Playing in multiple bands

[bluewine]

Eh.. Yes, I'm from 1990, so you are right there, lol.

Thing is, he's using several techniques to play that kind of metal : He plucks the strings with 3 fingers, he can slap 'n pop, tapping, sweeping and multi fingerpicking (Abraham Laboriel style).

He's now busy with a lot of John Patitucci stuff. Very cool.

I don't know anything about any of those techniques and stuff . But like I said, I don't know it or understand but I do know it's not easy.

I probably won't find myself in a metal band in the next 10 years. But you never know. Lol

It's cool to hear about youg guys stretching their abilities into what sounds very progressive. I don't have the chops to play that stuff.

Blue

 

[4stringfiend]

There are to many of you that play in multiple bands for me to debate that it can't work.

However, I opinion that if your playing in several actively gigging bands you are not (by my definition) in a band or a true member even if it's your band.

I would define you as a hired gun, sub or free lancer.

Blue

I like to consider it having a diverse portfolio
But I agree with you as a whole on the matter, most people really only have business being in 1 band at a time. For those of us that can have multiple projects going on, I'm slightly envious, but at the same time I wouldn't do it at this point in time so thats all that matters.

 

[bluewine]

I like to consider it having a diverse portfolio
But I agree with you as a whole on the matter, most people really only have business being in 1 band at a time. For those of us that can have multiple projects going on, I'm slightly envious, but at the same time I wouldn't do it at this point in time so thats all that matters.

Yeah, obviously some guys are in situations where they can fall neatly into a workable multi- band model and manage it.

Like anything it's for some but not all.

Blue

 

[bluewine]

If I wanted to play "internet tough guy," I'd say: If the band is a business, then turnover is a business risk. What happens if a vital band member gets run over by a bus?

But seriously, I sympathize and understand the hassle of dealing with turnover and absences. I consider this to be a major weakness of most rock bands, and it is one of the things that drew me into the jazz scene long ago, even though I love rock music.

Of course jazz evolved during a different era. I just read Robin Kelley's biography of Thelonious Monk, which paints a detailed picture of the jazz scene from the 30's up through the 70's. Those guys rarely played with the same personnel for more than a couple weeks before somebody would get hired away, quit in a huff, get sick, arrested, or go on the road. I've talked to players who worked in touring jazz bands in the 60's, and those bands were constantly replacing players or picking up a few sidemen in every town.

Today, there are few enough jazz gigs that the old ways are probably counterproductive, but still, the mixing of players adds to the fun, and nobody wants to turn down a chance to get out and play. Also, the skills necessary to function as a sideman are still taught to all jazz players.

When I join a band, it is with the intention of playing most of their gigs, but I make sure that the band can handle working with a sub. I consider it to be part of my job, to make myself replaceable.

Very cool,

I agree and I would like to get my hands on that book.

Go 49ers!

Blue

 

[bluewine]

You state in another post you were born in 1954, how can you be 60 years of age?

I hit the 4 instead of the 3.

By the way today in my Birthday.

Blue

 

[4stringfiend]

Very cool,

I agree and I would like to get my hands on that book.

Go 49ers!

Blue

9er!s
Happy Birthday btw

 

[Thomas Kievit]

I don't know anything about any of those techniques and stuff . But like I said, I don't know it or understand but I do know it's not easy.

I probably won't find myself in a metal band in the next 10 years. But you never know. Lol

It's cool to hear about youg guys stretching their abilities into what sounds very progressive. I don't have the chops to play that stuff.

Blue

Stretching your abilities can make bass playing much more fun since you can do so much more

And never say never, before you know you are the king of metal

 

[bluewine]

I hit the 4 instead of the 3.

By the way today in my Birthday.

I know I'm getting older.
My band does 2 Robin Trower songs

Friday night, 1st set 6th song, I see it's one of the Trower songs, cool.

Drummer counts it off. The band is playing "Day of Eagle" and I'm playing "To Rolling Stoned".

Blue

 

[Winfred]

Hi Winfred

Does that mean you play these gigs for love and your not being paid?

