Want to be a better player??? Hired Gun/Fill-in Gigs

zac2944 · #1 08-03-2006, 09:11 AM

After my first year since moving to Boston I'm finally starting to get steady calls for fill-in gigs. I'm new to the hired gun role, but it is a great oppertunity. I can't think of a better way to improve your playing, add to your repertoire, and network with other musicians, then fill-in gigs and hired gun work.

I just can't say enough good things about taking gigs like this. Every gig I take I learn new material. Doing fill-in gigs with an original band is great because you get to learn music you might never hear. Doing fill-in gigs for cover bands forces you to add to your repertoire. The good thing about cover gigs is that after you do a bunch, you start seeing the same material. Eventually you'll know enough material that you already know most of the cover band's set. So the gigs keep getting easier. It is a snowball effect.

Not only does your repertoire increase, but the number of calls you get does too. I made myself a little business card, and make sure I give one to the key players in the band. I always tell them that it was great playing with them and that I'm available for them or anyone else they know who needs a fill-in player.

All these gigs add up to money in your pocket, and better bass playing. I feel like the more gigs I play, and the more tunes I learn, the better I play. My ear gets better, my chops get better, and my endurance gets better.

I highly recommend these gigs to any TBers looking to improve and get more gigs with better players. Even if you're not the greatest player you can still do it. I turn down some gigs because I know that they are just beyond my ability. My weakness is site reading. I'll turn those gigs down until I get better, but there are plenty of other gigs out there.

IanStephenson · #2 08-03-2006, 03:33 PM

I've got my first fill-in gig at the weekend! Two consecutive nights with a really well established local rock covers band (at venues my regular band is trying to get into). I've had just under two weeks to learn the sets - about 30 songs in total, about 20 of those I hadn't played before. Only one rehersal, round at the drummers house - the singer "doesn't reherse", so I haven't even met him!

Definatly gonna be an experience - as you say the snowball effect is key. I got the gig cause they saw me with my band, and we play about 10 of the songs they do.

Learning 20 songs in two weeks, well enough to gig them cold has definatly woken me up! (and these guys pay better than my regular band ;-))

Ian

fretless Bob · #3 08-03-2006, 03:41 PM

sounds real good man, i have always wanted to do this and imsure i will probably get into it as time goes on.

a guy ive known for ages used to do a ton of them, something like 5 or 6 a week, his sight reading iss right up top as well so he will take any gig, some of the stages that you can get onto if you can read well and think on your feet is unbelievable!

Dave

tplyons · #4 08-03-2006, 03:49 PM

I do this, unfortunately the music scene around here ain't too great unless I get as far as NYC.

AMJBASS · #5 08-03-2006, 09:08 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by IanStephenson

I've got my first fill-in gig at the weekend! Two consecutive nights with a really well established local rock covers band (at venues my regular band is trying to get into). I've had just under two weeks to learn the sets - about 30 songs in total, about 20 of those I hadn't played before. Only one rehersal, round at the drummers house - the singer "doesn't reherse", so I haven't even met him!

Definatly gonna be an experience - as you say the snowball effect is key. I got the gig cause they saw me with my band, and we play about 10 of the songs they do.

Learning 20 songs in two weeks, well enough to gig them cold has definatly woken me up! (and these guys pay better than my regular band ;-))

Ian

I've done that before....It is quite a bit of work but definitely pays off. The amount of work and practice you put into it really feels good especially after the gig.

MikeBass · #6 08-03-2006, 09:12 PM

I have a pretty good reputation for being the "go to" guy in cases like this.
But, I've been subbing like this for quite sometime now.

It still gets pretty hairy sometimes though!!

Dkerwood · #7 08-03-2006, 10:17 PM

I expect here in October and November, I'll be getting several calls from high schools wanting to hire me for musicals. I'll have to see if I can make it work.

zac2944 · #8 08-04-2006, 09:13 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by MikeBass

I have a pretty good reputation for being the "go to" guy in cases like this.
But, I've been subbing like this for quite sometime now.

It still gets pretty hairy sometimes though!!

Mike,

How did you first start getting calls? What was it like at first? Do you think the gigs have made you a better player?

Woodchuck · #9 08-04-2006, 09:33 AM

That's what made me better! I've been doing fill ins for about 7 years now. Even to this day, I still get nervous when I get a call. Wondering how I'll do. Also, being on major recordings got me gigs as well. Another way to get alot of calls, is to befriend the bassists who already are the first call guys. Soon they'll be throwing gigs your way. In fact, for the Sleepy Brown gig, LaMarquis Jefferson, Preston Crump, and Aaron Clay (Kelis) couldn't do it, and all 3 of them said, "Call Woodchuck."

zac2944 · #10 08-04-2006, 09:44 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Woodchuck

That's what made me better! I've been fill ins for about 7 years now. Even to this day, I still get nervous when I get a call.

