Quality or Quantity of Gigs?

**jive1** · #1 03-07-2013, 01:52 PM

Just throwing this out there....

Obviously, the ideal for many is to have a quantity of quality gigs, but if you had to choose between quality gigs or quantity of gigs, what would you choose? Would you rather do 4 nights at $100 a night, or one that pays $400? Would you rather play once a month to a nice room, with a good crowd or every weekend to a small crowd in dive bars? Would you rather play once a month with a great band of good people, or every weekend with a mediocre band of people you are indifferent towards?

So, if given a choice, quality or quantity?

homecooken · #2 03-07-2013, 01:58 PM

Quality. Especially the part about playing to a big crowd vs a small crowd.

elgecko · #3 03-07-2013, 02:02 PM

I prefer quality...but to be honest, I'll take what I can get.

And looking at the poll again, I accidentally chose quantity.

Damn words that look alike!

Kmonk · #4 03-07-2013, 02:02 PM

For me its all about quality. Anyone can go out and play to small crowds in dive bars with mediocre musicians. I refuse to embarrass myself. I would rather play with quality musicians to good crowds at nice venues. These gigs also typically pay more and are more fun to play. I realize that we all must start somewhere and playing dive bars is part of the process but I did that 30 years ago. I am much more selective now.

bluewine · #5 03-07-2013, 02:14 PM

I will have to stick with as many small bar gigs at $100.00 a man during the month.

The premise of 1 cool high paying gig per month is not enough gigging for me.

My answer is quantity.

Blue

klokker · #6 03-07-2013, 02:19 PM

Quality. If we suck or have that "cut corners take the easy way" sound of a lot of cover bands, that takes a toll on my heath. I've been fortunate to play with good players.

With a couple of exceptions, $100 gigs are all I've done, a couple less than that.

bluewine · #7 03-07-2013, 02:21 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Kmonk

For me its all about quality. Anyone can go out and play to small crowds in dive bars with mediocre musicians. I refuse to embarrass myself.

We have many good bands with great musicians in Milwaukee that can't get consistent small bar gigs. So I'm not sure it's something anyone can do. And none of them have anything to be embarrassed about.

Blue

dbnet03 · #8 03-07-2013, 02:27 PM

Quality over quantity.

the yeti · #9 03-07-2013, 02:28 PM

hmm i could do 4x the work for the same pay? where do i sign up?

actually i'd take the 1 $400 gig. who knows, maybe i'd pick something else up on one of the other 3 nights.

bassinplace · #10 03-07-2013, 02:28 PM

I'm not a great player, but if I was I'd be picky, so quality. As it is, I prefer to find people who are at my level or better, ability wise. Personality, I don't care as long as they're not excessively rude or dull.

Bass_Pounder · #11 03-07-2013, 02:30 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Kmonk

For me its all about quality. Anyone can go out and play to small crowds in dive bars with mediocre musicians. I refuse to embarrass myself. I would rather play with quality musicians to good crowds at nice venues. These gigs also typically pay more and are more fun to play. I realize that we all must start somewhere and playing dive bars is part of the process but I did that 30 years ago. I am much more selective now.

Exactly my sentiments..............

That is how my band operates. The only time we even take a "bar gig" is if it is during an event like bike week.

Why play for 4 hours for peanuts when you can play a festival or open for a national and make more.

jmattbassplaya · #12 03-07-2013, 02:40 PM

Quality.

bluewine · #13 03-07-2013, 02:41 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Bass_Pounder

Exactly my sentiments..............

That is how my band operates. The only time we even take a "bar gig" is if it is during an event like bike week.

Why play for 4 hours for peanuts when you can play a festival or open for a national and make more.

Because it's not a real life option for many bands.

My band plays Summerfest and all the major fairs and festivals plus lake cruise gigs. However, me, I love playing small dive bars that are packed.

I prefer small bars to the large shows we do. I love the intimacy of the small bar atmosphere. We are blessed with a following of folks that love live music and actually listen.

Blue

jaywa · #14 03-07-2013, 03:03 PM

Quality. Travel, set-up and teardown is a mutha so I want every possible dime I can get every time I have to do it.

Now the flip side to that is, 1 or 2 gigs a month even at big money isn't gonna feed the bulldog for me as far as keeping my chops up and feeding my jones to play.

So I guess the optimal solution is to play less frequent, high-quality gigs... in multiple bands.

zachoff · #15 03-07-2013, 03:04 PM

I voted quality, but after reading what was written in the OP I should change it to carrots...

Most shows I play are once every month or two for little to no money at dive bars. Haha.

//edit
As far as the second part, I'd rather play with people that are into the music we're writing and are good at what they do. No need for virtuosos in my musical endeavors. As long as we're into writing the same sort of music, can hang out and drink beers, and can practice once a week, I'm good.

MysticMichael · #16 03-07-2013, 03:05 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by jive1

Just throwing this out there....

Obviously, the ideal for many is to have a quantity of quality gigs, but if you had to choose between quality gigs or quantity of gigs, what would you choose? Would you rather do 4 nights at $100 a night, or one that pays $400? Would you rather play once a month to a nice room, with a good crowd or every weekend to a small crowd in dive bars? Would you rather play once a month with a great band of good people, or every weekend with a mediocre band of people you are indifferent towards?

So, if given a choice, quality or quantity?

Well, since ya put it that way...

Quality. All the way...

MM

**Pacman** · #17 03-07-2013, 03:07 PM

Quality, every time.

Surprise.

**hsech** · #18 03-07-2013, 03:10 PM

Quality gigs around here are so far and few between that if you want to play at all it's going to have to be quatity in the small bars and dives.

nolezmaj · #19 03-07-2013, 03:13 PM

Both, because most often it is possible.
Casual relaxed gig with covers band twice a week, and twice a month big gig with originals band. Why? Because regular playing gets you in shape, and those rarer quality gigs keep you motivated.
And money should really be lower on your list, I've found out that it can be bad motivator and very misleading.

Deedubs · #20 03-07-2013, 03:16 PM

What if your dive bar gigs are with people you enjoy playing with, and not "small crowds" per say? If you go along with the op's sinerio, then you have to pick quality. I did. But I guess I should have picked carrots. Not that having a nice big venue "quality" gig from time to time wouldn't be nice!......so carrots