t come to a rock gig in a suit or to a wedding in jeans. I know that’s a no brainer but some people never learn this. Don’t smell. Again, another no brainer but some people don’t get this! No one wants to spend a 4 hr rehearsal in a small room with a guy that smells like BO.

[@maxslepoy8081]

If someone smells like barbeque I will eat him/her (First I read it like: "smells like BQ").

[@theophany1770]

@@maxslepoy8081 🤣

[@jerk_store]

Chord charts are great but also learn the Nashville Numbers System. Once you do, you'll never be screwed over by an unprepared singer who wants to change the key of a song at the last minute.

[@SteveSelvidge]

Speaking to No. 7, if by chance a piece of gear does fail(it happens. Even to pros.), DO NOT make a big deal about it on stage. A lot of audience members might not even notice something has gone wrong. But if you throw some sort of tantrum onstage, or flail about in a panicked manner, everyone will know something is wrong. Again, this isn't about you. Calmly fix your situation and move on with the gig.

[@stelladevania3607]

Also, if you're in a band, i find it important that everyone is always ready to cover for each other. (Experience plays a big role for that, but practice can help too!) For example, as a vocalist,in the middle of performance, when i realize the audience isn't hyped up, i would talk. And sometimes i forget which part of the song we were in because i talked too much. I would just ask the band to repeat a certain part of the song (for example, go back to verse 2). And it would seem like it was rehearsed, it would be a natural transition. And when my lead guitarist's strap snapped off, my rhythm guitarist covered his part. And when the song ends, i would go down the stage to talk to the audience while waiting for him to fix his strap. Nobody even realized that something was wrong. Remember, when you're in a band, you're a TEAM. You're a family. I know A LOT of bands that would blame each other when something goes wrong. Trust me, if you HAVE to be mad at someone for messing up, that simply means your band as a whole didn't practice enough. And not respectful enough. And not experienced enough. Or not prepared enough. :)

[@curtissjohnson4035]

There's a video of BBKing replacing a broken string without stopping the music. Pro.

[@urcurlydawg932]

@@curtissjohnson4035 what a legend

[@mottle_]

It took me a couple of bands in my teens to realize I was the bad apple. Couldn't keep from making negative comments or backhanded compliments, being overly critical, getting into arguments I had no business getting into. Some people will be able to shrug it off, but 9 times out of 10, people are going to stop showing up to practice and the band will fall apart. Gotta be self aware about this kind of stuff. Put your ego aside and see if it's "bad luck" that your bands are going under or if it's you, then adjust accordingly.

[@AashmanThakur]

8:01 When your mom tells you to play the electric guitar quietly..

[@MrDonnyAir]

I worked with a sub guitar player once at a gig - a LONG time ago, early 80's - the kind of player that would TELL you how awesome he was, but who in fact was terrible...and ungodly LOUD... and every time he clammed a note or hit a bad chord, he'd turn around and look at his amp, shaking his head ... or he would glare down at his pedals and give them a kick, as if it was his GEAR that had played the wrong parts. He tried to make up for it by shredding his way through songs like "Feel Like Makin' Love" or "Brown Sugar"; LOL... Thankfully, he packed up his gear and left while we were on our first break. He didn't even tell us he was leaving (I'm sure we would have gladly let him go). We were in the dressing room on the break, so we didn't even know he was gone until we came back up for the second set. Our lead singer ended up playing some rhythm guitar that night, and while he wasn't great, he wasn't nearly as bad as the sub we had hired. At least he played the right chords, and would lay-out when he was unsure of a part. Our keyboard player picked up the slack on lead work. We got through the night and got paid. We didn't sound great, but we sure sounded much better without "Yngwie". ;)

[@RealWolfRanger]

Show up sober and stay sober through the gig or rehearsal. Drugs and alcohol are the downfall of a musician. Nobody plays better when they are high. They just think they do.

[@alexeypolevoybass]

If only you could explain that to my guitar player. I nearly killed him at a show one month ago, guess what for.

[@JALNIN66]

I go with one beer before and one beer per set. Sometimes I feel too awkward being dead straight. This method has worked perfectly for me for decades. No drugs. Too hard to gauge.

[@Denkersis]

I got kicked out of a band once, for being the one with a straight edge The guys even interrupted the paid rehearsal time to smoke weed. It was super annoying, but guess who turned out to be the most efficient musician there.

