Working As A Drummer Session Musician
There are pro’s and cons in being a session drummer. We can offer advice and resources for drummers who are employed to record music for media projects, such as films, TV, adverts, computer games and albums and who are paid by the session. A session drummer is anyone who plays a drum kit or similar instrument in a live or recording gig or session that is not a featured artist (ie contracted to a label). Drummers can be engaged directly by a production company or record label, but are often engaged via a fixer (also known as a contractor). We strongly advises not to accept session engagements for recording and broadcasting other than from companies and organisations with which has collective agreements with well know musician groups. This is in your own interest and should avoid any breach of your duties.
Musicians have some protection against having their performance recorded without their consent. Consent is usually given through Consent Forms and the manner in which consent is given is important as it can affect payment for secondary and further uses. Under current legislation someone only has to ‘reasonably believe’ that they have a performer’s consent. For example consent could be construed as having been given by the fact that a musician knew the recording was taking place and did nothing to prevent it.