FinnDave Posted March 31, 2016 Share Posted March 31, 2016 [quote name='RockfordStone' timestamp='1459415440' post='3016254'] [color=#282828][font=helvetica, arial, sans-serif]musicians be they full time or part time are equal.[/font][/color] [/quote] But some are more equal than others, of course Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
AustinArto Posted March 31, 2016 Share Posted March 31, 2016 [quote name='blue' timestamp='1459378094' post='3016069']The old I have a job, so I'm better than you full time musicians. Lame[/quote] Your own post implied that those musicians who don't play for money (the majority) are less successful than you. Or that they are lesser musicians. When I was in my early 20s I did make a living playing bass for a few years although I was playing originals, which I'm sure you'll agree is harder to make a living doing and means that I was more successful than you which makes you the lesser musician. But I was living in the USA at the time and it's ridiculously easy to make a living touring a live band over there. Certainly when compared to doing the same thing here in the UK. You might want to bear that in mind in future when you are bragging about your esteemed 'professional' status. I will now take my oar back out again because I've got to load into the studio for a rehearsal for a band which has no intention of ever gigging. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
icastle Posted March 31, 2016 Share Posted March 31, 2016 Play for long enough and socialise with other musicians and the problem goes away. If I have an urge to play something different to what I normally play I just pick up my phone book (I'm not a fan of electronic phone books ), ring up a few people and can put together a gig ready band in a matter of a couple of weeks. It'll last for a little while and then we'll all drift off again and do other stuff. Next time round the focus will change and there'll be other faces involved because they bring something different to the overall mix. I have a couple of regular 'core' bands, but everything else is a 'project' with a fluid membership that keeps stuff interesting. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
blue Posted March 31, 2016 Share Posted March 31, 2016 [quote name='lojo' timestamp='1459355013' post='3015748'] To me there are 2 things I like to do 1. Play gigs and enjoy the party side of things 2. Play music for the sake of music I can seldom combine the 2 but sometimes it happens, so I have to enjoy both separately [/quote] At gigs, I'm hired to entertain, were the help.We're there to work and create a party atmosphere for the client. Blue Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JTUK Posted March 31, 2016 Share Posted March 31, 2016 [quote name='Truckstop' timestamp='1459290763' post='3015275'] Hello all, Does anyone else ever feel a little depressed sometimes about not playing the sort of music you'd really like to be playing/creating? My problem is, is that my tastes change from week to week. Sometimes I want to be a vocalist for a death metal band and then the next week I want to start an acoustic duo playing Elbow covers. I've got a band which I'm really happy with but I find it really hard to focus when my mind wanders and starts thinking of other projects I could start. I've had a couple of jams with some friends playing different stuff to my main band which was great fun but I'm bored of it already and totally ready to try something else. Anyway, it just gets me down sometimes when there's so much great music out there and, as a musician, I feel like I'm not contributing enough or I'm not playing stuff that really means something to me. Does everyone else sort of swallow this feeling and get on with it? I'm amazed by people that can play the same songs over and over for years. I've been playing covers for a while now and even though I've always made an effort to try to stay away from the usual suspects I still feel totally unfulfilled. At the same time, I really enjoy being in my band and, aside from the music, it's good for me to have a regular creative outlet to distract me from work and stuff. Sometimes I feel like it'd be a good idea to ditch covers and work on original stuff but I dunno I just worry that my ideas would get lost in translation once other people get involved so I don't bother trying to make anything of it. Anyone else ever feel very very small against the sum of human musical endeavour? I certainly do! [/quote] I have very clear ideas and goals so the plan is to push on and improve on the last incarnation. I feel I'm doing that as a player so I expect bands to do it as well. The reason it is hard to join bands is because the line-up predates you and is out of your control so it is best to put your own outfits together. If I felt unfullfilled I wouldn't be in that band that made me feel that way... You have to make compromises, sure...but they shouldn't be fundemental ones.. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
