This is something I've been working on for some time. I hope to flesh it out into a book, to have something helpful for my younger students. My intention is that the following assessments can used to help musicians gain their 'bearings' early, as they begin to think about music as a career. I hope this might get you to think about yourself as a 'total' package, in terms of your life, your music, and your career therein. Good luck to you in all you do. May your life be blessed with great achievements. Todd Wilkinson.

I. PERSONAL ASSESSMENT

            A.YOU, YOUR RELATIONS AND YOUR MUSIC?

                        1.YOUR LIFE SPAN AND LENGTH OF CAREER

                                    a.HOW OLD ARE YOU NOW?

                                                i.Your age creates limitation and freedom

                                                ii.Past, present, future: Don’t get stuck in one of these, incorporate all                                                             three into your “living” vision

                                    b.HOW LONG WILL YOU LIVE?

                                                i.Average life span

                                                ii.Family experiences

                                                iii.Your personal best estimate of the time you have?

                                    c.YOUR CAREER IS LIMITED

                                                i.Plan for the end and the beginning

                                                ii.Develop contingencies

                                    d.CARE AND MAINTENANCE: DEVELLOPING YOUR PHILOSOPHY

                                                i.Assess your tolerance for risk and need for safety

                                                ii.Exercise, diet, interaction: Practice, listening, socialization

                                                iii.Health and Physical needs, Education, Morality, Security, Family,                                                                         Community

                        2.YOU AND YOUR MUSIC

                                    a.How does music affect you?

                                                i.emotional, spiritual, rational

                                    b.What kind of music do you like and dislike?

                                                i.style, tempo, instrumentation

                                    c.What challenges will this bring you?

                                                i.social, economic, geographic, intellectual

                                    d.What sacrifices will you make for your music?

                                                i.time, money, relations, location

                                    c.What place does music serve in your life?

                                                i.central, recreational, therapeutic

                        3.KEEPING THE MUSIC CENTRAL

                                    a.SERVING THE MUSIC OR USING THE MUSIC

                                                i.The music and your ego: which is more important?

                                                ii.Work ethic: life style or hobby

                                                iii.Music as a process, a product, an art form

                        4.YOUR FAMILY AND/OR SUPPORT NETWORK

                                    a.RELATIONSHIPS TAKE TIME/SAVE TIME

                                                i.Does your family support you in your musical endeavors?

                                                ii.How does this affect theirs and your ‘family’ time?

                                                iii.Does your family provide money and time for your musical                                                                         training?

                                                iv.Does your family make or incorporate music?

                        5.YOUR TEAM AND YOUR MUSIC

                                    a.BAND MEMBERS

                                                i.COMRADES IN ARMS - LIKE-MINDED

                                                            aa.Is your clique as dedicated as you?

                                                            bb.Do they share your vision?

                                                            cc.Are they good for you and your career?

                                                ii.NEEDS OF THE MANY. . .

                                                            aa.What compromises must you make in the group?

                                                            bb.When do your personal needs take precedent?

                                                            cc.Democracy and diplomacy?

                        6.OTHER PLAYERS ON YOUR INSTRUMENT

                                    aWho are the best performers in your sphere?

                                    b.Do they give lessons or advice?

                                    c.Are they aware of you?

                        7.HIRED GUNS

                                    a.YOUR PROFESSIONAL TEAM

                                                i.Mentors

                                                ii.Teachers

                                                iii.Managers

                                                iv.Promoters

                                                v.Lawyers

                                                vi.Accountants

                                                vii.Bankers

B.WHAT DO YOU HAVE? WHAT DO YOU WANT?  

WHERE ARE YOU GOING? WHERE DO YOU NEED TO BE?

                        1. CRITICAL THINKING SKILLS: REFINING YOUR AWARENESS

                                    (YOU BECOME WHAT YOU THINK ABOUT)

                                    a.THINK FOR YOURSELF

                                                i.It takes courage to be independent?

                                    b.INTELLECTUAL HUMILITY

                                                i.It takes courage to admit inadequacy.