[@bongwelll]

Yup that’s what I do also. I also can drink quite a bit. One before one per set. When I was younger I blew some shows getting too fucked up. Learned my lesson. I love weed but I can’t smoke before I go on stage and a big lesson I learned when I started singing is not to eat too close to going on stage especially if you are singing rock and screaming. You won’t feel good if you eat a giant meal before belting it out. Hahaha.

[@MartinJohnZ]

I am far from being a pro but I absolutely hate it when band members keep on making noises on their instruments when you're trying to discuss something. The guitarist has some knobs on his pedals he wants to try out, the drummer has fallen in love with his new cymbal, singer can't stop shouting into the microphone... Once I witnessed a drummer that practically played a drum solo throughout the entire sound check. The thing that amazed me most was that nobody told the guy to shut the f&%$ up. But on a side note: do all professional musicians shoot 13 min videos holding, fondling and gesturing at their instrument without actually playing a single note? :D:D

[@TheArtofGuitar]

Hey I played at least two notes. Haha

[@MartinJohnZ]

Hmm I guess you did... You played them very well too ;)

[@dahliafiend]

I played with a drummer who actually checked his phone during a song.

[@Thunder_Dome45]

The drugs one, I pictured Milhouse and Bart Simpson, and Milhouse said, "it used to be about the music" and Bart just throws a whiskey bottle at him.

[@mattjones1992]

Seti Michael Maxwell I said slag off!

[@iowamandolinanddobro7376]

I stumbled across this video in a somewhat bad mood, thinking "what does this guy know" before I watched it. But bravo, really solid advice all around. Thumbs up!

[@jasunkarner3916]

One minor thing I learned early on is to have a tuner on stage with you. Keeping in tune at a gig goes without saying, but tuning by ear in between songs always seemed like an amateur move to me.

[@carrifoote8065]

Why would anyone give this a thumbs down??!!! Musicians can be real flakes. So I really appreciate this advice. I wish everyone I played and sang with, had these standards.

[@bongwelll]

For real! This guy never makes a bad video. I guess we all know who the bad apples are. Haha.

[@Aristotelezz]

I have a more music-technical remark to add: Don't play two songs in a row in the same key.

[@markharwood7573]

Agreed. I've had this policy from the outset. We shouldn't be obsessive about it, but it works for me.

[@mandolinic]

Aristotelezz You mean there's more than one key?

[@suereed]

He must be into piano or something...

[@joeys24]

Seriously? Do you think the audience really knows what key you are in? Somehow I don't think this applies to Rock Music. If I am wrong, please, by all means, enlighten me.

[@Unknown_Trip]

every metallica song ever: *ARE YOU SURE ABOUT THAT*

[@iancox7874]

Really good stuff here. I like how you own up to mistakes you've made also

[@EgoShredder]

I used to bring spare strings, fuses, tools, cables, valves and also spares that the other band members might need. Mr Prepared! Sod's Law that I never actually broke a string, and so never had to use my spares. However my other band members often broke strings or needed fuses etc. A properly set up guitar will rarely break strings, so long as you do not allow them to become really old.

[@TheGibson1275]

Any suggestions for when the entire band has been poisoned by the ranch dressing in the free salad bar?

[@odudi]

I have played in bands for almost 30 years. 1 great way to get the most out of band practice is to rehearse the whole gig, from the set order to what to do if 1 of the members has to take an emergency bathroom break or gear malfunction. We would come up with jams 2 do for when each person had to stop. I would always show up at least 20 minutes before the said time to be there just in case things don't go as planed, better to hurry up and wait than to be late and panic. 1 of the bands i was in the lead singer developed a nasty coke problem and showed up 2 hours late because his dealer was late. I quit the band after that. Another thing i always try to do is if i make a mistake or someone else in the band makes a mistake is act like nothing happened, the more you give looks the more the audience becomes aware of the flub up. And if you make a huge mistake that everyone in the place notices the best thing to do is smile and kind of laugh it off instead of looking mad and embarrassed.

[@chordorchard7213]

If a drummer is playing the wrong beat it's your responsibility, if you notice it and can communicate to them clearly what it is they're getting wrong and how to play it right, to tell them. Any musician who can't deal with being told they're getting something wrong or overplaying/underplaying is putting their ego before the collective/vision, simple as that. A good player leaves ego at home.

