last minute fill-in gigs.

[1bassplayinfool]

Happened to me last week... Got a song list of 50 tunes, most I knew already. Band had a female singer so I had to shed 10 songs I had never played before.
Learned them and get to the gig to find out the guitar player tunes way down 1 1/2 steps on a seven string Fortunately I have good ears. It was fun.

 

[Freight Train]

I hate to sound snobbish about it but I have done my best to avoid any gig situation that would possibly reflect poorly on me. If I don't know the quality and ability of the players involved, no way am I committing to that. You may not be part of the sh#t but the stink is going to be on you too. Maybe I just haven't been hungry enough to do otherwise.

 

[arbiterusa]

So long as I'm paid up front, and the people involved know that there are going to be trainwrecks, I'm all over gigs like that. It's really the only way you get better.

 

[bloobass]

I've had mixed experience. a local guy post on FB they needed a fill in. I knew the drummer from a friend and new their band played similar material than the one I was in at the time, so I volunteered. Less than a 6 hour notice. I asked for a setlist, he said we could go over it when I got there. I wasn't overly comfortable, but was trying to be helpful. I get there and about 1/3 of the list was foreign to me. They also didn't play a set order, just let the singer call them out. I talked to the guitar player and said "be sure to give me the song keys when she calls out the songs, and maybe show me your hands if there's a key change". He just kind of grunted. Throughout the night, I had to ask (over the mic) what key they were doing a song in. He purposely kept his back to me most of the night. I was not happy. All that succeeded in doing was making me look bad.
On the other hand, I've filled for other groups and even churches that always get me a list (usually noting if they do something different from the recording). It can be fun and refreshing, IF you're subbing for courteous, somewhat professional people.

 

[jnuts1]

I used to do last minute subs for a band who's bassist would break a hand, have a panic attack, have an asthma attack and maybe broken thumb every so often minutes before a gig. I would get a frantic call like "GET HERE IN 40 MINUTES!!!!" kind of frantic. always paid well and did pretty well. the sax would call out changes and I would fly by the seat of my pants and it was a great time.

one time I get there and there are fire breathers, jugglers, crystal ball twirler people and other circus type stuff. that one was awesome.

 

[Fredrik E. Nilsen]

If I get charts (and they follow them), it's a yes from me.

 

[jnuts1]

I've had mixed experience. a local guy post on FB they needed a fill in. I knew the drummer from a friend and new their band played similar material than the one I was in at the time, so I volunteered. Less than a 6 hour notice. I asked for a setlist, he said we could go over it when I got there. I wasn't overly comfortable, but was trying to be helpful. I get there and about 1/3 of the list was foreign to me. They also didn't play a set order, just let the singer call them out. I talked to the guitar player and said "be sure to give me the song keys when she calls out the songs, and maybe show me your hands if there's a key change". He just kind of grunted. Throughout the night, I had to ask (over the mic) what key they were doing a song in. He purposely kept his back to me most of the night. I was not happy. All that succeeded in doing was making me look bad.
On the other hand, I've filled for other groups and even churches that always get me a list (usually noting if they do something different from the recording). It can be fun and refreshing, IF you're subbing for courteous, somewhat professional people.

kept his back to you?!?!?!!? I would have just played whatever the heck I wanted in key and that's that then. and definitely do little mini solos if he was soloing just to twist the knife. if I'm helping someone out I expect some help in return.

 

[Wasnex]

I am interested in hearing opinions about accepting last minute fill-in gigs. Specifically filling in with a group you have never played with and really never even heard play. In this case, I am pretty sure I know a few of their songs, but suspect most of them would be new to me. By last minute fill-in, I'm talking about less than 12 hours before the gig.

It sounds like they will provide charts for the gig, but I am reluctant because I have been burned in other similar situations. There are other issues like timing and basic interaction between the other players, none of whom I know or have played with before. I usually decline such requests when there is absolutely no practice session involved, but this is a group I am interested in getting to know, but also am interested in making a good impression if I agree to take the gig.

My current thinking is to tell them that I am interested in future fill-in opportunities, but this one with such short notice is a recipe for failure.

So what are your thoughts?

Thump on,

One_Dude

Some bands don't have a book, so if you sub and don't know a gazillion songs it's pretty much guaranteed to be an embarrasing disaster. But if the band has a book and you read, it should be a piece of cake.

IMHO, Evaluate the situation and your reading skills.

FYI, there are lot's of bands that work out of a book and rotate players and almost never rehearse.

 

[57pbass]

I really try to hear the music in advance..I know my limits and if I feel I can’t deliver a great performance I’ll turn it down. I don’t want to be “that guy” who wrecked a gig.

If you’re getting charts I would take this show..You never want to miss a good opportunity..good luck.

