The world of depping

[kiat]

This world of depping is new to me and I'm enjoying the entree  

 

Those that dep, please share your tips and experiences!  

 

Anyone with other questions please chime in.

 

• What works for you, when need to perform large setlists (most which you didn't know before)?
• How much notice do you usually get (e.g. availability check, confirmation)?
• Do you have any principles for fee (e.g. same as the bassist you're replacing or regular band member, cash, delayed transfer)?
• Any good habits that help you get on with your bandmates and perform better as a dep?
• Do you read when performing (sheet, tablet - notation, tab, chord charts) if some of the band does?
• Any generic practice or preparation that is particular useful for depping bassists?
• Clothing: anything you have had to wear in particular, that has got used ?  

 

# Background

So after many stops and starts playing bass over the years with a few startup originals and covers bands, with extra time on my hands to practice and play more, I've found myself getting into depping (been asked twice by the same band leader for 2 different bands: a large soul band and a rock band: all popular covers for pubs &functions).  It was a bit daunting to be asked at very short notice - it was 30 hours before the gig - though they'd asked whether I'd generally be interested a couple of months before, but no commitment or gig in place. 30+ soul and funk songs, 23 or so, that I'd never learnt before.  It was sketchy for a number of reasons on the 1st gig, but the one the next evening went better.  I've more notice on this next one - a full week, yay! - and it's 30+ rock songs of which I'm working through now.

 

2nd dep gig, a couple of weeks ago...

 

 

 

[hiram.k.hackenbacker]

I started depping many years ago.

The first was in an 80’s band and I took over as the permanent bass player when the original left.

He didn’t really leave, I think the band just got too busy for him. The great thing is he's a really nice guy and has since depped for me on the odd occasion that I haven’t been able to make a date.

I’m now depping for two other bands, but I do get quite a bit of notice. Neither of them rehearse; not with me anyway.

The main issue is song structure. Since the only time I get to play the songs with them is at a gig, it’s very difficult to keep track of the ‘quirks’ they’ve added into certain tunes.

I generally resort to keep a very close eye on the drummer who knows the set backwards

I always get a set well in advance which always has keys next to each song, but structure is the bug bear.

I have a dep gig with one of them tonight. Loads of songs I haven’t played for a while.

Fortunately 99% of them are in the original key, so I can familiarise myself with them today before I go out.

I enjoy depping. There is something dangerous about it which keeps it fresh.

Well done for stepping into it. I’m they are very grateful for your help.

 

P.S.

I get what the other guy/gal would have been paid.

I wear what I like within rough guidelines.

I always have an iPad with me as they do like to chuck in ones I haven’t prepped for.

I have charts for 419 songs on it at the moment.

[chris_b]

You are making someone else’s gig happen so make the transition seamless.

 

Be on time, know the material, sound good, look the part, make sure you know what the band leader wants and be flexible.

 

Apart from that the floor is yours.

[Franticsmurf]

I've just started 'proper' depping (as opposed to helping out with bands I used to be in). I've done several gigs for one band and I have a gig next Saturday with a new lot. Both bands supplied setlists via Spotify. I had three questions - Are they all in the original keys, are there any surprises with arrangements and what's the dress code? For both bands the answers were yes, no and we don't have one. The reality for the first band was: Original keys? Yes, apart from the two that weren't which I found about about on the night - one of which I had to transpose on the fly, the other I had a few minutes to work on. Any surprises? No. Apart from the the one where our regular bass player signals the rest of the band to come in and the one where the singer always gets lost in the middle and may come in early or late... or on time (again, only made clear on the night). Dress code? No. But they all decided to wear shorts and Hawaiian shirts on the night. To be fair, they were a great bunch and we had a laugh and none of the issues mentioned actually caused real problems.

 

The band I'm playing with next Saturday have a reputation of being more 'professional' but in the last week I've had an avalanche of WhatsApp messages discussing the final set list (which has changed several times), keys and rehearsal dates. And 75% of the set for this gig are songs I've never played before, with perhaps 50% that I don't really know at all so I've put a lot of effort into getting familiar. Out of necessity I will be playing this gig with a cheat sheet.

