If someone buys me a drink at a gig, then OK. It adds slightly to the bar profit, which is the venues ultimate goal.
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Playing bass on the clock vs having a drink during gigs?
- Thread starter Rabidhamster
- Start date
the only day gig where i ever had a bass instrument close by was as a studio owner/operator and as music-for-a-living.
the only music gig i ever had where i didn't have a beer at some point were church gigs (paid player). (and most daytime gigs.)
a smoke (when i smoked) or a toke has always been discretionary in my travels and travails...sometimes i did, sometimes i didn't.
the only hard and fast rule i'd give anyone about any of it = for godsakes, use your best judgment! you are responsible for the decisions you make!
the only music gig i ever had where i didn't have a beer at some point were church gigs (paid player). (and most daytime gigs.)
a smoke (when i smoked) or a toke has always been discretionary in my travels and travails...sometimes i did, sometimes i didn't.
the only hard and fast rule i'd give anyone about any of it = for godsakes, use your best judgment! you are responsible for the decisions you make!
Learned that early on when my geetar player heard me turn down the offer for a drink since I already had one. He said always accept the drink and keep that cash register humming.
Taking a bass to the office seemed like a bit of a weird idea to me...
Until I remembered how I used to work at a fire tower and did all kinds of practicing all day long! (That's hardly a typical job, though.)
Whether it's running some scales in your cubicle or having a brew at the gig, I'd say it's all good as long as you're getting the work done.
Just don't make your supervisor or your band leader have to say something.
Until I remembered how I used to work at a fire tower and did all kinds of practicing all day long! (That's hardly a typical job, though.)
Whether it's running some scales in your cubicle or having a brew at the gig, I'd say it's all good as long as you're getting the work done.
Just don't make your supervisor or your band leader have to say something.
I don't smoke. Never have. And I don't care if someone else smokes. And I used to be super wiggy about having a beer at lunch but now I'm fine with it when I'm with a client and they do. And once in a while I'm burnt out at the end of a busy period there might be a beer on my desk. I'm paid for my contributions, not by the hour.
Any time I'm on a Teams or Zoom meeting and the presenter is done and some "look at me now" @ whole goes on a bender with dumb questions to try to appease the boss I'm camera off, mute on, bass on.
At a gig I'll probably have a beer. Not get blasted but "have a beer". Beer/booze and smoking are inextricably linked to rock'n'roll, BTDubs. And separation from that reality is one of the many contributors to so many other threads here regarding the decrease of interest in live bands at clubs, etc.
I have a bottle opener on my pedal board. I use it to open bottles.
I don't smoke but smoky bars are part of what made the music you grew up with "cool".
A certain amount of amorality is "rock'n'roll". That's among the top 3 reasons you picked up the electric bass in the first place. Forgetting where you came from is how you got lost.
Any time I'm on a Teams or Zoom meeting and the presenter is done and some "look at me now" @ whole goes on a bender with dumb questions to try to appease the boss I'm camera off, mute on, bass on.
At a gig I'll probably have a beer. Not get blasted but "have a beer". Beer/booze and smoking are inextricably linked to rock'n'roll, BTDubs. And separation from that reality is one of the many contributors to so many other threads here regarding the decrease of interest in live bands at clubs, etc.
I have a bottle opener on my pedal board. I use it to open bottles.
I don't smoke but smoky bars are part of what made the music you grew up with "cool".
A certain amount of amorality is "rock'n'roll". That's among the top 3 reasons you picked up the electric bass in the first place. Forgetting where you came from is how you got lost.
JazznFunk
Supporting Member
Having a bass with me at work and playing while on a lunch break is something I used to do a lot early on. I haven't done it in a long time though, mostly because I use the break time to THINK about music and write down/notate song ideas that I hear in my head, to flesh out at home. I don't have to have a bass in hand to do that. Whether or not you can/do play bass on company hours is a discussion between your boss and coworkers I guess. If other people take 10 minute smoke breaks on the clock, then I say you should be able to have a 10 minute bass break here and there.
I've always looked at corporate 'happy hours' and other instances where alcohol use is in encouraged in a professional/work setting to be akin to 'required corporate drug use', because if you choose not to participate, it can be used against you negatively, painting you as 'not a team player' or not able to mix and mingle with your coworkers. I hate that stuff with a passion. Some people can't/don't want to be around it in a work setting. I don't drink anymore (I quit almost 2 years ago), and even when I did, I didn't come to work to drink with other people, and I certainly don't want to be forced to do it as a 'mandatory fun'.
