A session guitarist is a professional musician hired on a temporary, contract basis for a recording or live performance. They are referred to as “hired guns,” brought in for their specific skills to contribute to a project without being permanent members of a band. Many popular songs feature the work of these talented artists, who play a significant part in shaping the final sound of a track. The role is defined by its short-term nature, with assignments ranging from a single song to an entire album or tour.
What a Session Guitarist Does
The most traditional role is studio recording, where artists and producers hire musicians for albums and singles. A guitarist might play pre-written parts or be given the freedom to compose their own rhythm tracks, lead lines, or solos. The ability to generate creative options quickly is a valuable asset in the studio.
Session guitarists are also hired for live performances and tours. They may act as a substitute for a band’s regular guitarist or be brought in to augment the live sound. This work requires learning a large volume of material, rehearsing it to perfection, and adapting to the dynamics of a live show.
Musicians are also employed to create music for commercial jingles, television shows, and film soundtracks. This work is often fast-paced and requires creating a specific mood or style that complements the visual content and meets tight deadlines.
Increasingly, session guitarists perform remote sessions from their own home studios, allowing collaboration with artists worldwide. They receive a track, record their guitar parts according to the client’s specifications, and send the files back electronically.
Essential Skills for Session Guitarists
- Technical Proficiency: A mastery of the instrument is the foundation, requiring flawless execution under pressure. This includes clean playing, precise timing, and the ability to perform complex passages with ease.
- Genre Versatility: A session player might be asked to play rock, pop, jazz, or country within the same week. This demands a deep understanding of the stylistic nuances, chord voicings, and rhythmic feels that define each genre.
- Music Reading: The ability to sight-read standard notation or quickly interpret chord charts is a significant advantage. This skill saves valuable time in the studio, making the musician more efficient and desirable to producers.
- Improvisation: A producer might ask a guitarist to create a solo on the spot or to come up with a compelling part for a song with no pre-written arrangement. The ability to spontaneously create melodic ideas that serve the song is a hallmark of a top-tier player.
- Gear Knowledge: Session guitarists must understand how to use different guitars, amplifiers, and effects pedals to create a wide variety of tones. Being able to quickly dial in a specific sound requested by a producer is a non-negotiable part of the job.
- Professionalism: This includes being punctual, prepared, and able to take direction and criticism constructively. A session guitarist’s job is to serve the artist’s vision, which requires setting ego aside and working collaboratively as part of a team.
Building a Career as a Session Guitarist
Embarking on a career as a session guitarist requires building both skills and connections. The path often begins with establishing a reputation within a local music scene by playing with various bands and attending jam sessions. These activities are effective ways to meet other musicians and producers who may offer opportunities for session work.
A professional demo or portfolio is necessary to showcase one’s abilities to potential clients, highlighting versatility across different genres and styles. A strong online presence through a professional website or social media is also important for hosting a portfolio and making it easier for artists to initiate contact. Gaining experience often starts with smaller, local gigs, which are instrumental for honing one’s craft and building a professional network.
The Business of Session Work
Payment structures vary by project, but common arrangements include an hourly rate, a flat fee per song, or a day rate for studio time. Musicians’ unions, like the American Federation of Musicians (AFM), establish scale wages, which are minimum pay rates for recording sessions and live performances. Union membership can provide access to larger-scale projects and ensure fair compensation and benefits like pension contributions.
Compensation can also involve different ownership and royalty structures. In many cases, a session musician is paid a one-time “buyout” fee, forfeiting any future claim to royalties. Alternatively, some agreements may include royalty payments, which can provide a long-term income stream if the recording becomes successful.
Navigating these business aspects requires a clear understanding of contracts and negotiation. Session guitarists work as independent contractors, making them responsible for managing their own finances, invoicing clients, and handling their taxes.
Famous Session Guitarists
The impact of session guitarists on popular music is best understood through the work of legendary players who shaped countless hit records. The Wrecking Crew, a group of Los Angeles-based studio musicians, included guitarists like Carol Kaye and Tommy Tedesco. They played on thousands of songs for artists ranging from The Beach Boys to Frank Sinatra.
Steve Lukather, a founding member of Toto, is also one of the most sought-after session guitarists in history. His playing can be heard on Michael Jackson’s “Beat It” and on albums by artists including Don Henley and Elton John. His versatility has made him a first-call player for decades.
Larry Carlton is another iconic session guitarist known for his sophisticated, jazz-influenced style. He has recorded on hundreds of albums, earning the nickname “Mr. 335” for his use of a Gibson ES-335 guitar. His work with Steely Dan and Joni Mitchell has left a lasting mark on popular music.