It's comforting to know that the veterens here still get nervous.

Woodchuck · #11 08-04-2006, 09:54 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by zac2944

It's comforting to know that the veterens here still get nervous.

Oh yeah, I once read an interview with Lee Sklar, and he said that he still gets nervous!

**WillPlay4Food** · #12 08-04-2006, 01:16 PM

I'm not at the point of filling in for a gig, but I am filling in during band practice while the regular bassist is on vacation for the next two weeks. So I'll get to pretend I'm in a band for two rehearsals.

I have to start somewhere, right? I might be able to sit in for a couple of tunes at their next gig depending on how the practice sessions go. I'm so psyched I've learned about eight songs since Wednesday.

improvpwnd · #13 08-04-2006, 01:21 PM

I am very interested in starting to play fill-ins and doing sessions, but I have no clue how to start. Can anyone give me some pointers, either on how you started or an other good techniques you have to get your name out there?

markjazzbassist · #14 08-04-2006, 07:26 PM

very interesting thread. i need to get myself a business card made up.

tplyons · #15 08-04-2006, 07:42 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by markjazzbassist

very interesting thread. i need to get myself a business card made up.

Vistaprint.com is the way to go

Kenny Allyn · #16 08-05-2006, 09:27 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by improvpwnd

I am very interested in starting to play fill-ins and doing sessions, but I have no clue how to start. Can anyone give me some pointers, either on how you started or an other good techniques you have to get your name out there?

Open mics and jams work well ...

At the ones I attend ... any bass player who can hang with it on a stage live and unrehearsed is gonna get asked to play

It is exactly how I started years ago ... MBS (Memphis Blues Society) has one every week ... and there are others around town ... check around in your area.

.

**cheezewiz** · #17 08-05-2006, 10:47 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by zac2944

After my first year since moving to Boston I'm finally starting to get steady calls for fill-in gigs. I'm new to the hired gun role, but it is a great oppertunity. I can't think of a better way to improve your playing, add to your repertoire, and network with other musicians, then fill-in gigs and hired gun work.

I just can't say enough good things about taking gigs like this. Every gig I take I learn new material. Doing fill-in gigs with an original band is great because you get to learn music you might never hear. Doing fill-in gigs for cover bands forces you to add to your repertoire. The good thing about cover gigs is that after you do a bunch, you start seeing the same material. Eventually you'll know enough material that you already know most of the cover band's set. So the gigs keep getting easier. It is a snowball effect.

Not only does your repertoire increase, but the number of calls you get does too. I made myself a little business card, and make sure I give one to the key players in the band. I always tell them that it was great playing with them and that I'm available for them or anyone else they know who needs a fill-in player.

All these gigs add up to money in your pocket, and better bass playing. I feel like the more gigs I play, and the more tunes I learn, the better I play. My ear gets better, my chops get better, and my endurance gets better.

I highly recommend these gigs to any TBers looking to improve and get more gigs with better players. Even if you're not the greatest player you can still do it. I turn down some gigs because I know that they are just beyond my ability. My weakness is site reading. I'll turn those gigs down until I get better, but there are plenty of other gigs out there.

+10000000 Great points, and all very true!

cassanova · #18 08-05-2006, 12:48 PM

I prefer the fill in/hired gun route over being in a band on a full time basis. You get to meet new people, play all sorts of different styles of music, dont have to deal with all the hassles and politics that come from being in the band. IMO/IME, the moneys also better.

ballison · #19 08-05-2006, 12:53 PM

not trying to take you gigs or anything, but how did you get started doing it? I would love to start doing that in boston but haven't really been able to find opportunities to be a hired gun/fillin

being at berklee I obviously have opportunities there, but I want to branch out to nonberklee things.

did you use craigslist to get your feet wet or what?

thanks!

zac2944 · #20 08-05-2006, 02:11 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ballison

not trying to take you gigs or anything, but how did you get started doing it? I would love to start doing that in boston but haven't really been able to find opportunities to be a hired gun/fillin

being at berklee I obviously have opportunities there, but I want to branch out to nonberklee things.

did you use craigslist to get your feet wet or what?

thanks!

Craiglist dude! Craigslist!

There are ads all the time for fill in work. Or you can put up your own bass-for-hire ad.

I also put out the word at the facility where I practice with my full time gig. There are many other bands that practice there. Someone always needs a bass player.

Also, business cards are key. Everytime you meet anyone in the biz hand them a card. Go to open sessions, Wally's is a good one. Jam with people, give them a card. Network, network, network.

And for that bit of advise, you should head out to Harpers Ferry tonight and see my band play.