Work for Pro Bassists

4stringsolution · #1 08-15-2011, 03:53 PM

Hi I am an experienced Pro Bassist and I do my best to keep working, however the amount of Professional gigs are limited here in Boston. I stalk Craigslist daily, check the forums here on T.B. and network wherever I can. My question is, Does anyone have other suggestions where to look online (or otherwise) for paying gigs for bassists/musicians. I am willing to accept short or long term jobs, tour, ect., In short to do whatever I have to do to keep this bass in my hands and my work boots in the closet. Thanks Friends!!!

Rudreax · #2 08-15-2011, 04:20 PM

Where/how do you network?

Have you tried making/starting up your own gigs?

How much are you playing now (if not now, when was the last time)? What do you do for a living?

MrLenny1 · #3 08-15-2011, 07:05 PM

Ah! the age old quest. Over the years I have found work thru working musicians.
Hang in the bars, get to know the players & bass out a business card.
CL has very little working musicians. Most bands gig 1-2 times per week if lucky.
Most of my friends who make a living in music teach 90% of the time and try to
gig when possible.
LOL

yarrr · #4 08-15-2011, 11:11 PM

how much would teaching get you?

Mybikeisblack · #5 08-15-2011, 11:40 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by yarrr

how much would teaching get you?

Depends where you work, or if you do it on your own time. My guitarist makes 10 an hour and does it out of his home.

phatbass · #6 08-15-2011, 11:46 PM

Around here, it's all about networking. Advertised gigs always turn out to be either "think of the future/long term/big picture" or out and out scams.

SeaBassSteve · #7 08-16-2011, 02:10 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Mybikeisblack

Depends where you work, or if you do it on your own time. My guitarist makes 10 an hour and does it out of his home.

Whilst my brother makes £25 (about 40 usd). He does sax guitar bass and keys tho. Also his trick is if you charge 14 for half an hour and a nice round 25 for an hour people ten to pitch for an hour. Although he usually goes to their house rather than vice versa.

hrodbert696 · #8 08-16-2011, 04:37 AM

I'm a little to the north of you, and I see ads on CL all the time to the effect of "pro bassist seeks gigging band" or "seeks paying gigs." Maybe some of them are yours, I don't know if you're posting in the NH CL or not. Honestly, as near as I can tell, these experienced pros want to find ready-made situations where other people have done all the work of putting a band together, building a successful setlist, making contacts and bookings at clubs, and marketing, and then the bassist just steps in to play their lines and collect money.

Why not start up your own band and make your own paying gigs? Nobody wants to do this because startups are risky, they fall apart easily, and it's a lot of work to do before you start getting paid. But somebody has to do it or there will be no gigging bands at all. "Seeks paying gigs" to me is just a euphemism for "wants somebody else to take the risks and do the hard part."

Fishbrain · #9 08-16-2011, 06:03 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by yarrr

how much would teaching get you?

I charge £20 p/h, I'm not up to the rate of students that I want yet but I'm aiming for 10 hours teaching a week, or £800 a month, however you look at it, it's good top up for your wage if you can get it!

Phil Smith · #10 08-16-2011, 09:08 AM

You could look for agency work and there's always the cruise ship circuit looking for players. If you're reading is top notch and you play double bass as well that opens more doors. Craigslist ads are a tiny part of the overall strategy.