one thing people greatly underestimate, or at least I did, is the toll on your body physically. the 1 AM end times get really old, as does the 2ndhand smoke (unless you smoke to begin with). This is why, not to preach, I don't like when people I don't know ask to "sit in.." for a myriad of 10,000 other reasons, I say no, but mostly because I have to be there , drove, loaded in, etc. In any case, we all get burnt out, as above people have said. Then there's the rehearsals, whether by yourself or weekly with a band (yet another reason I don't like when guys ask to sit in that I don't know).
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Losing my mojo............
- Thread starter DWBass
- Start date
Yes and no. I would very happily put together a classic rock band and play Free, Rainbow, Uriah Heep and Deep Purple tunes all night long, even if it meant just doing it in my basement for the sheer enjoyment of playing those songs. As much as I love to gig and play in front of a crowd, right now it's - as you mentioned - not the best of times for that and I accept that.
The issue I have is, I am having a hard time finding people who are (1) interested in the same type of music and (2) good enough to play it well. Not saying I can play note-for-note what Andy Fraser, Roger Glover and Trevor Bolder played (I only wish) but I am tired of playing with people who either copy the notes and have no groove / feeling / swing to their game, lack enthusiasm for the material or wonder if the twiddly bit in "Easy Livin" could be left out. Sure, and drop the guitar intro to "Smoke On The Water" while we're at it - it's only the most distinctive part of the song!
I know I have several weak areas in my playing. I am working on those. I wish every now and then, some of the musicians around me would bother to at least identify theirs. The other day I was talking with a guitarist with whom I'd contemplated starting a groovy metal band. Then he said: ""Yeah all this theory stuff has me dazzled, man. I don't even know the notes on my guitar's neck." Guess who I will not be calling?
You're not the only one... was doing originals for 2 years with two different bands lasting a year each... after all the effort I put in dealing with personalities that aren't team oriented, putting in money for band related expenses and dealing with flaky/diva minded band members, long drives on late nights where I pick up most of the guys and drop em off afterwards too (some of the other guys didn't have cars,) musical disagreements (in other words, having guitar player nag me unless I was doubling guitar part) I just became unenthused by the idea of being in a band.
(To be clear, one band was full of cool dudes but it did not fulfill me on a musical level, the other had some s****y guys and an ego battle going on constantly)
I gave it another shot recently now that I'm more musically educated and began playing with good musicians in a jazz group quartet. We played a couple nice gigs (getting paid was refreshing, as much as originals had its own fun, playing for free loses its charm after so long, especially when your local scene is a bit dry) and practiced plenty but I left once again because there were some personality quirks about another member that really got me... but I won't go in to that.
Anyway... you ain't the only one.
(To be clear, one band was full of cool dudes but it did not fulfill me on a musical level, the other had some s****y guys and an ego battle going on constantly)
I gave it another shot recently now that I'm more musically educated and began playing with good musicians in a jazz group quartet. We played a couple nice gigs (getting paid was refreshing, as much as originals had its own fun, playing for free loses its charm after so long, especially when your local scene is a bit dry) and practiced plenty but I left once again because there were some personality quirks about another member that really got me... but I won't go in to that.
Anyway... you ain't the only one.
I think this is true where I live. There are a ton of clubs that just do the DJ/dance thing, and they are jumping every weekend. The clubs that just hire bands are hit and miss, either because the talent sucks, or the club/regulars are scary, or no one is interested. All of the good clubs that cater to local music needs closed, the ones that are still open are way more selective, you either have to have a huge local following or you are on the national club circuit and most likely backing up someone with a name that people recognize.
I think there are a lot of reasons why, and no easy fixes. It’s expensive to go out to the clubs, so why go to a club and hear music that you don’t really dig or can’t dance to, when you can go to one particular club with a DJ that plays all the latest dance tunes, and most likely run into a ton of attractive people. I go to clubs with live bands, at least around here, and it’s filled with the regulars at the bar, most of them hammered, with some folks the band brought milling about, and the band is playing a really awful cover song that is about as relevant as 8 track tapes. And, the band isn’t even getting into it, most of them are just going through the motions.
