Disenchanted with live playing?

Goatman · #1 11-02-2009, 01:47 PM

In a couple days my electro-rock band has our 6th bar gig in the past few months. We went a long time just songwritting and jamming before finally getting shows, and each of us would eagerly look forward to the opportunities to perform. We all have full-time jobs and the music is just a hobby, but being musicians we naturally wanted to do shows!

However with every bar gig we've done recently, I've been coming to the realization that playing live is not nearly as rewarding to me as composing and creating the art of music. I liked being able to showcase our creations to an intimate gathering of friends and family, but in no way was playing live some kind of amazing experience for me.

I didn't have much gig experience before this band. I jam some latin groove music with a couple other guys as well, but I'm tempted to tell both of my bands that I need a break..

A break that would enable me to focus more on learning theory and composing my own work (now that I know it's the most rewarding thing for me) but also a break from the hectic schedule of rehersing, preparing for shows, etc. I have a fully-loaded schedule of work and exercise and hanging out with friends and I feel like I'm spread pretty thin these days.

Being disenchanted with playing live has made me less willing to make such a sacrifice of time and energy to simply play one bar gig after another, when I could be having quiet nights at home writting songs and getting way more satisfaction out of it.

Thoughts? Anyone else been through this realization?

Alexander · #2 11-02-2009, 01:57 PM

To each their own, I guess. I have never been able to get anywhere with writing my own music and have absolutely zero passion for recording. Playing live for me is where it is at...

**baba** · #3 11-02-2009, 02:03 PM

I prefer to play live. Recording is fun, but I like the engineering part more than the actual playing. Go figure.

Geddyfleaharris · #4 11-02-2009, 02:36 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by baba

I prefer to play live. Recording is fun, but I like the engineering part more than the actual playing. Go figure.

Agreed. Much rather play live. The recording I have done in the past has been tedious and boring.

The idea of recording, engineering and knowing Pro Tools is really cool. My trouble is I simply have no time to devote to learning Pro Tools to get to a point where I am either comfortable with it or using even a fraction of it's true potential. (I have a version of Pro Tools on a computer at home)

tZer · #5 11-02-2009, 02:59 PM

I hate it when the band is in 'prep for gigs only' mode and the free for all basement jams become tedious and detail oriented in order to make sure your next, stinky, smoky bar show is halfway decent.

But I also hate being holed up in the basement creating amazing tunes but not being able to get your rocks off playing them for receptive crowds...

I'm in a similar boat as the OP - full-time job, hobby band - and what we've decided to do is only do a gig every 3 or 4 months or so. We have the luxury of having done a few really good ones recently and the venues said they'd love to have us back in a few months. We also have the added bonus of having another well established band who likes us and will let us climb on board a few of their gigs as an opener.

So we have the luxury of a couple months between shows to polish the product, explore new territory and make sure when we poke our heads above ground that we have a show that's new and worth catching. Then it's back to the basement for a few more months for more refinement to update and improve things again. By the time the summer festival season rolls around, we should be good and ready to get on board a couple of those fun freak fests!

So I guess I'm saying you can sort of have it both ways if you keep your goals clear and everyone else is cool with a low-key gig schedule.

RickenBoogie · #6 11-02-2009, 02:59 PM

I'm lucky because I have a very good friend who owns a nice recording studio. Tons of top end gear, and an invitation to record anytime there're open blocks. (which is too often for him). I rarely take advantage of this opportunity, because playing out (live) is the most rewarding expirience I can think of, musically. If you're not into it, it'll show. There's no rules that say you MUST perform. Don't. Be happy.

Goatman · #7 10-12-2010, 04:33 PM

Thanks for all the input, guys. I know it's been nearly a year since I originally posted this, but just in case anyone goes searching for this topic, I thought I'd do a check-in.

After my original post, I stopped jamming with the latin groove band entirely and took a two-week break from the main band. Coming back from the break I was recharged and we went on to have some more gigs over the next few months. We even produced a professional-sounding demo last spring and competed strongly in a local battle-of-the-bands.

However, the changing winds came calling again this past summer and I ended up leaving the band once and for all last month. I just moved to a new city and I've been re-prioritizing a lot of things in my life.

It became more and more apparent to me that I'd rather spend my Friday nights out with friends or jamming on my own than hanging around a dirty dive bar that I would never go to in the first place if I weren't performing. The bandmates were understanding, and they could already tell I was not having much fun playing gigs. As it turns out, they now want to gig heavily and try to make a living out of it. Yup, big time difference in goals...

I still keep an eye out for people to jam and collaborate with, but I don't think I'll be a part of a gigging rock band in the future. And I'm totally cool with that.

tangentmusic · #8 10-13-2010, 12:33 PM

I now enjoy the writing / arranging / recording / producing process much more than playing out. I have been able to build a modest home studio in recent years. Havent gigged in a long time and I dont miss it at all.
Dive bars were always a drag for me. Decent gigs for original bands were fun, the band comaraderie and all that. I guess it's because i'm older now and into music for the creative outlet. It's nice to have a talented collaborator for recording projects.