Scored a sweet sub gig!

djero44 · #1 05-18-2011, 09:03 AM

I played a gig last week with some local folks, it went well even though we did a lot of improvisation, which life isn't always my favorite thing to do. At one point another musician joined us on vox and accordion which was quite cool.

Best news is I got offered two jobs from this gig, one is an ongoing slot in a local cover band that gigs a lot and actually makes some money; i'm in debate over this one because I have other projects i'm focusing on. The other one is a one time gig next week that pays two hundred bucks and involves playing a 45 minute Motown set while a hundred local kids dance in a project called Celebrate the Beat. Way cool, it's going to be a lot of fun! By the way the accordion guy is the front man, he is a wicked talented musician (piano, guitar, vocals...) and will be great to work with.

djero44 · #2 05-18-2011, 07:20 PM

I talked with the band leader today, it seems we are going to do a 30 minute set of about ten songs, from Aretha to Stevie and beyond. He's giving me charts (that will be a first for me) and a cd tomorrow, then two rehearsals and the show.

This will be an awesome opportunity for me to learn a lot of stuff, and to have fun performing too. He said there are three lady vocalists coming from Aspen who are really gonna belt it out. Sweet!

Now it's time for me to do a Motown intensive....

=)

fmoore200 · #3 05-18-2011, 07:36 PM

Sounds like a lot of fun, and your positive outlook is awesome...

cableguy · #4 05-18-2011, 07:42 PM

Awesome for you! Have a blast.

djero44 · #5 05-18-2011, 07:58 PM

As you can tell, this kind of thing is quite new for me, so i'm a little extra jazzed about the whole thing. Plus, 200 bucks for a half hour is the best cash i've earned in this kind of situation, and plenty to warrant a couple of rehearsals. Besides, I love R&B, soul and the like, so it's all kinds of good.

Reptar.Bass · #6 05-18-2011, 08:02 PM

You live in the roaring fork valley?...not trying to be creepy but thats where I was born and raised...and currently still live

djero44 · #7 05-19-2011, 09:41 PM

Wow, you're the first western slope TB guy i've met! I actually live in the North Fork valley, outside of Hotchkiss, although my profile says Paonia. P-town is just where all the action is.

I've lived in Bonedale, too, I just can't keep up with the rat race over there. It's a pretty valley though.

---

To return to the og subject, I got the set list today and some music, there are actually a lot of articulate kicks and segues in the show; it's going to be a bit of work to get it down pat. They are doing a bigger program this year, there will be a hundred and sixty kids in the show. Dang! The bad part is it will be in a gymnasium because thats the only space large enough around here to do it.

djero44 · #8 05-22-2011, 10:12 PM

We had our first rehearsal today, and I must say it was more challenging than I expected. I spent a few hours preparing by getting to know the music, learning most of the songs. I wish I had spent more time looking at the sheet music, though. Considering this is the first gig i've ever done where i've been handed charts like this that is not surprising.

I might have been a weak link in the chain today, but I managed ok. In this ten song thirty minute medley we have a lot of articulate parts that are cued with the dancing. Lots of starts and stops, eight and sixteen bar transitions between pieces that are often nods to other songs, different chords on some parts for dynamics and a lot of key shifts and changes. Whoa! I'm pretty quick (I thought?), but i'm stretching it to do this gig.

Did I mention that we're playing about 15-30bpm faster than the original tracks? And at the end we're doing a exceedingly fast version of Sir Duke with a little higher ground intro, and then breaking up the big break into two sections sandwiched around six bars of chorus. Who came up with this, please? Thank goodness I know this song well, and it was the only one I knew prior to this.

Thankfully i'm good friends with all the musicians in the project except the band leader who's in from out of state. He is an amazing musician, and a great guy too, so all in all everything's cool. It's kind of humbling working with someone so quick and talented.

All in all i'm still feeling positive with the situation, but i'm also going to put in some extra hours shedding to try and get tight with it. It's a huge chance to really learn and stretch my abilities.