Screwed for New Years Gig

ZonGuy · #1 12-07-2007, 02:03 PM

I am a free lance player, heavy duty for electric all styles and functional on double bass (improving rapidly with arco instructor). Was requested for a NYE gig by someone who had heard of me but never seen me play.

The artist sent her setlist CD's (offbeat jazz). Follow up call, she said, btw all tunes to be played on double bass. Would not accept fretless, (even though many of the recording had fretless). No sheet music. Picked off all the songs (about 40 of them) - several hours of work - and learned them on double bass. No problem. Then I called and left a voice mail with artist asking for a rehearsal when convenient. No return phone call but several days later I did get this email:

"Glad you got the CDs. One quick question -- you've mentioned a few times the possibility of your hands tiring, which, I confess, worries me. The owners of _____ may ask for a longer set (with an appropriate raise in the fee), and I feel kind of bad requiring you to play upright the whole time if you're not in tip-top shape for it. However, upright it must be.

There's a young hotshot upright player from New York who's interested -- if you feel a four-or-five hour upright gig will be a bit much for you, I could ask him to do it. Do let me know, honestly -- I'm easy to work with, but I do tend to be a stickler, and I want this set to be top-energy and top form.
........
I hate taking the gig back and offering it to someone else, but if you don't need the work or the bread (this kid does) and you feel you're not as proficient on upright as you could be and it will tax you, please do let me know. If in all honesty you think you can cover it and do a great job, then I'll look no further. It's just that I'm worrying a bit about it now. Forgive me, but it's the nature of the profession!"

My reply:

"J.
Whenever someone asks to use an alternate player I always accomodate them, irregardless.

Have fun New Years Eve."

So its December and I am gigless for NYE. Did I do the right thing?

Jonyak · #2 12-07-2007, 02:09 PM

Do you think you could have done it?

If you did you should never have mentioned your shortcoming. gone and done the gig and let her decide.

IMO you shot yourself in the foot.

but if you really don't think you were up to it, then yes you did the right thing in letting her know.

justabass · #3 12-07-2007, 02:11 PM

Personally...IMHO you kinda gave the gig up...She didn't seem to be pulling the gig from you .She had a concern and wanted to be sure you were up for it. If not then she had a backup plan. I would've reassured her I would be fine for the show. Unless I really felt like I couldn't pull it off...In that case you did the professional and right thing! Good luck on getting another gig!

need4mospd · #4 12-07-2007, 02:38 PM

Sounds to me like the gig was all yours and you turned it down. If I worked hard enough for it, I'm gonna take it.

Don't worry though, you're not the only guy not playing NYE...

BTW, "irregardless" isn't a word.

We should hold a "gigless musicians" NYE party. Just have a jam session for the new year.

Jonyak · #5 12-07-2007, 02:44 PM

I have no gig for new years.. I am ok with that. after playing every nye for 10 years I am really looking forward to being the one that gets to listen and have a good time instead of play all night.

which is fun, but in a different way.

BuffaloMO · #6 12-07-2007, 09:57 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by need4mospd

BTW, "irregardless" isn't a word.

According to Merriam Webster it is:

Quote:

irregardless
One entry found.

irregardless

Main Entry: ir·re·gard·less
Pronunciation: \ˌir-i-ˈgärd-ləs\
Function: adverb
Etymology: probably blend of irrespective and regardless
Date: circa 1912
nonstandard : regardless
usage Irregardless originated in dialectal American speech in the early 20th century. Its fairly widespread use in speech called it to the attention of usage commentators as early as 1927. The most frequently repeated remark about it is that “there is no such word.” There is such a word, however. It is still used primarily in speech, although it can be found from time to time in edited prose. Its reputation has not risen over the years, and it is still a long way from general acceptance. Use regardless instead.

anderbass · #7 12-07-2007, 10:32 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by need4mospd

BTW, "irregardless" isn't a word.

We should hold a "gigless musicians" NYE party. Just have a jam session for the new year.

According to Merriam Webster, "gigless" isn't a word...

xlows · #8 12-07-2007, 10:40 PM

Quote:

Its reputation has not risen over the years, and it is still a long way from general acceptance. Use regardless instead.

Irregardless is NOT a usable word. Though it may literally exist as a word, it's not something to be used.

j-bass-kreep · #9 12-07-2007, 11:03 PM

I'd kept the gig, especially after all the hard work in getting the set-list ready. BTW this Sunday they let me know if our band is getting a New Years gig !

justabass · #10 12-08-2007, 01:55 AM

What about "fo shizzle"? Word?

derrico1 · #11 12-08-2007, 07:20 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by justabass

What about "fo shizzle"? Word?

Phrase

OtterOnBass · #12 12-08-2007, 08:41 AM

You did the right thing.

It was generous and nice to let the young player come in to do a better job (hopefully) for the band and audience. Maybe you could contact the band and ask for a couple tickets to see the show, seeing that you've put in time practicing and don't have plans.

Fret Boiler · #13 12-10-2007, 12:47 PM

Irregardless is not a word and is really just a confusion between two real words: irrespective and regardless.

Anyway, I would have accepted the gig.

realdeal · #14 12-10-2007, 02:01 PM

Word choices aside-

Personally I would have done the job. I'm getting that you were put off by her hesitance, that you were a little perturbed because after putting in the effort to learn the sets, she "bugged" you about your ability to hold down the job.

I don't blame you, but she DID give you an option, and let you make the decision. If she wanted to, she could have simply withdrew her offer. She didn't do that.
One thing for sure, there are all sorts of - "Personalities" that a player needs to deal with, especially freelancing. Like Forrest Gump said: "You never know what you're gonna get!"
Unless it's extremely off-the-wall, or someone is funny with $$, I've learned the hard way to go with the flow.
IMO, if you wanted the gig, you should have simply told her that there would be no problem-I'm assuming you felt there would not be.

Having said all that, let me add one other thing FWIW-
After many years of doing all sorts of gigs falling on every Holiday in the book; spending Thanksgiving and Xmas, etc. on-the-road, having meals in a restaurant instead of with Family-
I AVOID New Years gigs like the plague! I've personally done many more than enough, and happily choose to spend my time with my Girls!
I know a lot of players want to work, have some fun, make some $$, but been there, done that! Just another day to me, and a good one to kick it and enjoy homelife.

Happy Up-Coming New Year!