Blasting a Wasp Nest with Dynamite?

[SLPimp]

I carried two basses to practice today. I only took one out of its bag. We went over three CCM songs that were all half and quarter note root notes in the first position. This is my only gig. What is the point in caring about gear so much if don’t actually need it for what I get paid to do? I guess some perspective does not hurt.

Right there with you. When I first started gigging I cared. Now...

I played a gig at a tiny snack shack on top of a ski slope. It was 20 degrees out. When we got there, by snow mobile, there were 3 inches of snow on the patio where we were supposed to play. The manager reluctantly had it swept.

The awning dripped all over my bass, a Franken fender mustang, and I had to put my amp up on a plastic chair to keep it from getting wet.

The front woman, after I griped, said I should buy some crappies gear for this sort of thing. I sighed and quit 5 months later after she told me I was required to schlep her PA.

Only we care about our gear. Only we will ever know.

 

[Turnaround]

I carried two basses to practice today. I only took one out of its bag. We went over three CCM songs that were all half and quarter note root notes in the first position. This is my only gig. What is the point in caring about gear so much if don’t actually need it for what I get paid to do? I guess some perspective does not hurt.

Sometimes the gig is about the job at hand. Sometimes it's about what you play and what you get out of it. There are any number of ways you can float your boat and all are good so long as the purpose of the performance is always in focus.

 

[tr4252]

I've never seen a wasp's nest big enough to require explosives. Sure it's not a hornets nest? Google "ways to get rid of hornet's nest" for some amusing videos.

Tom

 

[micguy]

I don't know what CCM is, but I know you play in church. Pardon my ignorance, but people get payed to play in church? Obviously, I don't spend much time there!

CCM = Contemporary Christian Music. My brain saw "Credence Clearwater Revival" on first pass, so I understand the confusion.

I play a lot in church, but my gigs there are amongst some really good musicians. During the pandemic, we show up prepared, do some (not a lot) of rehearsal, run through the worship set once without stopping (partly for the benefit of the the tech guys), and then (at the right time) we do the service - which is something like 150 people in a 2000 seat room right now, with a Youtube simulcast to the folks staying home.

Some people do get paid to play in church, some of us (myself included) are volunteers. The places I play are mixed in that regard. The 2 places with consistently the best musicians that I play at are.....the ones with the most volunteers. This always makes me snicker a bit when the "pro" discussions start on here. The smaller places have a harder time attracting volunteers, so at those places I often play with more paid folks. They're usually younger, getting started, more in need of income, and less experienced than the volunteers. Oddly, we all get along just fine, and work together very well, regardless.

 

[el jeffe bass]

When met with simple songs with simple bass lines think something along the line of WWLD. What would Leland do? I have watched videos of Mr. Sklar playing the most basic bass part imaginable but instead of phoning it in he plays each note with passion and feeling. I know that CCM can be kinda boring for the bass player but I’ve found that playing the simplest part with all the ability and passion that you can muster is sometimes best. Also, it’s easy to forget how great a blessing it is to be chosen to play in church. I was a P&W musician for many years but had to retire due to health issues. I miss it incredibly and wish that I had concentrated on enjoying the experience more when I was able to play in that setting. You don’t know what you got until it’s gone.

 

[Old Fart]

Perhaps sing the notes into a microphone, like Sir Paul did on "I Will."

 

[2milehighspike]

For wasps, use brake cleaner spray and a lighter. Dynamite is overkill.

For your bass playing situation, maybe only bring one bass?

I've never seen a wasp's nest big enough to require explosives. Sure it's not a hornets nest? Google "ways to get rid of hornet's nest" for some amusing videos.

Tom

Overkill? Nah, the wasps around here like B52s! Hey Doc,At least you have gigs. IMHO I think your over thinking this. Instead of thinking about the notes, think about how you play the notes. A little snapn and poppn might liven things up! Besides,when this damdemic is over the music scene is going to POP! We may all be in demand, so keep working your chops!

 

[micguy]

I know that CCM can be kinda boring for the bass player but I’ve found that playing the simplest part with all the ability and passion that you can muster is sometimes best.

