Audience Members who want to play - Page 7

EatADeadGoat · #**121** 09-11-2010, 07:09 PM

Say no. If they keep insisting, make them leave. If that means calling security, cops, ect, go for it. If it absolutely boils down to it, there is no peaceful way to make them leave, mess 'em up.

In my experience, that type usually just leaves, angry and fuming. They're the ones who are used to have mommy and daddy buying them 300 dollar shoes.

Crazyeelboy · #**122** 09-12-2010, 03:10 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Loose Cannon

At a couple of gigs lately, our band has had an audience member or two who wants to get up and play a song. We have been playing clubs, and it's always someone who is "under the influence" to put it nicely. We have worked hard on our material, and would rather not have a "guest" unless it's someone we know and we ask them to sit in.

I have suggested to the band that we simply tell them something like "Our insurance only covers our equipment if we are the ones using it". What do you guys do?

Just say "No" and mean it. The venue hired you, not him, to play the gig.

electracoyote · #**123** 09-12-2010, 03:16 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Crazyeelboy

Just say "No" and mean it. The venue hired you, not him, to play the gig.

This is a great point.

We had a Thursday audition gig at a desirable club we really wanted to get into.

Everthing was going well until the lead singer invites a total stranger up to sing an AC/DC song. They guy just screamed bloody murder through the entire song, a total hack job to the point of embarassment. Not fun, not cool, and a sign of poor judgment on our part.

Needless to say, we never got invited back.

It should never be forgotten that, as musicians and entertainers who have worked hard for the right to take the stage, get in the spotlight, and do our job, we are privileged in a way the average person is not. They have not earned that right, so why feel you have to cater to that mentality? This is not karaoke or open-mic night, and you, the paid professional, are responsible for that stage and that roomful of patrons being entertained.

KillerQuebec · #**124** 09-12-2010, 01:51 PM

I'm going to revise and extend my remarks from earlier in the thread.

Because i recall that we set an outdoor record for a tip ($800) when we let some pro ball player get up and sing a song.

Since that time, I always take a look over to the tip jar and see if they have earned their way on stage.

Also we work at a very friendly place and don't want to be assholes to the customers, so sometimes when there is a big group and someone wants to make as ass of themselves, we let them, as long as cash flows into the tip jar.

But it's always a judgement call. I would never let anyone up on an audition gig.

Can't wait for spring training next year!

Trouland · #**125** 09-13-2010, 04:08 PM

I play bass in a Dream Theater tribute band and I have never had any one ask to come up and try to play play John Myung's bass parts.Ha ha!

buzzbass · #**126** 09-15-2010, 08:15 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Trouland

I play bass in a Dream Theater tribute band and I have never had any one ask to come up and try to play play John Myung's bass parts.Ha ha!

That's because nobody ever comes to the gigs

Just messin' with you 'bro

a01020201 · #**127** 09-15-2010, 08:34 AM

I went to a bar that had a band kerokie thing, if you wanted to sing you could, or play one of the instruments as long as the other members of the band were playing everything else. It was a lot of fun, and drew a big crowd. A lot of people can play cover songs in the bedroom, but never have a chance to play in a band for many reasons.

But if someone random wanted to play my bass, i would not let them in the middle of my set

txbasschik · #**128** 09-19-2010, 05:49 AM

So, at the outdoor, lakeside gig last night, a fan says, "Too bad my buddy didn't make it. He's a bassist. I told him to bring his bass and ya'll would let him play. He's pretty good, and was so excited, but he couldn't make it."

Me: "Well, maybe its for the best. This being a gig, not a jam...he would have been very dissapointed. I don't allow sit-ins."

Him: "Aw! But its a casual gig, we're at the lake...can't you make it a jam?"

Me: "A gig is not a jam. No."

Then I go see a buddy of ours play, afterwards, and the girlfriend of a bass buddy starts begging me to go get my bass from the truck, and then tell the guy whose gig it is to let the guy play. "Oh Cherie, please get my boyfriend up there! He wants to play so bad!" Me: "No. This is not a jam, and its not my gig, either, and if it were my gig, I don't allow sit-ins." She just did not get it, and looked daggers at me the rest of the night.

Cherie

electracoyote · #**129** 09-19-2010, 01:19 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by txbasschik

Then I go see a buddy of ours play, afterwards, and the girlfriend of a bass buddy starts begging me to go get my bass from the truck, and then tell the guy whose gig it is to let the guy play. "Oh Cherie, please get my boyfriend up there! He wants to play so bad!" Me: "No. This is not a jam, and its not my gig, either, and if it were my gig, I don't allow sit-ins." She just did not get it, and looked daggers at me the rest of the night.

