Discussion Point,Gigging, Some Do/Some Don't

bluewine · #1 09-05-2009, 10:50 AM

What are your thoughts on gigging and doing these shows.

I know for some of us, like me, gigging is what we are in this for, performing and rocking in front of people. It's what drew me to it initially.

I have a few freinds whwere gigging is just not their thing, they like playing but not performing.

I do know that being in a band and doing shows can be a pain and is not for everyone.

For me and maybe some others,I admit it, I love the attention. I also love the challange of getting this rock stuff down, and turning people on.

This is a topic that can go anywhere, I would and others would love to hear your thoughts.

BTW , we had a blast in the studio last night finishing our promo cd.

blue

xgator4u · #2 09-05-2009, 11:36 AM

Gigging, Some Do/Some Don't/Quote

Yup, that about sums it up.
for us that love gigging, we are the driving force behind the music industry, to wit: concerts,
merchandise,and the live entertainment factor. The rest are quite content to be studio musicians. Especially now where anyone with a computer a some software can be a studio musician, right in his own room. AND they don't even have to be good, they can always have a do over. And the finished product does not have to be fabulous either, just go to i-tunes and you tube to see proof of that. However, not too many people will pay the price of admission to see a band that is sub par.

bluewine · #3 09-05-2009, 11:55 AM

I think some guys are just shy and for those with low self image doing shows or the thought of doing shows must be tough

Eilif · #4 09-05-2009, 12:18 PM

I think this is an issue that comes up in alot of threads in this section. Those of us who like to play out often have a hard time when we form a "band" and there are members (often our friends) who want to hang out and make music but don't want or are scared to play out.

IMHO, if you aren't playing out, you aren't a band, you're a group of people who make music together. I was in a "band" for 2 whole years with musicians I liked, playing music I liked, but no one else wanted to play out, so even though we tried to record, we only played out 4 times.

NEVER AGAIN!

The live performance is probably my top musical motivator. I like playing out, I like being in front of an audience and the interaction there. Some folks don't, and that's ok, but that kind of thing needs to be brought up early in any musical relationship.

Sizlack · #5 09-05-2009, 12:29 PM

While I love just jamming out, or sitting at home messing with keyboards and whatnot. The main reason I got into music was to play in front of people, to share the feeling and emotion of what we were doing with our music with other people.
That and the adrenaline rush when everyone in the club is into the music and just having a blast.

gregoire1 · #6 09-05-2009, 12:36 PM

My current band gigs very little. Maybe 4 times a year but we always have a scheduled gig coming up, so, we are practicing about once a week for that gig. I have a job, kids, other responsibilities and can't do more.
Does 4 gigs a year count as a giging band?

pasta4lnch · #7 09-05-2009, 12:43 PM

I've been a musician my whole life, I've been a musician my whole professional career (10+years) and I just started playing live. I had given up on the dream long ago - thought I wasnt pretty enough, couldn't find five guys on the same page as me, headaches etc. My last client dragged me on the stage by my earlobe kicking and screaming... It's been a GREAT ride!! I'll be playing live for the rest of my life!!

RustyAxe · #8 09-05-2009, 01:25 PM

I (we) enjoy making good music. But another dimension of satisfaction is realized when OTHERS listen and appreciate what we're doing. We don't do it for the money (both of us are retired, and happy to be). I have to admit that totin' the gear, setting up and tearing down are no longer very much fun. And no more bars ... few listen or appreciate ... might as well just turn up the jukebox in the corner.

bluewine · #9 09-05-2009, 04:20 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by gregoire1

My current band gigs very little. Maybe 4 times a year but we always have a scheduled gig coming up, so, we are practicing about once a week for that gig. I have a job, kids, other responsibilities and can't do more.
Does 4 gigs a year count as a giging band?

Good point, for some guys it's timing.When I was married and my kids were young, what I am doing now would never work.

I guess a finally caught a break in life.Kids are grown in college.Now I am that older divorced /single, self proclaimed Loft living cool guy, with no obtacles blocking me from music and gigging.

bluewine · #10 09-05-2009, 04:24 PM

From going over a few of the responses, there seem to be 2 types of bass players.Those that consider themselves musicians and thos of us that also look at ourselves as performers as well.

