dand666

We started about 3 years ago. First year it was playing pubs, charity gigs, the occasional birthday and basically anywhere we can get our name about! It took a while to get the gigs, we had to record a video an sync it up with some tracks. It didn't cost too much, mates rates e.t.c. 2nd year, we joined an agency, probably the biggest in the UK. Due to us playing just 50's, 60's and 70's we were a little niche therefore we soon got booked up for weddings, and ended up being booked for the entire year throughout the weekends. For this we used the same cheap video! 3rd year is where we are at now, currently on a ship in the North Sea, and heading to LA in Jan for the big cruise ships in America. It all starts from playing the pubs, the sh*tty clubs and the charity gigs. So just get your head down, learn as many songs as you can and play as many gigs as you can. Biggest tip I can give you is you need to get on an agency. You will get experience in playing high end corporate events and weddings, and you get paid soooo much more, as well as the fun of learning new songs for first dances e.t.c Keep at it dude.

We have to look smart each night, and our singer has to look 'glam' whatever that means... I think i have posted about them before, but we always based our look on Vintage Trouble. Looking sexy but with class lol

I and 3 members of my band use Set List Maker. Great app and we use it every single night on the ship.

Interesting thread for me. Currently on a ferry gig for 2 months, playing every single night for up to 5x45mins. My hands/arms are really starting to hurt. If anyone has anymore helpful tips please share!!

Transcribe, although I'm not entirely sure you can run it on a mac!

[quote name='lonestar' timestamp='1409591913' post='2541275'] Me neither The live (filmore east ?) version of Stormy Monday is terrific too! Great band [/quote] Duane was, like many others, ahead of his time. He got the best out of Clapton, if there are a few of you that have not (for some silly reason) checked out the Derek and Dominoes album, do it now. Phenomenal.

Always through the PA.

Can't get enough of Whipping Post. Too good.

[quote name='Veils' timestamp='1409020423' post='2535568'] I've just been talking to United Airlines about this since I'm almost certainly going to be flying with a bass for the first time. They tell me it's no problem to carry it on and put it in hand luggage, but does a bass typically fit in hand luggage? [/quote] That's the thing. Surely it doesn't?

Ok struggling to decide on what flight case to get, are there many differences to the so called flight cases around, compared to the standard hard cases for a bass?

Hate to bring up old threads, but for my own ego I thought I would. We've just been offered a 4 month cruise on Princess, leaving LA and down the east coast to Mexico starting in Jan! Over the moon. So to anyone trying, you can do it! I never ever thought I'd be able to play music for a living but it is possible. Keep working hard and it'll come.

With that, will you need a soft gig bag to place inside?

Can anyone recommend me a proper flight case? Or at least a good place to get one from.

[quote name='Musicman20' timestamp='1406033958' post='2507674'] I'm in the wrong game hahah! They seem to be earning more than a doctor/lawyer! [/quote] I know an acoustic guy who does pubs 5 days a week. All over Hampshire, West and East Sussex and Surrey. £200 a night. Easy peasy. He's awesome tho.

Know what you mean KevB. Try Lovely Rita or his later stuff, it's awesome. His best stuff (imo) was when he wasn't singing lead. Dear Prudence, While My Guitar Gently Weeps, Lucy In The Sky With Diamonds. Too melodic, the guy is a god.

[quote name='Musicman20' timestamp='1406027279' post='2507573'] The other route is to build up a good non-music related career, get to a good position financially, then cut back the hours once you are closer to the top of the rung and play more. Whether that is playing for money or the sheer fun of it, whichever way, it is money. There will obviously be a huge difference in expectations of financial rewards for playing gigs. I know plenty of good hard working bands who get paid petrol or nowt, but they play some decent festivals now, and have their own albums/EP's and a big following. That's gotta be where it's at for me. Cash as well? Well I won't say no... People singing along to your bands songs that you wrote? Priceless. If you can, I strongly suggest everyone tries the DIY approach of writing your own music, booking your own gigs, getting in a van, and just touring the UK for a week playing shows every night with your closest mates. I've only done it a few times but I would highly recommend it. It's basically like a holiday but with music and meeting new people night after night. Brilliant. Then of course you could go back to covers as well. Why not. [/quote] Completely agree, I think 99% of the musicians in function bands have been through that. I gave up the original stuff a few years back, but will get back on it again. I think all musicians do, it's the dream after all. We try and combine that lifestyle with our function band, we all go up together in a camper, party with the guests all night, then in the morning head off to the next gig or back home. We love the rock'n'roll lifestyle too much I think. I don't think I could be a pit musician because I love being on a stage. Digressing a little, but you're right. Basically as long as you're playing then that's all good.

