Performing
| 12/2/2009 - Jason Johnson |
The fourth step in the Johnson Recording Method, performing the
music, truly separates the men from the boys. If you can execute this
step well, the rest of the process will go much smoother. In my
experience great performers require nothing more than a good
microphone, then you barely have to do anything else. Great studio
performers make the magic happen automatically.
Perhaps, you are already performing well, which is why you chose to
record in the first place. You should have no problem. All you have to
do is repeat that quality performance in front of a microphone, and
everything else is easy. Although, if you are like nearly every act that I
have worked with, you have some weak links in your musical chain.
music, truly separates the men from the boys. If you can execute this
step well, the rest of the process will go much smoother. In my
experience great performers require nothing more than a good
microphone, then you barely have to do anything else. Great studio
performers make the magic happen automatically.
Perhaps, you are already performing well, which is why you chose to
record in the first place. You should have no problem. All you have to
do is repeat that quality performance in front of a microphone, and
everything else is easy. Although, if you are like nearly every act that I
have worked with, you have some weak links in your musical chain.
| RADIO |
Finding Performers
The decision to find new performers is linked with the next phase of producing, because the
producer must weigh the costs and benefits.. If you end up performing in the studio, you could
end up hiring some amateur (to save money) but then doing 25 takes and spending twice as much
on studio time. So this is something to consider. Contrarily, I would rather be adding rehearsals or
adjusting studio hours to stay within budget, than changing performers later. No matter what you
anticipate, you must find a performer that can perform the part satisfactorily.
producer must weigh the costs and benefits.. If you end up performing in the studio, you could
end up hiring some amateur (to save money) but then doing 25 takes and spending twice as much
on studio time. So this is something to consider. Contrarily, I would rather be adding rehearsals or
adjusting studio hours to stay within budget, than changing performers later. No matter what you
anticipate, you must find a performer that can perform the part satisfactorily.
Note: This is a good time to point out a key element to the Johnson
Recording Method. Do not rely on later steps to fix your mistakes.
Some producers or engineers may try to convince you that your
performance mistakes can be edited out. If you will ignore that and
follow these instructions, I assure you that your recording will be
done inexpensively and efficiently. If you get into a position wherein
you are fixing things, I can no longer make that guarantee. We are
going to use the editing and mixing phases to contribute new creativity
to your record, not to repair failed creativity from the past.
That being said, you may have music performing problems to deal
with now. Here is the painfully simple solution to your problems. If
you or your band, or your accompanist cannot produce the
performance that your song requires, there are only to options...
1. Change the performer.
2. Change the composition.
Recording Method. Do not rely on later steps to fix your mistakes.
Some producers or engineers may try to convince you that your
performance mistakes can be edited out. If you will ignore that and
follow these instructions, I assure you that your recording will be
done inexpensively and efficiently. If you get into a position wherein
you are fixing things, I can no longer make that guarantee. We are
going to use the editing and mixing phases to contribute new creativity
to your record, not to repair failed creativity from the past.
That being said, you may have music performing problems to deal
with now. Here is the painfully simple solution to your problems. If
you or your band, or your accompanist cannot produce the
performance that your song requires, there are only to options...
1. Change the performer.
2. Change the composition.
Performers are often sensitive about the first option, as if changing the performer is a personal insult. This type of posturing is a waist of time in the studio.
Everyone involved should be aware of the composition as it has already been written down or scratch recorded. If the performer can play it, there would
be no debate to begin with. On the contrary, if the performer in question is financing the project or is for some other reason irreplaceable, you will simply
have to write parts that the performer can perform.
Everyone involved should be aware of the composition as it has already been written down or scratch recorded. If the performer can play it, there would
be no debate to begin with. On the contrary, if the performer in question is financing the project or is for some other reason irreplaceable, you will simply
have to write parts that the performer can perform.
Professional session players will obviously cost money, however the also tend to get the job done quickly. Professional musicians seldom become session
players, unless they are skilled at studio performing (which you will find is quite different that live performing). There are several directories online that you
can use to find professionals:
www.1212.com
www.bandmix.com
You can also try your local musician's union. The American Federation of Musicians is the big one in North America.
Students are a great option if you want to save. Music is one of the only fields in which each new generation tends to outperform the previous one.
Obviously, this is because each generation has more recorded music to learn from, and that music keeps becoming more accessible. Thus, if you have a
written part and no specific performer in mind, consider visiting a school. The students are not likely to be as comfortable recording as a professional, but
they often bring fresh, new ideas to your music. Also, they are very inexpensive. I am a big fan of music students for recording projects.
Remember that you must pay a performer something, if you do not intend to share royalties with them (and you should not intend to share royalties as they
are your bread and butter). Legally, musicians will be entitled to some residuals from record sales unless the were contracted as "work-for-hire".
players, unless they are skilled at studio performing (which you will find is quite different that live performing). There are several directories online that you
can use to find professionals:
www.1212.com
www.bandmix.com
You can also try your local musician's union. The American Federation of Musicians is the big one in North America.
Students are a great option if you want to save. Music is one of the only fields in which each new generation tends to outperform the previous one.
Obviously, this is because each generation has more recorded music to learn from, and that music keeps becoming more accessible. Thus, if you have a
written part and no specific performer in mind, consider visiting a school. The students are not likely to be as comfortable recording as a professional, but
they often bring fresh, new ideas to your music. Also, they are very inexpensive. I am a big fan of music students for recording projects.
Remember that you must pay a performer something, if you do not intend to share royalties with them (and you should not intend to share royalties as they
are your bread and butter). Legally, musicians will be entitled to some residuals from record sales unless the were contracted as "work-for-hire".