It is sad, and frustrating.
Random thoughts:
I'm in the same boat - turned 50 this year - been playing bass since age 14, having played drums and piano since age 5 or so - good ear for learning songs quick, make my own rough charts for new or original projects. I just recently let my time run out on Musician's Contact Service - wasn't finding much on there, although I have found some good bands on there in the past. I actually found my last band on MCS, which lasted for 3 years, but blew up due to the usual personality conflicts about a year ago. There's never anything on Craigslist worth responding to. I'm in So Cal and it seems like there are fewer and fewer places to get a gig that will pay at least $100 per man. I'm involved in a couple bands, but it's hit and miss - the good-paying private party gigs come along about every 3 months - good pay being $200 +. I did a gig a couple months ago that paid $350 per man. I have another one booked for December that pays around the same.
I was just watching the news this morning - can't even remember the young female singer's name, but she's a popular newer singer on the scene (this goes to show how out of touch I am with new singers) - anyway, Sam Rubin on KTLA said something about his daughter going to see this performance and mentioned that there was no band and that she was singing to tracks - his daughter said she didn't care about that stuff! That's the other problem - EDM, singers singing to tracks - it seems like live music is becoming less important.
I had this great idea to find sub work - contact bands that are on Gig Masters and appear to be gigging a lot. Bands always need subs. Sub gigs could lead to a full-time position. Guys quit as we know. If you've already subbed and did a good job, you're more likely to get the gig when the regular member moves on or gets fired. I did do this about 2 years ago and made a few connections, but didn't really put in enough time with the project.
I'm only playing out a couple times per month now, but wouldn't mind playing more. I have a new job which has taken most of my focus for the last few months. Maybe in a few more months I'll get back to the search for another band situation. I'm only looking for cover bands at this point. I've done the original band thing for years. The last one was cool, but it never took off. It was a 13 year association with the singer/songwriter - cool music - Sting meets Steely Dan type thing, but obviously it sounded dated - even though I really dug the music, I just totally burned out on the project. The biggest bummer was when we'd schedule a gig, pimp the crap out of it on FB and email blasts, and then 13 people show up out of the 100 that said they'd be there.
I could go on ranting forever, but......
I'm in the same boat - turned 50 this year - been playing bass since age 14, having played drums and piano since age 5 or so - good ear for learning songs quick, make my own rough charts for new or original projects. I just recently let my time run out on Musician's Contact Service - wasn't finding much on there, although I have found some good bands on there in the past. I actually found my last band on MCS, which lasted for 3 years, but blew up due to the usual personality conflicts about a year ago. There's never anything on Craigslist worth responding to. I'm in So Cal and it seems like there are fewer and fewer places to get a gig that will pay at least $100 per man. I'm involved in a couple bands, but it's hit and miss - the good-paying private party gigs come along about every 3 months - good pay being $200 +. I did a gig a couple months ago that paid $350 per man. I have another one booked for December that pays around the same.
I was just watching the news this morning - can't even remember the young female singer's name, but she's a popular newer singer on the scene (this goes to show how out of touch I am with new singers) - anyway, Sam Rubin on KTLA said something about his daughter going to see this performance and mentioned that there was no band and that she was singing to tracks - his daughter said she didn't care about that stuff! That's the other problem - EDM, singers singing to tracks - it seems like live music is becoming less important.
I had this great idea to find sub work - contact bands that are on Gig Masters and appear to be gigging a lot. Bands always need subs. Sub gigs could lead to a full-time position. Guys quit as we know. If you've already subbed and did a good job, you're more likely to get the gig when the regular member moves on or gets fired. I did do this about 2 years ago and made a few connections, but didn't really put in enough time with the project.
I'm only playing out a couple times per month now, but wouldn't mind playing more. I have a new job which has taken most of my focus for the last few months. Maybe in a few more months I'll get back to the search for another band situation. I'm only looking for cover bands at this point. I've done the original band thing for years. The last one was cool, but it never took off. It was a 13 year association with the singer/songwriter - cool music - Sting meets Steely Dan type thing, but obviously it sounded dated - even though I really dug the music, I just totally burned out on the project. The biggest bummer was when we'd schedule a gig, pimp the crap out of it on FB and email blasts, and then 13 people show up out of the 100 that said they'd be there.
