Professionalism
This is an article from my up coming book.
Hope you enjoy.
by Kerry Galloway
Professional means two different things to me (This
might be a good time to
look in the dictionary for the word “professional”. I’ll
wait).
One is literal...I earn my living as a musician. Hey, and
let’s not put too
fine a point on it... that part’s not always great. I’ve been
very lucky,
but we live in a world where the musicians that record
the albums that you
listen to are the only ones in the chain, from the
President of the record
label on down to the secretaries, who get refused for a
credit card. And
even the artists themselves are extremely lucky if their
contract gives them
$1.50 per CD sold.
The other meaning is more complex. To say that a
player is “a real pro”...or
to speak of somebody’s “professionalism”...Does that
really have something
to do with making a living?
The way I interpret that word is: adherence to a code of
ethics; respect for
the profession (putting something in when you take
things out); always
trying to prepare for a more challenging gig than the
one you’re currently
doing; trying not to be caught napping (Proper
Preparation Prevents Poor
Performance); having a spare patchcord, set of strings,
and a 9-volt battery
if needed; being on time and appropriately dressed; not
bringing your
personal problems to the workplace, and playing the
tune, not your chops.
first hint:
Never mis-spell professional.
Eventually somebody is bound
to suggest that anyone who can’t spell
it is unlikely to be able to define it.
ONE F, TWO Esses! Nuff said?
One two One two, just like the Army!!!
