SKILLS vs. EXPERIENCE

[TightHands]

I dont know if I'm right or wrong but this is how I feel...

I'm feeling that some musicians that we see today get gigs because of experience and not because of skill level. Not saying that it is wrong even though it can be. For example, I got a call to help out with some things down at the Colisium in Memphis for the blues festival that was held down here. And with some of the legends that performed you would expect for them to have a nice band, but yet alone a great drummer. I know I'm not the one to judge but out of the 3 to 5 groups that I heard, only one drummer gave me chills while maintaining a groove and very solid pocket,by the way his name is Justice and he plays for the Manhattans. He's a very nice and humble musician from the NY.( If you on tha site Justice, this is Lil, Robinson from Memphis. holla at ya boi! ). But the other cats just werent hittin it (my opinion), but they got the gig! And to be playing with those legends, you had to have had some experience! I hope yall understand were I'm coming from. But then on the flip side, there are numerous musicians ( many are on this site!), who have pocket, chops, and knowledge of the craft that is on a completely different level and on another planet but dont have any or as many gigs. For example, Dway, Sabianknight, Drumalicious, 2Trey, J Kay, FlamTapz(were u at bruh?),Moedrums, and a whole lot more, you all have gigs from time to time or maybe every day of the week, but with the skills yall have, I'm pretty sure you wouldn't mine having gigs with Denise LaSalle, Bobby Womack, B.B. King and other people like that.....would you? Holla back at baby brother of tha LGM Fam, and please tell me how yall feel bout the situation. MUCH LOVE FOR MY BIG BROS AND SIS!!!!!

[SabianKnight]

It comes down to being in thge right place musically at the right time. Be it through grace or who you know. The side of music that is not really taught is networking and positioning. If you want to work as a musician you have to be around working musicians on that level and in the know. Also understand that the business side of things has to do with personality/relationships and presentation. Some guys have the skill and know-how but have a jacke up attitude. Some guys are more into the craft of music than the flash/fame/money and end up really of a differnt or higher mindset than the artist themselves.

Also realize that because a guy doesn't show you everything doesn't mean they don't have skill.

Keep doing what you do. I talked wit hEli tonight. He told me about you doing the soundcheck. Congrats  .

Advise always take a gig or turn a gig down for the right reasons. Take opportunities that grow you in positive way. Turn down those that don't have that viability. Be prepared for everything and don't settle for just anything. Today's preparation gives you tomorrow's opportunities.

[TightHands]

I understand that just because someone dosent show me what I want to see dosent mean they dont have the talent. Justice didn't show me what I wanted to see as far as fills and all of that, but I know that he can do way beyond what he did. Just like Bro. Eli, he isnt the one to roll in your face for days, but he's one of the best drummers in Memphis. But the other dudes........ I wish that I had recorded what my mom said about some of these dude. yall would be like . But I understand where you're coming from. I must say its great to have someone like you on this site !Oh yeah, I talked to Eli last night too. He gave me some tips about bein on the road at a young age. I LOVE THAT GUY LIKE A BROTHER!!! SAME WITH THE REST OF YALL KNUKLE HEADS!LOL

And thanks for the recognition,(if thats how you spell it). Hope to be leaving soon !

[TightHands]

Any more takers????? 39 views means there should be at least 10 replies!!

[min_amw]

I dont know if I'm right or wrong but this is how I feel...

I'm feeling that some musicians that we see today get gigs because of experience and not because of skill level. Not saying that it is wrong even though it can be. For example, I got a call to help out with some things down at the Colisium in Memphis for the blues festival that was held down here. And with some of the legends that performed you would expect for them to have a nice band, but yet alone a great drummer. I know I'm not the one to judge but out of the 3 to 5 groups that I heard, only one drummer gave me chills while maintaining a groove and very solid pocket,by the way his name is Justice and he plays for the Manhattans. He's a very nice and humble musician from the NY.( If you on tha site Justice, this is Lil, Robinson from Memphis. holla at ya boi! ). But the other cats just werent hittin it (my opinion), but they got the gig! And to be playing with those legends, you had to have had some experience! I hope yall understand were I'm coming from. But then on the flip side, there are numerous musicians ( many are on this site!), who have pocket, chops, and knowledge of the craft that is on a completely different level and on another planet but dont have any or as many gigs. For example, Dway, Sabianknight, Drumalicious, 2Trey, J Kay, FlamTapz(were u at bruh?),Moedrums, and a whole lot more, you all have gigs from time to time or maybe every day of the week, but with the skills yall have, I'm pretty sure you wouldn't mine having gigs with Denise LaSalle, Bobby Womack, B.B. King and other people like that.....would you? Holla back at baby brother of tha LGM Fam, and please tell me how yall feel bout the situation. MUCH LOVE FOR MY BIG BROS AND SIS!!!!!

That's the way it goes sometimes in the biz. Everyone has a different view on what a person should sound like for a particular gig. I know that I've played gigs that people didn't think that I should be on. As a matter of fact, I'm on one right now! I don't have outrageous licks and fills, and I have never aspired to have the greatest fills, but I can play a song with feel. But we can't forget that getting and keeping a gig goes beyond what you do on stage and in rehearsal....it extends to WHO you are outside of that. Y'all know that. It's nothing new to y'all. Sometimes that factor gets overlooked though.

[TightHands]

Thanks for your input man. Much appriciated



ANY MORE TAKERS?!?!?!?

[drumzalicious]

well the way i look at it is that they get it because they have a higher skill level than us. skill doesnt just mean what you can do around the drums, at least not to me. the way i define skill is ABILITY + WISDOM. so just because Johhny has alot of ability his skill is still low because he doesnt have the wisdom of where to put that ability. so someone could have little experience but get hired because they have alot of wisdom of where to put thier ability AKA skill.  i know i have been picked over someone because my skill was higher than thiers even though they had tons of experience. thats how i look at it.

peace.

[fretai03]

From my life & what I've been through so far, experience wins out over skills. I've been on both the right & wrong ends of this equation and all I can say is that it really is the work of God & whether he lets you have that gig or not... but it doesn't stop you from being in the right places & meeting the right people. it just lets God know how bad you want it.

[Laydy]

Hmmm. To me, skills get you experience. In the biz, you get your credentials by what you have already done---so its the other way around. Mainly because nobody wants to take a chance on people cuz "everyone's a musician" nowadays.