PHOTO : CONNOR SCHEFFLER
BUSINESS
As a drummer and producer , Mark Schroor has toured and recorded with JUNO , CCMA , and GMA award winners and artists from all over the world . When he ’ s not on the stage or in the studio , Mark is interviewing his favourite drummers for the
180 Drums Podcast , blogging for Linchpin Musician , or travelling with his wife . Mark is currently hitting drums for Manafest , Leah Daniels , and Eric Ethridge . Feel free to get in touch with Mark through his website , www . markschroor . com .
By Mark Schroor
Becoming Irreplaceable
Are you replaceable ? Do you create enough value for the band / artist that you play for that they wouldn ’ t even dream of walking on stage without you ? That they wouldn ’ t even dare find someone else , even if that someone else charges $ 100 less per show than you do ?
You want your client to happily pay that extra $ 100 because you ’ re at least $ 100 more valuable than the next person . So how do you become absolutely vital to the artist or band you play for ?
In your city , there could be hundreds of other musicians that play your instrument just as well as you do , that are willing to play for less money than you do , and are ready to replace you . Although it might sound a bit intimidating , it ’ s not necessarily a bad thing ; I think it ’ s exciting ! Think of all of the other musicians who share the same passion as you do and are expressing it in their own way – people you can share a community with , learn from , inspire , and be inspired by . Some healthy competition can be very beneficial .
Leading & Problem Solving You see , the incredible upside to being in a community of great musicians is that it pushes us all to be better . Thought leader and author Seth Godin often talks about two skills that are both scarce and in high demand : leading and solving interesting problems . As long as you are able to do these two things , people will need what you have and will be unwilling to replace you .
How can you become a leader ? It ’ s very simple ; a leader is someone who leads . That ’ s it . It doesn ’ t matter how many people . It doesn ’ t matter how often . You don ’ t need a diploma or training ; you just need to lead . We all have the ability to lead . Whether you have experience leading or not is negligible . Leaders are made , not born . As long as you build your leadership on a strong foundation of trust , you will become invaluable to the people you play with .
Here are 10 ways that you could lead in a musical setting :
• Regularly ask for feedback , and graciously accept it .
• Be the first at the venue and establish yourself as the contact point .
• Become the band leader if there isn ’ t one .
• Advance the show details with the promoter .
• Record and re-watch concerts and make show notes .
• Initiate email threads on rehearsals , show details , etc .
• Turn a negative interaction into a positive one .
• Route and arrange transportation for a show or tour .
• Make judgment calls when asked on anything from set order to dinner options .
• Advocate the band ’ s needs in any scenario .
Another skill that is scarce , in high demand , and crucial to becoming irreplaceable is to learn how to solve interesting problems – meaning the things you can ’ t look up on Google . It ’ s important to know how to solve normal problems , like fixing a broken mic stand or soldering a dead cable for a pedal board . And consider this : the more difficult the problem is to solve , the more important it is for you to solve it .
When it comes to the small problems , a big step towards being a problem solver is preventing them in the first place . If you are causing problems , that means other people have to solve them , and that ’ s bad for you . If you were late for soundcheck last time , leaving earlier is a good way to prevent a problem . If you had to borrow a patch cord last time , bring a spare this time . If your backing tracks cut out last show , test your equipment before tomorrow ’ s .
Many problems are more difficult to solve . Can you find a way of turning a grouchy sound guy into a team player ? Can you help calm the lead singer before a big show ? Can you smooth out the beef between the drummer and guitar player ? You are capable of doing all of these things , but there isn ’ t an easy answer for any of them . When it comes to solving interesting problems , there isn ’ t an instruction manual you can follow . If there was , it wouldn ’ t be difficult , scarce , or in high demand .
Both of these skills are creative endeavours ; they require the same type of creative expression as songwriting or performing , which means that we musicians are perfectly suited for this type of challenge .
Leadership is an art . Problem solving is an art . It ’ s crucial that if we want to be irreplaceable , we need to treat them as such .
62 • CANADIAN MUSICIAN