1. What is your typical day like?

Depends on the gig. Can vary from hectic to relaxing. Normally that's dependant on the band members, not on the size of band. You can have a difficult small band that can take more time to set up than an easy going large band. On a bigger gig:

12pm Load in
2pm Run system up
4pm soundcheck
5pm Break
7-8pm show
10.30-11pm show down - pack up
12am leave venue.

2. Of all things you did to peprare for this job, what helped you most?

Practice.

3. What 2 or 3 skills help most in your job?

Diplomacy, fault tracing, Microphone/Speaker placement.

4. How did you learn these skills?

Practice

5. What kind of eduaction did you need for this job?

Need? None unless you count on the job training. I've done a university degree in sound, but now having worked in the Live industry I learnt more from the first few jobs than I did in 3 years of Uni.

6. What kind of courses should I take in high school to peprare me for this job? What kind of education will I need after high school?

See above, although electronics can be a great help.

7. What do you like most about this career?

It's fun, and can be very creative.

8. What's the hardest part of your job?

Coping with difficult artists. Long hours. Being away from home if you have people there you want to be with.

9. What do you think the future looks like for this kind of job?

Varied. There are a lot more people trying to get in at the lower end these days. You'll have to work hard to improve your skills and work effort to make money.

10. What kind of salary can I expect?

It depends. You'll start off earning peanuts or nothing at all. I know engineers who make £300 a day and work most of the year. I know engineers who make £70 a day and work 1 or 2 days a week. Generally there's a reason for the difference.

11. If you had the chance to do things over again, what would you change?

While I had great fun in Uni, I probably wouldn't have gone knowing what I do now.

12. What motivates you with your job?

The public or the artists coming up at the end of the gig and saying how great the sound was.

13. What kind of personality does well in a career like this?

Problem solver, hard worker, thick skin.

You'll have to take criticism, and sometimes keep your mouth shut even when you believe that you're right. And as you start out you'll probably get shouted at a lot. Try never to make the same mistake twice.

14. Is there a question you think I should of asked to understand this career?
15. Any other advice you would like to give me?

You really have to love doing this job, it's really hard work. You have to care about getting it right all the time. Always do your best on every single gig, because you never know who might be in the audience.

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www.exaviormusic.com
www.manninmusic.com Music Teacher, Isle of Man

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