Hey I've been trying to become a session drummer for quite a few years now. I have the talent, motivation and professionalism. All of my gear is new, clean and not broken. Everything is top of the line. However, I'm having a very hard time getting work because I don't have any resume. Is there any way to start a career in session work without having recorded a billboard hit?
First off, I question that there has ever been such a thing as having a "career in session work". Even the most successful studio drummers have/had careers as players - just like all the rest of the players. And became "session players" by simply being the player that folks wanted to record with, based on the rest of their playing career.
That said - Bermuda is right, there just isn't as much work as there was when many of our current "session masters" were first coming up. There was a time, when if somebody wanted to hear drumset recorded as part of their music - the ONLY way to accomplish that was to call a drummer to shlep in a kit, mic it up and press record. Even making the lowliest demo was a job opportunity for some drummer.
Then came drum machines, then midi programming, and loop, etc. - all viable alternatives to use instead of a live drummer even on top end master recordings (dramatically cutting into that work). But the low end? The demos, local jingles, little films, the low budget young artist without major label backing? For drummers that work pretty much no longer exists... at all.
And that's a real problem - because just as most of us start out playing high school dances, before graduating to local clubs, and then onto regional and national stages. For me recording-wise, I was able to start out doing little demo sessions in folk's garage studios $25 here, $50 there - gaining both experience and yes, reputation. But now with so little "starter" gigs, I see guys trying to land some national or major label thing as their first paid session. Which IMO is the equivalent of trying land a spot in the minor leagues without having ever played college or high school ball. Sure it's possible - but it's certainly not likely.
So is there no answer? Does it suck that bad? Well, it does suck pretty bad, but the answer I think comes with two viable paths - 1) don't segregate session work from other work - just keep slamming, playing out as much as possible and with the best people you can get to play with you. And that means lots of people - you can be in a band, but only if you can be in three other bands at the same time, plus sub on other pick-up work... again playing with anyone and everyone you can. In other words, just grow a drumming career - and if it includes some recording, great. If not, whatever.
And 2) become someone that can provide recorded drums to people on the low end - which on the surface sounds like a great idea, just keep in mind it is a very crowded market (with folks like myself directly competing with you online), which of course keeps driving rates down and down - AND it's an expensive service to provide (gear, space, etc)
So honestly, I would only call that one and 1/4 paths, because the first one is really what it is about - unless you just have a love of recording way beyond the drumming part. Because folks wiser than I always say you should never chase after the money, the job - you should pursue your passion, and if that's the playing - then get out and pursue, share and expose that to the world. Do that outstandingly well, and the job opportunities should follow.
Though I cringe reading that - as it is very easy to romanticize the possibilities of the drumming profession without seriously pondering the realities. So do your research and keep your expectations reasonable.
David
