How Flexible Are You?

[tbirdsp]

I'm not much into country - but I got a call earlier this week from a country band I sat in with once at an open jam - they need me for a gig this sat night. The guitarists/vocalist are OK (nice older dudes - older than me and I'm 50) -I really liked playing with the drummer though - he's done some Nashville session work and toured with several national acts - dude can play (tastefully). Pay will be 100 bucks and free dinner. Seeing that my primary band is just starting out and I'm only getting half that right now (plus I own/tranport the PA) I'm pretty stoked!

[Munjibunga]

Quite a bit less than this.

[pklima]

I will not play music which draws mostly guys to shows, and I will not play music which draws mostly musicians.

[Marko5657]

Originally Posted by pklima

I will not play music which draws mostly guys to shows, and I will not play music which draws mostly musicians.

I can think of a reason or two why, but just curious what your reasons are.

[Kmonk]

I cannot play music that I do not enjoy. I have refused to join bands that had a lot of gigs because I didn't like what they played.

I am also very fussy about the sound of the band. If they send me a link to a website or some Mp3s and do not sound good I will not play no matter how many gigs they have. I refuse to embarrass myself.

Age is never a consideration. There are great players of all ages.

I have no preference about originals or covers as long as the cover band isn't playing the same songs as every other cover band.

[Factor88]

Originally Posted by Biggbass

I'm very flexible when it comes to playing with other musicians. but the older I get the less tolerance I have for BS. A Good personality goes a long way.

I guess I am in the minority because I find the opposite as I age. In my 20's I was so serious about whatever band I happened to be in; sound issues, musicianship issues, drug issues, girlfriend/wife drama, all would upset me.

Now, approaching 50, as long as the positives outweigh the negatives, I'll let lots of BS slide. The only time I get my feathers ruffled is when the drama or whatever becomes a "clear and present danger" to the band maintaining our prefered amount of work. And when you are only playing 4-5 gigs per month, you'd be suprised about how much BS and drama a band can survive and still work, year after year.

To answer the OP's question, I'm very flexible, but I gots to get paid.........

[pklima]

Originally Posted by Marko5657

I can think of a reason or two why, but just curious what your reasons are.

They stand still and judge you and don't dance and wear black T-shirts and cross their arms and want you to play too many notes and aren't happy unless you bring lots of expensive heavy gear and they're mostly guys and all those negative stereotypes.

[ChrisB2]

Good question. At first I really thought I was pretty flexible until the question made me think a little more, then I realized I'm really not that flexible.

Oh, if you're a cover band with decent gigs on the books, a rowdy rockin' setlist of popular music from any genre, decent/good players without a lot of drama that have a half-way professional look, I'm all over you like you-know-what. But if any of those are seriously lacking, I'm out... and don't even THINK about original music, I avoid it like a Carly Rae Jepsen concert...

[Flyingfrets]

At this stage of the game, I'm flexible to the extent that I play what I want with who I want.

Not wasting time playing music I have no interest in with people I can't stand.

[3mrhythm]

My band only plays our originals
we will play pretty much any show we are asked to play as long we get at least some gas money. Every opportunity to play is an opportunity to sell cds and shirts..


as far as my personal flexibility. I only play for my band.. but if i were offered good money i would probably play for cover bands or something. I'd much rather go play a 45min and show and have fun rather than an endless onslaught of cover music i hate lol

[BayStateBass]

Originally Posted by bluewine

I see a lot of this " I won't play country".

I hope those that take that position have a good realistic definition of country.

I say;

Want to hear some good rock?

Listen to these new contemporary country bands out of Nashville.

Blue

Well, just my opinion here, but I used to think that. I was blues or rock only......

Now I play in a band that does primarily Country, old and new, and I have to tell you it's a whole lot of fun. And not as easy as people think if you're doing it right. Yes, the "New Country" is actually good old fashioned ROCK with a twang, but the "Old Country" is something different. Simple music with a lot of feel and emotion; technically it's not hard to play but the key is to "get it" and play with feeling. It has a lot of the genuine emotion that is absent in today's mass produced commercial music and "generated" stars.

Actually, if and when this band folds, I'll definitely look for another Country band. It's a blast and the crowd you play for is a whole lot of fun and very friendly.

[bassbully]

Shove that Nu-Country stuff give me the old school Country and I will smile while playing it all night long.

[Itzayana]

I am quite flexible in that I will play almost anything except..
I will not play with a crappy drummer.

[DWBass]

I prefer to play a wide range of music and tailor my ads towards working top40 variety corporate/wedding/private party bands. If I had to do genre specific, it would be mainly r&b, funk or jazz. I also prefer to play with good, solid, versatile musicians.

Tired of playing with hacks who don't even have a clue that they suck! Feels like I'm in the minor leagues and just can't make it to the big club because there just are no opportunities!

[Joe Louvar]

only two things matter to me - 1) it sounds good. 2) the pay is good.

Originally Posted by bluewine

When it comes to opportunities to perform and make some money with a gigging band how flexible are you?

1. I will only play one specific genre.

2. Regardless of the caliber of the band I will only play original music.

3. Regardless of the caliber if the band. I will only play covers.

4. I only want to gig a few times a year.

5. I will only play with guys my age.

6. I restrict myself to established working band opportunities with a strong book of business.

The purpose of the thread is get an idea of how open minded we are in regards to available opportunities.

There's no right or wrong here. All comments are welcome.


Blue

[bassbully]

Originally Posted by Joe Louvar

only two things matter to me - 1) it sounds good. 2) the pay is good.

Gotta throw a Monkey wrench in here for S&G. What if the music is ok or even kind of bad but the pay is good?

[bluewine]

Originally Posted by bassbully

Gotta throw a Monkey wrench in here for S&G. What if the music is ok or even kind of bad but the pay is good?

Depends, what's "bad" will differ from one guy to the next.

We have a corporate show band in Milwaukee called " Five Card Stud " many think their tacky and bad.

It's a Vegas 70s / disco sort of thing. These guys are at the top of their agencies list and are 1 of the highest paid local bands here.

I'd play with them in a heart beat.

Blue

[Ric5]

When it comes to opportunities to perform and make some money with a gigging band how flexible are you?

I don't look at music as a money making thing. It is a way for me to get creative and do someting different than my job.

1. I will only play one specific genre.

I will play many styles. I do avoid certain types of music, but I am open to different things.

2. Regardless of the caliber of the band I will only play original music.

I like originals, but there is no shortage of mediocre musicians who write mediocre songs, who play in mediocre clubs to indifferent crowds. That gets old really fast. I usually end up playing covers.

3. Regardless of the caliber if the band. I will only play covers.

I will play both, and I don't like playing with low caliber musicians.

4. I only want to gig a few times a year.

I agree ... I don't want to gig every weekend ... that get's old. It becomes a job, and I already have a job.

5. I will only play with guys my age.

I will play with many ages as long as they are good.

6. I restrict myself to established working band opportunities with a strong book of business.

If a band is working a lot then I will pass. I don't want my hobby to become a job. That takes the fun out of it.

[Ric5]

Originally Posted by Itzayana

I am quite flexible in that I will play almost anything except..
I will not play with a crappy drummer.

+1

also I won't play if they are too loud.

[Joe Louvar]

Originally Posted by bassbully

Gotta throw a Monkey wrench in here for S&G. What if the music is ok or even kind of bad but the pay is good?

if the pay is really good, I’m buyable