o boy

dudemanvic · #1 07-06-2009, 05:02 PM

so i recently posted up an ad on craigslist offer my bass services to bands/individual musicians, and since I haven't had many bites in the past I didn't expect much. Well, I was pleasantly surprised when I got a phone call from a guitar player (with a band) asking me to play for them THIS weekend. I now have a 27 song setlist to learn by this thursday. so now I've realised it's possible I may have bitten off more than I can chew. thankfully though he was really cool and even said I can go ahead and just improvise for every song if need be. this is my first time really doing something like this. any suggestions? or just wishings of good luck would be great too. I'll make sure to keep you guys updated on the 1st show friday and the 2nd one on saturday, if you guys are interested of course. anyway, thanks in advance for any tips you guys might have for me!

totallyfrozen · #2 07-06-2009, 05:09 PM

congrats on the gig!
did the guitarist happen to mention what he was going to do THIS weekend if he DIDN'T find a bass player? Seems kind of strange to have a gig with a 27 song set list and not even have all the players you need.
Have fun with it, anyway.

dudemanvic · #3 07-06-2009, 05:17 PM

basically just goin' without a bassist. I'm being guaranteed $100 per show (i've been offered 4 shows this month, 2 this weekend) wether I do well or not, which kinda rocks for me, highest paid gig so far

totallyfrozen · #4 07-06-2009, 05:22 PM

Good deal!
Well, get organized. Learn the order of the set list, learn the chord progressions, then learn the bass lines to the songs. In other words, organize your study time and go from general to specific.
If you can improvise, that's good. Learn the chord progressions--at a minimum--before the gig. You can at least play roots and the I, IV, V at the choruses. Remember "less is more" don't try to dazzle 'em with notes...just be make it groove.
I'm happy for you, bro!

Stumbo · #5 07-06-2009, 05:33 PM

Learning a band set list
Music stands on stage discussion

JT Bass · #6 07-07-2009, 03:00 PM

Assuming they're covers, whenever you're not playing, listen to the tunes. Know how they sound by heart and you can at least fake the changes.

And, cheat sheets. If not the whole chord progressions, it helps to just have the key, maybe a little I-II-V-IV chart to remind you.

I've been in your situation quite a few times, mainly because my eyes are bigger than my stomach and I'm a lazy procrastinator. But if you know at least what key they're in and have a feel for the changes, you can get by. Hopefully there's about 20 I-IV-V's in there.