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No more gigs. See ya.
- Thread starter SteveC
- Start date
+1 on the ups and downs, unfortunately.
I'm quickly approaching a year without much going on. Sucks because my guitard and former friend burned it all to the ground just as we were picking up speed. There's just nothing good out there.
I'm quickly approaching a year without much going on. Sucks because my guitard and former friend burned it all to the ground just as we were picking up speed. There's just nothing good out there.
"Bar closes after 24-years in business."
It certainly wasn't the bands fault.
24-years ago musicians made $50-$100-per night and beer in the bar cost $2.00
2009- musicians make $50- $100-per night and a beer costs between $4-$8.00
Bars go out of business because they are badly run.
Bar owners are beer merchants who complain about the time of day.
If Bernie Madoff didn't make so much money ripping off his friends he'd of made a great bar owner.
You don't have a gig?
Get your band to start working on original material. Bands waste all their time learning cover songs to get work but there's little work out there.
It certainly wasn't the bands fault.
24-years ago musicians made $50-$100-per night and beer in the bar cost $2.00
2009- musicians make $50- $100-per night and a beer costs between $4-$8.00
Bars go out of business because they are badly run.
Bar owners are beer merchants who complain about the time of day.
If Bernie Madoff didn't make so much money ripping off his friends he'd of made a great bar owner.
You don't have a gig?
Get your band to start working on original material. Bands waste all their time learning cover songs to get work but there's little work out there.
Speaking as an old geezer who doesn't get the "cool" gigs now because of my age,...there's LOTS of different opps out there for playing and jamming. There are several online collaboration sites for writing and contributing to. Kompoz.com is one I enjoy. For online realtime jamming with other players, try ejamming, ninjam, and a few others. There's opps to play out there, you just have to look around a bit and be open to new ideas.
For what it's worth, I used to play fulltime for my living, lots and lots of gigs under my old belt. I'm actually enjoying music more now through some of these online sites because of the fact that I can play what I like, when I like to. No more having to cover Mustang Sally or Brown eyed girl for the ten billionth time. I can play just for the sake of being creative and don't have to lug a ton of gear to do it!
So don't be too depressed about the gigs drying up, just open your eyes and mind to something new and you might be surprised what you find.
For what it's worth, I used to play fulltime for my living, lots and lots of gigs under my old belt. I'm actually enjoying music more now through some of these online sites because of the fact that I can play what I like, when I like to. No more having to cover Mustang Sally or Brown eyed girl for the ten billionth time. I can play just for the sake of being creative and don't have to lug a ton of gear to do it!
So don't be too depressed about the gigs drying up, just open your eyes and mind to something new and you might be surprised what you find.
I totally agree with the pay scale not changing one bit.
But as far as little work out there...hmmm, probably dependent on location and/or competition.
We've had a few bars close due to the economy, but really I live and work in Wisconsin. Think anyone here is going to let a little thing like the economy stop them from drinking?
If anything, going out drinking and partying has picked up because of the economy. They either want to go out and drink to forget about it, or they want to get drunk and be entertained to forget about it for a while. Either way, we have gigs.
Of course it helps that our band has been together in some form or another for 17 years.
Off the top of my head, I know of four other bands that have folded in the last month alone, while we are steamrolling our way through a busy, solidly booked 2009. And we are playing to packed houses every gig.As to the OP, hey sh*t happens. Never take anything that outwardly seems like a negative and dwell on it. The world doesn't operate as randomly as you might think. In fact, I am 100% positive that there is a very real reason for your circumstance and it's just up to you to find what that is, so that when the new opportunity presents itself (and it will...it's a given) you will be prepared to jump on it.
Life's too short to not be happy in the moment. Thinking negatively about anything will only cloud your vision about all the positives that develop from it. It has to get positive again. Life goes on...it doesn't just stand still every time something sours.
Though somewhat new to the bass, I have been an on again off again musician over 20 years, and done very little gigging.
Playing live adds another dimension of fun to the instrument for sure- I know many of us were motivated to start playing an instrument by the "glory" of playing in front of an audience.