 

[DWBass]

I've had mixed experience. a local guy post on FB they needed a fill in. I knew the drummer from a friend and new their band played similar material than the one I was in at the time, so I volunteered. Less than a 6 hour notice. I asked for a setlist, he said we could go over it when I got there. I wasn't overly comfortable, but was trying to be helpful. I get there and about 1/3 of the list was foreign to me. They also didn't play a set order, just let the singer call them out. I talked to the guitar player and said "be sure to give me the song keys when she calls out the songs, and maybe show me your hands if there's a key change". He just kind of grunted. Throughout the night, I had to ask (over the mic) what key they were doing a song in. He purposely kept his back to me most of the night. I was not happy. All that succeeded in doing was making me look bad.
On the other hand, I've filled for other groups and even churches that always get me a list (usually noting if they do something different from the recording). It can be fun and refreshing, IF you're subbing for courteous, somewhat professional people.

Guitarist is an idjit!! Way to go to make your own band sound bad! Dumb@$$! Not professional at all. I need setlist, song keys and charts if possible but I never sub for any band that I don't know the music. Especially on short notice.

 

[interp]

I’m lucky—I lost my fear of being embarrassed in public and playing music I had never heard before at a very early age. I highly recommend putting yourself on the line. It’s very liberating. After a while, when you realize you don’t die if you screw up something, it starts becoming a lot of fun.

 

[zubrycky]

Just do it.

 

[Ronzo]

Better for both you and the band you’re filling in with to play. No bass, no band. Therefore, no fear.

 

[Cheez]

Do it. If you can get through the tunes without causing major carnage they'll appreciate you. It's a good opportunity to build a good reputation and make new connections.

 

[Slater]

It depends on if you feel like challenging yourself, and you’re actually up for that challenge. I never thought I could pull off last minute fill-in gigs until I did it. It can be nerve wracking at times, but once you get through it, you’re a better musician, and the next time it’s a little easier.

 

[pcake]

The best way to get called for future fill-ins is to take current fill-ins...

With such short notice, they can't be expecting perfection. Do the gig, kick some a**, and make a great impression. You'll get your foot in the door, and the call next time.

with basically no time to even hear the songs, a bass player could sound bad enough that they won't get a call. it depends on whether the timing of most of the songs is pretty straight ahead - playing through a bunch of stops would sound awful - and how good the player is with spontaneous improvisation, assuming the music isn't too odd to jam with.

I hate to sound snobbish about it but I have done my best to avoid any gig situation that would possibly reflect poorly on me. If I don't know the quality and ability of the players involved, no way am I committing to that. You may not be part of the sh#t but the stink is going to be on you too. Maybe I just haven't been hungry enough to do otherwise.

i completely agree with this.

Some bands don't have a book, so if you sub and don't know a gazillion songs it's pretty much guaranteed to be an embarrasing disaster. But if the band has a book and you read, it should be a piece of cake.

IMHO, Evaluate the situation and your reading skills.

FYI, there are lot's of bands that work out of a book and rotate players and almost never rehearse.

no band who ever asked me to sub on short notice ever had a book nor did they read.

I really try to hear the music in advance..I know my limits and if I feel I can’t deliver a great performance I’ll turn it down. I don’t want to be “that guy” who wrecked a gig.

If you’re getting charts I would take this show..You never want to miss a good opportunity..good luck.

yeah, but in 12 hours, there's no time to listen assuming the OP is at work.

 

[eddododo]

Last minute fill in gigs are my bread and butter $$$

 

[Wasnex]

No band who ever asked me to sub on short notice ever had a book nor did they read.

It's basically what I call a corporate band. There are generally no set personnel except the group leader, and every instrument has a book. You don't have to read the book if you know the tunes. Usually we played jazz trio for cocktails and then a few sets of cover tunes for dance music. Typically these bands play corporate functions, weddings, private parties, etc, in hotel ballrooms and event centers. Sometimes this type of band runs out of entertainment agency. I got called to play as a short notice sub and then become about the C call for 2-3 years. Eventually I fell out of the rotation because I had too many conflicts.

If you are not skilled in reading music notation and chord charts, it's unlikely you will find work in this type of band. I used to play in pit orchestras, community symphonies, etc, so reading music is definitely in my wheel house. I can also memorize 4-6 hours of pop music, but I need charts to play jazz.

 

[dBChad]

I'm a rock driven player who subbed in for a jazz quintet once on a few days notice. I was completely out of my wheelhouse, but they sent me charts in time to arrange some parts in key (nothing fancy, just bread and butter bass playing) and it was a great experience. I learned a lot from that experience. Simplicity is your friend, but being out of your element is a great way to grow your skills.

 

[SteveC]

I don’t fill in a lot, but I’ve done both 2 weeks notice with song/key list and called the morning of the gig. The 2nd cost them a bit of money, but their concern was if I could play Devil went down to Georgia and I could so....
Didn’t change my life but both were fun and interesting in their own way.