How Flexible Are You?

[mellowinman]

I will not play rap.

I would not play it
here or there.
I would not play it
anywhere.

I will not play it
in a house.
I will not play it
with a mouse.
I will not play it
here or there.
I will not play it
anywhere.

Not in a box.
Not with a fox.
Not in a house.
Not with a mouse.
I would not play it here or there.
I would not play it anywhere.

I would not, could not in a car
I would not, could not in a tree.
Not in a car! You let me be.

Not on a train! Not in a tree!
Not in a car! Sam! Let me be!
I would not, could not, in a box.
I could not, would not, with a fox.
I will not play it with a mouse
I will not play it in a house.
I will not play it here or there.
I will not play it anywhere.

I would not, could not in the dark.
I would not, could not in the rain.
Not in the dark. Not on a train,
Not in a car, Not in a tree.
I do not like it, Sam, you see.
Not in a house. Not in a box.
Not with a mouse. Not with a fox.
I will not play it here or there.
I do not like it anywhere!



I would not, could not with a goat!
I could not, would not on a boat.
I will not, will not, with a goat.
I will not play it in the rain.
I will not play it on a train.
Not in the dark! Not in a tree!
Not in a car! You let me be!
I do not like it in a box.
I do not like it with a fox.
I will not play it in a house.
I do not like it with a mouse.
I do not like it here or there.
I do not like it ANYWHERE!

I will not play Death Metal.


I would not play it
here or there.
I would not play it
anywhere.

I will not play it
in a house.
I will not play it
with a mouse.
I will not play it
here or there.
I will not play it
anywhere.

Not in a box.
Not with a fox.
Not in a house.
Not with a mouse.
I would not play it here or there.
I would not play it anywhere.

I would not, could not in a car
I would not, could not in a tree.
Not in a car! You let me be.

Not on a train! Not in a tree!
Not in a car! Sam! Let me be!
I would not, could not, in a box.
I could not, would not, with a fox.
I will not play it with a mouse
I will not play it in a house.
I will not play it here or there.
I will not play it anywhere.

I would not, could not in the dark.
I would not, could not in the rain.
Not in the dark. Not on a train,
Not in a car, Not in a tree.
I do not like it, Sam, you see.
Not in a house. Not in a box.
Not with a mouse. Not with a fox.
I will not play it here or there.
I do not like it anywhere!



I would not, could not with a goat!
I could not, would not on a boat.
I will not, will not, with a goat.
I will not play it in the rain.
I will not play it on a train.
Not in the dark! Not in a tree!
Not in a car! You let me be!
I do not like it in a box.
I do not like it with a fox.
I will not play it in a house.
I do not like it with a mouse.
I do not like it here or there.
I do not like it ANYWHERE!

I will not play New Wave...

 

[Blue_Whistle88]

I will only play in originals bands, though I'm happy for the odd cover to be put in the setlist, as long as covers make up only a small fraction of the set.

I'll play more or less any genre. Currently playing in a funk/rock band and a classical/folk band, and would like to try some other styles through the course of my musical life.

I don't mind if I don't get paid because I have a full-time job. I don't expect to pay to play though; I left New Zealand to get away from crap like that.

Lastly, the people I play with need to have a good attitude. I've played witha few pessimistic, negative people and I've had my fill. I still play with one person like that, but time may fix that. If people can't enjoy the catharsis of playing music then I have no time for them, especially when we're not getting paid.

 

[jmattbassplaya]

I'd like to pretend that I'm flexible, but I'm really not. Once you've played in a few bands that really have their act together anything less just isn't as enjoyable or productive. It actually ends up becoming very frustrating.

 

[the yeti]

I'd like to pretend that I'm flexible, but I'm really not. Once you've played in a few bands that really have their act together anything less just isn't as enjoyable or productive. It actually ends up becoming very frustrating.

sure, but if your field of view consists of those bands that have it together (per your own standard) that doesn't mean you're not flexible, just means you're not a fool.

nobody wants to play "beneath themselves". or do they?

 

[BayStateBass]

sure, but if your field of view consists of those bands that have it together (per your own standard) that doesn't mean you're not flexible, just means you're not a fool.

nobody wants to play "beneath themselves". or do they?

Well, as usual, Yeti hits it on the head.

When I started taking lessons I was starry-eyed. When I was able to eventually play through songs along with my instructor I felt accomplished. After many years of living room rock-stardom and lessons I didn't want to be alone anymore musically and moved ahead, getting into a band.

