Double Bass Music VS Ego

[chris dammann]

I do a lot of less than desirable gigs to pay rent and find often, the more tasteless i am the more respect i get on the bandstand and with the audience. it makes one feel like a circus performer, woe is i.
when i get a gig where i have a respectful group of musicians, i really savor being able to indulge my ears by playing something i actually want to hear, rather than something that says, look at me.

 

[Marcus Johnson]

I do a lot of less than desirable gigs to pay rent and find often, the more tasteless i am the more respect i get on the bandstand and with the audience. it makes one feel like a circus performer, woe is i.
when i get a gig where i have a respectful group of musicians, i really savor being able to indulge my ears by playing something i actually want to hear, rather than something that says, look at me.

Great post, Chris... and I've felt the same way.

But over the years, I've learned to not underestimate the audience.

 

[Marc Piane]

The only problem I have with Chris' post is that if those 'rent paying' gigs are so distasteful why do them? Why not get a job? It'll probably pay more. Then just do the gigs you want.

Just playing devil's advocate.

 

[chris dammann]

The only problem I have with Chris' post is that if those 'rent paying' gigs are so distasteful why do them? Why not get a job? It'll probably pay more. Then just do the gigs you want.

Just playing devil's advocate.

The way I look at it is, no one pays you if what your doing, you'd be doing anyways for free. the groups i run play sometimes for pay, but more often than not we play in my living room and thats fine. I think my neighbors get to hear my finest performances.
no matter what you do for a living, its not going to be all fun and games. i figure if a bandleader is paying me, its my job to make him/her happy, which sometimes means playing s***. not that i can't learn from those experiences, it just seems funny to me that i make most of my money playing music, I wouldn't listen too. at this stage of the game though, I am learning a LOT doing these types of gigs--so that probably means, i am right where i belong in the musical food chain. i try and always remember that a good musician makes themselves sound good and a great musician makes everyone around them sound good, even if their playing live karaoke.
about getting a day job: honestly, i am not qualified to do anything else besides play music. i made that life choice and think it was right for me, but sometimes i bitch and moan anyways.

 

[Marc Piane]

I'm not trying to be a pain I'm just discussing here...

I bet all of us are qualified to work at Starbucks. From what I hear the pay is better than average and even part timers get health insurance.

Everyone has their own answer to why. I have mine. I think everyone has to ask themselves that question and do some real soul searching for the answer.

 

[jallenbass]

no matter what you do for a living, its not going to be all fun and games. i figure if a bandleader is paying me, its my job to make him/her happy, which sometimes means playing s***.

As a computer tech during the day, no one will ask me to clean the bathrooms. I can't say that there is anything that I'm asked to do that is the equivalant to playing s*** all night. I'm just sayin'...

no matter what you do for a living, its not going to be all fun and games. i figure if a bandleader is paying me, its my job to make him/her happy, which sometimes means playing s***.

When I was making my living as a musician I too wasn't qualified to do anything else. I had to make it a point to become qualified to do something new.

 

[Marc Piane]

Well and my point too is that if you make, say $2000 a month on gigs that is still only $24,000/yr. Gas station attendants make that much (if not more) I bet and the skill set required for that job are pretty basic.

I have a pretty strong opinion about this whole issue that I am intentionally not stating for fear of pissing some people off.

 

[oldfretless]

I'm sure I'm wrong, But while I agree stepping on everyone else can ruin music, when I pay to see live music, which can be expensive, (a HoJo in NYC is $400 a night), I want to see flames coming from the fingers of the bass player. So go ahead, impress me and I'll be happy. I want to see bass that inspires me. Does Coltrane play too many notes? Please play as hard as you can, for I may be in the audience. Thank you

 

[Uncletoad]

I'm sure I'm wrong, But while I agree stepping on everyone else can ruin music, when I pay to see live music, which can be expensive, (a HoJo in NYC is $400 a night), I want to see flames coming from the fingers of the bass player. So go ahead, impress me and I'll be happy. I want to see bass that inspires me. Does Coltrane play too many notes? Please play as hard as you can, for I may be in the audience. Thank you

I am not impressed by speed. I'm impressed by the one perfect note, by the deep mature groove, by players in tune with each other and supporting each other in complex and interesting ways.

So was Miles. He played less and deeper as he got older.

Coltrane played fast. He was a phenom. Once in a lifetime kinda guy. There are a many more big name folks like that but most players I know that play fast aren't Coltrane, they're posers.

That's all about EGO. That makes me want to leave the club.

 

[MLysh]

Didn't Paul Desmond once take out an ad in the New York Times to let Joe Morello and Dave Brubeck know that he was unhappy with the number of up-tempo tunes being called at the Brubeck concerts?

I believe he wrote, "Paul Desmond does not play fast," at one point in the ad.

If one wishes to see "flames coming from the fingers of the bass player," perhaps a ticket to a David Copperfield show is more in order.