[@TheArtofGuitar]

Amen but you don’t know the situation.

[@Pinkybum]

It totally depends on the situation. I'm in tribute bands where it would be appropriate to point out that the rhythm doesn't match the record. On the other hand I am in an original band where the drummer does not take kindly to be told what to do.

[@openmicmovement7785]

If somebody can't be told of a problem without kicking off, then that person is toxic and to be avoided. A musician should always be open to constructive comments. That doesn't mean that the musician should take the comments as gospel though. A lot of this can be subjective and therefore only a matter of opinion. A good rule to follow is to listen and understand what is being communicated, then look for evidence to corroborate it. If you are not sure check with another member of the band. If you as the musician ARE getting it wrong, hold your hand up, apologise, then do better.

[@avjake]

GREAT video! This info is kinda priceless and you are being very generous sharing it. With any luck it will make the working environment better for everyone out there.

[@knuthalvorsen1196]

If the boss in the band has any opinion of what to wear/not to wear on stage, then it's the boss's responsibility to express that before the show. Not during sound check, but way before the show.

[@RayRayStar]

Great advice. I’ve experienced many of these situations in bands. One thing I wish ya covered is dealing with “Singer-itis” - When a singer thinks they are God’s gift to every musician and person on the planet and all should bow before them. I can’t begin to tell you how many times I’ve had to deal with that sh**ty attitude in a multitude of bands. They do nothing for the band, Miss rehearsals, don’t book shows or anything to help the band.

[@eranzilber1]

#12 - Avoid political debates #13 - Payment issues should be discussed discreetly with the boss and never publicly or during rehearsal\sound check

[@generatorofheavy7761]

Just found your channel through YT’s suggestion, and glad they did. Really dig your content, and the vibe you have for all of it. Thanks for your efforts, and hope all is well your way.👍

[@thedangerussone]

Great list. Thanks for taking the time to put this together and sharing your personal experiences.

[@jazzyjustjamming]

This is spot on advice! I must admit only last week I was unsure of the intro riff to a well known song just before we were about to play it live on stage, so I quickly played the riff but then totally gave away the surprise to the crowd. The singer totally gave me the stare of death and quite rightly so......lesson learned.

[@arloroan3168]

Best guitar video I have ever seen. This has kept me working for decades on some of the best gigs with some of the best players.

[@jonatas5212]

I'm an aspiring guitarrist and your videos are so helpful, I'm glad your channel was recommended to me!

[@joebloe9901]

Never acknowledge a mistake on stage. Just pretend it didn’t happen and keep going Most people in the crowd never notice mistakes until you point it out.

[@biologicalstepdad9082]

8. is very true. i see too many bands/acts start bursting into pentatonics or an improsived solo at the end and it gets boring fast.

[@SebastianMcCrazy]

I'd like to add: be friendly to the venue's technicians. I worked oth as a musician and a sound engineer ans now when i have a gig i thank the venue's owner/ organizer of the night and the Sound engineer. very few musicians do that which kind of surprises me.

[@TheArtofGuitar]

Amen.

[@arloroan3168]

The first thing I always taught my students or younger players. Meet the sound guy, learn his name, set up and don't play till he asks you. The sound guy doesn't need to hear everyone telling him what they want all at once.

[@ryanschindler923]

this!!! Be nice to the people setting up and running the venue, being a dick or snobbish is a good way to not be asked to play there again.

[@pappyfiddle]

and the janitor.

[@Arklelinuke]

Yeah I always buy my school's sound guy a burrito when our group performs

[@BrettFunkGuitar]

I really like your videos kid. I've been teaching full time since 1991, and gigging since 1986. I've watched dozens of your vids, and I can't remember disagreeing with anything you've said yet. That my friend is very rare. Great job man!!!

[@musilat]

Yet another great video sir. That was seriously solid, valuable advice. One thing I would add is to never tune audibly on stage. I realize that falls under being prepared, but never assume that everyone gets the big picture. Thanks again and happy holidays to you and your family. You're doing fantastic work here.

[@similamba1149]

Such a well constructed video! Keep it up Mike!