                                    c.INTELLECTUAL COURAGE

                                                i.Don’t let fear cloud your judgment

                                    d.INTELLECTUAL EMPATHY

                                                i.Let your heart help guide your understanding

                                    e.INTELLECTUAL INTEGRITY

                                                i.Beware of self-delusion

                                    f.INTELLECTUAL PERSEVERANCE

                                                i.Keep searching despite set-backs and frustration

                                    g.FAITH IN REASONING

                                                i.The truth will set you free more consistently than faith alone

                                    h.DEVELOP YOUR MEMORY

                                                i.Knowledge and power ultimately rely on what you can remember

                        2.GOAL SETTING – ASPIRATIONS (Make lists)

                                    a.SHORT

                                                i.Hourly/daily

                                    b.MEDIUM

                                                i.Weekly/monthly

                                    c.LONG

                                                i.semester/yearly/career/lifetime

                        3.  ROLE MODELS AND SELF-IMAGE

                                    a.PRETENDING FIRST/IMITATION

                                                i.To whom do you aspire? Why are you inspired?

                                                ii.Put yourself in their shoes

                                                iii.Imagination: How would it feel to...?

                                    b.MODELING METHODOLOGIES

                                                i.Learn their history

                                                ii.What mistakes have they made?

                                                iii.What setbacks did they overcome?

                                                iv.How can you adapt their path to your own?

                                                v.What will you do the same or differently? Should you?

                        4.GETTING THE TRAINING

                                    a.SCHOOLING

                                                i.Public school-Technical Schools

                                                ii.Educational materials

                                                iii.Libraries

                                    b.PRIVATE STUDY

                                                i.Lessons in performance, theory, history, style

                                                ii.Self-study

                                    c.ON THE JOB

                                                i.Apprenticeship

                                                ii.Journeyman

                                                iii.The Blue collar approach

                                                iv.Jam sessions

                        5YOUR RESUME

                                    a.You already have a resume

                                    b.It’s never too early to begin and it never ends

                                    c.The musical portfolio

                                                i.Resume/Vitae

                                                ii.Recordings

                                                iii.Bio/Photo

                                    d.Regular updates

            C. WHERE DO YOU FIT?

                        (YOU BECOME LIKE THOSE  YOU ARE SURROUNDED BY)

                        1. SOCIO/CULTURAL FIT

                                    a.By whom are you surrounded?

                                    b.Conformists and renegades

                                    c.Are you happy with your social circle?

                        2.STYLISTIC CONSIDERATIONS (PREFERENCE)

                                    a.Attitude verses Aptitude

                                    b.Different styles require different abilities and techniques

                        3.EXPERIENCE VS. EXPERTISE

                                    a.Experience: the test before the lesson

                                    b.Expertise gained over time

                                                i.Awareness of subtlety, timing, finesse

                        4.YOUR AUDIENCE/ YOUR FRIENDS?

                                    a.The difference between friends and audience

                                    b.Intentions for both

                        5.NICHE MARKETING - FINDING YOURS

                                    a.Casting a wide net.

                                    b.Narrowing your focus.

                                    c.Identify your strengths

            D.UNDERSTANDING MUSIC

                        1.MUSIC THEORY

                                    a.Melody

                                    b.Harmony

                                    c,Form

                                    d.Rhythm

                                    e.Dynamics, Texture, Expression

                                    f.Analysis

                        2.MUSIC HISTORY

                                    a.Western Music

                                                i.Middle Ages

                                                ii.Renaissance

                                                iii.Baroque

                                                iv.Classical

                                                v.Romantic

                                                vi.Modern

                                                vii.Jazz

                                                viii.American popular music

                                                ix.Regional Styles

                        2.MUSIC PERFORMANCE

                                    a.Reading music

                                    b.Ear training and sight-singing

                                    c.Memorization
                                    d.Scales and etudes

                                    e.Standard methods and repertoire

                                    f. chamber groups and large ensembles

                                    g.styles

II.GEOGRAPHICAL ASSESSMENT

A.WHERE ARE YOU? WHERE DO YOU NEED TO BE?

                        1. PRIMARY - MUSIC BUSINESS CENTERS-LARGE

                                    a.NEW YORK - RADIO & TV COMMERCIALS

                                    b.NASHVILLE - RECORDS

                                    c.TORONTO - TV & MOVIE MUSIC

                                     d.LOS ANGELES - MOVIE & TV MUSIC

                        2.SECONDARY -REGIONAL HOT SPOTS-LARGE

                                    a.ATLANTA

                                    b.AUSTIN

                                    c.CHICAGO

                                    d.DALLAS/FORT WORTH

                                    e.MEMPHIS

                                    f.MIAMI                                    

                                    g.MINNEAPOLIS/ST. PAUL

                                    h.MONTREAL

                                    i.PHILADELPHIA

                                    j.PORTLAND

                                    k.SAN FRANCISCO

                                    l.VANCOUVER

                        3.TERTIARY- UNIQUELY SITUATED CITIES-MEDIUM

                                    a.ATHENS (GA.)

