How many times do you goof up at a gig?

Stinsok · #1 08-07-2011, 06:29 PM

I filled in last night. It was fun. I sat my Zoom H1 on top of my amp and recorded a couple of sets. I listened this morning and "YIKES!" I don't know all this band's stops, etc. yet. It was tough to listen to.

Lesfunk · #2 08-07-2011, 06:32 PM

For me, This thread should be "How many times do you goof up per song?"

nubs · #3 08-07-2011, 06:35 PM

which set?..............

**jmattbassplaya** · #4 08-07-2011, 06:38 PM

Depends on a few things. If I'm gigging with my jam band I can guarantee you that I'm going to make a few mistakes each song just because I never know where the song is gonna go, but that's what makes it fun! If it's a typical cover band gig then the amount of mistakes I make is directly related to how good I'm feeling that night; and that can range anywhere between zero mistakes or a few every other song or two.

The1bassist06 · #5 08-07-2011, 06:38 PM

Not to much but when I do its usually big. I know people say when you mess up don't stop playing and make it obvious that you did, but I messed up so bad that my fingers went out of wack and I had to stop to get back on course. Luckly im a bass player and noone noticed it =D

lowendgenerator · #6 08-07-2011, 06:39 PM

At least once, but not usually more than 300 times.

lokikallas · #7 08-07-2011, 06:40 PM

I fill in for a top 40 cover band occasionally, and I have a huge alphabetized book of charts I hand wrote. It helps, but still, they go off the standard arrangements enough for me to have to really stay on my toes. It's tough because I can't memorize the 100 or so songs they have in their catalog, but I can't help but feel a little shame for being the only one with charts. I'd rather look bad than sound bad though. I've seen them with other guys that try to do them from memory, just murdering the songs. I guess that's why they call me when the regular guy has to go out of town.

Stinsok · #8 08-07-2011, 06:42 PM

A couple of big ones were a communication failure. They do "Boogie Oogie" and I asked if they do the whole intro and they said yes. Actually, they cut it in half and things fell apart for a second.

Mirios · #9 08-07-2011, 06:43 PM

Pretty sure every note I play is a mistake. But they are all made with conviction and I believe that's what matters.

Texan · #10 08-07-2011, 06:46 PM

When all else fails, open E or if you have it Low B...

floridagatorfan · #11 08-07-2011, 06:48 PM

I usually mess up a few times in the first set b/c i get a little nervous at first byt after that i dont do it so much

fontez5 · #12 08-07-2011, 06:54 PM

An old friend taught me a very valuable trick... If you get to a part in a song that you - for whatever reason - can't remember, turn around and start banging on your amp like something's messed up. Once you remember what you're supposed to be playing, get back in and go. No one will ever know a thing!

**jmattbassplaya** · #13 08-07-2011, 06:56 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by fontez5

An old friend taught me a very valuable trick... If you get to a part in a song that you - for whatever reason - can't remember, turn around and start banging on your amp like something's messed up. Once you remember what you're supposed to be playing, get back in and go. No one will ever know a thing!

I'm adding this to my bag of tricks

The1bassist06 · #14 08-07-2011, 06:56 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by fontez5

An old friend taught me a very valuable trick... If you get to a part in a song that you - for whatever reason - can't remember, turn around and start banging on your amp like something's messed up. Once you remember what you're supposed to be playing, get back in and go. No one will ever know a thing!

All I do is act like im playing and hit the strings very softly

Mirios · #15 08-07-2011, 06:58 PM

If I don't know a part I play louder and then look all pissed off at everyone else like I'm the only one playing right. Maybe storm off stage if it gets too bad.

Ok never done that but I may need to try it sometime.

packhowitzer · #16 08-07-2011, 06:59 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by lokikallas

I fill in for a top 40 cover band occasionally, and I have a huge alphabetized book of charts I hand wrote. It helps, but still, they go off the standard arrangements enough for me to have to really stay on my toes. It's tough because I can't memorize the 100 or so songs they have in their catalog, but I can't help but feel a little shame for being the only one with charts. I'd rather look bad than sound bad though. I've seen them with other guys that try to do them from memory, just murdering the songs. I guess that's why they call me when the regular guy has to go out of town.

+1 on that. At my church gig, i'm the only one that really needs the charts. I didn't grow up listening to christian music like the other musicians and I don't know the songs like I would if it was "Hotel California" or "Brown Eyed Girl". So I need the charts, but at least I don't mess up like the previous bassist. I still flub a note here and there, but I'm never off in left field like I would be without the charts.

fontez5 · #17 08-07-2011, 07:09 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by The1bassist06

All I do is act like im playing and hit the strings very softly

Oh yes, another one of my favorites!

spaz21387 · #18 08-07-2011, 07:16 PM

I mess up only about 1 or 2 times a gig. its all originals so people cant really tell when you mess up. I just slide down to the right note... problem solved

martinmcfly · #19 08-07-2011, 07:47 PM

An old band I was in played many songs a 1/2 step below and even though those songs are marked on our set-list the keyboardist sometimes forgot to modulate his keyboard. It sounds hideous and the looks the band members give each other are priceless. Like this Van Halen tour when they're doing, 'Jump' and the pre-recorded Keyboard part is in a different key than the Guitar and Bass? What's funny is the remarks on You Tube just think Van Halen sucks without realizing the the problem.
Onstage Tech Disasters: Van Halen Goes Microtonal!

gjbassist · #20 08-07-2011, 07:52 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Stinsok

I filled in last night. It was fun. I sat my Zoom H1 on top of my amp and recorded a couple of sets. I listened this morning and "YIKES!" I don't know all this band's stops, etc. yet. It was tough to listen to.

You filled in with a band you hadn't played with before? I think you are being too hard on yourself. I would imagine everyone would make mulitiple mistakes if put in that situation.