Oh goodness - I've become an on call bassist!

[jmattbassplaya]

I just got a call from one of my guitar buddies telling me that his bassist can't make a gig tonight and he needs me to sit in. This is the third gig this month that I'll be doing a sit in (first time with this band). To say the least, it's incredibly exciting, but it's also really scary! I'm nervous about playing a good show with these guys because they are definitely on the next level as far as musicianship goes, and I'm worried about whether or not I can keep up

[Tigger Bangdang]

Who is it?

[tangentmusic]

Dont worry. They obviously know you've got the skills, or they wouldnt have called.
Just keep it "bassic" and you'll be fine. Congrats.

[keiththebassist]

Right on! Nothing like being in demand! Like Tangentmusic said, stick to the bones and don't get too risky improving and you'll do fine!

[onosson]

It's a great gig to have, until it isn't (too many gigs on the same night being offered, accidentally doublebooking yourself, having to choose between projects that are all appealing, too much material to learn). I've been in that boat for the past decade, after a decade touring in ONE band, and it's been a huge transition - mostly enjoyable, don't get me wrong! But I'm seriously looking to cut my load down these days.

Enjoy the ride!

[dalkowski]

Originally Posted by tangentmusic

Dont worry. They obviously know you've got the skills, or they wouldnt have called.
Just keep it "bassic" and you'll be fine. Congrats.

Absolutely this. Lock in with the drummer, stay in the pocket and keep it simple. You'll be invited back.

[jmattbassplaya]

Originally Posted by Tigger Bangdang

Who is it?

It's a pretty new group called Symmetry. They're comprised of kids in the jazz program at UT. I've played with all of the guys in some form or another before, but this gig is a pretty big showcase for this band so I'm hoping I can do a good job for them!

[SteveHeissner]

You're either a better bassist than you think, or really dependable, or both. You're the go to guy for bass. And that's a great position to be in, my friend, so congrats! This only happened to me twice but it worked well. Got a call Fri afternoon to sit in Fri night. Didn't know most of the material so just stuck with the roots and locked in with the drummer. People complimented the band on how great we sounded. In that situation, less was more. And tasteful playing is always more important than flashy playing.

[droo46]

I do the same thing. Just take a deep breath and have fun being a paid musician.

[wideload]

You can't keep up with those kids. Better give them MY number!

[jmattbassplaya]

Thanks for the kind words guys I'm still pretty nervous about this gig since I don't know half their material and have been spending the past two hours trying to get the tunes under my fingers lol.

[Muaguana]

Congrats and good luck on the gig!

[Edward G.]

That's one way of 'arriving' as a player. Not only do you need to be able to play, but you need calm, steady nerves, for them as well as yourself. Work it for all it's worth. It's a totally legit way to make your bones.

[I<34080]

I've done the same thing TC, needles to say when the band I would sit in for got a new bass player who wasn't me I was upset.

Make sure you (with some subtlety) let them know you'd be interested in joining if you could, if that's what you want.

[DanAleks]

HAH!!
They called because they KNEW you can do it.

Rock it!

Let us know how much fun it was...

[jmattbassplaya]

Update!

The gig went pretty well. It definitely could of been better, but I honestly played just about as well as I could of considering the time I had to prep for the gig. I talked to the drummer after the gig and he was actually apologizing to me because they 'didn't give me that solid of a group to work with for a sit in gig.' He and the guitarist both want me back for future sit ins which is great for me

[Edward G.]

And you were worried.

[jmattbassplaya]

Originally Posted by Edward G.

And you were worried.

Haha! To be honest, I'll always be worried about these kinds of gigs, but they definitely are great opportunities to grow and mature as a player

I actually had a few friends who were at the gig last night text me to say that we sounded great. I guess we did a better job than I thought, because I didn't think we sounded all that great lol.

[tZer]

Way to go, man!

And it's far better to worry and cut it than not worry and blow it.

[jive1]

I forgot who said it, but I live by these words of wisdom for gigs: "Even though it looks like you're muddling through a bunch of weeds, from the heavens it all looks like a garden"