When I got into my first band I was all starry-eyed. And then I got better and in time it folded.

Then I got into my second band, it was better than the first and I thought about how bad my first band was, and how I'd never go back to that. And I got better still and then that band folded.

And I got into my third band (which I am with now) and got even better, actually started singing lead on a few songs and playing, getting gigs, and finding out what more experienced, better people do. And I can't believe I thought those old bands were so cool to be in at the time.

Now I'm confident enough to say I can hold my own with pretty much anyone I've seen play in the venues we get.

I would never go back to the way things were, period.

Some other things I look for in a band;

1. Good organization with a dedicated band leader
2. Established set list
3. A decent PA system, shows investment and some level of commitment
4. Did I mention organization?
5. If they are not currently gigging, they should at least have the potential to do so as well as the desire.

The biggest downfall with the old bands I played with is nobody wanted to take charge. I tried with one of the bands but failed miserably because I didn't know what to do.

As far as personality, it means a lot but I'm starting to get to the point where it means less than it used to. You see, I spend a lot of time and put a lot of effort into myself with the desire to constantly move ahead and get better. And it is frustrating to be in a group where they just aren't doing the same thing, no matter how nice they are. Yes, I have a high expectation of myself and of others, and as I get better my expectation of others also increases. I am starting to find myself thinking that it should be a balance of skill and personality, where in years past it was personality that I favored.

No, I don't want to play beneath myself, even if that level isn't necessarily "full-on pro".

Even with us amateurs/weekend warriors there are levels of ability and dedication, as well as some pride.

 

[two fingers]

I will not play "The Rodeo Song" ... period.

Dang. D'as my jam yo.

I do fill-in gigs these days mainly. (And somehow I manage to play quite a few gigs a month in Eastern NC..... not exactly a mecca of music.) I'm not against being in a band but I'm back in college at 41 and have two young kids. As far as genre I'm wide open. I will play anything if you get me a set list early enough.

You know, Victor Wooten once told me something interesting that has stuck with me. He said that he learns more from things he doesn't like than from things he's comfortable with. His point was that its easy to play just your favorite stuff all the time. But you get in a bad rut that way. Ever since then, I have welcomed gigs playing music that I don't have in my iPod. And Vic was right. I have learned more from those gigs than I ever did from gigs where I played my 50 favorite songs.

Great thread. Interesting takes from everyone. This crowd seems to me more open minded than most of the musicians I come across locally.

 

[Timmah]

I will play anything, for any pay, with any band (with exceptions).
Said exceptions: people who are dishonest, into drugs, or the offensively occult. No black/death metal either.

 

[bluewine]

Just a quick comment on the money issue in terms of flexibility.

" I have a good job, so I don't care about whether I get paid. I just want to play."

Most of us have straight jobs and careers and don't need the money.

However, my advice, don't let the fact that you have a job be an excuse for not wanting to put forth the effort to value yourself as a musician and command a commission for your hard work.

Blue

 

[Bert Slide]

Just a quick comment on the money issue in terms of flexibility.

" I have a good job, so I don't care about whether I get paid. I just want to play."

Most of us have straight jobs and careers and don't need the money.

However, my advice, don't let the fact that you have a job be an excuse for not wanting to put forth the effort to value yourself as a musician and command a commission for your hard work.

Blue

+1

Listen up youngsters, that's sound advice and not only for the Milwaukee market.

 

[rainbownorth]

I'll play more or less anything, as long as I have a fair idea of how to go about it, the one exception being country, which I don't like. I'd like to gig more than I do, which is never at the moment (between projects, but looking to change this). I'm pretty open minded and find I can usually create something cool or contribute to ideas pretty easy.

Also someone said they don't tolerate BS. I have been in or around this issue on either side of the fence before, I definitely don't now. Life is way too short and I'm way too busy to be dicked around and have my time wasted.

 

[Bassist4Eris]

I will not play originals that I don't believe in. Nor will I play originals that I have no creative say in. That's not because I think I'm such a genius, it's just because a band like that is no different from playing in a cover band, except there's no money in it.

I will not play covers for less than $100 per gig, nor will I accept less than what everyone else is getting. Nor will I play in a cover band that gigs so frequently it leaves me no time to pursue originals. I'll commit to twice a month.