I could go on ranting forever, but......
CrashClint
I Play Bass therefore I Am
I sold that bass a while ago. I wish I still had it. There was an issue with the neck, more specifically the fret positions toward the bottom of the neck. I tried to sell it here but a lot of the experts spotted the issue so I ended up selling offsite. This was before I knew my luthier who could have fixed the issue for me. Oh well. I most likely will be selling or trading some of my gear. Not all!
I wish I would have known there was an issue, I have a old Moses Graphite Neck that fits that bass and I would have sent it to you free.
I just quit the cover band I was playing with. It wasn't fun at all. Guitarist not coming in prepared, long travel for crappy paying gigs and miscellaneous band drama. I'm devoting more time to my originals project. Still having fun with that one.
if it isn't fun anymore then take a break. Maybe you'll come back to it refreshed maybe not. Lifes to short to spend it being miserable. Good luck I hope everything works out for you.
if it isn't fun anymore then take a break. Maybe you'll come back to it refreshed maybe not. Lifes to short to spend it being miserable. Good luck I hope everything works out for you.
I know I sound like a jerk, but from my point of view it's not sad or frustrating. I got two recording sessions this week, a DJ gig, and bagpipe and cello samples to edit. I know to most TBers those aren't substitutes for playing in a band, but I'm OK with it. Even if I'm kinda mad at the guys who recorded the bagpipes for not recording a bunch of round robins for the chirps.
I'm actually looking forward to some "me-time". I spent 45 minutes today playing country bass lines on the electric upright - something I don't get to do a lot. I am teaching myself walking bass (using Jay Hungerford's book first and I have the first instalment of "Constructing Walking Bass Lines" to follow that). I really want some time away from bands, rather than join yet another band of idiots and play music I don't want to play.
Maybe it'll be a month before I'm itching to go out and join a band again, maybe it'll be 10 years. I kind of don't care right now.
Maybe it'll be a month before I'm itching to go out and join a band again, maybe it'll be 10 years. I kind of don't care right now.
No, you don't sound like a jerk. It's just difficult these days to do what you want musically, at least around here, and TBH I'm not big on change, but I guess I better get used to it if I want to play. I may be going the route of looking for more sub gigs and one-off recording sessions soon as well. The last time I did that I did have a good time with it, though in the end I didn't feel grounded to a project and went back to the band thing. Who knows? I'm going to dust off the ideas I had for an originals band that I tabled a couple of years ago when I was having a hard time finding players, and at least keep it as an option if what I'm looking for does come together.
I am on the other end of that.. I have been playing in church for free for the past 13 years...... and about 4 years ago I joined a 9 piece 4-5 vocalist Christian Latin band and basically we were still playing pretty much for free at churches in the area and then that band broke up when the band leader and his wife became full time ministers in the Hispanic ministry at my church. I still play with them when I am not in the English service... Last year a sax player, drummer and guitarist at my church and I started a small band and our biggest problem is finding the time to play... but I am still on the "I can't wait to rehearse!" curve ... Maybe it's because I already took a 14 year break that ended in 2001 when I started playing again.... but if I could just suppliment my gas and expenses for the music I'd be happy.....
It's OK to take a break. It almost sounds like you're just tired of the usual "crappy bar gig thing." I'm getting there myself. I'm only in my mid 30's, but the idea of not getting home until 2:30 in the morning after a four hour gig is getting less and less appealing. Our band has been gigging out less lately, and I find that while I like getting together and practicing with the guys, I don't miss all the hassles of gigging all that much. We have a gig this Saturday, but it's a sweet 4-8PM deal, and I am looking forward to it.
I am looking forword to 'extending' my break from bands! I'm fulfilling these 2 gigs coming up and I have 1 in September. After that, I won't be taking any sub gigs either for a while. Gonna sell some gear, pack away what I'm keeping and will focus on some other important things for a while. Listen to some music other than band stuff which will be refreshing.