Blue

No, they're all paid gigs, but the money isn't much compared to what I make in a 40 hour work week. But I don't turn it down either.

 

[bluewine]

No, they're all paid gigs, but the money isn't much compared to what I make in a 40 hour work week. But I don't turn it down either.

Cool,

I understand.

While I'm fortunate that I have a professional career that pays me well. However, the $100.00 I get from playing a gig means a lot more to me.

Blue

 

[fdeck]

Very cool,

I agree and I would like to get my hands on that book.

Go 49ers!

Blue

It's a very good read.

 

[bassfran]

I hit the 4 instead of the 3.

By the way today in my Birthday.

Blue

Happy B-day, Blue. Keep on rockin'!

 

[bluewine]

Happy B-day, Blue. Keep on rockin'!

I have no plans on stopping anytime soon.

Thanks bassfran

Blue

 

[jive1]

It's pretty simple for me ... my country band won't be playing jazz, my blues duo won't be playing folk music, my Americana duo isn't into Latin music ... BUT ... I'm into these and other genres. Multiple projects satisfies me.

Well said. Like you and many others, I like different styles of music.

I'm in a Ska/Swing band with horns. We're not going to be doing acoustic ballads. I'm in a Country band with multiple female singers, and we won't be doing Metal. Most of the old guys I do pickup Blues gigs with don't know material past 1990. I'm in a Top 40 dance band, and we won't be doing anything close to resembling Blues.

There's styles of music that highlight my strengths and limitations on different instruments. I can't shred Metal guitar solos, but I can certainly lay down a mean bass line. I might not be able to play some technical slap tune on bass, but I could certainly chunk some funky chords over it. I enjoy messing around on the dobro or percussion, but there's not much place for it in a hard rock band.

Another thing to consider is marketing. From the bands I work with, I can always pull together a combo to do a Blues, Jazz, or generic cover gig with. But, I'm not going to use a Country band's name for a Jazz gig, nor am I going to highlight that I have this awesome Ska musician for a Country gig. Even though I may have all the musicians to cover a different genre in the same band, it may help to use a different name and treat it as a seperate band.

In short, I like playing in multiple bands because I like all kinds of music and instruments.

 

[Kenzy]

kinda feels like telling your wife you've got a mistress, though it's my time and I'll spend it how I like.

I'm curious as to how your wife might respond to this.

 

[jive1]

I don't suppose it occurred to you that someone could be a member of one band, and freelance with others? Or that you could be a member of several bands and just work to deconflict by coordinating schedules?

Or that someone can be the bandleader of one band, and be the hired gun of another band? Or a bandleader of one band, and the member of another? Or that there could be someone who isn't in the band, but still collects money from the entity? Or that someone can have a solo act, and a full band gig? Or someone can have multiple different solo acts?

Comparing the band to a business, just because you own a McDonalds and a Gas Station, it's doesn't mean you're a hired hand. Just because you own a business, doesn't mean you can't work for someone else as well. Lots of people do that.

It seems that those with the least experience with it seem to have the most narrow definitions.

I've known hired guns that got paid more than a member. I've known non bandmembers that got more credits than members. In the end, it comes down to ownership. And you'll really know ownership by what you're left with when the band dissolves or you leave the band.

 

[chatterbox272]

I'm in 4 bands at the moment, I was in 6 until just recently. Whilst in 6 it was clearly set out who took preference where. I told all involved that the order I gave priority was equal between the two HS bands, whoever told me first got me (except when a sub could be found for one, in which case the one with no sub option got me). Then came my metal and punk pop bands, who very rarely gigged but again I treated the two as equal and told them first call gets me for the gig, it encouraged them to keep me in the loop about upcoming gigs too which is always great. Finally, most important came to the larger concert band and swing band I'm in. Priority there went to whoever needed me the most because both had rather large trombone sections (what I generally played there) so if one of them couldn't do without then that's the one I'd do.

Of course most of my gigs weren't/aren't paid, if I'm being paid then that takes priority over anything.

