As a studio musician based in the heart of Nashville, TN, I've been privileged enough to play on records and tour with some amazing acts. Whether it's behind-the-scenes glimpses of studio sessions, tales from the road, or insights into the music industry, I'm here to offer a window into this world. Trying my best to make it a little less mysterious for everybody. So, thank you for hanging out with me. Your support means everything. If you're loving what you see, consider hitting that subscribe button. -Nicky V
One fun little trick you can do, is take any dim7 chord, and randomly raise one note of it by a half-step (it doesn’t matter which). Whatever note you chose just became a b7 of a Min7b5 chord. So any dim7 chord can be 4 potential min7b5 chords. Conversely, if you lower any pitch of that dim7, it becomes a root of a Dom7…. So, every dim7 chord can be 4 potential min7b5 chords, or 4 potential Doms. Ahh, symmetry…
I literally was working on this with a student yesterday haha. We were working on tritone subs and I hit them with the Herbie Hancock trick (I know he didn’t invent it but his name is tossed around when talking about it). For those reading this and need letter examples. If you take a C#diminished and lower any note in the chord a half step it gives you four different Dominant 7 chords that are all three frets apart which would be C7, Eb7, F#7, and A7.
Another thing to remember is music is always subjective and I believe every musician that works hard has something unique to offer the industry. I say do it if you want, worst case scenario you end up back where you already are. Also we can’t forget LA, Austin etc. honestly there are music opportunities all over the country.
Wow. As someone recent (3y) to Nashville and NOT/NOT/NOT in the music biz., I am fascinated by this. Thanks for the lessons plug at the end as I am in need and love supporting folks on the same wavelength. This video isn't just helpful, it's going to be career-changing/guiding for a lot of up and coming musicians in town.
Quick question... are multi instrumentalist utilized much? I.e. Sax and Keys I play an average of 3 to 5 shows a month in addition to a full-time teaching position, but am curious what the call is for sax and keyplayers in Nashville and on the road? Figure there are 1000's of guitar players and vocalists. Great video, btw Thanks for sharing and for the candor.
I always said that…we play for free.. we get paid for packing and lifting and set up and tear down. I’m 76 and still Rockin and Rollin. Depends on the gig out here in Western New York, you probably do maybe $100- 200 each for a decent gig with 4-5 members in the group.
A lot of the time a buyer will pay the bands set rate and pay the band with money secured through sponsorships, then any money that comes through the door goes to buyer…sometimes the band gets a cut and there are many variations on this model
I "toured" with an artist for a year. My pay was $100 per show, food was covered, rooms were covered, and we were blessed with some per diem funds occasionally. For reference, we were the opening act for one of Sanctus Real's smaller tours. Attendance ranged from 200-800. I got married at that time, and just started contracting for local churches since that was my circle, and it paid much better. It was always shocking to me that striving for a headlining gig didn't really indicate better pay than playing in front of 200 people. The wealth gap in the music industry is so strange. You can be the .00001% of your industry, and still be flat broke if you don't play your cards correctly. I love playing, but man, I love providing something for my family is well. I applaud the guys that can navigate that tension healthily and remain "in the game", so to speak.
I know I can play, but I think I could be happy just having a job as a backline/cartage/gear tech to get by and jam with some good players. If I get in a session or two once in a while, even if the tunes don't chart - it's better than sitting in a cube lying to people and ripping them off all day.
I think regardless it’s what you consider “making it”. Some may think playing every weekend playing covers is making it- some may think playing on a major recording label is making it. Also I know many good players but can’t stand being around them more than an hour - compatibility and dependability is key.
New subscriber here. Great informative video! Thank you very much for taking the time to convey so much helpful and honest insight that comes from a place of real-world experience. Good stuff my man!
I love this channel and check it every day for new content, even though I will probably never get to Nashville- it's incredibly interesting. Keep it up!
Best of luck with the family journey it will be one you won't regret I stopped playing a few years ago after 28 yeats of gigs since i was 16.. i just wanted to be home an not miss my girl growing up its the best choice i ever made but you will get the days were you question an miss what you did. i keep playing in my home studio but its too easy to walk away when your tried an you become slow to learn new things I'm 45 now an i wish you the best of luck in the hardest industry ever And god bless your future family
Went to Nashville to hit the guitar stores. Then at night walked Musjc Row and just bar bands average or less average talent playing covers. Not impressed and happy to go back home the next day. Saw so many people with broken dreams playing for tips 😢
The short answer is NO ! The long answer is NO ! It’s not worth it. Ask around and find a really good teacher.., who is “playing out.., OFTEN !” He’ll get you started and expose you to better musicians and musicianship as you develop. Make sure he’s STILL out there playing, weekly, and playing different genre’s of music..!
I played guitar for a dude who was really good on keyboards. He went to Nashville and came back humbled. The guys and gals out there are cream of the cream. But the best guitarist I ever saw was Scotty Anderson from Kentucky. I don’t think he ever even tried Nashville, but dude is a monster.
For in town work, singers are responsible for usually getting the gigs and getting “in” with a circuit. Then that management schedules them at different venues downtown. I think that’s how it works but not 100% on it. I’m not sure on the competitiveness of it but I have friends that are artist here and seem to have plenty of work.
There’s a lot of artist here trying to make a go of it. I know a bunch that are doing well and there is a ton of venues here in town…like a ton. Not sure how much you would have to scrap to get those gigs. Might be better off looking at some other channels artist have posted about moving to town.
YES - WITH POP COVER BANDS POSING BEHIND TELECASTERS. IT'S A BAD JOKE UNLESS YOU'RE IN A BACHELLORETTE PARTY. IF YOU WANT TO BE A MUSICAL WHORE THEN IT'S AMAZING.