Cherie

See, to me, this is a very cool attitude. But so few musicians (and people) get it.

I don't mean to boast, but I'm one of the better bassists in my area. I can hang and play with a wide variety of styles competently.

But if I went to a performance that was a "gig" and not a "jam," and someone asked me to get up there and turn it into "open bass night," I would demure.

Some people just need to locate and use the "off" button a little more often. Just because you're an entertainer and have skills you can show off doesn't mean it's appropriate to do so at will.

davidgoldman · #**130** 09-22-2010, 08:30 AM

I am often asked to sit in with local bands. Most of the time they ask me in advance because I live in a small community and they know that if I am playing, ten of my friends and their wives will show up and the party is on.

Feral Feline · #**131** 09-23-2010, 01:34 AM

"Why would anyone want to sit in?"

Maybe they like the band/music and are competent/capable?
Every situation is unique, so warrants an appropriate response to that specific occasion.

I like jamming with as many different people as I can, it's fun and educational, but I'm not about to horn in on someone's gig, even if I was capable.

Personally, I've never asked to sit in at a gig, a jam once. I've only been invited to sit in once and declined.

The guy inviting me had never heard me play, though he knew I'd jammed with a friend of his. I politely explained I don't know how to play bass guitar (hey, the dark side of TB doesn't have a Band Management forum, cut me some slack).

Top 5 other reasons why I did not accept this unexpected offer (but the following could be in any order):
5) bass player in the band is killer, I came to listen to him (& band)
4) I didn't have my DB with me; would have to borrow unfamiliar equipment (Fender Jazz) that wasn't offered by the appropriate person, the owner
3) Don't know the band's repertoire, but it was blues so...
2) Bass player didn't invite me, it was another band member
{drum roll...}
1) Novice: I don't play well enough yet, couldn't cut it and would look like the novice I am.

A week later I did get to jam with the guy, and IMO I screwed up royally all night long. BUT, was asked to jam again with him, so I did something right at some point.

The band I'm in has some audience participation elements, but again it's a case-by-case basis. Nobody's ever asked to sit in on my DB, but I've let people try it between sets. If I get a nicer bass, I'll be more selective who may try it.

Somebody mentioned a story, on the TB dark side, of getting invited to sit in on a DB for a jazz number. Guy agreed, got up and started playing... bass was strung for a lefty and he hadn't noticed 'til he got up there. Struggled through, finished the song and later the band and him had a good chuckle over drinks about it. Even strung bassackwards, the guy could deliver the goods, just not as well as he would've liked!

rodl2005 · #**132** 09-23-2010, 01:52 AM

We've got 2 female lead singers who're GREAT ar saying to these ppl (sometimes nicely) to &^%&^% OFF!!!! WOW they're great at it!!! They even make it so the rest of the audience- even their friends are on our side :-) I just couldn't do it. Usually these ppl are guys, & our singers are sexy as.......... so I s'pose all this helps!
But I hate it when they're persistent. Usually the ol' 'Sorry mate- can't hear ya- y'all have to wait till after the set' works well- hopefully by then- they're too P*&*&$%d to remember, or if they DO remember, "orry the pub don't let audience mebers onstage, in fact they often have them removed from the venue" works well too.
Ya- annoying!

Slax · #**133** 09-23-2010, 02:07 AM

Last gig I had, there was a guy who wanted to sing a Doors tune. We invited him up and it was loads of fun. He wasn't great but the crowd (and him) really liked the interaction.

I think of the occasion on low profile gigs, if someone wants to try it like Karaoke, whatever. People seem to dig it as long as it's not more than a song or two.

baron665 · #**134** 09-23-2010, 03:04 AM

IMO singing should be fine, just make sure the mic stays on the stand. Letting some random audience member play any instrument is a big NO.

DrSmaggs · #**135** 09-23-2010, 03:27 AM

I don't play games.... I say no, but politely and I try never to have a guest. Even if said guest is planned out, because that opens the gates for everyone else to try to get on. The only time I deal with a guest musician is if they plan to do an entire set with us.

If someone asks, I'm always direct, firm and cool about it. I've never gotten trouble that way, but if you make an excuse, they will see right through it and you may get harrassed, and it sucks if someone gets tossed by security.