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Code of Conduct

If you're planning to play with me, please be advised of the following "Codes of Professional Conduct" expected...

• A professional player arrives at the time expected and is ready to set up and go by the time expected as well.
• A professional player knows how to use resources to ensure that transportation connections are made.  Yahoo 電車
• A professional player is able to set up in a timely matter causing minimal demands or inconvenience to his or her colleagues or the venue, and can discuss any special needs prior to the session.
• A professional player does not cancel after the date is CONFIRMED.
• A professional player is willing to take directions from the leader of the group.
• A professional player is able to handle rejection without having a sense of embarrassment or entitlement.
• A professional player views all behind the scenes business as CONFIDENTIAL, and expects his or her business to respected as CONFIDENTIAL as well.
• A professional player listens carefully to the expectations of the bandleader and knows when it is appropriate to refuse a gig offer.
• A professional player comes to the gig prepared and makes the utmost effort to work with whatever is available relative to the situation and does not complain in front of clients or fans.
• A professional maintains calmness and appropriate cordiality in all playing situations and is a good guest at all times.
• A professional player returns correspondences and phone calls from the band leader promptly.
• A professional player knows how to appropriately greet the leader, other musicians, and clients and fans when entering a studio or venue.
• A professional player dresses appropriately for the gig, discussing it in advance when necessary.  
• A professional player maintains eye contact with the bandleader as much as possible as well as side musicians overall.
• A professional player shows interest and enthusiasm in the music that is being played.
• A professional player does not drink on gigs paid for by private clients unless invited to do so.
• A professional player does not drink until after the final set unless with permission from the leader and then, assumes that he or she will be responsible for paying for his or her drinks unless otherwise specified.
• A professional player discusses payment issues prior to the gig, and confirms them.
• A professional player does not engage in self-promotion during commissioned gigs without first discussing it with the bandleader.
• A professional player never "competes with" or drowns out the soloist.  The job of the sideman is to make the leader look good.
• A professional player never argues with the bandleader or other musicians or expresses any kind of dissatisfaction in front of fans or clients.
• A professional player comes to the gig looking fresh, healthy and alert.
• The professional player agrees to speak favorably of those he or she has worked with or not speak about them at all and expects the same treatment.
• A professional player never feels that no gig that he or she AGREES to accept is beneath him or her... or at least, keeps any such opinion to his or her self.
• A professional player does not solicit a bandleader's client for his or her own gigs while on a gig, and after, as a matter of courtesy discusses it with the bandleader first.
• A professional player thanks fellow musicians, the bandleader and as appropriate fans and venue representatives prior to leaving and is sure to leave the studio or venue in the same condition it was when he or she came.

There are, of course, exceptions to many of these rules, but in general musicians who decide not to follow the vast majority of these points will be penalized as follows:
First offense:  A Dirty look.
Second offense:  An even dirtier look, and private discussion on the matter...
Third Offense: Ass being banned from any performance situation that I have any control over.