Am I wrong on this one?

lousybassplayer · #1 03-02-2010, 07:56 PM

So I go to "check out" a band that is renting a spot and splitting the rent, but they neither mentioned it before I got there nor asked me for any money as yet. Am I a jerk for not offering? I mean, I'm not gonna anyway, these guys are certainly not on the rocketship to stardom (or even a bar gig any time soon), but I mean, whats the protocol if I come across something like this and the band is actually worth it? Does it seem to anyone else that this kind of thing should be mentioned up front?

**jmattbassplaya** · #2 03-02-2010, 08:11 PM

If you`re not in the band yet then why would you bother offering anyways?

lousybassplayer · #3 03-02-2010, 08:21 PM

well I guess i kind of am in the "band" in that I go to their practices and attempt to learn their songs, as well as use their rig since i don't feel like moving mine/the head is in the shop. THe reason I hesitate to refer to the "band" is the lack of any songs that can be played the same way twice or a singer or any known recordings. Thats neither here nor there though. I think it would have been more useful to mention that first part in the OP though. The thing is, these guys are paying for this spot and i am not. When asked too (if that happens) i will likely split if they don't have a bot more of their act together. IS it wrong to not offer to pay while I see what happens, even if that takes a while?

SirGrotius · #4 03-02-2010, 08:23 PM

The usual thing is not to pay the first three times and then start paying. Otherwise you're like a rent-a-bassist. Definitely after you play your first show you need to start chipping in.

lousybassplayer · #5 03-02-2010, 08:35 PM

Thats kind of what I was thinking, but the problem is I predict a pretty sizeabel gap between 3 practices and 1st show.

I think in a roundabout way I am deciding (whilst thinking outloud on a public forum) whether its best to just let these very nice guys down eas. But it is the only thing I have going at the moment where I can at least play with a live drummer (other band is currently looking for one). I guess im not just a bass player, but a bass playah!

Taking the bands are like women analogy a little to far?

whitespike · #6 03-02-2010, 08:43 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by lousybassplayer

But it is the only thing I have going at the moment where I can at least play with a live drummer

It sounds as if it is worth something to you. Then you should chip in, no? To really start a band seriously, it takes more than a few practices to get moving. If you aren't serious about playing with them, split right now. I have been on the other side way too many times. It's quite infuriating.

lousybassplayer · #7 03-02-2010, 08:44 PM

yeah, I know, hence the guilt over it. But they kind of led on a little different than what I found when I got there. Either way, I think you are probably right.

fdeck · #8 03-02-2010, 10:07 PM

Being a rent-a-bassist has its points.

Breslin dp · #9 03-02-2010, 10:50 PM

If you are just auditioning for the band at the present time. Then, I would say it's fine not to pay them. I understand how you feel though.

**jmattbassplaya** · #10 03-02-2010, 11:03 PM

I`d wait until you guys either get a gig or you`re guaranteed a spot in the band before you start shelling out money.

armywalaby · #11 03-02-2010, 11:54 PM

This sounds like something that should be paid for out of a band fund. Band funds are usually generated by playing shows. I dunno...I'd probably just not get into it myself. But then again, I have a studio in my house and I don't ask anyone to chip in the rent.

So, I guess what I'm saying is that at the very least it would be a band leader responsibility until the band has generated funds to take care of the fees?

Seems logical to me.

Skyblue977 · #12 03-02-2010, 11:55 PM

Not ready to gig after 3 sessions? Is it them or you whom has not turned up to rehearsal ready go?

stylonpilson · #13 03-03-2010, 03:11 AM

In my opinion, the first session is your audition, and you shouldn't have to pay. It sounds like you've accepted them, and they've accepted you, so you're not auditioning any more. Unless you have an agreement with them that you are a rent-a-bassist, you should really be offering to pay your share.

S.P.

klokker · #14 03-03-2010, 07:13 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by stylonpilson

In my opinion, the first session is your audition, and you shouldn't have to pay. It sounds like you've accepted them, and they've accepted you, so you're not auditioning any more. Unless you have an agreement with them that you are a rent-a-bassist, you should really be offering to pay your share.

S.P.

I agree. If you're a band member, seems like you'd want to chip in your share. Who knows? They might say "no big deal" or whatever. At least offer.

lousybassplayer · #15 03-03-2010, 07:33 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Skyblue977

Not ready to gig after 3 sessions? Is it them or you whom has not turned up to rehearsal ready go?

Dude, they have 3 songs, no recordings for me to learn from, no written music, chord sheets, not even tabs. The guitar player doesn't seem to ever play the same thing twice and tunes in drop something, down a half step sometimes. Send me a recording and I can learn 2 songs a day cold without much trouble (just where I am at in my playing), give me some chords or tabs and its more like 5 a day. I am not a pro level guy, but was lead to believe this was a little more than screwing around.

What I was driving at is I am getting the impression these guys are just hanging out and blowing of steam, no biggie, but should I be paying for the priviledge of joining them?

whitespike · #16 03-03-2010, 07:36 AM

If you want to continue, yes. Even if they are blowing off steam it's no different than a deer camp - which you have to pay for...

lousybassplayer · #17 03-03-2010, 07:39 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by whitespike

If you want to continue, yes. Even if they are blowing off steam it's no different than a deer camp - which you have to pay for...

Hmmm. Now use a car analogy and you will have officially proved that I am a jerk using my own language. You are, of course, correct.

H2ODog · #18 03-03-2010, 08:00 AM

Since you already know what this is all about if you keep going you should pay. If it's not worth your time then best to leave.

Yerf Dog · #19 03-03-2010, 08:05 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Skyblue977

Not ready to gig after 3 sessions? Is it them or you whom has not turned up to rehearsal ready go?

Maybe he's a lousybassplayer... oh wait.

How much is the rental?

lousybassplayer · #20 03-03-2010, 08:10 AM

Yerf,
Honestly, I don't even know. Oh, and update, I jsut found out they are splitting the cost with a whole other band, a 5 peice that gigs pretty frequently. I think this may be why they don't care. I think each person is paying something like 45 bucks.