Looking to go Pro

[sabatica]

So I'm just getting ready over the next few months.

And my goal is to go pro and do this full time while I'm still young. Any tips, advice, contacts would be greatly appreciated here in the UK.

I'd love to be a live/session player. So I've been putting in some serious music study and practice time.

[Danny Mitchell]

May the force be with you, young Sabatica!
I would imagine heavy networking would be required to alert the world to your existence, and a Web presence with the ability to supply online sessions and tuition might generate income streams.
Take a look at BJ Coles' site for inspiration.
It'll be a tough gig but I wish you all the best with your journey.

[JeffM]

I can't think of any lap steel players on this side of the pond who do it full time. I know of a few pedal players who are pros but even most of them double on guitar or some other instrument. There aren't that many bands out there with a need for a full time steel lap steel player. Certainly in the UK, it seems to be getting harder and harder to find gigs that pay. Unfortunately it is a very specialised instrument. Must of my lap steel gigs involve playing at least as much guitar - usually more - and many of my best paying gigs are depping on bass.

In America there are some lap steel pros but they are mostly with bands who spend most of their time on the road (Wayne Hancock, Big Sandy (until fairly recently although they are now a 4 piece without steel). Even some of the monster players like Chris Scruggs doesn't do too many exclusively steel gigs and Don Heron (now with Dylan playing pedal steel) always doubled on fiddle and mandolin.

If you want to make a living out of it, you'll have to be prepared to play a lot of music you really don't like (unless you get really lucky).

Networking is the key. Get out and play as much as possible and put your name around, go to lots of gigs and get talking to musicians.

As someone else suggested, check out BJ's web site but I bet even he doesn't get too many calls to play lap steel.

Although I really don't like the idea of musicians playing for nothing, you might have to do some of that just to get your face around a bit on the scene.

Good luck and make sure you keep us up to date with your progress and don't forget us all when you make it.

[sabatica]

Huge thanks for your advice. I hope to really start the revolution.

Working hard on my music theory and solos as if I start playing out and rip up some steel solos then people will hear. Was thinking that even though I am studying jazz and blues I may get more opportunities in the blues arena. Jazz doesn't seem to pay unless you teach these days that much. I know that the uk has the second most influential blues markets in the world so maybe that's the way to go to get my name out there.

[sabatica]

i think the work for Lap Steel Guitar isn't there yet because the Public hasn't been informed of its ability or heard its diversity. I hope to change that.

Playing music that varies in style is simply a challenge rather than a pain for me.

[sabatica]

Networking and a social presence is right. Will do.

And I can never forget any UK steel family. Just wish we would input more or help each other.