Totally humiliated last night

[electracoyote]

Originally Posted by steveksux

Guys, a pro does the best he can to fake the song in that situation. You don't goof up on purpose, you don't simply stop. You argue and tell them off afterwards, off stage, if inclined. On stage, in front of a crowd, you try your best.

Randy

Yes, we know. And obviously, the OP knows. I think we were demonstrating one of those "things you wish you could do or say and get away with, but because you're sane and ethical, you don't" scenarios.

[Rick Auricchio]

Originally Posted by electracoyote

Yes, we know. And obviously, the OP knows. I think we were demonstrating one of those "things you wish you could do or say and get away with, but because you're sane and ethical, you don't" scenarios.

Well, yeah, then that includes pulling out a revolver and shooting the other band members. Unless there are more than six of them, in which case an automatic would be used to avoid reloading.

[woffle]

Played a sub gig couple years back with/for some friends, (Christmas party).
Great,untill still got the blues,played in different key as original and then incredibly wrong.
I'm still considering today as to ever gig with my (friends)again.
Almost forgot to add,exact the same with hotel cali in the encore.
Never?been so ashamed,for the band and also myself.Maybe thats the true RnR.
Woffle

[Mr_Sore_Fingerz]

hey man, they really put you on the spot with a song that you hadn't practiced at all and on an instrument that isn't your "main" instrument (correct me if im wrong). There's nothing for you to be ashamed of to be honest...its those guys in the band that were total jerks about it that should be ashamed, not you.

But hey, you went out there and did your best...and thats all any of us can ask of ourselves =)

[cassanova]

Originally Posted by steveksux

Guys, a pro does the best he can to fake the song in that situation. You don't goof up on purpose, you don't simply stop. You argue and tell them off afterwards, off stage, if inclined. On stage, in front of a crowd, you try your best.

Randy

+1

On drums I'd think it would be a little easier to get through than on the bass because when all else fails all you have to do is keep the time. You don't have to worry about hearing bad notes. This includes the tempo changes, you should have been able to pick up on those fast enough to know to speed up or slow the tempo down based on what others were playing.

Yeah, I know its a lousy situation to be in, but it happens. All you can do is learn from it. You said you sometimes play drums for these guys. IMO/IME that makes you responsible for making sure you know every piece of music they could possibly play at a show.

Back in 2000 or 2001, I was in a band for 2 days before they booked a crap gig at a coffee shop. Didn't know they booked it either. I didn't have all their material down yet, and when I had to play at the shop I was lost on many of the changes. It made me look like an idiot and lord knows I wanted to chew the morons out for it, but in the long run, it was still my fault. There were measures I could have taken to make sure I could have gotten by much better, had I known they booked the gig then I also would have.

[mndean]

Originally Posted by cassanova

+1

Back in 2000 or 2001, I was in a band for 2 days before they booked a crap gig at a coffee shop. Didn't know they booked it either. I didn't have all their material down yet, and when I had to play at the shop I was lost on many of the changes. It made me look like an idiot and lord knows I wanted to chew the morons out for it, but in the long run, it was still my fault. There were measures I could have taken to make sure I could have gotten by much better, had I known they booked the gig then I also would have.

Well, mine wasn't so bad, I had five rehearsals, but there were songs on the set (originals, mind you) where I hadn't even heard them but once and never even got to rehearse. I did keep time okay (considering there's no drummer), although I blew a few changes (when it got dark I couldn't read the lyric sheets) especially on songs that even the chords weren't written out. Our sax player quit after three songs when his axe developed a leak and he was fighting it all through his solo. Bandleader forgot a few lines to about three songs, let a couple of violin solos slop over their time limit without even signaling me. Since it was a block party (good fireworks, a lot of illegal ones - one whizzed ten feet past my shoulder and exploded), we had to settle for tips from the crowd and split about $100. The violinist (cute little 12-year old) got tipped personally about double what we got (she's still a kid and couldn't keep her mouth shut. You know how kids are). I didn't do a lot wrong so I don't feel bad about my first gig in 25 years. I really didn't expect much money. Most of the people working regular jobs are hurting financially, so I knew the tips would be paltry. We played for ~2 hours. Not much, but I know one thing for sure now. I don't get nervous in front of a crowd.

[Vic Winters]

I hate being put in those situations. It's as if you're the only one that sees that the bridge is out a 1/4 mile down the track.

[otis_thick]

Originally Posted by Rick Auricchio

Well, yeah, then that includes pulling out a revolver and shooting the other band members. Unless there are more than six of them, in which case an automatic would be used to avoid reloading.

You could shoot 2 if they were back to back....

As for the gig...as a bassist, I was put in the same situation ....Everyone take note...turn your low end up and mute your strings and turn your volume down and play low notes (thumbps) with the bass drum....It also helps if you look as though something is wrong with your bass or amp....the sound guy thinks he lost your signal....most of the audience will just here LOW something. If you did good for the rest of the set, no-one will know....the only downside (maybe up) the sound guy has turned up you volume .......Wait a minute you are a drummer! What are you doing here? This here is TalkBASS!

[JmJ]

Had a gig recently where the singer called out a song I didn't know & never heard.
Lucky for me & the audience the changes were simple & easy to follow, played it without a hitch. Afterward I told them they called a song we had never rehearsed,"yeah but you pulled it off"! At the very next gig they did it again and told the audience "our bass player doesn't know this one but he's a fast learner" This time I was not as lucky, the guitar was not loud enough for me to hear all the changes, halfway through the song I figured it out but jeez talk about putting me on the spot.