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Feeling like hanging it up...

#62
I got tired of the bar band gig. So, we let our drummer go, went as a 3- piece acoustic/electric combo (guitar, bass, female singer...all of us sing harmonies). We have the Bose system as well. There are times that my guitarist can't gig, so I took lessons on guitar and will be playing out starting in August....while still playing with the trio. Best of all worlds. Don't hang it up!
 
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#63
jive1 said:
Nowadays, due to the decrease in the amount of work available, I'm seeing many more musicians double up on instruments to fill up the calendar.

Back when gigs were more plentiful, all I had to do was play bass. Singing of course helps, but not as much as it does nowadays as people want smaller bands to reduce the number of splits of gig money. I've taken singing way more seriously in the last 6-7 years as a necessity, not just for vanity. Often, that is the thing that I practice the most. Almost every pro horn player I know plays another instrument, because not all gigs require horns. I've been doing more acoustic gigs because demand for that has increased as venues don't have the capacity or desire for loud Rock bands. Most working drummers I know also play the cajon or djembe, so they can do the acoustic gigs. Also because of the rise in acoustic gigs, it seems like every drummer, keyboard player, bassist, horn player, etc. that can strum 4 chords with one octave of range are looking for these gigs. Same goes for every guitarist, keyboard player, bassist, horn player, etc. that can tap on a tambourine. I also see more guys doubling up on instruments on a gig as well. It's not uncommon for a horn player in a wedding band to also play percussion, guitar, keyboard, or different horns on a single gig.
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Every word of this. You bring a lot to the table and you'll have more work than you want. You can PICK your band.
 
#64
lbbc said:
I got tired of the bar band gig. So, we let our drummer go, went as a 3- piece acoustic/electric combo (guitar, bass, female singer...all of us sing harmonies). We have the Bose system as well. There are times that my guitarist can't gig, so I took lessons on guitar and will be playing out starting in August....while still playing with the trio. Best of all worlds. Don't hang it up!
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Sounds like a good setting. I mostly mentioned the Bose PA because they're easy to transport and set up. I'm sure some hate them. And "Martin" because they're the P bass of the acoustic world.

I got my current band to try acoustic, but then they ended up just running acoustic guitars through their pedals into guitar amps and that misses the point. Acoustic is a more intimate setting.
 
#66
I hear you man, its frustrating. I'm dragging my band along right now, it's like trying to walk a dead dog. Two days ago I was literally throwing stuff around I was so mad at the lack of support. I was feeling bummed, thinking "Who knows when I'm going to gig again, my band isn't motivated, who knows how long before I get into another band, do I even want to be in another band yada yada yada" and all that negative stuff.

30 minutes later I got an offer to audition for a band next Tuesday.

One hour after that, we got a gig lined up with my other band.

Just stay the course and keep trucking. We're rooting for you.
 
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#68
@RichSnyder I know for me personally, even if I got tired of my current musical situations I could never "hang it up". Besides my family, music is life to me. I mean, maybe take a break or something but never just stop altogether! It sounds like you need a battery recharge - that's all.
 
#69
Simple... If you're bored, get un-bored. I switched from primarily playing guitar to bass 20+ years ago... What would make it any harder for you? If you feel there is more freedom/independence with guitar, and that's what you crave, just go for it?
 
#70
jwilson67 said:
@RichSnyder I know for me personally, even if I got tired of my current musical situations I could never "hang it up". Besides my family, music is life to me. I mean, maybe take a break or something but never just stop altogether! It sounds like you need a battery recharge - that's all.
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I don't think they're hanging up music.. Just the bass... Which is odd to declare on a bass enthusiast forum.
 
#73
MultiScaleMale said:
The problem with bass is that we're 100% dependent on a band. With rare exceptions, you'll never see Joe Blow on solo bass tonight at The Red Door. But you do see solo acoustic or acoustic duos all the time. It's a perfect setup for doing bars, the volume is low so people can still talk or watch the game. After 30 years on bass, I'm this close to hanging it up and going acoustic. A Martin and a Bose L1 will cover anything I need and I can still play with some of my pedals.