                                    b.NEW ORLEANS

                                    c.CALGARY                       

                                    d.DENVER

                                    e.MUSCLE SHOALS

                                    f.PHOENIX,                                   

                                    g.SEATTLE

                                    h.KANSAS CITY

                        4.OTHER - ISOLATED CITIES,SUB-URBAN,RURAL

                        5.GEOGRAPHIC CONSIDERATIONS

                                    a.CITIES EQUAL WORK – ALL ROADS LEAD TO ROME

                                                (500,000THE MAGIC NUMBER)

                                    b.HOW CLOSE ARE YOU TO A METROPOLITAN AREA?

                                                i.TRAVEL TIME-FRAMES

                                    c.BEING THERE VS. LIVING THERE

                                                (LIFESTYLE)

                                                i.Making connections vs. making friends

                                      d.ROUTING OPTIONS

                                                i.COMMUTING

                                                            aa.In and Out

                                                ii.WEEKENDING

                                                            bb.Weekend Warrior

                                    e.COMMUNICATIONS

                                                i.Internet breakthrough

                                                            aa.Facebook

                                                            bb.Email

                                                            cc.Instant Messages

                                                ii.Phone

                                                            aa.Text Messaging

                                                            bb.Fax transfer

                                                iii.Mail

                                                            aa.USPS

                                                            bb.FedX, UPS

B.WHO AND WHERE ARE THE 'POWER PEOPLE?'

                        1.IDENTIFICATION/LISTINGS

                                    a.Free Publications

                                    b.Magazine Subscription

                                    c.Phone Hotlines

                                    d.Phone Books

                                    e.Newspapers

                                    f.Newsletters

                        2.PLAYERS– BANDS

                                    a.performances

                                    b.websites

                                    c.From Fan to Comrade

                        3.CONTRACTORS/PROMOTERS

                                    a.Contractors hire musicians for events

                                    b.Promoters produce events

                   4.AGENCIES

                                    a.Contract talent

                   5.CLUB OWNERS

                                    a.Hire bands to provide a service

                                    b.Advertise events

                                    c.Occupy particular niche

                   6.SUPPORT PEOPLE AND GROUPS

            a.Non-profit organizations

            b.Societies by type “Jazz,” “Blues”

7.ORGANIZATIONS/COOPERATIVES

            a.Musicians Union

            b.Cooperative ventures

            c.Grant and Scholarship providers

8. SCHOOLS, UNIVERSITIES,INSTITUTIONS

            a.College, University, & Community College

            b.Music Academy

            c.Music Institute

                   9.LOCATION/MEETING THEM/KEEPING TRACK

                                    a.Learn to get around quickly

                                    b.Shake hands, exchange contact information, follow-up

                                    c.Don’t forget names

                                    d.Periodic contact

                                    e.Invitations and Thank-you cards

III. BUSINESS AND PHILOSOPHICAL ASSESSMENTS

            A.THE RENT IS DUE

DON PASSMAN'S LIST-ALL YOU NEED TO KNOW ABOUT THE MUSIC BUSINESS (NOT REALLY ALL YOU NEED TO KNOW)

                        1.YOU ARE A BUSINESS

                                    a.The starving artist/stupid artists

                                    b.Income/expenses, assets/liabilities

                                    c.Work ethic

                                    d.What can you offer?