[@slowhand5922]

A really valuable video! I'm a veteran and since four decades in this business and luckily I learned all of these things you told about a long time ago. But for beginners very educative. I for instance remember very good when I had double-booked some years ago. It wasn't funny. :-/ And it was the first and last time it happened. The only remaining question is: Why you have your guitar with you? ;-) One addition: Really good musicians are carefully listening to the band, to the other peers and whats going on musically and dynamically in every moment. That's particularly important at a live performance on stage. Nothing more bothering than bandmates only looking on their own fingers and playing or gaping around at the girls or whatever except what happens on stage.

[@VisualparanormalChannel]

You are there to do a show for an audience. It’s your job to provide the musical backdrop or others to have a good time. At the end of the day it’s a performance and to give a good performance takes concentration. You want to party then join the audience.

[@studioshadowlight]

Visual Paranormal Investigations You probably just spoke one of the greater truths in these comments. I work with a bunch of folks in a tech consulting company. A bunch of us are also musicians (turns out, musicians make great developers and vice versa). They’ve been curious if I’d like to join the band (I would, but don’t have the time). At our last yearly conference, they had an equipment malfunction happen on stage. I looked at each of them and realized that they knew the bass guitar amp was borked. I let them know from the audience that it was pretty severe. If I’d known their setup, I would have hopped around to the back of the stage without the rest of my coworkers in the audience seeing me and laced them up, but I didn’t know how they were setup, so I chilled and watched while they handled it. It took a couple of songs. Being in the audience and enjoying yourself is a blast, even if you have to watch folks struggle through a moment, it’s best to know your role.

[@jamesthe-doctor8981]

I'm only just past the third item on the list, and I've already seen all three that got people ignored immediately after their audition for the band I was in at the time. The first two were with a female drummer who was over 45 minutes late to the audition. Her second mistake wasn't so much actually being totally unprepared, so much as she had done absolutely NOTHING to prepare for the audition! She made a point of telling us that she hadn't picked up a pair of sticks in months, even though the 2nd guitarist had sent her a song list with several highlighted songs we wanted her to play. In the end, she managed to get through 8 or 10 songs before we told her: "Don't call us, child, we'll call you. Two bands later (for me...and I'm still in it,) I got the bass slot for a band with three guitarists. Yes, THREE!! LoL! One of them had a ton of experience with playing in a band, the second had moderate experience in the band scene, but the third one had little or none. All three are KILLER guitar players, it's just the amount of time spent playing live with other musicians varied WIDELY from the first to the last. He became VERY defensive when either of the other guitarists made a suggestion on how to play something, but the BIGGEST problem was his noodling between songs, or takes. Here, four of us were trying to arrange a song after the run-through, or maybe how to end it, the number of measures before a bridge or chorus, or even how long a solo should be, and/or which one of them would PLAY the solo, etc., you know how band practice goes...and this guy is noodling around with some song or other that wasn't even on our song list!! Apart from not knowing how to play your part of a song, noodling on your guitar, drums, bagpipes, theremin, didgeridoo, or whatEVER you play, is THE most irritating thing of all!! Well, except for girlfriends and/or wives who think their opinions or suggestions are wanted. No way, Yoko!! Sorry about the length of this comment, but those first three items in the video have happened to a couple of my bands, and I thought it might be a helpful illustration.

[@oscarandgroucho]

#13 Don't make any moves on the band leader's girlfriend. Or mother.

[@jonathanakehurst4489]

Oscar Groucho what if the mother is hot? ;)

[@ildottore9537]

Jonathan Akehurst ...that's probably why you'd make a move on her? No point of getting in trouble if she isn't hot.

[@kevinmalone8903]

If mom is single and hot, why not ?

[@AnotherCriticalKnob]

And band leaders, don't cockblock your bandmates to help yourself feel superior. It's going to end badly when that bandmate ends up not attending gigs out of spite. This is personal experience.

[@gurdittsingh6638]

Oh COME ON, not even the mother? :,(

[@donallfinn]

This is EXCELLENT advise, there was a period in my life that I did quite a bit of hired gunning and if I was making the same list, it would be identical. Kids, take this video to heart, it's GOLD........and it would always AMAZE me when I would show up to a hired gun rehearsal and people wouldn't have learned the songs. I made sure that if you hired me for guitar, bass or synth you had a ZERO maintenance employee. First rehearsal, I would ALWAYS know all the songs and would be ready for the stage if need be. THAT will get you booked over and over.