 

My approach is as a dep I am doing them a favour and enabling a gig that otherwise would not go ahead, so I have earned a bit of leeway (particularly if its at short notice). But I am also part of the band for the night so I will do my very best to fit in with the band ethic (look/feel etc) as it's their reputation on the line. To a certain extent that would include deciding what bass to use from a visual point of view. My go to clothing if there is no guidance would be black trousers, (usually decent looking jeans), a lightly patterned shirt  and maybe a waistcoat, with black shoes. Although I do BVs and a few lead vocals, for a depping gig I would not usually offer to sing as that's an extra thing that could go wrong. 

 

I expect an equal share of the fee and I would not expect to have to pay any deductions for PA etc that other band members have agreed to. I would always want to see the setlist before giving a definite yes or no and I would be totally honest about my ability to nail the songs. It's in no one's interest to say yes to something you know you can't do, so the set would dictate the notice I need, as I'm not the quickest learner. 

 

Good habits? Mainly I try to remember that I am the hired hand and I'll aim to stand at the back and not try to stand out. 

Edited 20 hours ago by Franticsmurf

[chris_b]

When I dep I aim to be at least as good as the guy I'm replacing. 9 out of 10 isn't good enough.

 

The bottom line in this world is to keep the phone ringing.

[Burns-bass]

Much the same as everyone else here. Learn the songs, create your own notes if they help and enjoy it.

 

I’m doing a wedding next week and haven’t received anything yet. No songs or set list. Or even the address.

 

This is how it works I guess!

[EssexBuccaneer]

The very idea of deposing makes me shiver with fear. I’m not great at meeting new people, and I’m not the greatest bass player around - I can learn songs but it takes me a while, and I’ll simplify if I have to. I certainly can’t read music.

 

I’ll stay in my comfort zone with the equally inept guys in my band 😜

[Stub Mandrel]

Notice has ranged from hours to weeks. Most bands send far more songs than necessary. Biggest issue is usually odd arrangements, learn to anticipate on the fly. 

 

Expect  up to about 30 new songs usually only 2 or 3 will be tricky. Simplification is ok e.g. a song with lots of minor variations,  just play the basic line and maybe improvise.

 

Gotchas are strange key choices and weird arrangements. 

 

Same pay as the band, no deductions, no expectation to chip in for rehearsal costs.

 

Only dress code has been 'wear plain black', but don't wear something that draws attention from the band. 

[bassbiscuits]

I dep regularly though currently I only dep in one band which makes life easier as I largely know their set from so many gigs now, so at worst only a few newer tunes emerge at short notice at any one time. 
 

My advice is really “learn your lines and show up.”

 

Being well prepared, polite, punctual and attentive to the rest of the band onstage will already put you ahead of a great many other players. 
 

If you’re lucky you might get a chance in soundcheck to run through any tricky unusual arrangements / endings etc. 

 

Bring spares - batteries, leads, strings (see “be well prepared” above). 
 

I think I’m usually on the same money as the person I’ve replaced. But really, if I’ve agreed to do a gig for a certain amount then I can’t really grizzle whether someone else is getting paid more or less than me anyway. 
 

Edited 16 hours ago by bassbiscuits

[steantval]

I certainly admire you guys who do depping roles, I have been playing bass regularly in cover bands for over thirty years and the thought of depping fills me with dread.

The thought of possibly learning thirty songs I have (as worse case scenario) never played before, for a one off gig would entail a lot of my time ( I don’t read music ), it’s tough enough learning a couple of new songs a month in the band I’m currently gigging with.

Respect to you guys who do it.

[bassbiscuits]

If all works well, depping isn’t for one-off gigs; if you do a good job people tend to ask you back next time which makes it more worthwhile putting in the initial effort. 
 

In my main depping job, I cover for a bassist whose side project clashes with some gigs, so it’s steady depping rather than one-off depping. Much better. 

[TimR]

I did a gig in about 2000/2002 where I'd been recommended to cover. Couldn't get hold of the band leader, texted, phoned and left messages.

 

He eventually called me the day before the gig. Said - it's all standards, dress smart/casual, venue is...

 

I turned up, he said Stick to the roots, nothing flash, watch the rhythm guitarist for the changes.

