Get off my LAWN! "Grumpy Old Farts"

[Passinwind]

Man, I love getting sub calls the morning of the show. When the regular bass player has the bass book, and is on the other side of the country. Hey, it's a big band hit and there are only 16 other people depending on cues from me, what could go wrong?

 

[beans-on-toast]

play Hell on the fretboard wouldn't it?

Maybe it would clean nickel and brass oxide.

 

[beans-on-toast]

Ow!!

I was thinking that it must smart. It looks like at least one deep tooth puncture. Good thing that it didn’t hit a vein.

The horse apparently wasn’t put off his chow.

 

[beans-on-toast]

Man, I love getting sub calls the morning of the show. When the regular bass player has the bass book, and is on the other side of the country. Hey, it's a big band hit and there are only 16 other people depending on cues from me, what could go wrong? View attachment 3132887

If it’s jazz, slide up and down the neck, you’re bound to hit some of the right notes.

 

[bassmike2010]

Man, I love getting sub calls the morning of the show. When the regular bass player has the bass book, and is on the other side of the country. Hey, it's a big band hit and there are only 16 other people depending on cues from me, what could go wrong? View attachment 3132887

Nothing. Let the Conductor sort it out.

 

[GonePlaid]

Man, I love getting sub calls the morning of the show. When the regular bass player has the bass book, and is on the other side of the country. Hey, it's a big band hit and there are only 16 other people depending on cues from me, what could go wrong? View attachment 3132887

Stand behind the piano man. Almost all big band charts have the bass line written in the left hand. Yeah, I know, it's a PITA to see but it's better than nothing.

 

[Passinwind]

If it’s jazz, slide up and down the neck, you’re bound to hit some of the right notes.

That works fine with chord chart/lead sheet gigs, but this is mostly a dot one and there are plenty of naked bass intros and lead-ins. But I used to be the regular in this band, it'll be OK.

 

[Passinwind]

Stand behind the piano man. Almost all big band charts have the bass line written in the left hand. Yeah, I know, it's a PITA to see but it's better than nothing.

Yep, that's typically how I cope. Although the guitar parts have more chords written in and I can often get a better feel by playing my own walking lines off the chords. But the guitar guy's MIA too, probably hanging at his place on Maui. I got the call because they know I can deal, so I will.

 

[GonePlaid]

That works fine with chord chart/lead sheet gigs, but this is mostly a dot one and there are plenty naked bass intros and lead-ins. But I used to be the regular in this band, it'll be OK.

I played in a coupla big bands for years. I know what ya mean. Then they hand ya a chart that's been marked, had crossed out passages and had drinks spilled on it and expect perfection sight reading it. Oh, and if it's a copy, 1/2 the bottom line is missing.

 

[agedhorse]

Yep, that's typically how I cope. Although the guitar parts have more chords written in and I can often get a better feel by playing my own walking lines off the chords. But the guitar guy's MIA too, probably hanging at his place on Maui. I got the call because they know I can deal, so I will.

Hawaii's been a bit over-rated the past week, I know first hand

 

[Jeff Bonny]

Be careful copping changes from the piano and guitar charts. I got fired from a boat gig out of Miami when the singer we were backing that week saw me and said there was no way she was gonna have me "faking" her set. She wouldn't even let me finish the rehearsal.
Now that I think back I probably got fired more for telling her her charts were barely legible and what you could read was full of mistakes............and that she had a tin ear and a fat ass. Boy she sure didn't like hearing me criticize her charts....

 

[Passinwind]

I played in a coupla big bands for years. I know what ya mean. Then they hand ya a chart that's been marked, had crossed out passages and had drinks spilled on it and expect perfection sight reading it. Oh, and if it's a copy, 1/2 the bottom line is missing.

Or a whole page or three...

I keep my own copies so I can at least blame myself for the wonkiness. This band is on their 39th year, with several of the original members still playing. The first chair tenor sax guy is 92 and had many members as his students in high school jazz band. And they are still playing a whole lot of the same charts. I never did that drill, and although I'm very comfortable playing Real Book standards this is a whole different movie. But it's casual, an outdoor brewpub gig at the place one of the band members owns. Like a rehearsal with free beer and pizza, pretty much.

 

[beans-on-toast]

I played in a coupla big bands for years. I know what ya mean. Then they hand ya a chart that's been marked, had crossed out passages and had drinks spilled on it and expect perfection sight reading it. Oh, and if it's a copy, 1/2 the bottom line is missing.

Nice to be able to read.

I can’t see much without my glasses. With far, middle, and near focus requirements, I never wear them on stage.

 

[Passinwind]

Be careful copping changes from the piano and guitar charts. I got fired from a boat gig out of Miami when the singer we were backing that week saw me and said there was no way she was gonna have me "faking" her set. She wouldn't even let me finish the rehearsal.
Now that I think back I probably got fired more for telling her her charts were barely legible and what you could read was full of mistakes............and that she had a tin ear and a fat ass. Boy she sure didn't like hearing me criticize her charts....

I know all about Divas and bespoke charts, for sure Jeff. This is just effectively a rehearsal for the "big gig" of the year at a festival around the corner from my house that the band has played every year for four decades. So it's more important that I don't train wreck things than that I nail the charts. My first sub turn with these guys was a wedding gig with no rehearsal, that was a bit tense. Oh, and the former bassist was in the wedding party to boot.

 

[Passinwind]

Nice to be able to read.

I can’t see much without my glasses. With far, middle, and near focus requirements, I never wear them on stage.

My progressive lenses have really been bugging me lately. I think they were probably instrumental in the recent broken toe adventure.

 

[GonePlaid]

Be careful copping changes from the piano and guitar charts. I got fired from a boat gig out of Miami when the singer we were backing that week saw me and said there was no way she was gonna have me "faking" her set. She wouldn't even let me finish the rehearsal.
Now that I think back I probably got fired more for telling her her charts were barely legible and what you could read was full of mistakes............and that she had a tin ear and a fat ass. Boy she sure didn't like hearing me criticize her charts....

Used to play behind acts that had done cruise ships and their charts were so marked up they were barely readable. I asked a couple of them why they didn't make copies and never hand out the originals. Oh, too much money! Really? When the band can't read your music and you(the act)suck? Seems to me a damn good investment

 

[GonePlaid]

My progressive lenses have really been bugging me lately. I think they were probably instrumental in the recent broken toe adventure.

Well, yer s'posed to wear them on your face.

 

[BassmanPaul]

Man, I love getting sub calls the morning of the show. When the regular bass player has the bass book, and is on the other side of the country. Hey, it's a big band hit and there are only 16 other people depending on cues from me, what could go wrong? View attachment 3132887

Break a string Charlie!

 

[RoadRanger]

If it’s jazz, slide up and down the neck, you’re bound to hit some of the right notes.

No - it's jazz, you're supposed to skip the "right" notes .

 

[GonePlaid]

No - it's jazz, you're supposed to skip the "right" notes .

Play a "wrong" note once, it's a mistake; play it again , it's jazz.