Playing bass on the clock vs having a drink during gigs?

[Rabidhamster]

Lots of "What music gear do you use while on the clock?" threads lately, which I don't get at all. But a similar number of posters crop up to say having a drink or smoke on a gig is unprofessional, so now I'm extremely curious if there is any overlap.
Do you think it's ok to play bass instead of working but also think it's not ok to have a drink while on a gig? What is your reasoning?

For example I've worked in a number of positions where management even appeared to encourage drinking or smoking at work in some instances, it was seriously awkward to turn down booze on work lunches when I had to go back to the office, but if you had a bass in your hands you would get poopcanned and walked off premises so fast you wouldn't have time to say goodbye.

 

[5StringBlues]

l, uh , think l, uh, left my mother running.

 

[pepj]

I'll have a beer at a gig. Probably just the one..
Its also probably just habit too...you are invaribly in a place selling beer.

Nobody I know knocks them back though...

 

[hrodbert696]

Lots of "What music gear do you use while on the clock?" threads lately, which I don't get at all. But a similar number of posters crop up to say having a drink or smoke on a gig is unprofessional, so now I'm extremely curious if there is any overlap.
Do you think it's ok to play bass instead of working but also think it's not ok to have a drink while on a gig? What is your reasoning?

For example I've worked in a number of positions where management even appeared to encourage drinking or smoking at work in some instances, it was seriously awkward to turn down booze on work lunches when I had to go back to the office, but if you had a bass in your hands you would get poopcanned and walked off premises so fast you wouldn't have time to say goodbye.

I think a lot depends on the work - and gigs vary also.

One thing I noticed about the options in the poll - at least at gigs, it doesn't seem to distinguish between having a drink and getting drunk. Most of my gigs are bars or parties, and in those settings, the band is, in some sense, the party leaders. So I don't think there's anything wrong with the band having a drink in those settings, as long as it isn't so much as to affect your playing. I can have a beer, two if stretched over a period of time, and not be affected. Slamming them down fast or having hard liquor hits me quicker so I don't do those on gigs. When I have a stage show with the Blues Brothers tribute, on the other hand, I don't drink on stage.

At work, I'm a college professor, and there it would be utterly unprofessional to drink during or leading up to class, office hours, or a committee meeting. On the other hand, a professor's day is less structured than many jobs, and I suppose if I wanted I could have a drink between those structured times, though in practice I don't. Likewise, I could (and occasionally have) keep a bass or guitar in my office to practice during those off-times, but I obviously wouldn't bring it into class time or a committee meeting.

 

[GrayGoesBlack]

I don't keep any personal items at the office, but I do work from home half of the time. And yes, then I will pick a few strings during office hours. On a gig I only drink afterwards, never during. Even with rehearsals I'm quite moderate and maybe have 1 beer during a break, and 1 afterwards. I will, however, get completely wasted I have a management meeting in the morning.

 

[lbbc]

Playing bass while "on the clock" is unprofessional unless acceptable by management. I played bass at my job, but I was a public school music teacher....so, definitely acceptable!

Drinking or smoking on a gig....as long as it doesn't interfere with your performance is ok. If it impairs you to the point of not being able to perform.... unprofessional!!! Just my 2¢

 

[themickster]

Lots of "What music gear do you use while on the clock?" threads lately, which I don't get at all. But a similar number of posters crop up to say having a drink or smoke on a gig is unprofessional, so now I'm extremely curious if there is any overlap.
Do you think it's ok to play bass instead of working but also think it's not ok to have a drink while on a gig? What is your reasoning?

For example I've worked in a number of positions where management even appeared to encourage drinking or smoking at work in some instances, it was seriously awkward to turn down booze on work lunches when I had to go back to the office, but if you had a bass in your hands you would get poopcanned and walked off premises so fast you wouldn't have time to say goodbye.

I neither smoke nor drink at all

 

[Jogobass]

I don't drink or smoke when playing or rehearsing. Because they will notice and if you make a mistake they will always blame it on the smoke or drink. And then you are unprofessional, especially in the eyes of people who are prejudiced about it. The exception is the local jazz jam where having a beer has become a normalcy.

 

[InhumanResource]

Lots of "What music gear do you use while on the clock?" threads lately, which I don't get at all. But a similar number of posters crop up to say having a drink or smoke on a gig is unprofessional, so now I'm extremely curious if there is any overlap.
Do you think it's ok to play bass instead of working but also think it's not ok to have a drink while on a gig? What is your reasoning?

For example I've worked in a number of positions where management even appeared to encourage drinking or smoking at work in some instances, it was seriously awkward to turn down booze on work lunches when I had to go back to the office, but if you had a bass in your hands you would get poopcanned and walked off premises so fast you wouldn't have time to say goodbye.

