Sideman to Leader

[Pat Harris]

Hey all,
I am at a point where I have quit the day gig, and want to make playing music a big part of my income. I teach private lessons as well, and a few classes, etc. to ensure I can pay the bills. However, how have you made the switch from waiting for the phone to ring to being the one making the calls?

Do most bass players take a more passive role and wait for gigs to come to them? I've got a list of every place in town I want to contact, press kit, demo, etc, but at the same time, I feel like a prostitute making cold calls to places even if I've played there numerous times before but with a different leader. Any comments and suggestions are appreciated.

-Pat

[carl h.]

Some (most) don't do this, but I always have enough spare (SPARE - HA!) cash on hand to pay the band if the guy who hired me (buck stops here) pulls a fast one. I always make sure my guys get what I promised they would get, even if I have to eat it myself.

[standupright]

you gotta get out there and pound the pavement if you want to gig

[Eric Hochberg]

Originally Posted by Pat Harris

I feel like a prostitute making cold calls to places even if I've played there numerous times before but with a different leader. Any comments and suggestions are appreciated.

-Pat

You better get over that feeling quickly if you want to lead and keep a band working. It's like selling anything, really. Look at yourself as a contractor promoting your services. It's a good feeling calling the musicians that you want to work with to work with you. And the money can be very nice!

Downside - Be prepared to stop getting called by the leaders you're now competing with. In that regard you're now more on your own.