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Dealing with burnout
- Thread starter modbass
- Start date
This is where I differ from a lot of guys; Throw me under the bus and run me over, but there will be bass. I'm very comfortable under fire.
Oh i can fake it just fine. I just wont be part of an intentional train wreck. The way i see it if a singer with an acoustic guitar wants to improv his set that is fine. But that is not what a band should do.
My dad has been an engineer for 30 years. He told me he was burnt out 15 years ago. But it pays a 6 figure salary and he has an ungodly amount of vacation time. My wife has been a social worker for 15 years. Spent 8 years in college getting her master's. After working for hospice for 14 years she's been basically a psychologist at a doctor's office for a few months. She hated it, burnt out. Has considered going back to college for something else. Can't just quit because she makes really good money.
Me, I'm on social security do to blindness, have an accounting business that I do part time, and take care of the kids, plus have a cover band. I'm not burnt out because things are so varied.
My advice would be to find a job that interests you and play in bands for a second income on your terms. Until you do this you will feel like any other person who's been at the same job for decades. You're just like millions of other people.
Me, I'm on social security do to blindness, have an accounting business that I do part time, and take care of the kids, plus have a cover band. I'm not burnt out because things are so varied.
My advice would be to find a job that interests you and play in bands for a second income on your terms. Until you do this you will feel like any other person who's been at the same job for decades. You're just like millions of other people.
I was in the same situation. I quit (put in three months notice) then started another band with like minded musicians. We're writing some pretty good music, virtually guaranteeing that we will only play a few gigs a year. I'm much happier now.
Oh man, you guys need to take a set break 1/2 way through that 2.5 hr monster. Just 15 mins to pee, drink some water, sit down. I know I begin to struggle when the set goes past the 1.5 hr mark.
I never use a setlist. I have had bands where we ONLY did requests. No prepared songs. The challenge was to be able to play anything.
This is my experience as well. There's what they said we'd play on the gig...and then what actually happens. Part of the game is being able to play anything. At a certain point when you've memorized enough tunes they all blend together. If I dont know a song I can follow the melody and hear where its going now. A good ear and knowing how to communicate and read your bandmates non verbally and you can get through some real zingers.
I do think this'll make a HUGE difference to how tired you are. It requires boundaries and the discipline to follow thru on them.
We do two sets of 75mins with a 30 min break - Dinner set (Jazz, ballads, instrumentals) then dance set.
Or three sets of 50mins with two 15 min breaks - Dinner set, In-Between set (Motown, Elvis, slow dance tunes for the older generation), and a Dance set.
Work in with the reception time schedule - songs on arrival & before speeches, first dance, etc.
Some bands even have a prearranged deal with the client/father of bride - if they want you to go overtime it's an extra fee. eg. $250 for an extra 30 mins. Look at it as an extension of contract or guaranteed tips.
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A lot of clients insist on continuous music for the dance set, especially for weddings. That was usually at least 2 hrs for us, sometimes 3. They weren't ok with breaks, even if there was an iPod to make up for the silence. I remember a few gigs where we did an instrumental cocktail set, a dinner set, then a 2-3 hr dance set. 6 hrs of playing on my end with short breaks between the sets.
Between that and the 3pm load-ins (and the multi-hour van rides getting there), burnout was inevitable. Our drummer ended up leaving a few months after me for the same reasons.
That is crazy. I can’t imagine the kind of person who would begrudge the band a set break after 1 or more hour of continuous music.
I'm working through a burnout myself. I've stopped playing. So here's things that I've reflected on:
1. I'm not putting any emphasis anymore on who likes me/my ideas.
2. Because of #1 I find I have an easier time mentally stretching for ideas. I'm not a kid like when I started, so the ideas fade in and out; I write things in a notepad.
3. I work on other right hand exercises/tapping when I'm not playing as I think it's a good way to try out new rhythms I can't apply on bass when I'm at work.
4. Like I said I'm much less discriminant on music. I'm generally more positive.
Look, sometimes we need a break. Musicians can be pretty mental, given talent levels, personality conflict, difference in agenda, difference in taste. Think of it this way, even if your musical endeavors went on, would they last or would you be happy? There's a point where it's time to stop compromising with the same situations and to start looking for musical situations where everyone agrees on what they've asked for by participating.
1. I'm not putting any emphasis anymore on who likes me/my ideas.
2. Because of #1 I find I have an easier time mentally stretching for ideas. I'm not a kid like when I started, so the ideas fade in and out; I write things in a notepad.
3. I work on other right hand exercises/tapping when I'm not playing as I think it's a good way to try out new rhythms I can't apply on bass when I'm at work.
4. Like I said I'm much less discriminant on music. I'm generally more positive.
Look, sometimes we need a break. Musicians can be pretty mental, given talent levels, personality conflict, difference in agenda, difference in taste. Think of it this way, even if your musical endeavors went on, would they last or would you be happy? There's a point where it's time to stop compromising with the same situations and to start looking for musical situations where everyone agrees on what they've asked for by participating.
Ever ask a roofer about him not being over hauling shingles up a ladder? Two things, be glad you have an income source, lots don’t. Secondly, find your art in what you play. I’ve played Hanky Panky since 1966 on several different instruments, mostly on bass. You would be amazed how many different ways you can play it without even your band mates knowing the difference.
