Daniel Fraser-Betts is a 19 year old musician from London. As well as studying for his degree, Dan is building a name for himself as a highly regarded young session player. He also plays bass guitar in two bands - The Shy and Tayla Kate. The Shy were recently selected from over 2,000 applicants to perform at Beach Break Live, a major music festival in Cornwall.

What was the most valuable lesson you learnt from your school days?
Never pretend to be someone you’re not just to fit in. What's the point of having 50 fake friends when you can have 3 real ones? Having personal integrity commands more respect in the long run than being artificial.

Can you tell me a little bit about what you are doing now musically?
I’m currently playing for two young singer/songwriters both located in Southend (Essex). Sheila Lord and The Shy which is an acoustic folk project with lots of harmonies, and Tayla Kate a young blues and pop vocalist.

What are the best and worst parts about trying to make it in the music business?
The best parts and the worst parts are the people you meet! Some of them are fantastic, dynamic, encouraging and vibrant people who are a joy to be around and create music with. Then there are others who have little regard for musicians and just want to use and abuse you to make money and then discard you. There are two crucial words to remember – Music and Business – and you can’t forget it is a business so it’s really good to have your wits about you as in any business there’s always the odd rogue trader ready to try and rip you off.

When you were at school did you know what you wanted to do for a career?
I’m very lucky because I decided at 13 that I wanted to be a musician and so have never looked back. Many of my friends now six years on still have no idea what they want to do, but I’m 100% sure of my path!

How do you make a talent became your job?
You have to be willing to learn and this sometimes might mean studying areas that you may not find as enjoyable as the playing. For instance, learning to read music and learning your theory is vital. But also, you have to watch things like your image as that’s important in this industry too. I’m just lucky that I love learning most music theory because I enjoy seeing how it’s relevant to my playing. A lot of people say they don’t learn theory because it crushes creativity. I totally disagree! The more you know, the more liberated you are. I know that a Lydian dominant or a Dorian scale sounds the funkiest! That means when I’m playing funk, I can have sooo much more fun than someone who just knows the major scale.

You also have to be persistent, good natured and let a lot of things go over your head. If you want to make it as a session player for instance, you’re probably going to have to play all sorts gigs in good, bad and terrible venues as well as music that you sometimes don’t enjoy. Sometimes you have to work with people who you might not get along with. But if you can do that, you’ll eventually get the gigs you always dreamed of as people will start recommending you. It’s like art: you can’t just paint exactly what you want to nowadays. You have to be able to do the stuff that is commercially viable! But making any sort of music and getting paid for it is still preferable to me than stacking shelves in a supermarket or working in an office.

Why do you think it’s important to support young people's talents?
Because it’s so hard to make it in this industry! There's your skill, your theory, your image, your age, can you drive? It all adds up to a load of possible barriers or difficulties which at any point could persuade someone to give up. Giving talented young musicians the support to keep going in an industry where you get rejected a lot is vital to ensuring they have self confidence and stand a chance!

Who in your life has helped you to Shine? Who really inspires you?
It may sound cliché but my parents are a huge inspiration to me. My dad is a fantastic musician, he's been one for many years and if it’s got strings, he can play it! He has been hugely supportive of me which has helped me become the musician I am today. My mother’s work ethic and morals have been totally reflected in me too. She always made me work for anything in life whether it’s an instrument or laptop to do my university work on, and now I’m always willing to put the hard work in if I can see the goal at the end. My old bass tutor was seriously tough to please. I started my first course (national diploma performing musician Access to Music) with 7 other bassists in my group. I was the only one left by the end of the two years but I passed with double distinction. He made me work so hard and only ever once acknowledged me at the end of my course, but without that I don't think I would have had the drive to be better.

What other talents do you have?
Apart from playing the bass guitar, I’m pretty competent on the piano and I sing too. I don't have a lead vocal voice but I can sing backing vocals and really enjoy doing harmonies. I used to be an aspiring actor from a young age and did five years of drama school which really helped me become the confident performer I am today. That mixed with the 300+ gigs I’ve done means that I rarely get nervous for performances. I’m also bit of a computer wizard and can take a PC apart and put it back together. Actually, my parents often give me a ring asking for advice to fix the computer. Other than that... I can pour a pint pretty well!

How do you think schools can help young people to develop their ideas and have the confidence to take them forward?
Ensuring that the resources are there if people want them! My school had a studio of sorts and it all worked, they provided tutors for any instrument you wanted. I think someone was even asking about getting harp lessons and they were looking into it. But it’s important to make sure that the right resources are available and that the kids know about that.

What do you think about the Shine festival of talent? Is it something you would have engaged with if it was available while you were at school?
Definitely. I wasn’t that good a player when I was in school but I thought I was so I probably would have gone out there and made a fool out of myself quite happily!

What’s the best advice anyone's ever given you?
That's a tough one. My science teacher told me not to drink hydrochloric acid, I’m pretty glad he did!

What advice would you give to young people wanting to go into the music industry?
Seriously I think my advice would be, "If there’s something you really want to do, then just do it!" Honestly, it can be hard to do that but if you can it will really make a difference to your life. You wanna lose weight? Join Weight Watchers, go to the gym. It’s really that simple. If you really wanna do it, the only person who is going to stop you is yourself!

Be professional! Always, and NEVER EVER be late, for anything! You can get a gig just for being the only one who turned up on time.

Where do you see yourself in 5 years?
I will have finished my degree with a First, I will have passed my Masters in Jazz and I will be financially stable in my own home working as a successful musician!

I say "I will" because that's what I want to do, so I am going to do it!