How many bands?

Matt Dean · #1 06-11-2009, 11:16 AM

So, I find my self in three bands... each playing a style of music I really love to play (reggae, old fart punk and original rock in the style of radiohead).

Problem: I have a day job, a family and am involved in local politics (on planning commission) and I think I've hit my max can do load.

So, this question is really more for the day job working, family man/woman bass players.... How many bands do you think you can reasonably play in?

Matt

prokfrog · #2 06-11-2009, 11:35 AM

I'm in three bands as well. Three kids, wife, dog, house, kids have after school and weekend sports, dance, etc. It's a major balancing act. Between the three, I could almost be booked every wed., Fri, & Sat of every week. I try to keep it down to four gigs per month avg. Around every fifth, or sixth week, I try to keep a full weekend blacked out. It really comes down to how well you can manage it all, and how much support your family gives you. Whether or not how much you rely on the income plays a factor as well. Is your grass three feet tall because you can't get to it because of music? Are you not making it to your kids sat. morning games because you were playing the night before? That gets old in a hurry. You get the picture.

wingnut · #3 06-11-2009, 05:07 PM

I'm in 2 and a half bands. My main band, one side band, and I fill in for another pick up band. When it starts to stress you out or if your significant other starts to stress, it's time. The fact that you posted this question should tell you it's time to let something go. If you spread yourself too thin, something or someone always suffers. Been there done that. You can never turn back the clock to regain the time you wish you would have spent another way.

jaywa · #4 06-11-2009, 05:27 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Matt Dean

So, I find my self in three bands... each playing a style of music I really love to play (reggae, old fart punk and original rock in the style of radiohead).

Problem: I have a day job, a family and am involved in local politics (on planning commission) and I think I've hit my max can do load.

So, this question is really more for the day job working, family man/woman bass players.... How many bands do you think you can reasonably play in?

Matt

Dude... dump the planning commission. That should give you time for at least one more band, you'll get home earlier at night and it will pay better than local politics, too!

But seriously... I'm in a cover band that gigs 4-6 nights a month, I sub for a couple of other bands (average 1 night every couple of months), and I play for my church about 2 Sundays a month which also includes a weeknight rehearsal. On top of 45-50 hrs a week at my day job and being a husband/dad. And I feel I'm about maxed out as well, so don't feel bad about it. Other posters have put it well... if you're stiffing your family and/or failing at your day job, you probably need to scale back. Bank a little of your gig money each time and use it to take your wife away for a 3-day weekend once or twice a year. I am blessed to have a wife who's totally behind my "music thing" - but I never want to take that for granted and try to cut her in on some of the benefits every now and then.

MatticusMania · #5 06-11-2009, 06:16 PM

I only play in one myself,
though I used to play in two,
if I were single I'd probably be in three,
but as it is,
I like to devote alot of time to my girlfriend.
If we break up, or if she becomes annoying,
I'll probably join another.

Marko5657 · #6 06-11-2009, 06:30 PM

Dang… you guys sure have a lot of energy.

lorenk · #7 06-11-2009, 09:09 PM

Yeah! Crap and here I am thinkin' being in one band is taking up enough of my time (aside from work)...

seanm · #8 06-12-2009, 12:58 AM

Two bands at the moment. It depends on how often then gig. The one band wants to be a "once or twice" a month band. The other wants to be more of a "once a week". Since both bands are still in the building repertoire phase, I wouldn't join another until things settle down.

Rudreax · #9 06-12-2009, 01:36 AM

I'd only go up to two. Three bands at once...it just seems like a weird number of bands to be in.

willyrep · #10 06-12-2009, 02:01 AM

I have three consistent groups where I'm the bassist, but also am a first call sub for 3-5 other groups. Plus the occasional Church gig and recording session. I also work part-time. Find what works for you, Im happiest when im busy but my biological clock sure aint!

ric stave · #11 06-12-2009, 12:41 PM

Is it time to start a "3+ Band" club?

LOL!