But really, it should be about the instrument, the music, your creativity, your personal development- that's what is really great about music. To me, gigging is just a bonus- a quite frankly, one that can be a lot of hassle- dealing with bands, guitar players, and the business end of things. Politics are not why I started I playing
I would give you the same advice as someone who is burned out on their instrument. Take up another instrument for a while (like someone else already suggested), try another form of music, and just enjoy making music for it's own sake- and look at things from a different angle for a while.
If that doesn't work, my uncle owns and operates his own pharmacy, we can have you patched up in no time.
Playing live adds another dimension of fun to the instrument for sure- I know many of us were motivated to start playing an instrument by the "glory" of playing in front of an audience.
But really, it should be about the instrument, the music, your creativity, your personal development- that's what is really great about music. To me, gigging is just a bonus- a quite frankly, one that can be a lot of hassle- dealing with bands, guitar players, and the business end of things. Politics are not why I started I playing
I would give you the same advice as someone who is burned out on their instrument. Take up another instrument for a while (like someone else already suggested), try another form of music, and just enjoy making music for it's own sake- and look at things from a different angle for a while.
If that doesn't work, my uncle owns and operates his own pharmacy, we can have you patched up in no time.
bigfatbass
Inactive
- Jun 30, 2003
- 2,420
- 404
- Disclosures
- Endorsing Artist: Karl Hoyt Basses
90 percent of the regular participants on this site aren't even part timers. Most are either church players, or 1 or 2 gig a month types, if THAT.
If everybody who didn't have at least 5-6 shows a month (not counting the church sets) left this site it would be a very, very, empty place!
Gigs come, gigs go. If you aren't getting enough playing time, re-prioritize your life around getting better and expanding your branches of opportunity.
Heck, I know guys that play in 3 different churches every weekend and pay most of their bills with it. In just about any town of size, a good, reliable, HONESTLY versatile player will find gigs.
I don't just mean being able to fake a blues walk, follow the chart on a jazz standard, or drop a country oompah in the right place. I mean REALLY getting at what makes those styles work, and being so transparently proficient at them it would never occur to them that you prefer death metal. well maybe except for the Sepultura tattoo on your forehead, but I digress.
Sorry you're going through a bad stretch, but if you want that to change, you can make it happen!
If everybody who didn't have at least 5-6 shows a month (not counting the church sets) left this site it would be a very, very, empty place!
Gigs come, gigs go. If you aren't getting enough playing time, re-prioritize your life around getting better and expanding your branches of opportunity.
Heck, I know guys that play in 3 different churches every weekend and pay most of their bills with it. In just about any town of size, a good, reliable, HONESTLY versatile player will find gigs.
I don't just mean being able to fake a blues walk, follow the chart on a jazz standard, or drop a country oompah in the right place. I mean REALLY getting at what makes those styles work, and being so transparently proficient at them it would never occur to them that you prefer death metal. well maybe except for the Sepultura tattoo on your forehead, but I digress.
Sorry you're going through a bad stretch, but if you want that to change, you can make it happen!
Spare me. Bands waste all of their time on original material, most of which sucks. I work in three cover bands, and at this very moment I have more dates booked that I had all of last year, which is a lot. Waste of time my @$$.
Don't fret (couldn't resist) - things will turn around.
About 12 years ago, I worked in the automobile industry at a Saturn retailer. Great car - dealer was..let's just say...you know those guys they're talking about right now that are greedy...I knew that guy 10 years ago - but the company stood by its product. Now they're a "division" rather than a corporation because of the greed of the board of directors to turn a profit on the company - in that light, GM's getting what's coming to them now.
The point is that I worked 6 days a week 12 hours a day, and the only place to play was in church. If you ask me, there's no better place to play - pay or not.
I had about one gig a year, and wondered why I kept my stuff. 6 years later, though, I'm playing four nights a week in a country group with a singer that had a recording contract, in addition to keeping a full-time job. Life was good in 2003.
Six years later, it's a gig a year again.
So -
Write!!
Record!!
Record what you write and post it to your myspace
Get on Linkedin, Facebook and Myspace and find your old musician buddies
Network, dude!! Keep playing in church and giving your gift back to the one who gave it to you in the first place. You don't know where or when He'll put all those things back together for you.
If I may - a little more...
