A session musician is a musician who is hired to play their instrument on recording sessions or live performances for other artists, bands, or producers. Typically, they do not perform under their own name, instead forming the accompaniment for an already existing artist or project. This job requires versatility and the ability to adapt to various genres whilst within high pressure environments. This job can span in significance all the way from giving instrument lessons to beginners who are just starting out, to being employed and given a salary to go on world tours with globally renowned solo artists. In their early careers, session musicians can focus on improving their skills, gaining experience by playing with local bands, and establishing a professional network, giving them access to opportunities for gigs and sessions in the future. Ways to develop this could be to expand their music theory knowledge and strengthen their comfortability with alternative genres that they are less familiar with. Networking is also important, not just for making contacts for potential jobs, but also for seeking mentorship and advice from established session musicians.
In an article titled ‘How to Become a Session Musician: We Talk Salary & Skills’ by Charlotte Glasson (2023), she states that an in-depth knowledge of music theory and technique is necessary in order to become a successful session musician. Glasson also goes on to state that the ability to read music is very important due to the price of hiring out studios being so expensive (Glasson, 2023). Although no academic qualifications are required, a graduate from a high-end music school such as Berklee College of Music or Royal Northern College of Music will most likely be highly regarded when artists are searching for players. Aside from academic qualifications, experience is very valuable when working as a session musician. A musician with a lot of live playing and studio experience will be in demand since the more experience you gain, the more you learn how to manage the demands of different playing environments, adapt to varying musical styles and build lasting professional relationships.
In order to be successful in their field, session musicians require many skills and personal attributes to ensure that they do not build a bad reputation for themselves and end up with no work. As previously mentioned, a good level of music theory knowledge should be present along with the ability to sight read their instrument to at least a decent standard. For example, a musician who is called in last minute as deputy in a pit band for a west end musical may only have a few hours to look through and learn the pieces before being required to play in front of thousands of people. In this situation, sight reading is incredibly beneficial as the performer can read and play simultaneously, rather than having to learn every song off by heart at such short notice. In such a scenario, being able to sight read is a make or break when it comes to getting the job and therefore getting paid. Another skill that’s required is the capability to improvise (Workbred, 2023) and become creative with the parts you are playing. Although a great deal of musicians are asked to play exactly what has been written or requested, they are often given room for creativity, and it is vital to be confident and precise when a moment like this occurs. This could be as simple as a drummer adding a fill at the end of a phrase, or as extensive as a guitarist writing an entire new section to a piece of music. For this to be possible however, communication skills are essential to ensure that you make your mark on the music. This is applicable when recording in a studio, collaborating with other artists, as well as understanding and being receptible to other musicians or the musical director you are working with. The benefits of maintaining sharp communication skills can also be significant in the process of networking. Networking is when you develop professional or social contacts within your industry that can help you progress your career in the future. It’s the process of expanding your circle of acquaintances and putting yourself out there to help open doors to new job opportunities within your field (In The Know, 2022). Overall, keeping up good communication will help foster strong working relationships, ensuring that you, as a musician, will get called back for future projects and are recommended to others in the industry. Finally, a key attribute to have is a high level of professionalism. This includes punctuality, for example turning up early to a session you have been booked for demonstrates reliability and respect for the time of the people that have hired you. Being prepared for your session should also be embraced. This entails putting in hard work to learn the parts ahead of time, before arriving at the session and additionally ensuring that you have brought the necessary equipment.
A day as a session musician can vary depending on whether they are playing in a studio, a live performance, or just a rehearsal, every day is different (Ellis, 2023). Despite the variation from day to day, preparation is crucial. Before the session, a session musician should spend time reviewing the material provided to them by whoever is leading the session. This can include practicing specific parts that they may have been struggling on, studying sheet music or charts, and familiarizing themselves with the song’s characteristics e.g. structure, dynamics. Equipment should also be prepared and checked to ensure it is in fully functioning order and is ready to be transported and played. If the gig is one of high pressure, the player may be feeling nervous and may wish to clear their headspace. This could involve breathing techniques, mediation, or running through unrelated musical exercises to help take their mind off the pressure of the situation. Early arrival at the venue of the session is important, as it shows commitment and respect for the people you’re working with. It also allows time for set-up (depending on location) and any last-minute details the group wish to go through before entering a practical environment. Whilst in the session, the musician must concentrate on being focused and consistent in their playing, open to constructive criticism, and ready to express fresh ideas. Short breaks may be held during the session, to aid mental focus and overall productivity. These breaks may be used to converse with people such as sound engineers and other musicians, a prime opportunity for networking. Once the session is over, the musician may wish to take some time to themselves for personal practice, or alternative work such as giving lessons.
Income stability is crucial for musicians due to the unpredictable nature of the music industry. Session musicians can face numerous expenses such as instrument maintenance and insurance, transport and accommodation when working away from home and practice studio fees. On top of basic outgoings for rent and food, costs such as a royalty management software, a DAW (to enable home recording or recording on the go) and bookkeeping services should all be taken into account when processing their expenditure. In terms of income, the type of session, e.g. studio or live, session length, the experience held by the musician, and the project’s budget all play a role in determining the fee (Remedy, 2024). This makes understanding industry standards and negotiating fair rates important.