[@Metroidam11]

I kinda wanna see a video of you just showing off and shredding. This video has some great wisdom. Thanks for sharing!

[@KutWrite]

These tips apply to EVERY profession! Well done!

[@skyreadersociety6183]

agreed on all levels, fits my experience - taking those things to heart helps every project - no matter if amateur or pro.

[@PeachesChrenko]

Great stuff! Been a pro musician/singer for many years now. Listen to this guy. He knows what he's talking about!

[@maddox4897]

I love mikes attitude so much

[@eroticblack]

Another great video. And really pro tips. I wish I could learn from you in person, when I started back in 06 07.

[@fabianmallmann4834]

Cool, you made the list I wanted to make for so long! Really well made and right on the money! Keep it up yo!

[@rockyjones4727]

Good job. I like how you mention that some of these tips come from having had really embarrassing experiences. Very honest.

[@MrWilkat1]

Thanks--this is really great advice! I'd like to add one: Don't rely on only one band member to do too much. Since I was in my first teenage band, I've often been the guy who sits down and learns the songs, and ends up showing them to the rest of the band during rehearsals (including bass and rhythm parts when I've already got to work out the lead guitar for myself). I'd like everybody to do their part and not to be the only guy who comes to practices with the prep work done, which includes song sheets with lyrics and chords. I can't do it for the drummer, but as you said about being prepared and practicing at home, even simply listening to the tunes over and over before covering them yourself can make a huge difference, and make things go smoothly and allow for quick learning, and enjoyable rehearsals.

[@martinheath5947]

Having listened to some of the tales from Standing In The Shadows Of Motown and the shenanigans the house band The Funk Brothers I bet there'd have been lot of laughter and agreement with you! They did leave an amazing legacy though despite being "tore down" pretty much ALL the time. Happy days and good advice

[@yoshiobermeyer2867]

This is some very fine list! Well done, Sir!

[@kingberzerk]

Very helpful for all sorts of professionals, much appreciated, thank you!

[@leewesterso2151]

Thank you, Mike! This is sage advice. You rock, Bud.

[@apriltoronto5254]

Hey dude! A lot of very true insights you're talking about... and they're definitely not bound to musicians only... this is so true for many more aspects of life...well true for all situations when it comes to being a professional! I'd really like to know whether these tips are all based on personal experiences you've had... thx for the vid...and please keep up the good work... (e. g. I immensely enjoy your videos where you show the styles of guitarists like Dave Mustaine oder good ol' Mr. Jimi Hendrixx...

[@bernbaumgartner9764]

Well said! Great advice for musicians and professionals in general.

[@GuitarLessons18andOver]

Avoid leaving gear behind; Always count off all your stuff before you leave to the gig, include back-up.. Then again at set up; Consistent, always everything in it's place. THEN Teardown; again count all YOUR gear on checklist; keep it together as one unit. Then again once its back in the vehicle before you leave; Do a quick double check. BE ORGANIZED/not distracted by all the people, commotion and you having fun.. Consistently put everything in the same place in vehicle, on stage, waiting to load and back home. $$$ HAPPY GIGING! $$$ Professional means: You got to prove it everyday; 100% Genuine Positive energy.

[@chusssMusic]

Great advice man. Thanks for this video.

[@robertstewart8431]

As a member of a working band, all of this advice is invaluable. Our band always shows up much earlier before a gig (we have to set up all our sound system, etc.) just in case something goes wrong. Also being prepared for any issues (cords, stands, whatever). Finally, we are old enough to be over the drugs and alcohol thing. Nothing wrong with an occasional beer, but that's about it. Thanks for the post.

[@CertifiedBandcom]

SPOT ON!! I recently moved from a market where music IS a legitimate profession (and the vast majority of my band-mates could have given this same lesson) to an area where music (for most) is not even a self-supporting hobby, and I was SHOCKED at how this stuff is just foreign to the majority of people that I've been working with here. Thanks for clear, concise, and reasonable!!! Keep up the great work. :)

[@JohnGauntSega32]

I'm not a working musician, but your advice sounds applicable to everyday work life. Maybe personal life as well.

[@jamessnider461]

Good advice! Thanks for uploading this

[@chavoxo50]

Really great video. Watch and learn. Many of these points are valid for everyone not just musicians.

[@Rominko17]

You've really earned my subscribtion, great advice to keep in mind, eventhough I try to avoid all of them already.