2 years ago, I was offered a job at a high school in Nashville. I have contacts there. It was the chance of a lifetime. Long story short - I had to turn it down. I think about it every day, and it depresses me for a little while. But it's really not about what I want to do. If it was about that, I'd be playing and doing voices for cartoons, writing songs and consulting. I could make money, but it wouldn't put 3 kids through college (only half way through that right now).
Just keep using the talents - cuz if you bury them, your assessment ain't gonna be a pretty one.
Z
About 12 years ago, I worked in the automobile industry at a Saturn retailer. Great car - dealer was..let's just say...you know those guys they're talking about right now that are greedy...I knew that guy 10 years ago - but the company stood by its product. Now they're a "division" rather than a corporation because of the greed of the board of directors to turn a profit on the company - in that light, GM's getting what's coming to them now.
The point is that I worked 6 days a week 12 hours a day, and the only place to play was in church. If you ask me, there's no better place to play - pay or not.
I had about one gig a year, and wondered why I kept my stuff. 6 years later, though, I'm playing four nights a week in a country group with a singer that had a recording contract, in addition to keeping a full-time job. Life was good in 2003.
Six years later, it's a gig a year again.
So -
Write!!
Record!!
Record what you write and post it to your myspace
Get on Linkedin, Facebook and Myspace and find your old musician buddies
Network, dude!! Keep playing in church and giving your gift back to the one who gave it to you in the first place. You don't know where or when He'll put all those things back together for you.
If I may - a little more...
2 years ago, I was offered a job at a high school in Nashville. I have contacts there. It was the chance of a lifetime. Long story short - I had to turn it down. I think about it every day, and it depresses me for a little while. But it's really not about what I want to do. If it was about that, I'd be playing and doing voices for cartoons, writing songs and consulting. I could make money, but it wouldn't put 3 kids through college (only half way through that right now).
Just keep using the talents - cuz if you bury them, your assessment ain't gonna be a pretty one.
Z
The talk about branching out and trying new instruments is very good. Since you had a standing jazz gig, I assume you can sing or at least you have a very good ear (not too many jazz folks are tone deaf, huh 
).
Start singing. Start playing another cool instrument. Mouth harp practically saved me from selling every piece of musical gear I owned a few years back. I even gigged playing it in accoustic trios even if I wasn't all that great (****** bend, not the most original phrasing, etc.)
Buy yourself a piano, take lessons. Gigging seems to be the ultimate goal, but in music, making great music is. Hosting an open mic in a nearby bar could also help (I assume the drummer will also be out of job). You'll already have a bitching rythmn section, wich is what on open mic needs the most.
There are a lot of opportunities out there. Sure residency trumps most of them, but you gotta make do with what you have. Chin up !
). Start singing. Start playing another cool instrument. Mouth harp practically saved me from selling every piece of musical gear I owned a few years back. I even gigged playing it in accoustic trios even if I wasn't all that great (****** bend, not the most original phrasing, etc.)
Buy yourself a piano, take lessons. Gigging seems to be the ultimate goal, but in music, making great music is. Hosting an open mic in a nearby bar could also help (I assume the drummer will also be out of job). You'll already have a bitching rythmn section, wich is what on open mic needs the most.
There are a lot of opportunities out there. Sure residency trumps most of them, but you gotta make do with what you have. Chin up !
And don't forget - you are WAY too humble, also!
VBG!
Dan K.
Who is to ugly to be a moderator!
Basically, this is what it comes down to:
1) how much (or badly) do you want to play
2) Can you cope with the volatility of being a musician
Every musician I have ever known has had their ups and downs as far as gigs are concerned. They have had their ups and downs as far as progressing towards being a better musician. They have had their ups and downs as far as the quality of their gear. These things are what give us character, and are what usually drive us to the direction we take after that last band folded, or that last amplifier blew up, or how the guitar's electronics failed. As a player who has toured extensively, I have seen so many ups and downs. As a player who has had some down time when every penny means I make rent, I have had my ups and downs as well. In other words, playing music will always be volatile, feast or famine.
Losing a band is a total downer.. no doubt about that... what is most important is how you deal with it. If you sit at home, depressed, that's human nature to be depressed about something you lose. If you do nothing about it, and stay depressed, that's a character issue that you have to work around.
