Active Band Man Chats - Sub Skill Sets -

Today's theme is a bit unusual. We are going to talk about essential sub skills for a band musician!

Sorry?

It's called SUB SKILLS!

So...

For example, your main job is to play bass, right, Horry? I mean, your main skill.

...Yes.

But if you have any other special skills, those are called your sub skills.

I see.

If you are a versatile musician and can play multiple instruments, you can play all the instruments by yourself. Like you can record and make an album all by yourself.

Yeah, multi-instrumentalists.

Such as Prince and Lenny Kravitz.

Yup!

I want to try it once but I absolutely can't. I don't have this kind of sub skill set. Lol.

There are Japanese musicians who are able to play multiple instruments... but is that not what you're talking about now?

Nope. What I'm talking about are the skills that have nothing to do with music! For example, "tarot card reading" for me.

Oh, it's not related to music. Lol.

I've been fortune telling in local magazine articles and on the radio.

Yeah, I know.

Also, regularly on cable TV.

Not as a musician.

Yeah! I'm often called for events only as a fortune teller. Like, "you don't have to sing." Lol.

In my case, it's a little different, but... as a so-called roadie.

Yup! We need you since you're an excellent roadie. You have always been helpful.
*Horry has been working in the Captains merch booth as well.

It's a behind-the-scenes job.

He's awesome. When Horry works in the merch booth, items sell really well!

So, I'm known to some people as a roadie, not as a bassist (bitter smile). I wonder if this is also a musician's sub skill. Lol.

Yes, it is. It's a good one. Also, some are working as creators, right?

There are people who compose, write lyrics, and provide them.

Like producing. Well, it's music-related so it's natural. Some can repair or customize guitars because they love guitars so much. Also..., some can design stuff.

Akira, the leader of the Show Words, can draw and design logos.

So can Norihiko Ogura from Uranino. Design skills come in useful for band related promotion activities such as CD covers and merch.

Yes.

And also..., those who can shoot music videos. We had Yuta Miwa from our friends' band ELIZABETH.EIGHT to shoot the Captains music video, and it was great to be shot from a musician's point of view.

I see, that's also a good skill.

It's a bit uncommon, but I even know someone who runs a theater company.

Speaking of skills, there are also national certifications...

Of course those are sub skills as well! The bassist of the Captains, Ted, has certificates for hot spring and coffee sommelier, and even bookkeeping. Lol.

I know. Lol. The reason we're talking about sub skills here is that it could have a positive effect on music if you can show or spread it through social media, although it seems to have nothing to do with music.

Yup. It's relatively important. On the contrary, skills that have nothing to do with music can lead you to meet interesting people. I mean, you can make connections with people that you can't meet at a music venue.

Agree. A comedian who is familiar with home appliances is called a "home appliance comedian" and they gain a new audience. For example, the way people look at someone changes, it would be nice for us musicians to have something like that.

I'm a "fortune-telling musician"? Lol.

So, I'm a "roadie musician"? Lol.

That's putting the cart before the horse! Lol. That's it for me.

But, if you're a musician and have some sub skills, just write about it on social media. You might get an unexpected reaction and it might be helpful for your band.

Yes, and everything?

Is for love!