If You're On Time, You're Late

Musician self awareness reality check time.....

• You've got a gig at 8pm this Saturday.  Soundcheck is at 6.  What time do you show up?
• You've got a rehearsal tomorrow at 7pm and it's 30 minutes away.  What time do you leave?
• Your first lesson with a new teacher is today at 4pm.  What time do you arrive?
• You're meeting for coffee at noon with an old friend who is now a booking agent to discuss their interest in your band.  What time do you get to the coffee shop?

Your history-defined answers to these questions may sum up your general level of respect for other people's time.  Or at least uncover to you how it is perceived by any of the above people that may be affected by your time: your bandmates, your teacher, the booking agent, etc.

If you're the type of person that is still on the couch watching the last 15 minutes of a Who's The Boss rerun when you have a soundcheck that's 20 minutes away ..well....

If you're the type of person that shows up to a lesson just as the lesson is about to begin, and you need to take off your jacket, unpack your bass, locate your music, tune your bass, use the bathroom, check your favorite social media site, respond to your BFF's text messages, etc, etc.. well...

If you've setup or been called to a meeting to sell your band and you're not ready to instantly give your pitch or first you need to wait in that long lineup to get your double mint chip mocha frappa num num...well...

...well....you are disrespectfully wasting one or more person's time.  Did I mention disrespectfully?

now... if you're the type of person that plans it out and knows that for a soundcheck at 6 you need to give yourself at least 30 minutes from the time you walk on the stage to be able to play a note after setup and the venue is 30 minutes away, it's raining so people will be driving slower, give yourself an extra 15 mins, plus it's Friday night so downtown will be crazy...extra 10-15 for parking.... then you know you're going to need to leave at the very least 4:30 or 4:45pm to get there with plenty of time to setup and be ready.

You want to be a professional?  This is how professionals work.

Yes you may be early and have time to kill before everyone else shows up and is ready .... but... oh wait...you'll be early and have time to kill. That's good.  It means you're setup ..and ready to groove..or ready to learn...or ready to sell.

No.. you probably won't get a pat on the back because you're early and setup ready to go or an award for Most Punctual Musician of the Year but.... people will know you're reliable, professional, and they'll want to work with you.

Priceless.