                        2.MOST ARTISTS DON'T LIKE BUSINESS

                                    a.Emotional vs. Rational

                                    b.Organization vs. Impulsivity

                                    c.Perspective

                        3.SUCCESS HIDES A MULTITUDE OF SINS

                                    a.Famous failures

                                    b.Appearance vs. Substance

                        4.YOUR CAREER WILL HAVE A LIMITED RUN

                                    a.The long haul

                                                i.Entering the work force

                                                ii.Career

                                                iii.Retirement

                        5.PLAY TO YOUR STRENGTHS, WORK ON YOUR WEAKNESSES

                                    a.Your competitive edge

                                                i.Assets

                                                            aa.Playing ability

                                                            bb.Personality/people skills

                                                            cc.Looks

                                                            dd.Stylistic sensibilities

                                    b.Developing other competitive assets

                                                i.Money

                                                ii.Equipment

                                                iv.Improving weakness

                                                v.Secondary income stream

                        6.MANAGE YOUR MONEY

                                    a.Consistent saving should start early and continue throughout

                                                i.Emergency fund

                                                ii.Dollar cost averaging

                                                iii.Compound interest

                                                            aa.Save one penny out of ten

                                                            bb.Putting money to “work” for you

                                    b.Accounting/Budgeting

                                                i.Tracking and sticking

                                    c.Investing

                                                i.Tax deferment advantages

                                    d.Credit

                                                i.Borrowing

                                                ii.Credit record

                                                iii.Interest and principle

                                                            aa.Pay off interest bearing debts first

                                    e.Insurance

                                                i.Life

                                                ii.Vehicle, Residence and Equipment

                                                            aa.Riders for musical equipment

                                                iii.Health

                                                iv.Income

                                                vLong term care

                                    f.Taxes: You’re in Business with your Government

                                                i.Exemptions

                                                ii.Brackets

                                                iii.Income

                                                iv.Local, State, Federal

            B. PICKING OTHER PEOPLE'S BRAINS

                        1.GET REFERENCES

                                    a.Ask around

                                    b.Avoid the phone book

                        2.PERSONAL MANAGER

                                    a.This could/should be you first

                                    b.Temperament and chemistry

                                    c.Are they connected to the industry?

                                    d.Qualifications and trust

                        3.LAWYER

                                    a.Contract Lawyers

                        4.BUSINESS MANAGER /C.P.A.

                                    a.Handles your economic schedule

                        5.AGENTS

                                    a.MUSIC

                                                i.Usually represent groups

                                                ii.Book gigs and develop performing schedules

                                    b.INSURANCE

                                                i.Get an Independent representative

                                    c.BANKER

                                                i.Credit Unions

                                                ii.Savings and Loans

                                    d.FINANCIAL PLANNER

                                                i.Tax deferred savings plans

                                                ii.Investment vehicles

                                                iii.Strategy: risk, balance, change

            C. USING OTHER PEOPLE'S MONEY

                        1.TAXPAYERS

                                    a.GRANTS

                                    b.SCHOLARSHIPS

                        2.INVESTORS

                                    a.SPECULATIVE PROFIT SHARING

                        3.LENDERS

                                    a.STUDENT LOANS

                        4.EMPLOYERS - CREATIVE ADVERTISING

a.     EARNING

b.    INTERNSHIPS

                        5.DONATIONS - PASS THE HAT

                        6.BARTER - YOU SCRATCH MY BACK?

            D.'ILITIES: KEYS TO LONGEVITY

                        1.VERSATILITY 

                                    a.DOUBLING (STANDARD)

                                    b.UTILITY DOUBLING

                                    c.NON-STANDARD DOUBLES

                                    (D.J.,VOICE-OVER, SINGER, MODEL, DANCE)

                   2.DEPENDABILITY- RELIABILITY

                                    a.BE ON TIME (HALF AN HOUR EARLY)

                                    b.GET YOUR OWN SUB

                   3.FLEXIBILITY

                                    a.DEAL WITH CHANGE!

                                                i.GIGS FALL THROUGH

                                                ii.MONEY CHANGES

                                                iii.PROBLEM - SOLVING

                        4. RESPONSIBILITY

                                    a.ACCEPT IT WHEN IT COMES

                                    b.BE READY TO FRONT THE GROUP

                   5.IRREPLACEABILITY

                                    a.MAKE YOURSELF IRREPLACEABLE

                   6.INSTABILITY (OOPS DON'T LET THIS HAPPEN)

                   7.SENILITY (IT'S TIME TO QUIT!)

                   8.VIABILITY

                                    a.IS THIS WORKING OUT?

IV.NETWORKING: 'SOCIAL' WORK

            (COMMUNITY AND COMMUNICATION)  

A. GATHERING INFORMATION:

                                    1.KNOWLEDGE IS POWER

                                    2.IT'S WHO YOU KNOW. . . SO, ASK

                                    3.LOCAL AND REGIONAL PUBLICATIONS

                                    4.KEEP LISTS, DOCUMENT DATES OF COMMUNICATION

B. EXPOSURE:  NOW AND LATER

                                    1.JAM SESSIONS

                                    2.SITTING - IN

                                    3.SUBBING

                                    4.TAKING LESSONS

                                    5.DO FAVORS BEFORE ASKING FOR THEM

                                    6.OVEREXPOSURE CAN KILL

C. BEING HEARD

                                    1. SOCIETY AS YOUR AUDIENCE

                                                a.WHO REALLY KNOWS?