If you enjoy playing music (bass) strongly enough, you will find another band, or even form a new band. It should never stop at losing that last band. If anything, take what you have learned from the last band, make improvements on the bad points of the last band, and push the good points, and then find like minded guys/girls to try a new project. Sitting at home and wallowing isn't going to give you happiness, take a deep breath, and just say "I want to play music". There are websites in your area that are always advertising for new players.
Basically, it is all up to you, I know it can be hard to keep positive about this, especially when you enjoy playing so much, but life is going to throw you all kinds of curve balls, even knuckle balls sometimes. Do a little soul searching, then follow through, and in a little time, you will be back to practicing and gigging. Keep us all updated, and best of luck.
1) how much (or badly) do you want to play
2) Can you cope with the volatility of being a musician
Every musician I have ever known has had their ups and downs as far as gigs are concerned. They have had their ups and downs as far as progressing towards being a better musician. They have had their ups and downs as far as the quality of their gear. These things are what give us character, and are what usually drive us to the direction we take after that last band folded, or that last amplifier blew up, or how the guitar's electronics failed. As a player who has toured extensively, I have seen so many ups and downs. As a player who has had some down time when every penny means I make rent, I have had my ups and downs as well. In other words, playing music will always be volatile, feast or famine.
Losing a band is a total downer.. no doubt about that... what is most important is how you deal with it. If you sit at home, depressed, that's human nature to be depressed about something you lose. If you do nothing about it, and stay depressed, that's a character issue that you have to work around.
If you enjoy playing music (bass) strongly enough, you will find another band, or even form a new band. It should never stop at losing that last band. If anything, take what you have learned from the last band, make improvements on the bad points of the last band, and push the good points, and then find like minded guys/girls to try a new project. Sitting at home and wallowing isn't going to give you happiness, take a deep breath, and just say "I want to play music". There are websites in your area that are always advertising for new players.
Basically, it is all up to you, I know it can be hard to keep positive about this, especially when you enjoy playing so much, but life is going to throw you all kinds of curve balls, even knuckle balls sometimes. Do a little soul searching, then follow through, and in a little time, you will be back to practicing and gigging. Keep us all updated, and best of luck.
I hear what you are all saying, but it isn't really about wanting to play, or finding people to play. There are tons of people who want to play all kinds of styles. The problem is venues are drying up like the Sahara around here. It's a SMALL town to begin with so when any venue decides it's not going to have live music, it's a dagger for all styles.
That's a total bummer... keep at it though.. that may change when the owner of said venue changes his/her mind to try to bring in people to said bar... typically I found when a bar or venue stops live music, they either close up shop soon after, or they bring it back in if they find it draws more people to drink there.
dmusic148
"Spare me. Bands waste all of their time on original material, most of which sucks. I work in three cover bands, and at this very moment I have more dates booked that I had all of last year, which is a lot. Waste of time my @$$."
__________________
SPARE ME PLEASE!
All the cover tunes you play for $$$ now were once "original music". Written by musicians that for one reason or another were sick and tired of playing other peoples music for 'no money'.
Some think they were first on the planet.
"Spare me. Bands waste all of their time on original material, most of which sucks. I work in three cover bands, and at this very moment I have more dates booked that I had all of last year, which is a lot. Waste of time my @$$."
__________________
SPARE ME PLEASE!
All the cover tunes you play for $$$ now were once "original music". Written by musicians that for one reason or another were sick and tired of playing other peoples music for 'no money'.
Some think they were first on the planet.
bigfatbass
Inactive
- Jun 30, 2003
- 2,420
- 404
- Disclosures
- Endorsing Artist: Karl Hoyt Basses
Cover bands are fine if you don't care to be creative. If you enjoy that kind mailing-it-in crap, good for you. I'll pass.
I prefer to be in an original band that's good enough to get gigs (200 a year for almost a decade). Sorry if that requires too much work/talent for you.
+1.
Take advantage of the free time. Enjoy your family, get some exercise and read a few books. There's more to life than playing out of the real book and/or recapping James Taylor's greatest hits in some bar.
W
