3 Creative Ways DIY Musicians Use Online Session Talent On AirGigs.com

Creative entrepreneurs and DIY musicians think in very similar ways. Those that succeed today are alchemists in the truest sense of the word. They have a knack for working with a limited set of resources and a keen ability to wear a multitude of hats. In the entrepreneurial world, delegating tasks and effectively managing talent is a given, but so too is it for anyone leading a band, self-producing an album or creating commercial music. As musicians, we often don’t see ourselves as managers, directors and producers, but in today’s music industry we need to be effective in each of these roles. Becoming comfortable managing and working with online session talent opens up new opportunities for serious musicians who want to go to the next level with their performances and recordings. Here are 3 creative ways DIY musicians use online session talent on AirGigs.com

Musical Direction 

 If you’re preparing for an upcoming showcase, or a live gig with new players, you need to be skilled at giving musical direction. There’s nothing more frustrating than going into a big gig hoping to capture a certain energy, sound or vibe, only to have it completely miss the mark. More often than not, it’s lack of  preparation and attention to detail that results in lackluster shows. That said, it’s always a challenge to bring new material to life, and nothing helps players’ get your vision more than a great sounding demo reference track. Charts and lead sheets of course help, but nothing beats a live feeling demo track accompanied with specific performance notes. That’s not to say that you need to script out every note, and not leave any room for improvisation or magic to happen. But if you’re particular about your sound, then you want to set the stage as thoroughly as possible before opening it up. Creating a great sounding reference track using online session players can be a cost effective way to demo new musical ideas when loops or programmed sequences just won’t cut it. 

Production & Sonic Experimentation

 Let’s face it, knowing how to conjure a certain sound or musical vibe is a serious art in and of itself. Big budget studio productions often have teams of talent collaborating in the wings; from musical directors to arrangers to producers to engineers and the list goes on. Musicians who self-produce their albums end up taking on all these rolls often without being aware of the multitude of creative hats they are wearing. With the help of online session talent from all over the globe, DIY producers can experiment with new sounds and production values, without investing a ton of money in gear and studio time.

 Building  A Virtual Production Team

If you create commercial music, then having a virtual production team is a serious asset. Of course it’s great to have a stable of local players available on-call, but that’s not always a reality these days. Assembling a virtual production team is already a widespread practice amongst freelancers in the graphic and web design worlds, so why shouldn’t the same approach be helpful to commercial music producers? It takes trial and error to assemble creative and talented people that are reliable, easy to work with and take direction well, but it’s a well worthwhile investment. It’s not that every element in your production has to be sourced “virtually”, but you exponentially expand your capabilities when you open to the idea of working with online session talent.

David Blacker is Co-Founder of AirGigs.com, a global resource for online session musicians, vocalists and recording engineers.

3 Creative Ways DIY Musicians Use Online Session Talent On AirGigs.com