 

I spent the next 3 hours playing songs I'd never heard before, trying to work out what the rhythm guitarist was playing - not helped by the fact he was facing away from me further not helped by not having had any sleep for months due to having a new born with colic. 🤣

 

But yes, at least getting a set list the morning of the gig gives you a chance to at least listen to the songs, but that's not always an advantage based on the "But we do our own version" prolification of bands around. 

[leschirons]

 I've depped loads over the years but usually for bands that had mates in and that I'd seen play on occasion. I've never been a pro musician, I was, in my opinion, never good enough for that so, I'd agree to play just to get their problem sorted and then happily take whatever money they offered me after the gig. Takes a lot of pressure off when you don't need the money for a mortgage or food.

It was mainly classic rock or Blues so I had the advantage of being relatively old as I'd either played, or was just familiar with 95% of the material.  I loved it. A real buzz for me depping. Had a few Blues deps where no setlist was provided, not even on the night. Vocalist would just shout the next number and guitarist would give me the nod for the key and hope the drummer would signal any stops. Loved it.

[chris_b]

6 hours ago, Burns-bass said:

I’m doing a wedding next week and haven’t received anything yet. No songs or set list. Or even the address.

This is how it works I guess!

 

I wouldn't be happy with that. I would expect all details to be supplied as soon as I'm confirmed on the gig.

 

The shortest notice I've experienced was 2 hours. I was in the first band on at a festival and a band who I know rang and asked if I could dep. They were 3rd band on. That’s not quite the same as I play with these guys a lot, but I hadn't played with them for a couple of months. They were happy, but I noticed the lack of prep!

Edited 11 hours ago by chris_b

[casapete]

I’ve done a fair number of deps over the years, and enjoyed pretty much all of them.

I enjoy the challenge of playing songs I maybe haven’t done before, along with musicians

I maybe haven’t pleased with before too. I always check them out before taking the gig,

to make sure there’s nothing I can’t play ( slap, modern jazz etc! ).  My advanced

years mean I’m familiar with a lot of old stuff, but not as much of the recent stuff - usually 

gigs where I’m depping do tend to centre around my skill set though, so no surprises.

I always turn up on time / help with setting up / don’t play too loud. I’m also okay

doing BVs on the fly so that helps get gigs. ( I also check that the fee is realistic and

whether there’s any food, plus cash on the night  😄 ).

 

My last dep was with a soul / ska band I’ve never played with, in someone’s back 

garden for a birthday party. Plenty of Madness / Bad Manners / Otis Redding etc,

and I’ve been offered another gig already. Next dep is a week on Saturday with

some mates at a great local music pub, so looking forward to that one. 

 

[hiram.k.hackenbacker]

8 hours ago, Burns-bass said:

I’m doing a wedding next week and haven’t received anything yet. No songs or set list. Or even the address.

This is how it works I guess!

It’s most definitely not how it goes.

I would expect the set very shortly after I had agreed to the gig, if not before.

Bands that are tardy with crucial info so close to a gig are to be avoided IMHO.

Edited 9 hours ago by hiram.k.hackenbacker

[Kiwi]

Hate depping, was traumatised by a stressful experience sitting in with a blues band that played Robben Ford songs.  They weren't straight forward I-IV-V songs, they had sudden key changes, stops and starts and changes in time signature.  I had two weeks to learn 14 songs along with all the little details that they contained and barely managed to keep it together.  Didn't manage to screw up enough to stop the rest of the band from playing or miss a key but it was a struggle.  The band were really kind but I'm no Lee Sklar sitting in with Toto.

[Downunderwonder]

19 hours ago, hiram.k.hackenbacker said:

 

I generally resort to keep a very close eye on the drummer who knows the set backwards

If the drummer isn't signaling changes for you he's probably another dep.

 

Eyes on drummer, ears on rhythm guitar. The good ones will walk you into chord changes not even knowing they are doing it.

[Elfrasho]

If its the wedding scene its easy. I once did a dep gig where 3 out the 5 band members were deps. The gig waa far from flawless but yet folk were up dancing all night and we got great feedback. 

[Burns-bass]

5 hours ago, hiram.k.hackenbacker said:

It’s most definitely not how it goes.