I was playing in 4 full-time bands at one point - luckily, 'full-time' to 3 of them meant about 4-5 shows a year, while the main one plays about 8-10 shows a month. Total juggling act, especially when summer hits, 'cuz that's when everyone's fighting for the same 12 Saturdays!

jaywa · #12 06-12-2009, 12:53 PM

All of the bands I'm currently in (except church) are cover bands that rehearse "almost never" to "never", so the time investment outside of actual gigs is practically zero. If you're in 3 bands like that, it shouldn't be too hard to handle.

OTOH I spent 2 1/2 years in an originals band that played together a minimum 5 nights a week (either gigging, writing or rehearsing), and in that case even a 2nd band was out of the question.

MatticusMania · #13 06-12-2009, 12:59 PM

My drummer is in a few bands, as well as a fill in drummer for a LOT of my friends bands.

He plays full time in mine, has another side project that plays alot less, fills in alot for my girlfriends band, fills in for his cousins band, jams out with another few guys...

I recently got hit up by a guy who lives in the next town over who wants to jam with me, so I may start doing that soon (despite the fact that my girlfriend has not yet become annoying).

two fingers · #14 06-12-2009, 12:59 PM

Well, I didn't have kids, but at one time I was in 5 bands! I had a web site set up for all of them to check. They had to verify with me that I wasn't booked before they could book a date. They knew my minimum dollar amount to play, and how far I would travel in different price ranges. I only had a girl friend and a day job at the time, but it was a LOT to keep up with. The most confusing part was that there were 4 songs that I played in 4 different keys! I rarely had two nights off in a row, and NEVER had a weeknd night off. This went on for almost two years! It's good to be rare. No bass players around here.
As to your question, I would probably max out at a main band and a side project with job AND family going on. We're about to have our first child in a couple of weeks, and I have NO problem giving up some gigs for the family. You CAN have it all, but just not at the same time. Good luck!

skidrawk · #15 06-12-2009, 01:01 PM

One. I might fill in when needed elsewhere but normally my one band keeps me busy enough. I also do solo work but I won't count that.

jaywa · #16 06-12-2009, 01:08 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by two fingers

Well, I didn't have kids, but at one time I was in 5 bands! I had a web site set up for all of them to check. They had to verify with me that I wasn't booked before they could book a date. They knew my minimum dollar amount to play, and how far I would travel in different price ranges. I only had a girl friend and a day job at the time, but it was a LOT to keep up with. The most confusing part was that there were 4 songs that I played in 4 different keys! I rarely had two nights off in a row, and NEVER had a weeknd night off. This went on for almost two years!

Wow. You probably got really darn good over those two years, I'm betting?

Baird6869 · #17 06-12-2009, 03:00 PM

I play regularly in 3 bands (blues, metal and Classic Rock) and it is getting too much.

I have 2 kids and 3 dogs!

I only gig 2-3 times a month now but juggling gigs, practice and other responsibility.

RavenBasslady · #18 06-13-2009, 12:42 PM

I'm in one band at the moment, though it looks as if I'll be adding another one next week, if things go well. I have no kids, and work for myself. So, I have a lot of leeway as far as time goes.

Dubadays · #19 06-13-2009, 01:12 PM

Um.....6? That sounds right. It's hard to keep track of

. I'm in a big band (jazz), a wind ensemble, jazz combo (all three of which I use upright basses), one harder rock band, one alternative type band, and a mix of the two.

Matt Dean · #20 06-13-2009, 01:30 PM

Quote:

Is it time to start a "3+ Band" club?

LOL too!

Quote:

Are you not making it to your kids sat. morning games

My kids are 17 and 22, so for the most part they're off doing their on thing (22yo lives in another house nearby), so, I'm not really sacrificing kid time to play music... in fact the 22 yo comes to my shows.

Quote:

Dude... dump the planning commission.

Na... we only meet once every other month and this way I get to have a vote in expanding music playing hours for the local clubs (shhhh don't tell anyone I'm playing in those clubs, could be perceived as a conflict of interest).

Quote:

Um.....6? That sounds right. It's hard to keep track of .

That's off the hook... but I love it!

The truth is, I didn't plan on being in three bands, but when one of local pros who was in 4 bands himself got tendinitis and starting quiting bands, I stepped into one of them. I love to play bass and different styles of music, so