It is time again to not go gently unto that fat groove and discuss the mechanics of Music Business Survival. Now in the past few months I have talked about everything from big ears and yoga to trying to work with drummers. The latter possibly being one of the greatest challenges, especially if said drummer forgot his "sippy" cup and needs his juice. Actually next month I plan on talking about singers and that might make drummers look like saints.

But I'm getting ahead of myself. Today, I want to talk about the one thing Every Single Person in the World needs to be successful. Today it's all about us and about how our minds are set. It's about the mental preparation required to survive in the music business. It's about the attitudes necessary to rise above the fetid waste of mediocrity. It's about time I told you what I'm talking about and that is to adopt an attitude of "all or nothing at all."

No, I'm not talking about jazz standards in the trusty ole Real Book, but the true dedication to your craft. There's a lot of work that goes into being a professional bassist, so let's start digging into our inner self and hopefully not leave too big a flesh wound.

Recent life changing events have really opened up my eyes to what it takes to be 100 % successful as a professional bassist. During some recent soul searching, all the holes I had left in my career were very apparent, even though the last few years have generated a modicum of success for me. There were the times I should have had demos or my business card with me. The times I should have been better at following up or listening on a gig or production meeting. Oh and don't forget that one time in Nevada where I should have politely declined the circus freak that was trying to buy me a drink. Poor girl hardly had any teeth left. YIKES!!

Trust me: a single mistake in any one of these areas can cost you a call back or even a major gig. Make enough mistakes and it's "you want fries with that?" and you know darn well that flipping burgers makes it challenging to work on your scale studies. Comprende? I speak from experience because all those holes I mentioned are areas in which I hadn't given it my all. Except for Nevada (Thank God!)

By now, you've practiced your instrument for hours and may have been spending days on the road in a van with a band. You're pouring your heart out in clubs and dealing with cheap gas station food and beer flatulence every day. (I actually have those last two down to a science.) For a long time I had convinced myself that these were the trenches of the bass war. Life recently has shown me that the trenches we fight in the most are the ones in our mind.

Mentally conditioning yourself to Be One With Your Career as an aspiring professional bassist is absolutely crucial to your success. Are you willing to make ultimate sacrifices to achieve your dreams ? This doesn't mean knocking over a liquor store or knifing the fiddle player (even though it may sound like a lot of fun). I'm talking about a full commitment to your dreams by focusing your mental drive on the prize. Having a positive and structured mental game plan can help you achieve things you never thought possible. If you are mentally prepared, you can move forward in giving all or nothing.

There's a ton of business work that isn't directly associated with playing the bass. (See, it's the Music BUSINESS, ok?) Lots of phone calls, dealing with producers and club owners, shooting promo photos, perfecting your image, doing your homework on an artist, utilizing websites, working with manufacturers, bathing (hopefully). All of these things have to happen for you to be a successful professional bassist.

Brothers and Sisters of the First United Church of the Groove, I'm not going to lie to you and say all of this is fun. Honestly, this is the part we get paid for so lets join the good Reverend in a rousing rendition of "Believe it or not we play bass for FREE." The good news kiddies is that if you take each one of those tasks and organize them into a some form of plan then you will be on the right track to follow your dream, further your career, play the big gigs, and I almost forgot one of my faves: GET PAID !

The final requirement of an "All or Nothing" attitude is to ask yourself "What I am going to do to further my career today?" It can be as simple as following up on one of those phone calls, editing your MySpace info, or taking that shower before an audition. Yes, my dear Groove Things, it's one thing to play funky. It's a totally different thing to stank funky. The important thing is that you make a conscious effort to do something for your career, however small, on a daily basis. Do that and you will see great improvements in your success.

To cross the last hurdle and reach the finish line, I've had to commit to my dream and more importantly draw on my friends and family for support. I wasn't ready until recently to make the leap to be Bass Incarnate. Are you ? Take some insight from the Good Groove Reverend and use it wisely. Don't give up on your dreams. Instead, give it all or nothing and you'll see your dreams come to fruition.

Until next time my fellow low-enders.

Keep Groovin,

S

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