If I had to say one thing and one thing only to do, make it clear that you need advance notice ASAP. As in, once the BL books a gig his/her next call/message should be to you alerting you to the gig.

 

[jive1]

In reality, even bands that only have 4 gigs a year can have scheduling conflicts. Even bands with full time members who only have one band can have scheduling conflicts that may cause them to miss gigs. IME, most bands that gig out every weekend will have to use a sub sooner or later. People do get sick, take vacations, and have family obligations, etc.

It's really just a matter of scheduling, communication, and priority. Personally, I prefer to work with folk in multiple bands. It's a great way to network. It increases my pool of subs and potential gigs while not putting the pressure all on me to keep folks busy.

If there is a scheduling conflict, you work something out. You get a sub, and you put things in place like recordings and charts to get help a sub jump in and succeed. If you can't find a sub, see if you can alter or strip down the arrangements of your songs. If the keyboard player can't make it, use a sequencer. If a sax player can't make it, see if you can get a trumpet instead and alter the arrangements. If a singer gets sick, get the other guys in the band to step up and sing more leads. If you're 2nd guitar player can't make it, go as a 3 piece. You may need to clear it with your client, but you can work things out.

 

[lustersilk]

If you are in a band where the other members are all in other bands be prepared for your band to be put at the bottom of their prioroty list because let's face it, they dont really care about music, they care about $$. Even if they have day jobs too.

Hmmmm, I care about music, play in two groups, sing in another and the money I make is insignificant. I don't think this comment applies to anyone I know either.

 

[4001]

Hmmmm, I care about music, play in two groups, sing in another and the money I make is insignificant. I don't think this comment applies to anyone I know either.

You're not in my band.
In a month we will be playing our seventh gig in just over 500 days. That is one gig every 71 days and that is because the other bands the guys play in make them more $$ and they ride the pop music gravy train. I was told that they didnt want to "over-saturate" our band but when I look around at all the other tribute bands in our area, they all are playing a heck of a lot more gigs than what we do. Now, are they "over-saturating"? I don't think so.
I've said it a million times and I'll say it again. All of their other bands, that take priority over this one, play the same kind of sets that every other pop-music band in this town plays and that isn't "over-saturation"??
Give me a break.
It is all about the $$ to them. Our band could get more gigs but the rest of them dont want to do any more gigs because this band dosent get paid as much as their other bands.
I was initally told that we would be shooting for one gig every other month and I stupidly agreed to that. I want one gig a month, every month. But that just isnt going to happen for reasons that I have pointed out.
Nobody twisted my arm to do this but I thought that we would be playing a bit more than we do.
All of the time spent learning tunes, having rehearsals, having a lot of them cancelled because of other peoples projects taking more priority, losing out on a couple decent gigs and me getting a new amp rig, bass and a couple effects for the band has been a major dissapointment for me. Regardless of what was laid down as what the BL wanted originally, who really would want to deal with that?
I have, but the interest is severly eroded.
Only one guy in the band plays in bands for his living and that is something that will be over someday and then what? How do you start looking for a regular job in the real working world with "playing in bands all my life"? Good luck with that resume' when you are past the point of gigging every weekend. The rest of the band members all have good paying day jobs and play in bands for extra $$. And they choose which band provides them with the most $$ for their time.
It's all about the $$. Nobody in this band plays for free, anywhere, ever and as an example we have one member who says he wont play for less than $100.00 a gig.
Too bad I dont have a good paying day job and too bad that only pop and dance bands get booked and it is all about $$.
Who needs too hear the same 80's re-treads over and over, night after night? And every pop/dance band labels themselves as 'the ultimate party band in town". I've seen a lot of these bands and frankly, a lot of them just suck major ass and they get booked because they bring people and $$ to the door. Their 'fans' aren't there for the music as much as they are there to hang out and drink and hoot and holler at a few dumb over-played tunes. That is musically satisfying to these bands? There is more to life than top-40 hits.
But not in this town because that is what makes $$.

Bottom line.

$$