blue Posted March 31, 2016 Share Posted March 31, 2016 (edited) I've been on Bass Chat long enough to be honest. Regarding being in multiple bands. I contend that these guys that say they're in like 4-5 bands. There are only 3 weekends in a month. If your in that many bands they can't be bands with many gigs. There would be to many schedule conflicts to deal with. Blue Edited March 31, 2016 by blue Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dad3353 Posted March 31, 2016 Share Posted March 31, 2016 [quote name='blue' timestamp='1459447829' post='3016751'] I've been on Bass Chat long enough to be honest. Regarding being in multiple bands. I contend that these guys that say they're in like 4-5 bands. There are only 3 weekends in a month. If your in that many bands they can't be bands with many gigs. There would be to many schedule conflicts to deal with. Blue [/quote] This is what happens when one permits folks to accept 'math' as being correct instead of 'maths'. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JapanAxe Posted March 31, 2016 Share Posted March 31, 2016 I have 3 answers to the OP: 1. I play regularly in 2 bands tin different genres, and dep with just about anyone, so there is plenty of variety for me. 2. It doesn't bother me that the it's not my original material, or the band's original material - somebody wrote it originally! 3. I don't choose to listen to Blink 182, Abba, or Gilbert & Sullivan, but it's a lot of fun playing the songs, as well as frequently challenging. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
gjones Posted March 31, 2016 Share Posted March 31, 2016 I know what you mean. I'd like to be challenged. But the musicians I know are all breadheads. They're happy wallowing in their rut as long as they get paid. If I have to play Bad Moon Rising again, I think I might go postal. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
blue Posted March 31, 2016 Share Posted March 31, 2016 [quote name='gjones' timestamp='1459462808' post='3016940'] I know what you mean. I'd like to be challenged. But the musicians I know are all breadheads. They're happy wallowing in their rut as long as they get paid. If I have to play Bad Moon Rising again, I think I might go postal. [/quote] I guess I'm lucky, my band doesn't play that song or any of the songs that stereotype cover bands. Blue Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Truckstop Posted April 1, 2016 Author Share Posted April 1, 2016 Thanks for everyone's thoughts, it's nice to hear that some people kind of feel the same way I do. I suppose I didn't really articulate myself very well in the OP because I wanted the emphasis to be something like this: There's loads of great music out there. Great bands, great sounds, people that look amazing performing and massive bodies of work. And my contribution to this is... well, nothing really. And sometimes it makes me feel really insignificant and the output of other artists is quite intimidating really. It's not like I feel destined to be a great and lauded musician, I just think that my personal contribution to the world of music should be more than a couple nights a month down the Frog and Twat for £50. I'm taking your advice, Basschat, and I'm going to make a concerted effort to get involved and satisfy my own insecurities by producing my own music. Then at least I can say I tried! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rich Posted April 2, 2016 Share Posted April 2, 2016 [quote name='blue' timestamp='1459291001' post='3015279'] My band is working and getting paid. I'm musically fulfilled. Blue [/quote] Sounds more like fiscally fulfilled if you ask me. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
lowlandtrees Posted April 2, 2016 Share Posted April 2, 2016 I agree here but I think 'depressed' is too strong a word. I have been in 4 or 5 bands and the best ones were not functioning democracies. One or two guys decided the material direction and we followed. Worked fine and we had fun and local success. I got a recording set up and wrote my own stuff but that is also unfulfilled as it is only myself who plays it. Haven t found the middle way yet. Of course there are bands that are lucky to have everyone on the same page but I am guessing mostly not. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
blue Posted April 2, 2016 Share Posted April 2, 2016 (edited) [quote name='Rich' timestamp='1459603511' post='3018012'] Sounds more like fiscally fulfilled if you ask me. [/quote] Well, how can one ever be completely fulfilled. We play a genre I'm well versed in and love playing.And with cool, top notch bandmates Getting paid is an important part of being a musician. Blue Edited April 2, 2016 by blue Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RockfordStone Posted April 2, 2016 Share Posted April 2, 2016 [quote name='blue' timestamp='1459623645' post='3018199'] Getting paid is an important part of being a musician. [/quote] yes.... if you are doing it to make a living... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
discreet Posted April 2, 2016 Share Posted April 2, 2016 (edited) [quote name='Truckstop' timestamp='1459495267' post='3017044'] There's loads of great music out there. Great bands, great sounds, people that look amazing performing and massive bodies of work. And my contribution to this is... well, nothing really. And sometimes it makes me feel really insignificant and the output of other artists is quite intimidating really. [/quote] I used to feel like that in the 70s back when there were far fewer bands and way less recorded material available. If you're always comparing yourself to others you'll never get anywhere. Forget 'em and concentrate on what [i]you're [/i]doing. How do you eat an elephant? One small piece at a time. As to playing music you're not sure about, I joined a band recently on a whim and suddenly I'm doing way more gigs than I've ever done in my entire career and I'm having a really great time doing them. It's not a genre I would have chosen and not a genre ever I listen to given the choice, but the advantages far outweigh the disadvantages, so I don't care! And (whisper it)... I'm getting paid, too. Edited April 2, 2016 by discreet Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
