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So my 1st gig is coming up Saturday . . .

Stranger Danger

Stranger Danger

Feel Like A Stranger
Jan 3, 2010
14,549
14,118
Denver, CO
#1
I have been playing bass for a year and my 1st gig is coming up Saturday night. Its a trio whose bass player is "stuck out of town" and they need a replacement. I got the referral from my teacher who says I can do it and that I am ready to play out. I dont know these guys or their music. I am going to pick up a book from the guy tonight with their songs in it. Guitar player says they play 50's and 60's rock, boogie woogie and country. I will have the chord changes in front of me and just have to keep the beat, which I can do. The reasons I want to do this gig as opposed to playing out with the guys I know is because 1)low expectations (I'll be a fill-in who doesnt know their catalogue and they know Im a noob), 2) nobody will know me (its about 20 miles down the road in a bar none of my friends go to, so I ownt be too embarassed if I suck and 3)I want the experience. From what I gather, their stuff is pretty simple and they have been gigging since the late 80's. Guitar player says "we dont play for a bunch of music critics, so dont worry." They are also looking to replace their oft-unavailable bassist but thats a topic for next week.

So, does anybody have any advice (other than dont do it)?
 
#3
Go for it. Do it. Getting their book ahead of time is great but also try and actually listen to some of the stuff if possible, to get a feel for how the bass operates in that environment. Country and Boogie Woogie stuff is a school all it's own and does require some study to get right. If there's a piano player, try and set up near him or her- he/she will help you 'cheat' your way through the gig.
 
#8
In situations like this, musicians need to be much like boy scouts. Be prepared.

The best advice anyone can give you is to make sure you're doing your homework. Learn the songs as best you can, and like dmusic148 said, listen to the songs (frequently and carefully). Remember that there's a difference between knowing the song and KNOWING the song.

Other than that, just try to have fun and take everything as a learning experience. Every single time you play your going to learn something new.
 
#10
Thats exactly the problem. I dont have enough time to prep all these songs. Its Thursday and gig is Saturday. But I think this is one of the reasons I want to do it. I know it doesnt sound good but with the expectations being so low going in, barring a complete throwing up and running off the stage meltdown, I can only exceed their expectations.
 
#16
Sounds like most of the material will have three or four chords -- not to knock country, blues & rock. If that's so, you may have a relatively easy time. Just run over everything as much as possible. Decades ago I was given three days to take over for a bass player p[ermanently. I had atape of the band but we never rehearsed prior to the gig. As I recall, I made only one mistake all night -- and that was because I played the bass part that was on the record instead of how they had rearranged it. A few year ago a friend came to town with his band and a bass player who they grabbed, literally, on the way out of their home town to come here. He listened to the band's CDS -- all original material -- on the way to the gig in the van and played pretty much flawlessly. They asdked me to sit in and I wound up doing a whole set because, although I had never played with them, I knew their material from having heard it so much. All they needed to do was tell me the keys. So it can be done.

My first gig was at a friend's sister's wedding. We were supposed to get $35 for the five-piece band (1965). The bride's father asked us after reception if we'd take $20 "and some chewing gum." I hope you get paid better.
 
#17
Congrats on your 1st gig. Once you get that out of the way, you'll be an expert like the rest of us!

Obviously its not the ideal 1st gig, but you've got a book with all the chords & I've never even hears of that for this type of band.

Get a good stand & some kind of light to make sure you can see your cheat sheets. Keep your ears & eyes open, play throuigh mistakes like they never even happened & have fun.

Let us know how it goes.
 
#18
mccartneyman said:
Sounds like most of the material will have three or four chords -- not to knock country, blues & rock. If that's so, you may have a relatively easy time. Just run over everything as much as possible. Decades ago I was given three days to take over for a bass player p[ermanently. I had atape of the band but we never rehearsed prior to the gig. As I recall, I made only one mistake all night -- and that was because I played the bass part that was on the record instead of how they had rearranged it. A few year ago a friend came to town with his band and a bass player who they grabbed, literally, on the way out of their home town to come here. He listened to the band's CDS -- all original material -- on the way to the gig in the van and played pretty much flawlessly. They asdked me to sit in and I wound up doing a whole set because, although I had never played with them, I knew their material from having heard it so much. All they needed to do was tell me the keys. So it can be done.

My first gig was at a friend's sister's wedding. We were supposed to get $35 for the five-piece band (1965). The bride's father asked us after reception if we'd take $20 "and some chewing gum." I hope you get paid better.
Click to expand...

Ha! Thats hilarious. No its $60 a man (plus tips). But I dont really care about the money as much as the experience, but I will be getting paid, so thats nice.

Thanks for y'alls input and encouragement. I was afraid that everybody would discourage me. Thanks guys.
 
#19
So I just met with Guitar player. He hands me a 3 inch thick binder with 235!! songs. I ask about a setlist and he says they wait to see what the crowd looks like. I have 2 nights and I can do maybe 5-7 songs a night. Guess itll be roots and octaves all night. Oh man, this is gonna be fun. :eek:
 

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