Possibility for first gig ever on bass - would YOU have done this way?!?!

[dave64o]

I resumed my lessons last night after a three month layoff, and it was really good to get back into it. My instructor and I chatted for a bit and then he shocked the hell out of me when he asked if I'd want to sub for a ska band this coming Saturday night (it's now Wednesday night). Their regular bassist is on vacation and might not be back in time and they want to have someone lined up just in case he doesn't make it back in time. He's not able to do it so he told them he has a student he would ask - me.

Keep in mind that I've never gigged on bass before and, as a hack of a rhythm guitarist, I played a handful of parties on campus when I was in college (25+ years ago ...). Despite that, he's really serious about me doing it but I get nervous as hell just thinking about these facts:
1) I've never played bass professionally before and only did a couple of songs on bass a few times 25 years ago - after practicing them over and over and over and over ...
2) I've been taking lessons for not quite two years, but hadn't really made a lot of progress until switching to my current instructor around March of this year. Then we agreed to suspend my lessons for the summer because I was doing them on Friday nights and he got a contract to play gigs at casinos all weekend. Last night was the first time we got together in three months.
3) This isn't joining a band and starting practice sessions to get ready to play out. This is a pro gig.
4) They're apparently playing ska, a genre that I'm not all that familiar with
5) Rehearsal? My instructor isn't sure, maybe they'll do a quick run through on Friday.
6) I'd be walking into a situation where I'd have to improvise for four hours, having never played bass in front of people before, with a band I've never met before, playing a genre I've never played before.

My instructor told me, "Well you have to get your feet wet sometime...". I *guaranteed* him my feet would be wet if I did this. I did talk to him about wanting to find a band in the near future to help me get to the next level, but I never expected him to throw out anything like this. Thoughts? Does this sound like something a sane person would attempt? How about an insane person? He's an experienced teacher and professional musician, he's been doing it for 35 years, and he's really impressed me as a teacher so I trust him and I'm flattered that he'd even ask but .... holy crap!!!

[Jazzdogg]

I like to think of fear and excitement as opposite sides of the same coin; it's all in how you choose to look at it!

Whether you think you can, or you think you can't, you're right.

[bass4worship]

One thing is to gig but to play music you don't know, good luck.

[JohnMCA72]

Sounds like a blast! I'd do it!

[johnboy65]

This thread just gave me a panic attack

[Atomic Cow]

You can do it.

Do it.

[Jeff K]

I'd at least want a song/set list, and time enough to at least familiarize myself with them. Short of that, I'd say if you're not comfortable with your "readiness factor", graciously decline. But be honest with them. Explain that you don't feel as though you have enough time to familiarize yourself with their set list; and that you don't want to jeopardize the quality of their gig. Then maybe one of the guitarists will offer to run through the chord progressions with you for each song. That might make you feel more comfortable about it.

[MEKer]

I would always rely on the old saying:

"It's better to not be heard than to be heard playing poorly."


You could generate some real hatred there.
Were I in your shoes I would pass.
You have no obligation to play just because the instructor "volunteered" you as a possible. So no guilt, OK?

COST:

A)You decline the gig...no cost to you

b)You accept the gig+the band has you do it and you F it up...you will feel like and look like a fool, your instructor will be on their A-hole list (along with you), the audience will hate you and you may find you need toilet paper but can only find cigarette pack cellophane (think about it).

Don't buy into the fake machismo of unprofessional "go for it" attitudes. There is a place for it to be sure---this ain't one of them. You do not know the songs, the style, that band, their cues, etc. etc.

All in all, it comes back to the saying at the top of my post to you if you want to develop a 'lil bit of professionalism.

[KeithAlanK]

Fear is justified.
Your brain is warning you.
Listen to it.

[cg123]

If you have an ounce of common sense in you, I would recommend staying far, far away from this gig.

That said, I would totally go for it.

I've done five or six gigs that way, and if I could get away with it, I wouldn't play any other kind. It's a special kind of rush you get from swooping in at the last second with absolutely no preparation.

[totallyfrozen]

If your instructor thinks you're ready, you probably are.

When you go out there, you are representing your instructor's work as much as your own. He wouldn't have suggested it if he thought you would go out there and make him look like a bad teacher.

[deesako]

Well make sure he ain't using you somehow... not to say he is, but ask why you, he should have ensured you that you're skillset will definately work with them. Some people never give full explanations and leads to iffy social faux paus...

[photogdude]

Originally Posted by totallyfrozen

If your instructor thinks you're ready, you probably are.