                                    2.CONSIDERING YOUR AUDIENCE (OR NOT)

                                D. REMEMBERING AND BEING REMEMBERED:

                                    1. FAMILIARITY

                                                a.SOCIAL 'GLUE'

                                                b.BREEDS CONTEMPT AND LOVE

                             2.WORD-OF-MOUTH:

                                                a.BEWARE OF "TRUST ME"

                                                b.THE ONLY REAL ADVERTISING

                                                c.TALK CAN BE EXPENSIVE - BE POSITIVE AT ALL COSTS

                                                d.DO THE WALK

                             3.PUBLIC IMAGE

                                                a.THEY HEAR YOU WITH THEIR EYES FIRST!

                                                b.HUMOR IS AGREEABLE (FUN)

                                                c.PEOPLE LOVE TO HEAR THEIR OWN NAME

                                                d.SENSE OF THANKFULNESS – CALM KINDNESS

                             4.ANSWERING TECHNOLOGY

                                                a.  A MUSICIANS' FISHING POLE

                                                b.CHECK SERVICE OFTEN (hourly)

                                                c.RETURN CALLS PROMPTLY

                                                d.DOCUMENT CALLS

                                                e.ALWAYS CARRY AND CALENDAR AND CELL PHONE

                                    5. REMEMBERING PEOPLE

                                                a.EXCHANGE BUSINESS CARDS

                                                b.MAKE PHONE LISTS

                                                c.DEVELOP MAILING LIST

                                                d.THANK-YOU CARDS AND CALLS

                                                e.REMEMBER NAMES

                             6.HANDLING CONFLICT

                                                a.ALWAYS COMMUNICATE

                                                b.COUNT TO TEN

                                                c.WHAT CAN I LEARN FROM THIS?

                                                d.KNOW WHEN TO RUN OR STAND YOUR GROUND

 V. WORKING OPTIONS (REGARDLESS OF REGION)

            A.DAY JOBS: PART-TIME PARACHUTE

                        1.DELIVERY JOBS IN A NEW LOCATION

                                    a.FLEXIBLE HOURS

                        2.RETAIL MUSIC

                        3.ANCILLARY WORK

            B. VOLUNTEERING

                        1.CHARITY/ BENEFITS

                        2.TAX-DEDUCTIBLE DONATIONS OF TIME

                        3.HIGH SCHOOL HELPERS

                        4.NON-PROFIT ORGANIZATIONS AND SOCIETIES

            C. GIGS - NOT ANOTHER LIST!

                        1.CLUB DATES – COMMERCIAL BUSINESS PERFORMING

                        2.PRIVATE STUDIO INSTRUCTION

                        3.PUBLIC TEACHING

                        4.PRIVATE SCHOOLS

                        5.ARRANGING/ COMPOSING

                        6.INDUSTRIAL PERFORMANCES - RECORDING

                        7.CASUALS - JOBBING – WEDDINGS - PARTIES

                        8.RESORTS

                        9.CHURCH MUSIC

                        10.BANDS - DANCE MUSIC

                        11.ART MUSIC GROUPS

                        12.CREATING NEW VENUES

                                    a.RESTAURANTS

                                    b.MUSIC PARTIES: RAVES

                        14.ORCHESTRAL

                                    a.Local orchestras and civic bands

                        15.LARGE HOTEL BANQUETS

                        16.MILITARY CAREERS

                        17.CONDUCTING

                        18.ACCOMPANYING

                        19.MUSIC THERAPY

                        20.ALLIED WORK

                        21.RESEARCH – HISTORY – THEORY

                        22.SOUND REINFORCEMENT – RECORDING ENGINEER – VIDEO

                        23.ACOUSTICAL ENGINEER

            D. EQUIPMENT

                        1. GET THE BEST AT THE BEST PRICE

                                    a.MAIL-ORDER VS. RETAIL

                                    b.USED

                        2.DO YOU NEED A P.A. OR RECORDING EQUIPMENT?

                                    a.IT CAN GET YOU WORK

                        3.HOW ABOUT A BASS FLUTE? NONSTANDARD DOUBLES

                                    (B-3,  BARI SAX,)

                        4.SUPPLIES AND REPAIRS

                                    a.HAVE INSTANT ACCESS

                                    b.CARRY EXTRAS

                                    c.GET A REAL TUXEDO AND A SUIT!

                                    d.A MUSIC STAND AND LIGHT

                                    e.FAKE BOOKS

                                    f.FIND A GOOD REPAIR TECHNICIAN

                                    g.AMPLIFIERS – LARGE AND SMALL

                        5.RELIABLE TRANSPORTATION A MUST

                        6.DOCUMENTATION ON PURCHASES AND EXPENSES – TAX DEDUCTIONS

@2000 Randall Publications