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"First gig" stories!

AFTurboGirl

AFTurboGirl

Midgard's bass chick
Apr 27, 2013
78
2
#1
Come on, we all have them!!

So last year, I joined a band and I had to cram an entire set for 2 weeks to prepare for this gig! My husband was already in the band as the lead guitarist, and their bass player kind of quit all of a sudden so I was like, "I'll play". I kind of said I would do it on a temporary basis, but as time went, I decided I could stick to it. Anywho, 2 weeks of cramming the set, I go to a practice and the other 2 band members decided they wanted to keep me in the band, so they wanted me to proceed to play at their next show. We're playing with some bands that are no strangers to us b/c we've seen them play at shows in the past, except now, we're actually sharing a stage with them, so I kind of feel I have to be good, even though the music is still really fresh in my head and still a little shakey with it. We have like 2 songs left, and this girl comes up and she's like, "A female bass player, that's awesome, play me a solo!!" so right then, I freeze up! My mind goes blank and I can't think of anything to play!!! It was kind of embarrassing!!!!! :( Ask me to do it now, and I can play a little something, but on a first gig...too much pressure! LOL!
 
#3
MY first gig was a surprise stand in for a late (time-wise, not dead) bassist. I knew the band leader and he knew I "Played bass." Luckily they started out with Metallica and I knew those two songs, then the real bassist arrived and took his spot.

Every time since then, they asked me to play bass on the Metallica songs and I got hooked so bad into bass :D
 
#4
I tend to find myself in a lot of "fish out of water" situations owing to a diverse set of interests. Some examples:

(1) My first ever gig as a bassist was playing in a praise/contemporary worship band at my childhood church, within probably weeks of obtaining my first bass. My knowledge of music theory was limited to the music director teaching me the notes on the first five frets of the E and A strings. I was around 16 years old, listened mainly to alternative rock radio, and had a relatively upbeat drummer, so I ceaselessly played straight quarter notes or eighth notes punk-style throughout the service. This was complimented nicely by the fact that I -- as a lefty -- played a low slung, P Bass clone upside down.

(2) My first (and only) rehearsals as a guitarist were with a start-up cover band featuring the same drummer, which practiced in the church because his kit was stored there. It always felt weird walking into the church with my black B.C. Rich Warlock decorated with silver flames.

(3) My first rock/metal gig was at a biker bar during my first year of college, at which point I tended to wear the same Abercrombie & Fitch/cargo shorts/polo attire as most students at the school. To my recollection my outfit at the gig was a orange- and white-striped polo and a pair of khakis or cargo pants. By the next gig I had obtained a couple of black shirts and some dark jeans, and I haven't looked back since.

I'm now a lawyer but play the heaviest metal of my musical career, to the endless amusement of both my co-workers and bandmates.
 
#5
AFTurboGirl said:
Come on, we all have them!!

So last year, I joined a band and I had to cram an entire set for 2 weeks to prepare for this gig! My husband was already in the band as the lead guitarist, and their bass player kind of quit all of a sudden so I was like, "I'll play". I kind of said I would do it on a temporary basis, but as time went, I decided I could stick to it. Anywho, 2 weeks of cramming the set, I go to a practice and the other 2 band members decided they wanted to keep me in the band, so they wanted me to proceed to play at their next show. We're playing with some bands that are no strangers to us b/c we've seen them play at shows in the past, except now, we're actually sharing a stage with them, so I kind of feel I have to be good, even though the music is still really fresh in my head and still a little shakey with it. We have like 2 songs left, and this girl comes up and she's like, "A female bass player, that's awesome, play me a solo!!" so right then, I freeze up! My mind goes blank and I can't think of anything to play!!! It was kind of embarrassing!!!!! :( Ask me to do it now, and I can play a little something, but on a first gig...too much pressure! LOL!
Click to expand...
My response would have been that you don't take requests, whether they be songs or impromptu bass solos.
 

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