Drinking on the gig is tricky. When I still drank, I enjoyed myself on stage but generally never let myself get out of hand. I always prided myself on being the most sober one on stage, and the least likely to make a big mistake. On occasion, it did get out of hand though, and I hated it. One thing I've learned after 2 years sober and 10+ years removed from the 'bar gig' scene is that I would do anything to have all those gigs back and do them sober. I hear recordings from those days and although we were tight, and mistakes weren't obvious or too bad, I know that if we'd been sober on stage it would have been better. Some people say they play better after a beer or 2. The tape says otherwise.
Where it gets REALLY tricky is when people can't play without having a beer. Like it becomes a requirement, or they can't perform. That's the road to a different path. One to be mindful of, because then you start needing a drink to do other things in life as well. Anyway. You see where this is going. Always check yourself, and have others keep you in check too.
I've always looked at corporate 'happy hours' and other instances where alcohol use is in encouraged in a professional/work setting to be akin to 'required corporate drug use', because if you choose not to participate, it can be used against you negatively, painting you as 'not a team player' or not able to mix and mingle with your coworkers. I hate that stuff with a passion. Some people can't/don't want to be around it in a work setting. I don't drink anymore (I quit almost 2 years ago), and even when I did, I didn't come to work to drink with other people, and I certainly don't want to be forced to do it as a 'mandatory fun'.
Drinking on the gig is tricky. When I still drank, I enjoyed myself on stage but generally never let myself get out of hand. I always prided myself on being the most sober one on stage, and the least likely to make a big mistake. On occasion, it did get out of hand though, and I hated it. One thing I've learned after 2 years sober and 10+ years removed from the 'bar gig' scene is that I would do anything to have all those gigs back and do them sober. I hear recordings from those days and although we were tight, and mistakes weren't obvious or too bad, I know that if we'd been sober on stage it would have been better. Some people say they play better after a beer or 2. The tape says otherwise.
Where it gets REALLY tricky is when people can't play without having a beer. Like it becomes a requirement, or they can't perform. That's the road to a different path. One to be mindful of, because then you start needing a drink to do other things in life as well. Anyway. You see where this is going. Always check yourself, and have others keep you in check too.
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I wasn't sure what option to vote for, so abstained from that.
I prefer to do my daily routine at the office, though I have flexibility to work from home which is convenient for the frequent after hours callouts. No bass in my office, quit smoking about 10 years ago.
Drinking? I do love a good cold beer, but in my mind even in the dive bars we play we are being paid to do a job. So my normal routine is to have a pint while we set up and move on to soda for the rest of the gig. Our guitarist just hit the 21 year milestone in AA and our singer drinks modestly if at all. We normally have a tab at each venue and almost always leave $$ unspent due to not drinking.
I prefer to do my daily routine at the office, though I have flexibility to work from home which is convenient for the frequent after hours callouts. No bass in my office, quit smoking about 10 years ago.
Drinking? I do love a good cold beer, but in my mind even in the dive bars we play we are being paid to do a job. So my normal routine is to have a pint while we set up and move on to soda for the rest of the gig. Our guitarist just hit the 21 year milestone in AA and our singer drinks modestly if at all. We normally have a tab at each venue and almost always leave $$ unspent due to not drinking.
I work at home. I love getting in some practice time while waiting on a deployment or whatever.
Beertime in Europe 
Hi folks
My reasoning? Okay let's start with work and bassplaying
When I work from home I can play during breaks, but it would be difficult to bring my bass to a
construction site or to a classroom! (I am a consulting engineer and part time teacher)
Drinking or smoking at work?
I don't drink when working at my office at home and...
...I expect my students to show up sober to classes (which happens quite often)
You just have to show solidarity.
There is one glass of wine at lunch served by our school restaurant.
Food and wine go together as part of the culture as well as a part of the curriculum.
(I teach at a Hotel & Restaurant Management School)
Smoking at work? Would be a sure way to get fired! Weed is illegal in France!
Drinking on the gig?
You can't stand on one leg for the whole gig! And you have to hydrate!
