Is it ok to be a whore?

NickInMesa · #1 07-01-2009, 11:08 AM

The drummer and guitarist I play with are nice guys, but I feel that I am going to be limited pretty quickly.

The drummer is a late beginner, he picked up the right instrument, he gets the drumming thing, but has no sense of rhythm. I told him twice to practice and even play with a metronome. When he congratulates me for keeping the beat, I tell him that I ALWAYS play with a metronome or a beatbox. Hope he will get the hint, eventually.

The guitarist is a more seasoned guy, but has issues playing the songs as they are written, forcing me to transpose 1 step up or 3 steps down, which is ok, but he does not read music and often repeats the intro, misses the chorus, sometimes adds notes, and usually turns his back from us while he's reading his cheat sheet or whatever he has printed from some 911tabs.com. Oh yeah, these chord sheets often tell you to use a Capo and give you the chords to play, as with the capo, but since he does not cape, he ends up playing it n steps down. Kid you not.

I print scores, put them in a book, put the book on a stand, and read it while playing. I can't play from a sheet on the fly, I need to listen to the song while reading it and learning it, and I know my sheets are right. Yet, he keeps on playing whatever he wants (and the drummer and I look at each other and agree in silence), I can accomodate, but at one time you need to understand scores are there for a reason.

I am making some progress and force myself to learn new songs (like 4 or 5 new songs a week), and that's not necessarily a bad thin, but I think I'm going to hit a plateau at one point and I will need to get out of this band unless they put their act together.

I feel that in my teens I could have made stronger progress had I looked for different guys to play with, but then I lived in the middle of the wheat fields and had no transport but a 125cc 2-stroke dual-sported MX motorcycle (and yes, I would ride it with the bass on my back, and with an amp secured over the rear fender, that was mucho fun).

I keep getting emails from my last ad, two guys would like me to call them if my current band does not work, so here I am, thinking that maybe I should just be the same whore in my musical "career" as I have been in my professional career (with good results).

Hey, I hope that nobody will be upset by the term "whore".

What's your take? Is it ok to be a whore when your instrument is in demand and you know you're not that bad after all?

MatticusMania · #2 07-01-2009, 11:11 AM

So long as youre not comitted to anyone, yes.

(ok, I'll go read the post now)

J. Crawford · #3 07-01-2009, 11:12 AM

As l long as its not on the street corners in NY.

As Matticus said, Im off to read the post now.

lomo · #4 07-01-2009, 11:14 AM

Unless you have an agreement with your current band to play exclusively with them, why not?

MNAirHead · #5 07-01-2009, 11:14 AM

If you don't click - you don't click

DeluxeRed · #6 07-01-2009, 11:18 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by NickInMesa

...Is it ok to be a whore when your instrument is in demand and you know you're not that bad after all?

Pretty much the definition of a music career, isn't it?

capnsandwich · #7 07-01-2009, 11:19 AM

I'm in 3 bands but I have one main band. The other 2 know that they are side projects for me so if there is a conflict in schedules then they know who comes first. Im actually more active in one of my side projects than my main one but I still have a longer history with the main one so that one stays as my main one. My main one, however, seems like it may be falling apart but I still feel obligated to it until it does.

It's all about prioritizing your projects. If you can do that and the other band(s) can accept it then you should be OK.

Bofee · #8 07-01-2009, 11:21 AM

Nothing wrong with playing in more than one band or finding some other musicians to jam with.

Gubna · #9 07-01-2009, 11:22 AM

hey it's actually legal in Nevada!

NickInMesa · #10 07-01-2009, 12:13 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Gubna

hey it's actually legal in Nevada!

But not in Vegas.

**baba** · #11 07-01-2009, 12:18 PM

It is totally ok and a good idea. Also, don't forget to work the studio gig angle.

tha bassmasta · #12 07-01-2009, 12:24 PM

Depends on how you look at it. To me it's a buisness...if I am not seeing results, I will find other work. I find it important to bond with your bandmates and always keep a friendship there....but when it all comes down to your furture...well, let's just say...it's hard to run with boat anchors tied around your ankles. Always keep progressing and don't settle for anything less.

Moe Monsarrat · #13 07-01-2009, 12:28 PM

As long as everybody knows & you get paid...who cares? Make yourself happy. Nobody else will.

sleeplessknight · #14 07-01-2009, 12:32 PM

This is music, not marriage. You're allowed more than one

My old business cards used to say "Boston's Biggest Bass Whore" right on them. "Have Real Book, will travel. No paying gig too small for Boston's Biggest Bass Whore!"

scottbass · #15 07-01-2009, 12:33 PM

A whore is someone who does something for money that they should be doing for love. As long as you're doing it for love, you're not a whore. And if the money comes along with it, so much the better!

If you stick with something you don't love because of the money, THEN you're a whore. Or if you leave something you love in order to make money doing something you don't love, THEN you're a whore. But if you leave something you don't love to look for something you will love, that's self-improvement.

BigOldHarry · #16 07-01-2009, 12:39 PM

There is no such thing as a sellout; There is no such thing as being a "whore" in music. If you are making decisions that bring you money, then you are being a *professional*, and don't let ANYONE tell you different.

Unless you are playing really bad music and don't need the money. Then you is a skank-muffin HO!

chondro776 · #17 07-01-2009, 12:39 PM

Why anyone would settle for a less than awesome guitarist is beyond me.

Open your front door, scream:
"Guitarist wanted", they will descend from all angles.
Seriously.

The drummer is a tougher find, so I would be more willing to work w/ one that is headed in the right direction.

As for your original question, go for it.

GeneralElectric · #18 07-01-2009, 12:48 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by scottbass

A whore is someone who does something for money that they should be doing for love. As long as you're doing it for love, you're not a whore. And if the money comes along with it, so much the better!

If you stick with something you don't love because of the money, THEN you're a whore. Or if you leave something you love in order to make money doing something you don't love, THEN you're a whore. But if you leave something you don't love to look for something you will love, that's self-improvement.

Did you just call me a whore?

Mike Shevlin · #19 07-01-2009, 12:51 PM

I'm a whore ~

totallyfrozen · #20 07-01-2009, 01:12 PM

The guitarist is seasoned? At what?...you don't mean at playing guitar do you? First thing you need to do, IMHO, is have a talk with the guitarist and explain the realities to him. Playing WITH a capo isn't the same as without. If the song calls for a capo then to play it as written, you'll need a capo. He needs to make frequent, consistent eye contact with the band while playing songs. He needs to realize that no one can read his mind and that he can't just get up there an play whatever he wants and expect that everyone else there to "follow" along with him. I mean, he ain't that special. You're a BAND not some backing tracks for him to play on. Just try to talk to him.

IME, I've learned that often times we all try to be polite to each other (which is a very GOOD thing); however, people often miss the point when you candy coat things or HINT at things. Sometimes, we just need to tell people stuff. If the drummer is mystified by how you have such a good sense of timing, maybe you might want to just TELL him that the only way to get that is to practice with something more stable than himself (like a metronome).

As far as being a hired gun (or a 'whore' in your case), go for it!...as long as you look good in red lipstick and a pair of high heels!

Everybody's good at something...so BE PROUD! You're a Man-ho'