I quit playing about 2 years ago. Been playing about 50 years. When I moved into town 24 years ago, I'd made business cards with name, contact info (phone #, email...I don't have social media's), and noted that I play bass and am willing to audition. Nothing else. No types of music, no years playing, etc.. A simple card given only to bands that played stuff in my wheelhouse of capabilities.
So, wife and I went out to alot of gigs around town. I'd talk with the group during a break or after the gig, ensuring the bass player was included. My approach was just a matter of offering my services if they ever needed a fill-in. Also asked if they knew of groups or performers looking for a bassist. Handed out a business card, and that's it.
It worked and had even gotten some some permanent positions. In fact the first band this worked with was a rock band, which led to opening for Molly Hatchet.
My method may seem lame and not-current. True enough. But everyone has their own perspectives, musical desires, and motivations to do what we do. Mine has, from early on, always been has a hobby player, as family always came first. So, if I get a gig, cool. If not, that's cool too. But for these past 2 decades, my name got known around town, and I'd been working almost every weekend, every year. My 'old school' method worked just fine for this hobbyist. It helps to have a devastatingly charming personality, too LOL.
So, I'd suggest get some business cards (if you haven't already) made for yourself, and add it to whatever current methods you're using.
For what little it's worth, I lost my chops for the time I quit. Barely noodled at home. But have recently been wood-shedding and plan to play again. The motivation being that I don't know how much these ever increasing prices are gonna eat into our finances, so I wanna offset that loss with extra income. I feel we are still early in the 'increasing price' thing, so I wanna be prepared. I'm feeling the excitement again. I miss being on stage and acting the fool LOL
So, wife and I went out to alot of gigs around town. I'd talk with the group during a break or after the gig, ensuring the bass player was included. My approach was just a matter of offering my services if they ever needed a fill-in. Also asked if they knew of groups or performers looking for a bassist. Handed out a business card, and that's it.
It worked and had even gotten some some permanent positions. In fact the first band this worked with was a rock band, which led to opening for Molly Hatchet.
My method may seem lame and not-current. True enough. But everyone has their own perspectives, musical desires, and motivations to do what we do. Mine has, from early on, always been has a hobby player, as family always came first. So, if I get a gig, cool. If not, that's cool too. But for these past 2 decades, my name got known around town, and I'd been working almost every weekend, every year. My 'old school' method worked just fine for this hobbyist. It helps to have a devastatingly charming personality, too LOL.
So, I'd suggest get some business cards (if you haven't already) made for yourself, and add it to whatever current methods you're using.
For what little it's worth, I lost my chops for the time I quit. Barely noodled at home. But have recently been wood-shedding and plan to play again. The motivation being that I don't know how much these ever increasing prices are gonna eat into our finances, so I wanna offset that loss with extra income. I feel we are still early in the 'increasing price' thing, so I wanna be prepared. I'm feeling the excitement again. I miss being on stage and acting the fool LOL
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