This topic may get pounded, but i need to know. I just got my bass and my band is looking to schedule some practices. When do you think we'll know when we're good enough to gig, where/how do we get those gigs, and what's this about "house equipment? Like should we buy a PA?
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Gigs?
- Thread starter MetsFan5
- Start date
Sounds like you're just starting out!
You just got your bass? So can you play it yet? If you guys are just starting and nobody has playing experience, then your are likely a year or two away from sounding any good.
If your band already has some basic experience with your instruments, then you could be up and running in a few months.
Are you doing originals or covers? assuming a basic level of skill and individual commitment to learning parts, covers should have you up and running way faster than originals.
0.) have a Myspace page with your music on it
1.) call/email the club owners and ask, be professional and courteous.
2.) make friends with other bands who play the places you want to play, and who share similar genres.
Different regions have different house system scenarios...check this thread :http://www.talkbass.com/forum/showthread.php?t=436810
Thanks. Yes, I just got my bass...but the lead guitarist is amazing. I plan on playing my bass like all summer, and the drummer, and back-up guitarists are on their way. Probably more originals than covers and I shall attack the thread.
If you are just starting, by all means get a teacher, and a metronome!
spend as much time practicing playing slow steady rhythms with the metronome as you do practicing your band's material. Good, solid timing ought to be your first priority -and it's unlikely that your amazing guitarist will emphasize that when he shows you stuff.
spend as much time practicing playing slow steady rhythms with the metronome as you do practicing your band's material. Good, solid timing ought to be your first priority -and it's unlikely that your amazing guitarist will emphasize that when he shows you stuff.
"House equipment" generally refers to the PA the venue already has.
I would book a gig right away, and make it a couple months away. It will force your band to work towards a goal.
Record a rehearsal after a few months of practicing together. If it sounds good enough to play to other people, then book a gig.
+1000 recording your rehearsal. No need for exotic recording setups, just a room mic into a cassette recorder will do If your band sounds good through that, you're gold.
First call some venues of the type you want to play, and find the requirements and what the venue is looking to do. That way you can build sets around the requirements. For instance, around here in the bar/club scene owners generally want either cover acts or acts heavy on the covers and the ability to cover between 2-4 hours. So, we know we need 2 hours of originals and two hours of covers for gigs where we are the only band.
How do you get the gigs? A combination of calling the talent agencies they work with and simply calling venues your self and networking with other bands. Best thing you can do as a beginning band is find some more well known bands, of a similiar style, and let them know you will open for them and not expect to get paid very much. As a beginning band it's best to look for opening slots where you only haveto cover 45 minutes to an hour so you get broken in and don't screw the whole night up for the venue if it doesn't go well.
House sound? If you are playing large venues in a multiband setting they will already have a PA. If your band intends to be jobbers and play a bunch of pubs and clubs the vary from small the medium size then you should get a PA. Some smaller venue will have a PA, but it is usually abyssmal and will make you sound like poop. Also, having your own PA opens up venues that have bands but no house sound to you.
P.S. When getting ready for gigs, rehearse set as if you are on stage. That is, play the whole set back to back with no 3-5 minute breaks between song. One song ends another one begins within 3-5 seconds. Practice stage banter. This will really get the band in shape and show you physically how hard a playing out can be even if you don't have to move equipment. The drummer and singer will be beat after a 1-2 hour straight set, if they are not in shape. Practicing a set once a week will really get your band into shape.