I would expect the set very shortly after I had agreed to the gig, if not before.

Bands that are tardy with crucial info so close to a gig are to be avoided IMHO.

Dont worry, I’m exaggerating for comic effect and I’ve done lots and lots of these gigs before and the setlist will be pretty much the same.

A lot of it is bluegrass-style stuff which is all based on a similar format and a healthy dose of improvisation. In fact, that’s why they book me I guess.

 

It’s very much like jazz in that you’re often given the chord structures and improvise a line around the changes, rather than a party band that has spent years developing all the arrangements etc.

[Burns-bass]

5 hours ago, Kiwi said:

Hate depping, was traumatised by a stressful experience sitting in with a blues band that played Robben Ford songs.  They weren't straight forward I-IV-V songs, they had sudden key changes, stops and starts and changes in time signature.  I had two weeks to learn 14 songs along with all the little details that they contained and barely managed to keep it together.  Didn't manage to screw up enough to stop the rest of the band from playing or miss a key but it was a struggle.  The band were really kind but I'm no Lee Sklar sitting in with Toto.

I remember trying to get a band to learn Robben Ford’s version of Chevrolet (which is absolutely brilliant) and it was a chore. When we played it live once, they messed it up and we never did it again.

 

 

[police squad]

I've depped regularly and i used to be really good at remembering songs with no cheat sheets

I learned 30 songs by The Jam for a dep many years ago, I had 2 weeks to do it

but the shortest notice was for a band I'd done a few deps for but I got a call whilst eating my roast dinner abiut 6 pm. 

'help, our bass player's car wont start and he's not coming. ' It was a 6.30 start, gig was 15 minutes away

these days, i do use cheat sheets, especially when I dep with ska/mod/new wave/punk chaps, as they always ask me to learn something I haven't played before

it's all usually great fun

 

But as others have said,

turn up in good time, make sure your gear works, look good, don't be a tw@t and you should be good to go

Edited 3 hours ago by police squad

[lowdown]

I'm now 68, and although still in the music business, I retired from live playing a couple of years back. I was basically a freelance player all my working life since the age 17.

Although I did the regular show/cabaret tours and static theatre runs (cruises in the early days), the rest of the time was filled out with depping. Even on shows I would dep out my show to go and do other dep work.

Functions/sessions/pubs/weddings/corporate events and even other shows! It would break the boredom and often more/extra money.

 

I was probably part of a scene with a few other Bassists (other musicians as well) who would share the work around and get calls from the same fixers or bandleaders.

Most would be good sight readers, always good buskers/good listening ears and knew a lot of tunes.

Quite often, on West End function gigs, the Rhythm section would do dinner music anywhere between one and two hours, so a knowledge of busking Jazz standards/show book tunes would be common as well.

Although the fake book could be used if there were tunes you didn't know.

 

Sometimes I would know days or weeks in advance all the relevant details, other times, like others have said, it could be very last minute and I wouldn't have a clue who I would be working with.

All the same criteria were involved though. Good prompt timing, dress code, keep your mouth shut on gigs, keep up to date with popular tunes that most bands would do, including certain Basslines that tunes would be reliant on.

Watching and listening on the gig for cues for endings, key changes, what key the tune might be in. Not overplaying or showing off. Band leaders would often hold up or down a certain number of fingers for the keys. Two up/three down etc...

If reading was involved, always ask if there were any tricky parts that I should be aware of. It all became just second nature, with the occasional flying by the seat of your pants thrown in.

 

Depping for me, was an important part of filling in the gaps in my diary, so it became a parallel way of life. As it was with many musicians from my generation. It was the normal, really, and all part of being a working musician.

Some dep work/freelancing took me to all kinds of places in the World as well.

 

[chris_b]

I was depping last night, so was the drummer. We have both worked with this band before so it was OK, a few interesting endings though. He is a very good drummer so I enjoyed the night. The band leader was talking about this being his favourite rhythm section, and was threatening to offer us the gig. I know the bass player and would prefer to keep on good terms with him, and I'm not sure I want to be in a Top 40 cover band again. But it's a good reaction. You've got to keep your name and number at the top of their list.