Bass is the instrument in CCM that has the most lattitude in what you can do. The guitar parts and vocals are top 40-ish - often earworms that you have to play pretty much verbatim, or people will notice. The rhythm section is where the most liberties can be (and should be) taken - the feel of what's going on is often very different from the original. I've played the same song in different churches, and played very different parts, just to make things work as well as I can for the vibe of what was going on in each service. I also play one place where there's a bunch of original music writen by the worship pastor. The parts are sometimes simple, sometimes not, but 500 or so services in, I haven't yet had a "boring" one. I do have to admit that the places I play, the bands are well above what you find in the average church in ability - that's a big part of why I'm never bored.

 

[Dr. Cheese]

What about your church?

I have played with two churches and a university choir since the early 1990’s. I only became a paid musician in the last ten or twelve years. I am happy to be paid, but I would pay for free. Being paid, however, changes the dynamic because it becomes a job, and I feel obligation to pay attention and be punctual more so than a volunteer.

 

[Dr. Cheese]

Overkill? Nah, the wasps around here like B52s! Hey Doc,At least you have gigs. IMHO I think your over thinking this. Instead of thinking about the notes, think about how you play the notes. A little snapn and poppn might liven things up! Besides,when this damdemic is over the music scene is going to POP! We may all be in demand, so keep working your chops!

These songs are pure acoustic guitar based CCM, slapping would stand out like a sore thumb.

 

[micguy]

Being paid, however, changes the dynamic because it becomes a job, and I feel obligation to pay attention and be punctual more so than a volunteer.

Paid musicians are typically the last to arrive at the places I play. I'm ridiculously early most of the time.

 

[Dr. Cheese]

Right there with you. When I first started gigging I cared. Now...

I played a gig at a tiny snack shack on top of a ski slope. It was 20 degrees out. When we got there, by snow mobile, there were 3 inches of snow on the patio where we were supposed to play. The manager reluctantly had it swept.

The awning dripped all over my bass, a Franken fender mustang, and I had to put my amp up on a plastic chair to keep it from getting wet.

The front woman, after I griped, said I should buy some crappies gear for this sort of thing. I sighed and quit 5 months later after she told me I was required to schlep her PA.

Only we care about our gear. Only we will ever know.

True.

 

[2milehighspike]

These songs are pure acoustic guitar based CCM, slapping would stand out like a sore thumb.

. That maybe so but it will sure as H.. heck livin things UP!;-)

 

[jerry]

A gig is a gig Cheese!

 

[SLPimp]

True.

And for the record, I've been fired from a band for refusing to play a gig that would have only paid $40/member for 4 hours. That's less than minimum wage where I live.

I'd rather sit on my ass, noodling and playing my own stuff to an audience of none than work for less than my years of learning and experience require.

 

[Deleted member 165050]

I carried two basses to practice today. I only took one out of its bag. We went over three CCM songs that were all half and quarter note root notes in the first position. This is my only gig. What is the point in caring about gear so much if don’t actually need it for what I get paid to do? I guess some perspective does not hurt.

I envy you the opportunity to even rehearse. We're on lockdown here. Be thankful you are playing!

 

[GretschWretch]

Sometimes we have to settle for loving the one we're with because we cannot be with the one we love. Applies to basses too.

 

[Playbyear]

Next time just bring the one you like!

BTW, watch out for ground wasps, they’re nasty. Dynamite might work, but a kettle of boiling water down the hole after dark fixes them up!

 

[jellymax]

I carried two basses to practice today. I only took one out of its bag. We went over three CCM songs that were all half and quarter note root notes in the first position. This is my only gig. What is the point in caring about gear so much if don’t actually need it for what I get paid to do? I guess some perspective does not hurt.

hi Doc, been a minute. my first thought is one bass and and ultralight 12.
mines a gk112 (chk coopbass) much love Doc

 

[chadds]

Let's see.
Parishioners = wasps
You + your bass = dynamite
You + your bass were to blow the parishioners/band mates away?

If that's all true give up. Forget about yourself.
Go play because you have to! Your satisfaction will be immeasurable.