One bourbon one scotch one beer!
cheers
Wise(b)ass
Hi folks
My reasoning? Okay let's start with work and bassplaying
When I work from home I can play during breaks, but it would be difficult to bring my bass to a
construction site or to a classroom!
(I am a consulting engineer and part time teacher)Drinking or smoking at work?
I don't drink when working at my office at home and...
...I expect my students to show up sober to classes (which happens quite often
)You just have to show solidarity.
There is one glass of wine at lunch served by our school restaurant.
Food and wine go together as part of the culture as well as a part of the curriculum.
(I teach at a Hotel & Restaurant Management School)
Smoking at work? Would be a sure way to get fired! Weed is illegal in France!
Drinking on the gig?
You can't stand on one leg for the whole gig! And you have to hydrate!
One bourbon one scotch one beer!
cheers
Wise(b)ass
This depends on the gig/venue really. Part of the deal with being a pro is being a good person to spend time with. Having a beer or smoke is chilling and and having time to get to know one another, catch up, etc. This can lead to more work. It really is just about reading the room. Can't hurt to ask if it's a new band leader for you, or just do what the Romans do, ya know?
Back in my bandleader days I told any player or sub that if I could tell they had done any substance that affected their playing or attitude negatively they would be fired. It only happened once that I recall but word got out.
I do neither, i don't play bass while in the office nor do I smoke or drink at gigs, (assuming your talking about intoxication.)
It depends on the work and the gig of course..
The gigs were my work when I was a full-time bassist and they would be mad if I didn't play the bass Some artists/venues have strict restrictions regarding drinking/smoking on stage, and some actually encouraged us to drink and get people drinking. Back in the day we could even smoke on stage.
Now I'm a full-time sound engineer and they don't care if I play the bass at work. We can have a few drinks at work when we're done but drinking during day time could be problematic.
The gigs were my work when I was a full-time bassist and they would be mad if I didn't play the bass
Some artists/venues have strict restrictions regarding drinking/smoking on stage, and some actually encouraged us to drink and get people drinking. Back in the day we could even smoke on stage.Now I'm a full-time sound engineer and they don't care if I play the bass at work. We can have a few drinks at work when we're done but drinking during day time could be problematic.
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Smooth_bass88
vaxx!
- Oct 31, 2006
- 12,123
- 16,797
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I endeavor to play bass and play gigs at a very high level, as do my colleagues in this realm so generally drinking alcohol and smoking cannabis is a no-no. That sh*t will get you booted off the gig in some instances. Tobacco use also generally frowned upon. Basically anything that compromises your performance is avoided.
allday, all the time...play, work, drink, smoke. Me in my 20's..lol There is a time and place for everything.
If I am being paid to do a job I want to do my very best. (Work is Love made visible- Kahlil Gibran) This does not include drinking or smoking. If I'm at a rehearsal and learning new tunes, I won't learn as well if I am drinking or smoking. If I am at a jam that's different, it's just for fun.
Drinking before and during a gig is a no for me, but after I usually have a beer or two. I never used any other recreational substances and never will.
My personal opinions, not facts.
-Work
If you are an employee:
Never drink or smoke weed while working, playing bass is ok in your HOME office (breaks, boring zoom meetings, etc.) while working remote as long as it doesn't affect your productivity. I would not take a bass into the office.
If you are your own boss:
Do whatever works for you, however if I hire you for a job and you appear even slightly wasted, I probably won't hire you again.
-Music
Playing bass is highly encouraged in this scenario. When it comes to drinking and smoking weed, do whatever you can do without even remotely affecting your ability to deliver the performance and professional conduct that is expected from you by the audience and your fellow band members (and your ability to get home safely). I don't drink before or during most shows, but will head straight to the next bar with the horn section once we are done ;-).
-Work
If you are an employee:
Never drink or smoke weed while working, playing bass is ok in your HOME office (breaks, boring zoom meetings, etc.) while working remote as long as it doesn't affect your productivity. I would not take a bass into the office.
If you are your own boss:
Do whatever works for you, however if I hire you for a job and you appear even slightly wasted, I probably won't hire you again.
-Music
Playing bass is highly encouraged in this scenario. When it comes to drinking and smoking weed, do whatever you can do without even remotely affecting your ability to deliver the performance and professional conduct that is expected from you by the audience and your fellow band members (and your ability to get home safely). I don't drink before or during most shows, but will head straight to the next bar with the horn section once we are done ;-).
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