As for covers, if you can play and sing the material, fine, I don't care about your theory. But for originals, I will not play with people who don't know what chords they're playing, or who are unfamiliar with "jazz chords", or are unable to count rhythms.

I will not play with racists, homophobes, or other types of bigots.

I will not play with people who go on stage intoxicated.

I will not travel more than 45 minutes for a gig, with the exception of once every couple of months or so. I don't want to travel three hours to play for the bartender and the bouncer.

I'm pretty open-minded as to genre, since I like pretty much all genres of music. Honestly, if you hate a whole genre of music, is the problem the genre, or you? I won't play jazz, Latin, or metal professionally, because I don't consider myself to be up to snuff on them.

 

[bluewine]

I'll play more or less anything, as long as I have a fair idea of how to go about it, the one exception being country, which I don't like. I'd like to gig more than I do, which is never at the moment (between projects, but looking to change this). I'm pretty open minded and find I can usually create something cool or contribute to ideas pretty easy.

Also someone said they don't tolerate BS. I have been in or around this issue on either side of the fence before, I definitely don't now. Life is way too short and I'm way too busy to be dicked around and have my time wasted.

I see a lot of this " I won't play country".

I hope those that take that position have a good realistic definition of country.

I say;

Want to hear some good rock?

Listen to these new contemporary country bands out of Nashville.

Blue

 

[two fingers]

I see a lot of this " I won't play country".

I hope those that take that position have a good realistic definition of country.

I say;

Want to hear some good rock?

Listen to these new contemporary country bands out of Nashville.

Blue

Well said. I play with a country singer out of Nashville every now and then. It had been a while since I played any before she came along. Learning the lines for those songs was not only fun, but regained my respect for those studio cats out there. They are just about perfect at coming up with some really tasty lines that don't over power the song. Plus, most of it sounds like the Eagles or good old classic rock these days anyway.

Again, great topic. Fun reads.... even the ones I disagree with.

 

[Marko 1]

Things I don’t think I could handle anymore:

Loud shrieking guitar/tone freaks.

Band that plays too loud for the venue. (I don’t mind loud so much, but thinking the audience is being abused, I just can’t enjoy myself and become miserable.)

Control freak/know-it-alls (doesn’t have to be the BL)

Wannabe sound guy who doesn’t have a clue which end of the EQ is which, but are the BL’s buddy.

Playing listening songs that don’t work the dance floor (in the typical bar where people are there to dance).

 

[rainbownorth]

I see a lot of this " I won't play country".

I hope those that take that position have a good realistic definition of country.

I say;

Want to hear some good rock?

Listen to these new contemporary country bands out of Nashville.

Blue

Its not something I've grown up with, I live in New Zealand, reggae is our national music more or less. I'm not going to defend it, and I'm not bagging on the genre, I just don't like what I've heard and dont find any enjoyment in playing songs I don't like. I've said no to playing other contemporary rock because I don't enjoy it too.

 

[SquierJazz72]

I see a lot of this " I won't play country".

I'm not always the biggest fan of contemporary country, but if that opporotunity came up, and everything else about the band was agreeable to me, I'd probably take it.

Older country and western music is something I love. My grandparents raised me on Jim Reeves, Marty Robbins, Johnny Horton, Sonny James, etc.. And I still love that stuff to this day.

 

[alexlocurto]

I'm desperate. So long as the music doesn't suck, I'll play just about anything with anyone.

 

[JumboJack]

Flexible. I'm playing a country gig Valentines weekend.
I don't like to play stuff I'm not crazy about without good pay.
I'll play free for a good cause.

And as far as equal pay, as long as I am happy with the number I'm getting I don't care. I have had the opportunity to play with some awesome people and would not have the juevos to insist on an equal cut. And I was also not stupid enough to pass up the opportunity.

 

[the yeti]

This crowd seems to me more open minded than most of the musicians I come across locally.

we're also all really really ridiculously good looking too.

 

[jazzbill]

I'll play gigs with almost anyone. I read and play jazz and have good ears and many years of experience. I know lots of rock and country covers and can fake my way through most things I've heard. Send me a setlist and I'll you tube the songs and learn them in a day or two or send me recordings of originals and I'll learn them the same.
I joined my current originals band a year ago the day after Christmas and opened for a major act 5 days later on new years eve after an audition with two of the players and one full band rehearsal.
Not interested in startups. I would only consider a startup with established players that have connections and could be ready to gig within a few weeks at most.