A successful drummer doesn’t need to have the fastest chops or own the coolest gear. I feel it’s more important to develop your own style, be a pro, and fit in with the people you work with. A successful drummer should make the music he’s playing feel great. It helps tremendously if you just so happen to be a cool and likable person to hang out with as well. Intangibles such as showing up on time, doing your best, and trying to understand what people who hire you are looking for matter more than you might think.

Here are six things you need to know to be a successful freelance musician:

1. Be versatile: You might love to play metal, but if you can play other styles of music like country, jazz, blues, and funk, you have a much better shot at getting gigs. The more styles you can play, the more work you’re going to get. It might make sense not to turn down a gig because you may not be the best at playing that kind of music. You may learn a thing or two by a trial-by-fire gig. It can be fun.
2. Develop Your Own Style: You develop your style by watching, learning, copying, and taking lessons from many different teachers. This will help you become versatile. Try not to get pigeonholed into being labeled as a specific type of drummer. Even though this site is about broadway drumming, I always tell people who want to play drums on shows is to play as much music outside of the pit as possible. Play as many styles of music in as many settings as you can. Why? Having the ability to play different styles authentically makes you a valuable commodity. You won’t be seen as a drummer that can only play one type of show if you are ever asked.
3. Make yourself marketable: You are a…

Read more HERE: https://broadwaydrumming101.substack.com/p/what-are-the-secrets-of-a-successful

 

Clayton Craddock, the drummer of the hit broadway musical Ain’t Too Proud. He earned a Bachelor of Business Administration from Howard University’s School of Business and is a 28 year veteran of the fast-paced New York City music scene. 

He has played drums in several hit broadway and off-broadway musicals, including “Tick, tick…BOOM!, Altar Boyz, Memphis The Musical, and Lady Day At Emerson’s Bar and Grill. Also, Clayton has worked on: Footloose, Motown, The Color Purple, Rent, Little Shop of Horrors, Spongebob Squarepants, The Musical, Evita, Cats, and Avenue Q.

Follow him on Instagram, Twitter or read more on his website: claytoncraddock.com