For me it's so great to be back, right down to the guy that walks up to you after a set and askes questions about your gear or your playing history and sometimes advice.

MalcolmAmos · #11 09-05-2009, 04:42 PM

Relate to no more bars. Everyone in both bands I'm with qualify for Medicare. I'm 74 and 9:30 PM finds me at home waiting on the 10:00 O'clock news. But, there are the afternoons for us older musicians. We've been playing nursing and retirement homes for seven years now. We pick up an afternoon street dance, fish fry, Salvation Army family night; Last Veterans day we played for the VA hospital residents - always somebody looking to be entertained. I'm doing on average 6 gigs a month.

Especially love the nursing and retirement home gigs. You get to know the residents - a bitter sweet relationship - and they do appreciate our coming.

Yep you can gig after Medicare.

Malcolm

Chowowbus · #12 09-08-2009, 12:29 PM

You rock MalcolmAmos!
Thats really cool what you do, bringin music to folks who need it the most.
I hope your still playin at 100!

Phalex · #13 09-08-2009, 01:03 PM

When I first started playing, I had no desire to join a band (perform). Now I have no desire to play without a band

Derk_Falsco · #14 09-08-2009, 01:10 PM

I'm one of those fellas with low self esteem and poor self image but that's what drives me to the stage. After our bands first show, hearing all that cheering, screaming, and applause gave me a feeling nothing else has or will. Since that first show, I've wanted to do nothing more than play shows. I like jamming in the garage just as much (no time limit, off days don't sound so bad) but I gotta know we're working toward something, like our next gig.

JohnMCA72 · #15 09-08-2009, 01:54 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by bluewine

I think some guys are just shy and for those with low self image doing shows or the thought of doing shows must be tough

Then, for some, there's a "Jeckyl 'n Hyde" sort of thing going on, where they can be somebody completely different for awhile.

JM

billhilly66 · #16 09-08-2009, 02:25 PM

Ha! The Jeckyl and Hyde thing nails it for me. I giged for a living until 2001. after that, I had to get my "day job persona" going. I still do at least 5 or more gigs a month so I don't go crazy and I can be my "old self" I even have a name for my alter ego. Kinda schitzophrenic but it's fun.

bassbully · #17 09-08-2009, 03:19 PM

For me its all about the GIG and chasing the GIG. I live for it and its what drives me to play. Since i got back to music late in life (40) i dont have time to noodle with guys in a basement etc.
I love performing and playing in front of people. I work hard on my music and promoting my band trying to get us as far as we can get with in reason. I am a father and husband with a full time job with allot of stress. Gigs help releive that and provide me a getaway...i love playing live and i hope i can for a long time.

cassanova · #18 09-08-2009, 03:42 PM

I've been in the game for 23 years now. I prefer to do the fill in role. I have no real desire to become a permanent fixture in a band at the moment, mostly due to time constraints and financial reasons.

Don't get me wrong, I love to play and perform on stage but, the average band around here doesn't get paid decently and the fill in route provides much better wages. So in a sense, I guess you could also say I'm in it for the money as well.

stflbn · #19 09-08-2009, 03:45 PM

Practicing in a basement or garage and never actually playing a gig is a lot like dating a super-model for an extended time and never getting to see her nekkid... or more...

.

ChrisB2 · #20 09-08-2009, 05:02 PM

You said it yourself, Blue, in another thread - it's all about the gig!

I'm sitting here amidst an array of bass guitars, amps, speaker cabs, all kinds of cords and cables, lights, pedals, duffel bags, etc..... it's all for the gig.

Don't get me wrong, I am not an attention-seeker... just the opposite. I really don't care if anyone knows I'm there, except when they hear/feel the bass. I'm fine with playing and never really meeting the audience, and returning home to my wife and kids.

I just love playing with people, for people... especially when they dance. Making music, live, that people respond to.

Yeah. It's all about the gig.