I’ve put together some resources I hope will help you when it comes to figuring out things related to navigating music as a profession.
Quick bio: Bob Reynolds is a Grammy Award-winning tenor saxophonist known for his work with Snarky Puppy, John Mayer, and 8 best-selling, independently released, solo albums.
(more here)
on to the resources…
Vlog
I do a Vlog on YouTube that’s loaded with music and career advice. There are over 125 episodes and 33,000 subscribers. A couple episodes I’d recommend to your group:
1. Ep 99: “Should I go to Berklee (music college)?”
3. Ep 44: Money management for musicians
4. Ep. 111: Tour Life part 3: That’s what SHE said — It’s a series (Ep 108-111) spanning a recent UK tour with Snarky Puppy where I address the challenge of balancing life on the road with having a family.
6. Ep 104: Create your own path — tells the story of my Berklee roommate who went on to start a digital music company which he is now selling to Native Instruments
7. Q&A: Music career burnout — Doug writes in with a tough question: “I’m in a pretty tough place with my music at the moment. I feel so flat and I’m close to dropping it all. I hate practicing, my sound sucks and I am struggling to find where my career path may go…there are just SO many sax players chasing the few gigs that are going and I’ve lost the stomach for the fight. I don’t want to turn into a cynical, booze-soaked, nasty old jazz musician with a messed up domestic situation and masses of debt!”
8. Ep 94: The same amount — understanding this could make a huge difference in your future.
Podcast interviews
Here are links to podcast interviews I’ve done where I dig into every aspect of my career, and transition from Berklee to where I am now:
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Bob Reynolds digs into the creative process. It’s a conversation about art, about fear, and about loosening the shackles of music conservatory to find an authentic and original sound.
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Bob Reynolds talks with [bassist] Janek Gwizdala about everything from working for Red Bull energy drink to touring with John Mayer. From playing wedding gigs in NYC to recording live with Snarky Puppy. The pressures of playing on live TV, how to be prepared for any kind of performance and what it’s been like transitioning from East to West coasts.
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Chromatik Sessions: Bob Reynolds – Bob comes by the studio to talk about his ascent in music and even demonstrate a few live examples on the horn. (See the description for timestamped discussion topics.)
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Don’t Give Up Your Day Job Ep #25: Bob Reynolds – We discuss meeting and playing with John Mayer, touring, the inner workings of Snarky Puppy, the brilliant Michael League and a lot more.
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Interview with Jason Crane on The Jazz Session – We discuss time feel, Branford Marsalis, John Mayer, playing with and for (vs. against) audiences, and more.
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On the Hit with Deane Ogden, Ep3: Bob Reynolds – one-on-one conversations with the most intriguing personalities in rock, pop, rhythm and blues, jazz, hip-hop, country and classical music… the artists, musicians, and moguls who make the hit music you know best.
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Saxophone Powerhouse Bob Reynolds on Mastery, John Mayer, and More – Topics include melding John Mayer’s audience with his own; Approaches to composition; Bob’s unique take on a well-known rock tune; An innovative video lesson service; The best mindset to master material.
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Cool Careers – Bob Reynolds – Hear about the glory and the hard work playing music for a living.
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Advance Your Art Ep 3: Bob Reynolds – melody architect – An instantly recognizable player with his own musical vision who finds a way to fit in no matter what the situation. As a leader or a band member, Reynolds is focused on melody, connection, and emotion.
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Focus on the process, not the outcome – interview with Bob Reynolds – Bob shares his story and how he started teaching music online.
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Steven Spielberg, Kenny G, and John Mayer: An Interview with Saxophonist Bob Reynolds – an in-depth [written] interview.