blue Posted April 2, 2016 Share Posted April 2, 2016 (edited) [quote name='discreet' timestamp='1459625313' post='3018220'] I used to feel like that in the 70s back when there were far fewer bands and way less recorded material available. If you're always comparing yourself to others you'll never get anywhere. Forget 'em and concentrate on what [i]you're [/i]doing. How do you eat an elephant? One small piece at a time. As to playing music you're not sure about, I joined a band recently on a whim and suddenly I'm doing way more gigs than I've ever done in my entire career and I'm having a really great time doing them. It's not a genre I would have chosen and not a genre ever I listen to given the choice, but the advantages far outweigh the disadvantages, so I don't care! And (whisper it)... I'm getting paid, too. [/quote] You see, this guy gets it. I know too many really good musicians that are so genre restricted, their musical talent will never leave the basement or bedroom. Blue Edited April 2, 2016 by blue Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
AustinArto Posted April 3, 2016 Share Posted April 3, 2016 What do you mean by genre-restricted? You mean there are types of music they're not interested in playing? I've played a lot of different music over the years but I've never wanted to play something popular just to get a crowd, I'd much rather play music I'm really into, even if nobody else is! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
blue Posted April 3, 2016 Share Posted April 3, 2016 (edited) [quote name='AustinArto' timestamp='1459679210' post='3018517'] What do you mean by genre-restricted? You mean there are types of music they're not interested in playing? I've played a lot of different music over the years but I've never wanted to play something popular just to get a crowd, I'd much rather play music I'm really into, even if nobody else is! [/quote] Your missing my point. The musicians in the clip are pros and not restricted at all and why they sound so good. They seem well rounded. I'm talking about any guy that sits in his bedroom alone because he will only play one genre nobody else is interested in. My comment is about guys that limit and restrict because they can't and won't play anything out of they're comfort zone. Blue Edited April 3, 2016 by blue Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
AustinArto Posted April 3, 2016 Share Posted April 3, 2016 Hmm. OK well I think you're off the mark a bit then. I think the only major 'genre' of music I've never played is straight-ahead rock, and yet here I am making music with a small bunch of people who don't want to gig. I don't want to gig either. I think you're assuming that everybody's motivation is the same as yours, but why would that be the case? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
discreet Posted April 3, 2016 Share Posted April 3, 2016 (edited) [quote name='AustinArto' timestamp='1459703824' post='3018761'] ...here I am making music with a small bunch of people who don't want to gig. I don't want to gig either. [/quote] I don't understand why you or your small bunch of people don't want to gig, but I will defend your right not to gig with my life!! Edited April 3, 2016 by discreet Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
FinnDave Posted April 3, 2016 Share Posted April 3, 2016 I probably have a very restricted outlook on life, as I cannot begin to understand why anyone wants to play an instrument and not perform in front of people. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
discreet Posted April 3, 2016 Share Posted April 3, 2016 [quote name='FinnDave' timestamp='1459706631' post='3018798'] I probably have a very restricted outlook on life, as I cannot begin to understand why anyone wants to play an instrument and not perform in front of people. [/quote] I don't understand it either, but obviously it's up to the individual! What gets right on my tits is when you join a band, spend time rehearsing and realise that they never had any intention whatsoever to do any gigs - but deliberately withheld this information, just to acquire the services of a bass player. This has happened to me twice now - when I joined my current band I made it clear what I wanted to do and what would happen if there were no gigs in the offing. So of course now I'm doing more gigs than I can handle. But I can't really complain, can I?? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
FinnDave Posted April 3, 2016 Share Posted April 3, 2016 Well, you could complain if you really made an effort. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
discreet Posted April 3, 2016 Share Posted April 3, 2016 [quote name='FinnDave' timestamp='1459707066' post='3018812'] Well, you could complain if you really made an effort. [/quote] I will, I will... I just need a little rest... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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