[@ZachSmithMusic93]

This video made me subscribe. Simple yet incredibly solid advice here. Glad to see I follow a lot of this already. :D

[@gareyrickher7776]

GREAT advice! It took me a long time to not drink heavily at gigs. Now I wait till after my set to heavily imbibe. I allow myself one before. Also, the negative vibes thing is huge (also guilty). For a while one of my drummers was making tons of mistakes all over the place (timing/dynamics/forgetting parts). It got to me so much, and I was really bad at communicating it, that it festered and made me the one that was bringing the bad vibes in. It's much better in the short and long run to just be honest about these things.

[@Sasketchejuana_man]

This might hurt some feelings, but they are all so true.

[@mrc2662]

This is so instructive and helpful. Top bloke.

[@_.rabby._4562]

How is he bending time and space during the transitions

[@richardtrump2544]

Your video's are so thoughtful. Thanks. Always be professional.

[@letzrockitrite8469]

Great advice !! Is everyone listening ?? Thank you for another pertinent vid ..

[@smmydvr]

Thank you sir, I will be showing this to my drummer and bass player at our next get together. But I too can add another to the list? I have performed music, and more importantly to my point, I have roadied for both my band and for friend's bands over the last 25 years. Oh, the times I have had to explain to people how this is a job! And how the two or three hours they see is actually at least 6 to 8 hours for me. And the "fans" are absolutely no help at all. A real "working" musician doesn't forget where he or she is and stick me with babysitting their gear, or a drunk (or worse) groupie, or having to play "security guard" for their crappy "VIPs".

[@WattaPork]

Words of wisdom right here. This applies to anything that you do as a team - be it musical bands, work, sports, you name it

[@speedweaver5266]

Pretty sound advice. Thanks Mike!

[@sturdychinfilms]

This is great advice. The only thing, in regarding to stage cues from other band members; and this is something I'v personally noticed when I'v played in various groups. Of course you shouldn't need the drummer to cue you for the upcoming bridge(or what have you) but; even if you don't need it, I think the whole entire band should be communicating constantly in some form while playing. It's not difficult for most people to pick up a guitar or whatever instrument, practice enough in their room be efficient enough to confidently play a few tunes but, for me, playing with other musicians(especially more experienced ones) is the only way to become the best possible guitarist you can be. If you're that inexperienced player, or maybe the whole band is inexperienced, those little grins and head nods and body gestures on stage, is really important especially for a rhythm guitarist and I think helps the band get tighter...The whole thing makes for a better performance...even the New York philharmonic has a conductor. And if you're vain, acknowledging your other band mates gives the oppression that your have a great time and that's good energy to for the audience.

[@hatempire]

I like how you teach while showing that you've learned some of it the hard way. Sometimes, it's better saying "I did this mistake, please, don't repeat it or you'll be in trouble". Really helpful and I realized I have serious organization issues that I'll work to get out of the way, thanks!!

[@kkoch666]

Learning is making mistakes, it's not a bad thing.

[@jerryhollis8155]

I would only add one other thing. A "Pro" doesn't need to tell anyone he's/She's a "Pro." If you are it will be obvious.

[@alexeypolevoybass]

Sometimes it's still necessary. This is crazy, but most of rock bands consist of dumb, selfish, and self important amateurs who only think they're worth a thing. They tell you that drinking alcohol or smoking weed during a rehearsal session is totally fine; they show up shitfaced and tell you it's because “I've got that rock'n'roll spirit, unlike boring nerds like you”; they drink a fucking gallon of beer before going on stage, then complain they wanna pee at as the second song starts; they don't learn their parts at home, because “we've got rehearsals twice a week, pal, isn't that enough?”; the list can go on infinitely.

[@stevefrandsen]

Apart from gigs, this is all great professional advice in business, sales, accountancy, computer programming, teaching, public speaking, the maths, sciences and humanities! Excellent video, Thanks!

[@MarkTiarra]

Excellent video! I've definitly been guilty of noodling between songs. Not at a gig, but in rehearsal.

[@nmda9578]

Great list! A lot of these can be applied by professionals in all sorts of lines of work

[@ianmackenzie686]

Well presented wisdom from such a young guy.

[@apbach9787]

Thx Mike, pretty good coverage!

