Many different gigs, many different genres...is it a good idea?

KPRott · #1 08-25-2011, 02:37 PM

Alright....so long story short, I'm no longer part of my band, and I'm on the hunt for a new project.

I've been a rock bassist since I started. I have a very open mind when it comes to other music, so I always have various influences working together in my bass lines.

I've been getting a lot of offers to join projects much different than what I've been involved in. Even though I clearly state my preferred genres in my ads, I've been contacted by funk, soft rock, deathcore, ska bands ... people are desperate for bassists haha.

My question is--
Is it a good idea to take some of these gigs even if I don't go for that kind of stuff normally? I'd like to have my name known around my area as mainly a hard rock bassist, so I can stay in the scene and hopefully land a gig closer to my style...but also, I live to play in front of a crowd. So, would it be worth it?

Jim Nazium · #2 08-25-2011, 02:42 PM

I say sure, why not? If you have a chance to play out live, which you enjoy, make a little money, get exposure, and meet some local musicians, what's wrong with that? The only reason I can see not to do it is if someone wants you to be a permanent band memebr and you are still looking around. As long as you are honest with them, go for it.

jaywa · #3 08-25-2011, 02:46 PM

Do it. Especially if those other bands have good players.

Playing with the best musicians you can find -- as often as possible -- is the absolute best way to become better yourself. And especially if you're not already committed to a band, why not see what's out there? The more situations you put yourself into, the better your odds of finding a project you really want to commit to on a more serious basis.

Good musicians who are also cool people to work with, are hard to find. Don't short yourself out of the chance to connect with those people just cause they may work in a different genre.

Ubersheist · #4 08-26-2011, 09:02 AM

WWPPD (What Would Pino Palladino Do)? That guy played for The Who, Tony Bennet, D'Angelo, Tears for Fears, John Mayer, etc... Crazy diverse music. Just sayin'...

teleharmonium · #5 08-26-2011, 09:30 AM

I think it's a good idea to widen the field in that way. Likewise I think it's good to challenge your limits and preconceptions in life constantly. As long as something doesn't violate your core values (which also need periodic re examination) it can be fun and humbling to do this. As I get older I've learned to enjoy the process of changing my mind about things I had written off before.

I figure the breakdown of the human body can't be stopped, but you can balance it out and earn yourself a more positive attitude about life by continuing to grow, learn new things, and become stronger in your mind. People that don't do that turn into bitter jerks.

My playing has grown more in the past 5 years than in the previous 10, I'm sure it's because I've been playing all kinds of gigs on guitar as well as bass. Right now I'm in an afro beat band on guitar, an eclectic song based band most on bass, and a country noise freakout band on guitar. I've also done straight ahead/latin/gypsy jazz, free jazz, free improv, and indie rock gigs on bass in that time.

Surprising your friends by what you can do is fun.

pbass2 · #6 08-26-2011, 10:34 AM

OMG, yes yes yes! It is probably the single best way to improve your musicianship to get out and diversify and learn different genres. Never pigeon-hole yourself!
I started out as rock kid way back when, and when I was young I stuck to that, but later on I toured and recorded in reggae, country, various world styles, punk, crazy experimental stuff--you-name-it. Especially on the traditional styles it's SUCH a great education to really learn how to play them correctly and get the right feel and vibe so you can sound "authentic" (i.e., not like a rock bassist trying to shoehorn his regular style into some other genre).
I didn't study music in school, yet I now compose music full-time for TV, advertising, and film, simply because I know what makes many styles tick, how to get the sounds and the feel, how to re-create the right production values--a direct result of playing bass in an array of genres. For me, diversifying truly opened doors into the bigger musical picture beyond just bass playing (and made me a much better bassist too!)