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Session Musician

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April 29, 2024 Updated June 11, 2025 21 minute read

Exploring a Career as a Session Musician

A session musician, often called a studio musician or backing musician, is a versatile instrumentalist or vocalist hired on a project-by-project basis to perform in recording sessions or live performances. Unlike permanent band members, session musicians contribute their expertise for a specific period, whether it's for a single track, an entire album, or a concert tour. They are the skilled professionals who bring musical arrangements to life, often anonymously, across a vast array of musical projects. This career path can be exciting for those who love musical diversity, collaboration, and the intricate process of creating music.

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Salaries for Session Musician

City
Median
New York
$68,000
San Francisco
$81,000
Austin
$45,000
See all salaries
City
Median
New York
$68,000
San Francisco
$81,000
Austin
$45,000
Toronto
$55,000
London
£36,000
Paris
€26,500
Berlin
€22,000
Tel Aviv
₪443,000
Singapore
S$62,000
Beijing
¥16,000
Shanghai
¥129,800
Bengalaru
₹1,000,000
Delhi
₹195,000
Bars indicate relevance. All salaries presented are estimates. Completion of this course does not guarantee or imply job placement or career outcomes.

Path to Session Musician

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We've curated 24 courses to help you on your path to Session Musician. Use these to develop your skills, build background knowledge, and put what you learn to practice.
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Provides a comprehensive overview of advanced guitar techniques, covering everything from extended chords and scales to arpeggios and sweep picking.
Comprehensive guide to jazz guitar, covering a wide range of topics from basic chords and scales to advanced improvisation techniques.
Comprehensive guide to metal guitar, covering a wide range of topics from basic chords and scales to advanced soloing techniques.
Comprehensive guide to blues guitar, covering a wide range of topics from basic chords and scales to advanced soloing techniques.
Comprehensive guide to acoustic guitar, covering a wide range of topics from basic chords and scales to advanced fingerstyle techniques.
Comprehensive guide to ukulele, covering a wide range of topics from basic chords and scales to advanced strumming techniques.
Comprehensive guide to mandolin, covering a wide range of topics from basic chords and scales to advanced bluegrass techniques.
Comprehensive guide to fingerpicking guitar, covering a wide range of styles and techniques.
Beginner-friendly guide to playing blues guitar, covering everything from basic chords and scales to improvisation techniques.
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