[@corporalclegg914]

Very Nice List! i have one more to add that may fall into the, “do not overstep your role,” & that is: Do Not Play too Loud! i think it’s a good idea to ask your bandies in rehearsal and/or show if You are too loud, too low, or not sounding that great with your amplification and/or eq settings. i always do this because i’ve encountered situations where someone is way too loud & no one wants to say anything that may come across negative or hurtful. then, others feel the need to turn up, or try to get out there more & that can lead to unpleasantries to the audience/band. if any knows of a nice way of asking someone to “turn down,” please reply...because i haven’t found a good way to, yet.

[@AndreasR86]

This is valuable advice for almost every career path.

[@timothysnave]

These are really good points. I think even the original bands you mentioned could use this advice in most cases.

[@lukeli8750]

Thank you Michael for a great lesson! I believe there are a great majority of guitar players not in any band, and can only solo with a loop pedal. However, there is no lesson about how to start solo with loop pedal. Since you are such a great teacher, can you please give a lesson on the topic? I'm looking forward to it.

[@SteveJAbraham]

My OCD starts kickin in whenever I see the headstock being covered 😅 Some great tips btw! Love the videos mate 😄

[@chipthedipyaknow]

I never even worked in the music industry but every single tip that you laid out is applicable to being a successful professional in any career you choose. Talent can take you only so far. Very good video.

[@timberwolfenstein]

Here's a couple that are worth mentioning: Don't play too loud and use dynamics. These seem pretty self explanatory but we've all experienced it.

[@cuauhtemocmorisco3493]

John Katz so damn true. Ive seen bands where the drummer just bangs the drums so loud it's like nothing makes, the ears start to hurt, and the song goes out the window 😂😂

[@MrWilkat1]

The song's dynamics are so vital and people need to be reminded.

[@flacidhouse350]

"Don't play too loud and use dynamics." What a crock of shit.

[@arloroan3168]

So much YES! When that vocal comes in the band takes it down a notch. Dynamics and time between songs separate the boys from the men and the $ from the $$$$$

[@stevewalkermusic]

Yes, don't play too loud. On a club date if the bartenders can't hear what the customers are ordering, you will not be hired back. i consider it an great compliment to asked to turn up.

[@TessaAnderson]

I really like that you did this video with a guitar in your hands.

[@evinoc]

Really good list. Another rule that falls under preparation (for amateur bands mainly) - don't keep turning up your amp throughout the set at least without signalling to the band. Have your sound/volume dialled in before the gig and hopefully minor adjustments will be all that is needed. Try and listen to the overall sound of the band, your instrument does not need to be the loudest all of the time.

[@jerk_store]

1,2, & 5 - I was in a P&W band where the singers ALWAYS held the musicians hostage at rehearsals, which were a couple hours before the set. We were always on time and prepared and they'd show up late, be unprepared, and used rehearsal time as practice. To make it even worse, the band leader would elevate the singers above the musicians and allow that kind of behavior to go unchecked. In my experiences, I've found most P&W leaders see the musicians as expendable while treating the singers like their irreplaceable. It's rather sickening. 8 - Serve the song and not yourself. I don't care if it is P&W or a metal band, this is rock solid advice. Great list, man.

[@DavidMorisset]

Super great advice. Many aspects to aspire to.

[@RobbieD213]

Great advice, thank you for sharing. #5 is a pet peeve of mine, #7 is my Achilles.

[@wedunitbandkrundobson4348]

Thank you for taking the time to EDUCATE! These things are pet peeves! Basically these are GOOD MANNERS & proper etiquette which I'm finding most musician lack. SHARING SHARING SHARING!

[@sebradfield]

Great advice! Anyone who has played for any length of time has seen pretty much all of that, but most of us aren't that good a putting into words, and we can all use a refresher once in awhile. Also most of us who've been playing for a very long time can actually hear your words and say "I don't do that anymore!"

[@bubba4001]

Great advice Mike and thank you.

[@davidfreud9188]

Most of these recommendations seem like common sense to me, but I think it's good to hear. Once in a while I need to be reminded of even the common sense ideas! Thanks for posting! Maybe it would be a good idea to print these rules and post them somewhere conspicuous, like you would do with some mandatory printout concerning fair hiring practices.

[@andrewdeck7945]

Great advice!!! Thanks for sharing!!

[@simon_patterson]

Great list! Every single one is important.