How would you react to this?

[Milo Spleen]

I'm on the fence here. How about getting a schedule ahead of time from the other players to make sure when everyone is available, and that would tell you when to call the other drummer, your new FIRST choice. If your original first choice is available when you have a gig, good to go.

 

[schenknasty]

You could get a much larger upright bass and join their band. Just follow this guy's lead:
Link Removed

 

[d-dave]

So it looks like we have ruled out any possibility that the OP could have made a mistake anywhere along the line, so the basis for thread is effectively resolved. Good work, everyone.

I do love a good "What would you do in this situation, but don't give any response that isn't exactly what I'd do or what I did because then I'll just give all the reasons why you're wrong?" thread.

Fun stuff right here.

Even after reading every single post, I stick to my original response.

I'm officially moving on. Take care.

 

[Big Hoss]

I am hard pressed for a good answer here. On one hand, if he is being straight up about the string bass thing, you, being solely electric weren't a viable candidate. HOWEVER, he didn't even bother asking you if you COULD do string / upright bass...

I'd say find a replacement drummer, and put him way down low on your call list. He's obviously going to be too busy to be available anyway...

 

[DwaynieAD]

so this guy is supposed to sit by the phone hoping you call and do nothing else? seems reasonable.

 

[los100malditos]

I do not want to be (play) with someone who does not want to be (play) with me...

 

[Timmy-Watts]

It seems simple to me. He is doing his own thing. Continue doing yours, with a different drummer. Done.

 

[sunnycal]

What's stupid about this whole thing? You don't own any musician that you hire to work for you. You act as if he was the only one that benefitted from the gigs you hired him for. Remember you got paid just like he got paid. He provided a service to you. One, he obviously prefers the other persons' playing to yours and secondly, based on your actions its more clear why he may want to work elsewhere. Last, it's not unusual that someone may want to branch out on their own and have artistic control. I assume you never left one job to go to work for someone else.

 

[phillybass101]

Don't hate the Player, hate the Game!!!!!

 

[lfmn16]

I do love a good "What would you do in this situation, but don't give any response that isn't exactly what I'd do or what I did because then I'll just give all the reasons why you're wrong?" thread.

Fun stuff right here.

Even after reading every single post, I stick to my original response.

I'm officially moving on. Take care.

A lot of these on TB.

It would be better if they just stated their opinion and asked only for responses from people that agree with them. Kind of like a poll with one choice.

There other thing is when there are 99 replies and the OP claims 98 of them misunderstood the original post.

We'll rename it ListenBass

 

[logicman69]

It took a bit of reading to understand the OP's frustrations. I had a hard time grasping the concept because I think Jazz bookings and rotations are a bit different than your typical band. If my drummer in my band went and did a one off gig with our singer and another bass player and guitar player, and then all of a sudden they form a new band playing the same songs and what not, I would be pissed as well. I would probably start looking for another singer and drummer at that point.

I think you are doing a smart thing by keeping him in an existing rotation and then giving any new gigs to another drummer. Maybe eventually I would wait to see if their other act takes off, and when it doesn't and they dissolve, i'd then start phasing him out permanently.

 

[Tim817]

It sounds like you need to move your second seat drummer up to number one because drummer number one is looking to do more than he has been and he has every right to help him self out to making a living. It is what it is. let it go and don't cut off your nose !!!

 

[Charlzm]

I'm an active local musician/electric bass player and I have a group of musicians I call in 1st, 2nd, and 3rd order for gigs. I have a drummer who is first call. I bring him a lot of gigs, judging by the size of his 1099 at the end of the year.

Anyway, he called me a while ago asking if I would mind if for a couple gigs at a restaurant not far from him, if he could use our piano player (2nd call guy) and a string bass player for the gig. His reason for this was the owner "wants string bass" and I'm an electric player. I said fine, but indicated that if I was going to call him first for all the gigs I have, I'm expecting to be part of the gigs if the instrumentation is the same (piano, bass, drums) that he books.

Personally, it irks me when I bring musicians a lot of work, find the musicians, arrange the rehearsals, get everyone music, and then they go off on their own, when there are no apparent interpersonal skill or other problems. I also think the owners' string bass requirement was hokus.

I later see all over the Internet that he has named the trio, and gotten a professional video done. He is listed as the contact for this group, and they are doing music festivals around town.

How would you proceed with this case?

If they are a string bass trio and you don't play string bass, it's legit. Otherwise...

 

[schenknasty]

Nearly 200 posts in and I just read you just started your own jazz originals band on another thread. If your plate's full, don't stare at the other end of the table

 

[DirtDog]

If this is all correct, then I suppose the obvious question would be the following: How can a bassist expect to be at the top of the tree in a local jazz scene without playing upright? That just seems unrealistic and naive

How? Powerpoint orientation sessions for new hires.

 

[Fat Steve]

How? Powerpoint orientation sessions for new hires.

Huh? Did you reply to the wrong post, or am I just missing something?

 

[DirtDog]

Huh? Did you reply to the wrong post, or am I just missing something?

Sorry, video - not powerpoint...

The Power of Orientation!

 

[/\/\3phist0]

You're missing important details d-dave, perhaps due to the length of the thread. I've pretty much lost interest in this thread now, probably because I have to keep compensating for lack of understanding of the full details.

Perhaps you mean compensating for incomplete information in your initial dissertation, necessitating condescending follow-up posts to the lower life forms? (BTW I'm Mensa qualified so don't go there)

 

[DaDrew2112]

And I think you are confusing controlling with expecting people to follow through on agreements. Could we not go there? I only find it irritating to have to explain what and who I am in real life, and frankly, I'm tired of doing that in these threads. It happens to me and must about anyone who posts about conflict in their groups. And conflict is inherent in most things worth pursuing.

I honestly agree I think that it's an honor thing which is a virtue that most people simply do not have. Honor and virtue are rare qualities in a person. If you truly possess these qualities than good for you.

It irritates me how easily people back down on their word. But there is absolutely nothing you can do. Punctuality and follow through. A lot of people have so much mental noise that these things are difficult to manage.

 

[DaDrew2112]

I honestly agree I think that it's an honor thing which is a virtue that most people simply do not have. Honor and virtue are rare qualities in a person. If you truly possess these qualities than good for you.

It irritates me how easily people back down on their word. But there is absolutely nothing you can do. Punctuality and follow through. A lot of people have so much mental noise that these things are difficult to manage.

*Edit

I think these problems break the surface of a person when they feel disrespected. Respect is a need. It's kind of like someone taking your cheeseburger away when you're hungry and just about to dig in.

OP you have every right to be upset.