Am I really available?

allanmac00 · #1 08-06-2006, 02:59 AM

I need some advice-
Our guitar player is leaving for 4 months at the end of the summer, and the rest of us decided we will continue playing together, with our violin player assuming lead duties until he comes back. We will not be gigging much, maybe once a month, and practicing once a week, tops. So I'm considering posting myself as available for a gigging projects. I don't want to quit my current band, but it looks like it might just tread water until December. I'm not looking for any ground level projects, just something that I can jump into and play gigs. My question is, would my bandmates question my commitment to our project if I decided to pursue a gigging band? Would they have a right to? It also might help to know that our drummer also plays with another band that gigs once a week. Any thoughts?

Cerb · #2 08-06-2006, 05:34 AM

Why don't you just ask your band members rather than asking complete strangers who will not be able really be able to help you.

Josh Raines · #3 08-06-2006, 06:36 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Cerb

Why don't you just ask your band members rather than asking complete strangers who will not be able really be able to help you.

I think the appropriate thing to say would be +1.

mrmoonjam · #4 08-06-2006, 06:45 AM

Is anybody questioning the commitment of your guitar player or drummer? If you're still committed and tell the so, why would they question that? But IMHO you're going to have to talk with your band members for everything to be clear and understood.

Dkerwood · #5 08-06-2006, 09:17 AM

+1. Talk to your band members.

I'm in a similar situation. My band is a three piece. Our drummer is a teacher and he also has a family - he doesn't mind playing a lot, but I'm not going to put stress on his family life with 100 gigs a year. We try for about 40 gigs a year, and usually set those up in spurts (4-5 gigs one week, then about 2-3 weeks between gigs for the next few months).

Personally, I wouldn't mind playing 100+ gigs a year, so I'm halfheartedly looking for an oldies/classic rock type gig that I could just jump into and play. Nothing serious - just something that could make me a little money and keep my skills sharp. Whenever I talk to the other band members about this, though, they always nod in agreement and say "I'd play with you in a band like that!" Riiiight. So we'd have 2 bands with identical personnel? Hmm. Not too keen on that - especially since I have my hands full booking and managing the main project. I don't WANT a band that requires a lot of time and effort from me. I want a band that will hand me a CD and say "learn these songs," and then pay me 50 bucks or whatever every weekend.

Will my other band members feel a little left out if I do this? Probably. I've been doing gigs with my bassist for the last five years... heck, I helped get her started playing bass. My drummer took twenty years off from playing drums, so I'm the only guy he's played with since he was in high school. Will they feel betrayed? I hope not, but who knows.

I guess I'll have to cross that bridge when I come to it. And I'll talk to my band members.