[quote name='Dad3353' timestamp='1406025919' post='2507556'] That's exactly how I led all my different careers, including playing 'covers' (variety drumming...) for a living. I can honestly say I've never 'worked' in my life. I enjoyed it all. It can be done, but it's not always the most lucrative choice, financially. [/quote] Kudos to you. I don't get people who try to cling on to their integrity because they 'don't wanna play peoples songs', for me that doesn't make sense. I'll play anywhere and anything if it pays the bills. It's all music and it can all be appreciated. Don't get me wrong I've got friends in pro bands and they are doing fantastically well and getting super rich, but we all go down different routes. You're right it's not always great financially, but if someone offered me a cheque for £1mill and said stay in this office job for the rest of your life, I couldn't do it. Or do what your heart tells you, do what you want to do, enjoy life and enjoy music, but be skint. I'll take the latter.

[quote name='CamdenRob' timestamp='1406023459' post='2507516'] There is something to be said for this.... I only play originals as music isn't my job so I can afford to play whatever I like, I work Seven till Five during the week and it's boring as hell... As much as I have no interest musically in covers, would I play in a function band for the same money I get in my current job? ... of course I would. Me and Mrs C are looking at downsizing over the next couple of years and moving a bit further out of Central London... need to be less reliant on my salary then hopefully I can go part time and get involved in the music again... bit of teaching etc. [/quote] Do it if you can. I'll be good for you. I'm leaving a high paying job to pursue a music career, and it feels damn refreshing. Life is exciting again and it feels great. [quote name='crez5150' timestamp='1406023896' post='2507523'] I wish it was 2-3 hours..... if you want to make it pay you have to put a lot more in than that [/quote] I know what you mean, but actual playing time. For me, gigging on a weekend is not work, it's fun. Last weekend we had an awesome wedding, stayed up all night partying with the groom and his guests, and did not sleep till 6am. That's not work, that's a lifestyle. It's the work you put in behind the scenes that's tiring. Learning a huge rep, advertising, setting up and down e.t.c It's a hard job in that sense, but man is it worth it. It's the old cliché isn't it. If you enjoy your job then you never have to work a day in your life.

I've been doing it part time for the last two years, earning big money on the side and working full time during the week. However I'm soon to be leaving my job and doing cruise work. Got a 2 month contract in Oct, and then out to the Carribbean in Jan. It's has been hard work, but with a good business plan you can easily make a good wage out of a function band. Weddings in the UK in the summer can bag the band at least £1500 and if you can get around 1-2 a week, or a corporate event then everything is gravy. For me it's not about the money it's the lifestyle. The money is not always fantastic, but I'd rather work for 2-3 hours a day playing music than being stuck in an office for 8 hours working for the man. I can't do that sh*t anymore.

I play through a SVT 4-pro, it's heavy but got tons of features and sounds great.

Just found this, anyone trued the DigiTech whammy DT? Or the Morpheus Capo pedal?

Jack White is imo the modern day guitar hero. The guy is unbelievably talented and is very passionate about what he does.

I suffer from anxiety before the show, no matter what show it is, and a beer is the only thing that helps me. I've tried rescue remedy, kalms and other placebos and nothing is working. I think being a MU member, they have contact details for you to see a doctor about it, I need to read up on it ideally.. Anyone else suffer from Anxiety before a gig? And what do you do to calm it?

Gigs are workouts for me too. Past few months we've been doing weddings every Friday/Sat night, with the occasional Sunday, and come the 2nd night, I'm shattered. We also travel in a campervan, so we can't shower between gigs, having to wash at service stations is starting to lose its novelty.

[quote name='PaulWarning' timestamp='1401357746' post='2462718'] fair point, if it's what you do for a living, like the rest of us you get paid as much as you can but I would imagine most bassist on here don't depend on gigs for their main source of income and like me it's just a hobby, something I would do for nothing because I enjoy it, any money I get is just a bonus [/quote] Agreed, I would do it for free, and plenty of times I have done! As soon as you start depending on the money, it becomes a whole different matter. Still, I do believe being a musician is the best job in the world.