I like the guys that I'm in a band with, but we've lost all momentum. Maybe I'm just having a bad day, (I am), but maybe it's time to put myself in the driver's seat and control my own destiny. My problem - limited vocal range.
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Not bad choices, I chose a Bose/Godin pairing when I decided to stop the band rat race ;) I personally don't have the time or desire at this stage of my life for evening rehearsals, late night gigs, etc., so I did have to change gears from jobbing bass player to solo singer/guitarist who also plays bass sometimes. I like the diversity. Heck, when I was a jobbing bass player I didn't like being tied down to only one band. Even still, playing bass is my first love, and the most fun I have in music. I get the itch scratched with occasional session work and sub gigs, and when the drummer shows up late, or the singer and guitarist start arguing, I'm reminded another reason I got out of that race. I'm just lucky enough to be able to switch gears for a few years while my kids need me around the house more. I have a feeling when their teen years hit, I might be playing more bass. At any rate, no reason to let music get stale, and your voice isn't going to get any better without working it out.
 
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#75
MultiScaleMale said:
It sounds great, but you would have to look hard to find the right venue for solo bass. Honestly, I think at best, you could throw in one or two of these while doing covers in a duo. I play bass, I appreciate it, but even I don't think I'd want to hear much more than one song.
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Yup I thought the same thing after a little while this would grow old. Bass players need to face it solo bass even with looping is not for Joe and Jane average.It's cool and creative but not something the majority want to sit and listen to.
 
#76
bassbully said:
Yup I thought the same thing after a little while this would grow old. Bass players need to face it solo bass even with looping is not for Joe and Jane average.It's cool and creative but not something the majority want to sit and listen to.
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Totally fair. I razz on solo bassists endearingly, yet I honestly do have a spot for it. I'm not really a huge fan of that style of playing, yet I do find it useful to hear the unique ideas from time to time. You can pick up some cool tricks in all forms of playing... but, man...... I get bored super quick unless I'm playing in an ensemble setting. But I don't fancy myself a soloist, and that's okay... I gotta have my role and I like hearing others in the group do what they do well at the same time/given time.
 
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#78
bassbully said:
Yup I thought the same thing after a little while this would grow old. Bass players need to face it solo bass even with looping is not for Joe and Jane average.It's cool and creative but not something the majority want to sit and listen to.
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It depends. I think if you were in a busking situation where people are only listening to you for minutes at a time, really impressive playing could get you noticed and help fill the tip bucket. I remember there was this one guitarist that would do crazy stuff like Michael Hedges on the street I busked on. He certainly got attention, and he deserved to. But, rarely did anyone hang out for more than a song or two. I'm sure if that type of material would work when having to entertain casual music listeners for hours.
I'd love to conduct a social experiment where I put some bass virtuoso on one end of a street and a cute girl singing 'Wagon Wheel' on the other end of the street and see who gets more tips at the end of the day. I'm pretty sure the girl would win out in terms of bar bookings, but not sure in terms of busking.
 
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#79
jive1 said:
It depends. I think if you were in a busking situation where people are only listening to you for minutes at a time, really impressive playing could get you noticed and help fill the tip bucket. I remember there was this one guitarist that would do crazy stuff like Michael Hedges on the street I busked on. He certainly got attention, and he deserved to. But, rarely did anyone hang out for more than a song or two. I'm sure if that type of material would work when having to entertain casual music listeners for hours.
I'd love to conduct a social experiment where I put some bass virtuoso on one end of a street and a cute girl singing 'Wagon Wheel' on the other end of the street and see who gets more tips at the end of the day. I'm pretty sure the girl would win out in terms of bar bookings, but not sure in terms of busking.
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Sorry cute girl would win hands down.
 
#80
Blueinred said:
Yep. Like this guy, who just turned 22 years old.

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Here's a bloke from Australia that is very good with looping. He's the quickest and most seamless looper i've seen live. Doesn't spend ages putting down the layers and just gets into good rock songs. Only downside is a lot of his stuff tends to sound similar over a full gig length.

He's also quite a tinkerer. Just about all his guitars he made from scrap or spare parts he picks up for nothing.

 

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