Didn't vote because that was a lot.

I don't punch a clock and mostly work from home, so if I feel like grabbing a bass and noodling for a few minutes between meetings it's no big deal. I won't have a full blown practice session normally, though.

At gigs, I might have a beer or two. It depends on how comfortable I am with the people and the material. There are some gigs that are challenging for me and I'm usually good for a couple of mistakes, so I tend not to drink on those for both optics and just to stay sharp.

 

[john_g]

I think its ok if you have a drink or two at a gig as long as it doesnt affect your playing. I used to have a couple of beers at gigs in between sets, but then i added keyboards and much more singing to my responsibilities, and I couldnt do all that very well after a couple of drinks. Made it harder when it is hard enough, so, i dont drink at gigs any more. I guess if you have a bass at work and are not doing your work because you are playing too much, thats not good either. But, taking a few minutes on break to slappa da bass isnt bad imo.

 

[2saddleslab]

The bar tab for my trio consistently contains just one drink, some of Kentucky's finest on the rocks, for your's truly. No more, no less.

 

[JimmyM]

I only care about people being on time and playing to the best of their abilities.

 

[Indiana Mike]

For me it's impossible to play anything during work hours.
About all I can do is read or peruse the internet.
With that said I stay comfortably busy, I go to work to work. I can often cut out a little early when my stuff is done and still get my eight.

Now, we don't have people that play, but we have some quiet quitters and I know exactly who they are. I'm a foreman. They do work and they do quality work, but will not do anything extra and will never work late or on a weekend. Just enough! That

If my coworkers started playing bass at work would I be irritated? Only if it wasn't on break or lunch, as those are your times to do with what you want, legally and morally.

 

[ELG60]

I don't smoke, period. I don't drink whilst I'm getting paid, period. I limit myself to no more than one drink every three weeks so I'm very selective as to what, where, and when I use it.

That being said, you do you, boo. Most of my friends drink when gigging, and many smoke dope too. I've seen it have no appreciable effect and have seen it have negative impact on performance and behavior, sometimes with the same person. I can't recall anyone playing better.

 

[birminghambass]

No less than 10 drinks during a work day. Absolutely zero drinks on a gig. My $100 a night bar gig is way too important.

 

[richntiff]

how about ' is it ok to drink and smoke lotsa dope while starting new, bizarre TB threads'? Def. need this option in the poll.

 

[Deleted member 365158]

Ill take a puff here or there depending on what's going on. Work, gig, whatever.
Ill have a shot before practice. Sometimes before a gig but not more than 1, well definitely not more than 2.
If im running sound I won't have a drink till the last act is playing. Once the last act is up and running, sure I'll have a couple but not too much… loading out really sucks while loaded.

 

[Gravedigger Dav]

Whether you play bass during working hours depends on what kind of work you do. Drinking during working hours is never okay, unless it is part of your job.
Drinking during a gig is mostly not okay, but there are circumstances where it is actually mandatory. That is when a member of the audience offers to buy you a drink, you should always accept it. First, club owners never judge a band by the quality of the music, it is always by the content of the cash register. Putting money in the till is a good thing. Another is that some people are actually offended if you refuse a drink they offer, so keeping the audience and the club owner happy is a good thing. Whether or not you actually drink the drink is another thing.

 

[ebo]

I've never had a bass at work. Seems like a break would be too short to get much in and I tend to eat lunch on a lunch break. I don't drink, but if I did I'd have one at a gig. All my band mates do. I rarely smoke but when I did regularly I'd both practice and play high. I feel I need to have the same mindset during practice and performing. Practicing straight and playing high is a recipe for poopie playing.

 

[gln1955]

At work, I'm a college professor, and there it would be utterly unprofessional to drink during or leading up to class, office hours, or a committee meeting. On the other hand, a professor's day is less structured than many jobs, and I suppose if I wanted I could have a drink between those structured times, though in practice I don't. Likewise, I could (and occasionally have) keep a bass or guitar in my office to practice during those off-times, but I obviously wouldn't bring it into class time or a committee meeting.

Another professor here. Back when I started, drinking during the day was more common. Meetings and events might have beer or wine supplied by the school. Then the university instituted a strict "no booze before 5 PM" rule, but after hour events were still serving. Discreet drinking between colleagues is still a thing occasionally, to celebrate a grant or publication for instance.

I've never played my bass at work, even though I have plenty of down time when I could and nobody would care.

On gigs, I might have a beer between sets, but usually not. I like to keep hydrated and not feel like crap when I get home.