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Iceberg dead ahead

There's always the opposite problem. The band that stays stuck in rehearsal mode forever because they never feel quite ready.

I've been in a few of those. "Ready" never comes.

Good luck! If it turns out to be a train wreck just keep your sense of humor and a preoverbial bag of popcorn handy.

It'll probably be okay though.
 
Years ago, I was given some advice from a guitarist that I'll call "Blues Yoda" who convinced me to go on stage just after the suicide of a friend of mine. When I found out what happened, I figured to make some radical changes, like saying "Yes" to things that would have been an automatic "No". Blues Yoda called me a couple days after my friend was found and I said yes. I had a two days before the first show scheduled to occur every Tuesday. I'd never performed or played bass with anyone. He and the drummer were both experienced. The drummer was not overly keen on Blues Yoda, but was trying to help out a fallen comrade who was down on his luck. We were a three piece backing band for all comers at an open mic and would fill the four hour slot with music if no one opted to join. I've heard enough classic rock tunes enough times to be able to come up with something on the fly and Yoda could tell me a key, major or minor and chord numbers to work with. That was enough for me to muddle through.

Before the first show, he gave me some advice. He said it was best if everyone started and stopped playing at the same time. He mentioned it was a bad idea to stop playing in between the start and stop of a song unless he gave some sort of exaggerated signal or let me know ahead of time to look for one. He stated that if things went off the rails and tumbled towards the river, it was best to head back to the root and lock in with the drummer until someone found me. The last thing he said was "If it looks like I'm trying to sway a bee with the headstock of my guitar, I'm probably trying to get your attention." It worked. His advice has always held. Eleven months later, I was picked up by a cover band looking for an experienced bassist and they chose me instead.
 
Ah, this dangerous and unpredictable thing with gigs... this is the best part. Social media musicians will never feel this cold in spine.
There's nothing like the real thing. Bass playing or whatever. I was a pilot in my real-life career. Microsoft Flight Simulator ain't the same thing. You (and your passengers) don't die if you screw up.
 
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