 

[Paul Warburton]

when I pay to see live music,I want to see flames coming from the fingers of the bass player.I want to see........ Thank you

Sorry to edit your post. I know YOU want to see.
When I posted this thread, I had hoped someone would come along to help prove my point that hearing is more of of a listening experience, rather than a visual one.
One of our great jazz double bassists, Charlie Haden, is a joy for me to hear. However, i'd pay the big bucks NOT to have to see him play.
Thank you, for helping me make some points.
And oh, by the way, if you're in to seeing flames and such coming from the fingers of bass players, might I suggest a select few drugs that may help you in your visual path?

Also, your remark about " seeing " live music tells me that you're a step ahead of me in terms of drugs.

 

[Alexi David]

The only problem I have with Chris' post is that if those 'rent paying' gigs are so distasteful why do them? Why not get a job? It'll probably pay more. Then just do the gigs you want.

Just playing devil's advocate.

A lot of those "undesirable" gigs serve a great purpose in networking with other musicians, etc - unlike a Starbucks

 

[Ed Fuqua]

I'm not trying to be a pain I'm just discussing here...
I bet all of us are qualified to work at Starbucks. From what I hear the pay is better than average and even part timers get health insurance.
Everyone has their own answer to why. I have mine. I think everyone has to ask themselves that question and do some real soul searching for the answer.

True enough; but age/current situation have a lot to do with it too. The choices I make are being made by somebody who is a lot less willing to scuffle at 53 than I was at 23. Among what I miss by having a day job is the ability to do sessions during the day with players who are too busy to play at night cause they're gigging. I've missed out on a couple of European tours because the guy who can make the most sessions/rehearsals is the guy that gets the tour. I had to pass up subbing for the BMI Composer's Big Band (buncha years back) cause I had a daygig, the guy who did sub it ended being the cat when the guy he was subbing for left the band. Of course, I also don't have to turn down a great gig to play a stupid one that pays more. I don't have to play electric bass, I don't have to play music I don't like. That's fun....

 

[Alexi David]

True enough; but age/current situation have a lot to do with it too. The choices I make are being made by somebody who is a lot less willing to scuffle at 53 than I was at 23. Among what I miss by having a day job is the ability to do sessions during the day with players who are too busy to play at night cause they're gigging. I've missed out on a couple of European tours because the guy who can make the most sessions/rehearsals is the guy that gets the tour. I had to pass up subbing for the BMI Composer's Big Band (buncha years back) cause I had a daygig, the guy who did sub it ended being the cat when the guy he was subbing for left the band. Of course, I also don't have to turn down a great gig to play a stupid one that pays more. I don't have to play electric bass, I don't have to play music I don't like. That's fun....

Well said, as usual. One chooses their path to get to where they want to be..............pretty much!

You never know where one thing will lead you. I got dropped off a Summer tour, got pissed off, and I reacted by getting up off my ass and start playing my dormant compositions. A blessing in disguise.

 

[Alexi David]

By the way Ray Parker says HI to everyone here

 

[Paul Warburton]

By the way Ray Parker says HI to everyone here

Back at him, Lexi.

 

[jallenbass]

By the way Ray Parker says HI to everyone here

Let him know that his presence is missed here...

 

[chris dammann]

Does Coltrane play too many notes? Please play as hard as you can, for I may be in the audience. Thank you

two points. the first pertinent to the thread topic, before i derailed it (sorry). Coltrane always played straight from the heart, and once said that all tenors players would be play like the great Stan Getz if they could, one of the most tasteful players in the history of jazz IMOP. Not to mention, Coltrane choose to play with the most humble bass player, i can think of Jimmy Garrison.

As a computer tech during the day, no one will ask me to clean the bathrooms. I can't say that there is anything that I'm asked to do that is the equivalant to playing s*** all night. I'm just sayin'...

second point, playing crap lets me practice all day. at this point in my life, no situation is better for me than having the time to practice as much as i possible can.
Thank you all for the great discussion.

 

[Marcus Johnson]

By the way Ray Parker says HI to everyone here

Awesome, back at him! Sorely missed here.

 

[Marc Piane]

...and those are the answers to the personal 'why'.

I see lots of cats that bitch and moan about having to play Donna Summer tunes every weekend. So don't. The stock answer is 'music is the only marketable skill I have.' The real answer I think is they'd rather play Donna Summer tunes than stock shelves at Target. Cool. Be honest about the answer.

I just think we should all revisit why we are doing things from time to time.

For me I teach lessons and substitute teach in order to be able to take only the gigs I want. I wish I could just play but the choices I've made make it possible to pay my mortage and still be fairly flexible.

I've been really thinking about the why question lately. In a positive way. I think it is the most overlooked question. Any answer is the right one as long as it is honest.

Life is really short. There is no evidence of there being a round two. Do what you need to do to make your life work for you. If playing 'Last Dance' gives you as much joy as pouring coffee... the paycheck at Starbucks is more dependable.

Ever been to a Homecoming at your alma and wondered why everyone looked so old?

Lastly I think if you view a gig as a 'job' that you don't want to be at you bring the whole bandstand down with your EGO. I try to have a positive attitude at any gig. I said Yes, I made my bed. Time to sleep in it.

Hi to Ray.