Ok, so I see these posts all the time...

[(b)Assman]

For bands looking for like a substitute bass player the day of the show. How on earth does someone learn all the material in a short practice before a performance? They surely must have the saddest root noted basslines and probably think that's the role of the bass player also.

[Pilgrim]

Originally Posted by (b)Assman

For bands looking for like a substitute bass player the day of the show. How on earth does someone learn all the material in a short practice before a performance? They surely must have the saddest root noted basslines and probably think that's the role of the bass player also.

Perhaps, but emergencies happen and that would be better than no bass player at all.

[xgator4u]

Originally Posted by (b)Assman

For bands looking for like a substitute bass player the day of the show. How on earth does someone learn all the material in a short practice before a performance? They surely must have the saddest root noted basslines and probably think that's the role of the bass player also.

This is where being a professional/ hired gun comes in to the picture. A pro is somewhat used to this. As long as you know what key the song is in, and the general direction that the song is going in, a consummate professional can, and does work it out. That is why hired guns get paid.

[Passinwind]

Originally Posted by (b)Assman

For bands looking for like a substitute bass player the day of the show. How on earth does someone learn all the material in a short practice before a performance? They surely must have the saddest root noted basslines and probably think that's the role of the bass player also.

Or maybe they're just jazz players with good charts...

[bassteban]

(scratches (b)assman's name from call-for-a-sub-gig list)

If you're talking detuned death/prog/rasta/polka/techno originals, then the sub would benefit HUGELY from being very familiar w/the band's material; OTOH if we're talking Mustang Sally & similar typical standards, the majority of folks accepting the gig likely know the tunes already. Of course there's a lot of space between these two extremes.

[Richland123]

I have done many last minute, hired gun gigs over the years. Sometimes, with no preparation at all and never knowing the players beforehand either. It is usually much easier with an oldies or classic rock type band since I have heard the songs hundreds of times even if I never played them. I have had situations that require playing difficult tunes and that is not easy. If I know ahead of time, I can work them out. Bands that play mostly songs I don't know (e.g., new metal), I would not be able to do the gig.

If a band can at least provide charts or chord changes and keys, that helps. However, you have to be on your game at all times and pay attention to the keys, arrangements, medley type things, etc. It is harder if they expect you to sing, which happens to me. I always ask what songs we already mutually know and build a list from there. That way, everybody is more comfortable knowing all players know some of the same tunes to get the show started.

Playing at jam sessions can help you get more into playing songs off the cuff and learning songs you might not play in your own band. Always keep notes from previous fill in gigs that may be useful for other gigs.

[sobie18]

I got a call last night for a gig tonight. I jammed with the guy a couple of months ago for maybe 30 minutes. Should be an interesting night, playing blues, rock, and whatever. I love these kind of situations.

[Alvaro Martín Gómez A.]

Last year I was called by an 80's rock covers band two days before a gig because their bass player suddenly quit. From a set list of 13 songs, I only knew one of them (not that I've never heard the other 12, but never played them before). If I had some spare time I would have spent it listening to the music the most I could, but I had to write guide charts since it was impossible to me to learn 12 songs in less than two days. The gig went pretty fine, but the only thing that annoyed me was having to keep reading sheet music during a rock concert. I think it's a no-no, but I had no option.

[bass12]

This is why it pays to have built up a repertoire of often-played songs, not to mention having worked on your ear and basic theory. A combination of these three elements will get you through a surprisingly high number of on-the-fly gigs.

[Munjibunga]

Originally Posted by Passinwind

Or maybe they're just jazz players with good charts...

Or maybe they're like me, and play a lot of "jazz notes."

[Munjibunga]

Originally Posted by bass12

This is why it pays to have built up a repertoire of often-played songs, not to mention having worked on your ear and basic theory. A combination of these three elements will get you through a surprisingly high number of on-the-fly gigs.

Hey, if you know Brown Eyed Girl and Sweet Home Alabama, you're home free.

[bassybill]

Originally Posted by (b)Assman

For bands looking for like a substitute bass player the day of the show. How on earth does someone learn all the material in a short practice before a performance? They surely must have the saddest root noted basslines and probably think that's the role of the bass player also.

I got called to do a gig a few months back when the rest of the band were already at the venue and their bass player hadn't showed up. The keyboard player wrote some of the changes down for me while I was in the car on my way over. It ended up being a fun gig. I even managed to stray away from root notes here and there.

[PJSShearer]

In my pro playing days, my bread and butter work (outside of summer seasons and Ships) was "depping" - I would be booked for a gig and (probably) meet the rest of the Band when I walked in the venue. Occasionally I'd sub for people I knew but I used to work for an agent/bandleader who's put out a band put together from who ever was free in his contact book!!. We got by because we stuck to well known, often played, tunes which we all knew or could fake - which is generally what the punters want to hear anyway - songs they know. Very occasionally would a tune be called that I had never ever heard, or heard of (except the first Bar-Mitzvah I did of course - luckily the piano player had the dots for Hatikvah!!) and if so my ears, or watching the guitarist or the piano player's left hand would help me out. Failing that, I'd look lost and somewone whould shout the chords out!!.

Of course if the Band uses charts, then problem solved. In the UK, back in the day, there were two companies that produced the charts that most bands used - Pop Plan and London Orchestrations - wherever you went you found these, so the chances are you'd seen nearly everything that was in the Pad before anyway.