blue

[quote name='dave_bass5' timestamp='1507652610' post='3387011'] True, also bands looking for a bass player might not actually have any gigs until they get one. Im putting a band together (from the ashes of my old band) and wouldn't dream of booking a gig until the band was gig ready. I can get them, so have told prospective members this, but until i have a full line up im not going to mess agents etc around. In fact i had a few guitarists call up just like Blue. asking how many gigs we have booked, how much they will walk away with etc etc, and this was all on the assumption that i would actually want them in the band without an audition. Jokers the lot of em (especially as the ad said new band and explained all the above.). IME sometimes those chasing the money will also be time wasters. it works both ways. [/quote] I get where your coming from especially since your confident you can book a decent schedule. Sounds like your networked with a plan and good contacts. Most aren't. Blue

[quote name='jezzaboy' timestamp='1507662499' post='3387120'] As long as you enjoy being in a band that doesn`t really want to gig, wheres the problem? The problem comes when people get into it without really saying what it is they want to do.[/quote] Agreed, IMO you shouldn't be scouting out band opportunities until you have personally defined what your looking for in a band. Blue

[quote name='jezzaboy' timestamp='1507662499' post='3387120'] As long as you enjoy being in a band that doesn`t really want to gig, wheres the problem? [/quote] I don't believe there is a problem. Blue

[quote name='dave_bass5' timestamp='1507652610' post='3387011'] True, also bands looking for a bass player might not actually have any gigs until they get one. Im putting a band together (from the ashes of my old band) and wouldn't dream of booking a gig until the band was gig ready. I can get them, so have told prospective members this, but until i have a full line up im not going to mess agents etc around. In fact i had a few guitarists call up just like Blue. asking how many gigs we have booked, how much they will walk away with etc etc, and this was all on the assumption that i would actually want them in the band without an audition. Jokers the lot of em (especially as the ad said new band and explained all the above.). IME sometimes those chasing the money will also be time wasters. it works both ways. [/quote] I would never ask about money until I have been offered the job. Once I'm offered the job, that's when I ask the tough questions about band funds, how much it pays, how I get paid and when. At the bar band level I prefer cash on the spot right after I'm done playing. If it's big money or a decent salary, well that's different and something I can work with. Blue

[quote name='Les' timestamp='1507600690' post='3386699'] Having finished off a couple of drummers and a guitarist with our semi pro weekend warrior gig schedule I'd go to great lengths to point out that we're busy so the "just for fun" guys wouldn't waste their time and ours. I can't believe you had to research those ads and have conversations to establish that they didn't really gig or intend to. Why did they not just say what they're about in the advert ? [/quote] It might be a cultural thing Les. Some ads are more up-front and will clearly state, "If your looking for money, this ain't it" And I might add that I would bet that more guys are looking for "for fun" and one gig a month opportunities than fully booked weekends. Blue

I think some forget that were all in it for fun. Some of us are in it for fun & money. If your not having fun it's time to move on. Blue

[quote name='FinnDave' timestamp='1507578334' post='3386536'] I expect to be playing 2-6 gigs a month, anything less is not worth bothering with. Ideally, two gigs per weekend, not always possible, but an ideal to aim for. [/quote] Yeah, Dave your out there in the gig trenches like me. Twice a week is great, 3 is better. And for the real hustlers in our summer fair & festival season you can gig 4-5 times a week. When you don't work a traditional job it's completely reasonable and doable. I remember a time on New Year's Eve we would play a 3:00-7:00 pack up and go do a 9:00-1:00, loved it. However, it's really something everyone in the band has to be on board with, 100/%. Blue

[quote name='discreet' timestamp='1507577674' post='3386521'] I don't understand why you'd go to the trouble to learn an instrument, buy gear and rehearse songs with a band and then not do gigs, but as Pete says above, if that's what someone's looking for then he's the guy for the 'job'. I've joined such a band more than once under the impression that they were gigging, only to be disappointed after a short while when it became obvious that they were not, nor had any intention to. I was lied to on both occasions. Now I make [i]quite [/i]sure that everyone's on the same page. [/quote] Yeah it happens and for different reasons. A lot of good musicians are not good business people. At the local level they have no understanding of the market where they fit in, even where they would play. It's hard to get consistent re-booked gigs. Discreet , for the guy that's looking to gig, he should really get hard details on the booking strategy; *Where *When *How often *Gig fee Blue

[quote name='stingrayPete1977' timestamp='1507577235' post='3386509'] It doesn't matter as long as the right player gets the gig (or lack of),those gigs might be just right for a player that wants the same as the people advertising the position. [/quote] Can't argue that, these days there are some guys that want to play but have no interest in the hard work of a gig schedule. Blue

My first top notch rig, it was 1972. I had a brand new Ampeg SVT with covers, a 1957, pre-CBS Fender Precision Bass and a Meastro Phase Shifter. Great rig! Blue

Is local gigging officially over? I researched 3 Bass Player Wanted ads and after a few conversations found none of the bands had gigs booked or any interest in gigging.The 3 opportunities we're all based in this "for fun only" mentality. One response was " We gig around once a month at the local coffee shop for tips." I do understand that any band that's truly in business for profit with a full schedule probably doesn't advertise publicly. Blue