A good example of unpredictability when discussing financial issues is the delay in payments after completing a session. In an industry where financial situations are often hard for independent musicians (G.Walfish, 2024), getting paid in good time is often key. If payments come late, it could drastically affect their cashflow forecast, making essential expenses such as equipment maintenance, rent and various other utilities an issue to afford. To avoid receiving money late, the person should establish clear agreements before setting about any work. Payment amounts, cancellation policies and payment deadline dates should all be settled in the form of a contract, an email or any detailed agreement in writing (ISM, 2024). Being reliable is also crucial for receiving money in good time. This means invoicing as soon as possible and avoiding making mistakes when submitting. In cases where money is not paid, it is advisory to seek legal help from organisations such as the Musicians Union (Musicians Union, 2024).
As a session musician, you are responsible for your own tax and National Insurance. However, unlike an employee of a company, self-employed workers in the UK pay income tax on profits, rather than total income (Musicians Union, 2023). This requires going through the process of registering as self-employed with HMRC and reporting all earnings gained from all work. This includes royalties, performance fees and studio work. National Insurance contributions must be paid as well, paying either class 2 or class 4, depending on your earnings. Musicians can deduct certain business expenses to lower the taxable income such as equipment, studio fees, and travel expenses (Musicians Union, 2023).
Marketing and promotion is important in the music industry in order to promote yourself and stand out to potential clients in a highly competitive market. This involves highlighting your skills, experience, and unique input value to employers. The Musicians’ Union offers a great deal of advice on promoting yourself and your music online, including tips on utilising social media platforms, creating a professional online presence, and engaging with your audience (Musicians Union, 2022).
Many struggles can be faced in the profession of being a session musician, both personal and professional. Sustaining a consistent level of work can often be tricky as the session musician market can be competitive, with periods of high demand followed by potential dry spells depending on the industry climate (Campelo, 2015). This could result in a lack of consistent income often meaning financial instability and uncertainty. A potential solution to this is to assign yourself multiple income streams. These could include teaching your instrument, composing or transcribing in order to cope with any fluctuations in income by maintaining a financial cushion. The session musician environment can be a stressful place, with high expectations, tight deadlines, constant need for perfection and persistent competition from other musicians. Ways around feeling overly stressed could be to improve time management skills and keep a healthy balance between work and life. Other, more intellectual challenges that can be faced may include the need for genre versatility in order to meet the needs of the clients. This requires practice of various styles of music and being open to work on projects featuring musical styles you may not be familiar with.
To conclude, a session musician is a varied and multi-faceted career path which is challenging yet rewarding. A combination of technical skill, adaptability and resilience is required to meet the high expectations of the role, along with sight-reading ability, improvisations skills and communication skills. Additionally, self-marketing skills can prove to be vital as well as strong reliability and professionalism when molding your professional image to promote yourself in the best light possible for clients. Managing the financial aspects must be considered, such as negotiating fair rates for your time, and handling your own taxes, which only further emphasises the versatility required to take on being a session musician.
Campelo, Isabel. Journal on the Art of Record Production » “That Extra Thing”- the Role of Session Musicians in the Recording Industry. July 2015, https://www.arpjournal.com/asarpwp/that-extra-thing-the-role-of-session-musicians-in-the-recording-industry/. [Accessed 5 Dec. 2024]
Ellis, James. An Insight Into A Week In The Life Of A Session Musician. 2023, https://www.musicgateway.com/blog/music-business/session-musician-a-week-in-the-life. [Accessed 2 Dec. 2024.]
Glasson, Charlotte. ‘How to Become a Session Musician: We Talk Salary & Skills’. Music Careers | Expert Advice – Careers In Music,
https://www.careersinmusic.com/session-musician/. [Accessed 28 Nov. 2024.]
Independent Society of Musicians (ISM). Unpaid Fees for Musicians. Independent Society of Musicians, 10 Jul. 2024, https://www.ism.org/advice/unpaid-fees-for-musicians/. [Accessed 4 Dec. 2024.]
In The Know. ‘The Importance of Networking in the Music Industry’. Musicians Institute, 27 Jul. 2022, https://www.mi.edu/in-the-know/importance-networking-music-industry/. [Accessed 2 Dec. 2024.]
Musicians Union. Promoting Yourself and Your Music Online. 1 Mar. 2022, https://musiciansunion.org.uk/career-development/career-guides/marketing-and-promotion/promoting-yourself-and-your-music-online. [Accessed 13 Dec. 2025]
Musicians Union. Tax Advice For Musicians | How To Do Taxes As A Musician. 6 Nov. 2023, https://musiciansunion.org.uk/legal-money/finance-and-tax/tax-advice-and-guidance-for-musicians. [Accessed 4 Dec. 2024.]
Musicians Union (MU). Unpaid Invoices Service | Unpaid Wages Claim | Musicians’ Union. 17 Dec. 2024, https://musiciansunion.org.uk/membership-benefits/unpaid-fee-recovery-service. [Accessed 4 Dec 2024.]
Remedy. How Much Do Session Musicians Make: Salary Secrets Unveiled. 5 Apr. 2024, https://rem.fan/how-much-do-session-musicians-make/. [Accessed 4 Dec. 2024.]
Walfish, Gregory. Music Industry Report 2023 | Xposure Music, 14 Dec. 2023, https://info.xposuremusic.com/article/music-industry-report-2023. [Accessed 4 Dec. 2024.]
Workbred. What Is a Session Musician? Key Skills, Qualifications and Career Path | UK Career Advice | Workbred. https://workbred.co.uk/career/session-musician. [Accessed 1 Dec. 2024.]