When you go out there, you are representing your instructor's work as much as your own. He wouldn't have suggested it if he thought you would go out there and make him look like a bad teacher.

i agree, if you weren't ready i don't think your instructor would ask

[Scootr117]

I stepped in to help a buddy out a couple of weeks ago....1 week to learn his original material.. and two get togethers during that week. It turned out to be fine. BUT the originals ended up being two songs and a night of free form covers.
If you can get a set list with the keys or a recorded version then give it a shot...if you feel like you can do it.

[buzzbass]

stop whining and play

[JmJ]

You can't jump in the pool without breaking a few eggs. Go for it!

[JDJen]

Originally Posted by MEKer

I would always rely on the old saying:

"It's better to not be heard than to be heard playing poorly."


You could generate some real hatred there.
Were I in your shoes I would pass.
You have no obligation to play just because the instructor "volunteered" you as a possible. So no guilt, OK?

COST:

A)You decline the gig...no cost to you

b)You accept the gig+the band has you do it and you F it up...you will feel like and look like a fool, your instructor will be on their A-hole list (along with you), the audience will hate you and you may find you need toilet paper but can only find cigarette pack cellophane (think about it).

Don't buy into the fake machismo of unprofessional "go for it" attitudes. There is a place for it to be sure---this ain't one of them. You do not know the songs, the style, that band, their cues, etc. etc.

All in all, it comes back to the saying at the top of my post to you if you want to develop a 'lil bit of professionalism.

I gotta agree with MEKer on this one.

And if you've also never played ska before that's another strike against you.

I'd decline it if I were in your position.

[Chebass88]

Definitely go for it. Here is some advice that will make it go easier (much easier).

First off, I assume you know the absolute basic things, like rhythm and how a bassline fits within a song, and also that you have a bass & an amp, which can get the job done (or have access to one)

1. Obtain a list of tunes from the band, and download them on iTunes. Make them your life until the gig. No exceptions.

2. Learn the tunes, and be able to play them well. If you have to, write out the notes / chord changes. 3x5 or 4x6 cards work VERY well. The better you know the tunes, the better you'll be equipped to play live. The band may even had chords written out, or be willing to spend 5 minutes on the phone with you.

3. It's a bar gig. Most people will be drinking their faces off and yelling for you to play "Something danceable". How much are you getting paid anyway? What is the level of the band? I'm not disparaging your gig, but things need to be taken into consideration. What type of bar? Will there be sound? There is a difference in "bar gigs", ranging from the local dive who lets anyone thrash around, to clubs requiring highly polished bands. The closer the band / venue is to the local dive - definitely play it. If it is the polished band / club, consider sitting this one out.

4. Everyone has a first gig experience. Be prepared, and astonish yourself at how well you can do. You'll make a few mistakes, but EVERYONE will. No matter what level, no one has an absolute perfect gig. It doesn't have to be PERFECT - just good enough that the audience has a great time, the bar sells a ton of beer while you are playing, and well-built females are dancing around while you play.

5. Audience - don't focus on them. Just remember all the things you've practiced, and the things you've learned in your lessons. Try to avoid checking out the well-built female (or male) near the bar. Play well & fantasize later.

6. The teacher is risking his reputation, which is FAR more than you have to risk (you currently have zero reputation in music...). Not being rude, but you've never played anywhere, so no one knows how you play. This means one of two things. The teacher is not concerned with you messing up / damaging his reputation for recommendations, or thinks you can do it. To be positive, we'll assume the latter.

7. Be CONFIDENT! (Not arrogant).

8. Simplicity is your friend. You might have learned a fancy riff or two in your lessons - now is not the time to play it. Stick with the chords & rhythms, and you'll be fine.

9. No drinking (unless you drink all the time). Your fine motor skills are affected with one beverage - now is not the time to pound a few before playing. After you're done, sure, just hold off during the sets.

10. Have fun. Be proud of what you've accomplished, and have the potential to accomplish.

11. Be professional.

Hope this helps!

ian

[giacomini]

Originally Posted by dave64o

3) This isn't joining a band and starting practice sessions to get ready to play out. This is a pro gig.
4) They're apparently playing ska, a genre that I'm not all that familiar with

Been there, done that. In bold, are 2 reasons for you NOT accept it.

When I played keyboard I got asked to replace a player for one nite. It was my first gig also. It went bad, like not playing many songs or just pretend I was playing or even hiting wrong chords... The only good thing is that all in the band were my friends so they cut me some slack.

Then, years later, I was a more experienced player but got asked to play keyboard in a Guns cover band (that I hate BTW). It sucked too because I wasn't familiar with the band.

[caeman]

Do it. Learn it. Live it.

If you don't, we will remind for the rest of your days about what you might have been able to accomplish.