[quote name='miles'tone' timestamp='1507503754' post='3385968'] If you're on Netflix, check out Mr. Dynamite - the story of James Brown's early life and career. It's bloody brilliant and you owe it to yourself. [/quote] Agreed I couldn't move away from my TV. Blue

I watched it last night. I thought it was incredible. What a story! Unfortunately I think the doc will resonate more with those of us that grew up with Brown and watched his career and music evolve in real time. Was it me or did you think most of the musicians besdes Bootsy didn't have many kind words about Brown? I saw a lot if live footage I'd never seen before, fantastic! Blue

Depends on what segment of the bassist market we're talking about. I think the rock bar band "for profit"segment for bass players is in a rather fast decline everywhere. Blue

I've been a LuLu fan since To Sir With Love. Probably my favorite female pop vocalist from the UK. That lady can sing her butt off. Blue

[quote name='peteb' timestamp='1507241826' post='3384260'] [color=#282828][font=helvetica, arial, sans-serif]Location/Venue: A youth club summer disco in Bingley[/font][/color] [color=#282828][font=helvetica, arial, sans-serif]Age: 16[/font][/color] [color=#282828][font=helvetica, arial, sans-serif]Bass: Fender Musicmaster[/font][/color] [color=#282828][font=helvetica, arial, sans-serif]Amp: Marshall Supa lead / bass 100w[/font][/color] [color=#282828][font=helvetica, arial, sans-serif]Set list: S[/font][/color]uffragette City / Jailbreak / Wishing Well / Smoke On The Water / Let There Be Rock All in all the gig went pretty well but it was obvious that the lead player wasn't cutting it,so we decided to get another one. The guy we got in was a lot better player and wanted to join us as we had actually played a gig! Unfortunately he was also a bit of a d*ck, so the band broke up after one solitary gig...! [/quote] Cool story, I've always wanted to play Jail Break. Such a cool authentic rock song. Blue

[quote name='interpol52' timestamp='1507234193' post='3384180'] By the sound of these experiences, the first gigs we do are way more exciting than the ones we do now! [/quote] It was exciting, but for me, my gig this Saturday night will be just as exciting. Blue

6th grade talent show 1965 12 years old Imotation Violin style Beatle bass, a borrowed Fender piggy back Bassman We played Cleo's Back & Function at The Junction. Blue The above, while I keep my mouth shut it's why I have problems relating to younger musicians and those that started playing later in life. They usually have a hard time relating to me. Blue

[quote name='trav164' timestamp='1507033213' post='3382854'] Hi all, Just wanting some advice and tips as I've found myself stuck in a rut for sometime not really improving significantly. I tended to start out playing just from tabs but recently began to learn my notes and am now able to learn a song by ear if a tab isn't available. However I struggle to find any creativity when creating fills and find myself repeating the same sort of pattern that obviously doesn't fit with every scenario. I'm also in talks with a few friends which want to start playing together so having the ability to create nice fills is a must. Just want to get some advice and tips on the best way to move forward and keep improving at a steady pace. Cheers, [/quote] Most of my improvement over the years came from gigging. Don't practice stuff you know that's fun to play. Practice stuff you don't know that's challenging and not fun. Blue

[quote name='bassjim' timestamp='1506937895' post='3382048'] From my perspective as a bassist,I think knowing the material inside out and knowing your gear helps. I find the more confident I am with the material the more chilled I am. Once at the venue, getting a good bass sound from the moment I plug in is always a bonus. Or a good sound check when the band overall sounds good. This puts me in a very good mental state. I dont like to get anywhere too early if it means hanging around for hours. Unless its important to do otherwise I find an hour prior to playing is good. For me the more I am prepared with material the more relaxed I am. The usual stick in the spokes awaits me at the gig so the better I know the material the better I can cope with what is thrown at me at the gig. Usually other band members lack or prep or sonic issues that are beyond my control. [/quote] Agreed, Knowing the material like the back of your hand and having your gear in check helps a lot. But like you say, there are things out of our control. Blue

[quote name='alyctes' timestamp='1506980180' post='3382560'] [/quote] "Young people should be seen and not heard and old people should be heard but not seen" Grace Slick, Jefferson Airplane Blue

[quote name='FinnDave' timestamp='1506962250' post='3382352'] I love Sunday afternoon gigs, but we don't get to pay them very often. Having people keen enough to call the venue to make sure you're paying there is very cool! [/quote] Thanks Dave Blue

[quote name='kevin_lindsay' timestamp='1506981568' post='3382574'] Sadly, yes, he has passed away. Very sad news. [/quote] I can't find one death confirmation. Blue

Nice crowd for a Sunday gig, 3:00-7:00. We're so lucky to have a following built up over the last 12 years. It was nice to understand that people had called The Road House to confirm we were performing as well as seeing and responding to all our social media promotion. The band was on fire, it's a great sounding room. Blue

[quote name='mrtcat' timestamp='1506840507' post='3381377'] This is pretty much the way we work too. However, as we play a lot of weddings it's very common for us to be sitting outside ready to start setting up whilst everything inside over runs. We then get the nod from the organisers to set up only to find they want us on in half an hour lol. That's why weddings command a bigger fee but that adds just a tiny bit more pressure. [/quote] Is there ever a verbal or written contract that would say; "the band will require entrance to the hall 1.5 hours prior to the performance to set up equipment" ? Blue