Whether you’re looking for a great software engineering job or a cushy job with a law firm, it’s not always easy finding work you love. Good work is hard to find. It’s no different in the musical world. We all know that guitar player who is always looking for a gig, or maybe “almost” getting a great gig, but most of the time “unemployed.” Then, on the opposite end of the spectrum…there’s Shane Theriot.
But we all know that time alone doesn’t make you great at your craft. Shane put in the time and excelled, graduating from GIT and moving into a teaching position there after none other than Scott Henderson recommended him. After that gig, it was on to playing for 8 years with the Neville Brothers.
Over the years Shane has enjoyed gig after gig that would make most other players envious. I asked him what advice would he give another player looking to score some sweet sideman gigs. “In order to be a good sideman you have to be able to play well, but that’s a given, there are a lot of great players out there nowadays. I would say that attitude is really what separates the guys that get a lot of work from the ones who maybe don’t get a lot of calls. No one wants to be on the road with someone that is a downer all the time. You have to be easy to get along with.
Any other things you would tell a player to work on? “Work on your sound and tone. Make sure your time is together, that you have a good feel and can play in time and in tune. Try and get the best sounds you can out of what you have and know your gear inside and out. Experiment with different styles and instruments. If you want to tour and go on the road as a sideman, you will be at an advantage if you can sing backup vocals. Take some vocal lessons, they will payoff someday. Learn how to read music or at least basic chord charts.
Trying to find those free moments is tough when you are the guy who always has the great gig. With Shane’s knack for being a great team player, and just a great player, those free moments will most likely always be at a premium.