Semi-hypothetical question re: a 'gig'

[JazznFunk]

The money situation sounds weird - I can't really comment on that without knowing more details but it seems like a red flag.

Personally, I hate being out of work and will play almost any kind of music as long as the other players are competent, reliable, and tolerable. I've joined a few projects playing music outside my normal tastes and have found it's good to build new skills/styles or keep up current chops.

Another factor is your local music scene. If there are a lot of other opportunities or an active band ecosystem, get out there and network to find something better. If networking is not your thing or you don't have a lot of bands in the area, joining a group like this can be a gateway to meeting other musicians and opening other opportunities.

As always, if it's your ONLY source of income.... then you take what you can get for sure. If you do not rely on it in any way - in part or in full - then there is literally no reason to take something on that isn't inspiring, and doesn't pay you. Time is money, and money is time.... and time itself is a depreciating asset we don't get any more of, ever. Use it wisely. I personally would rather not be in a band than to join one I knew right off the bat was going to be a 'chore'. YMMV.

 

[oldcatfish]

Personally, I would not take the gig. I would learn another instrument, maybe write my own music and record. If you practice fairly challenging material once a week for 20-30 minutes ….you’ll keep 80% of your chops up, on the bass. I’ve done this personally several times over the years.

 

[FretRiff]

What part of this is hypothetical?

 

[Ostie]

I might be tempted, but unless i get the same pay as the others for a gig, that’s a deal breaker. Otherwise the old “two out of three” rule would be in effect.

 

[Manticore]

Not "just" no.

 

[J Wilson]

In my experience, I'd say about 10% of the time did the 'rehearse, rehearse, then we'll get paid once the gigs start' work out.

The rest of the time it was Large Ego on Display that went nowhere, usually by the supposed band leader, and I wasted all that 'rehearse, rehearse' time. For nothing.

IF you are not income-dependent to gigging, I would not be inclined to proceed with what you've described.

 

[trevcda]

I could do this gig in the meantime and then jump ship when a better opportunity becomes available

Unless you are swimming in a very large pool, be careful you don't become known for that.

 

[sean_on_bass]

Say you've been ousted from a regular, well-paying gig after a couple of years of hard work and dedication (at least it was a great addition to the resume). Since then, you've been considering a couple of next steps: hanging it up for good, learning some other instrument (re: staring from scratch), or forging ahead in a shrinking market of less and less returns.

One wildcard I am on the fence about (and I don't usually climb up on them at all) - a gig offer for a very similar situation to the last one above, with some possible downsides. The repertoire is more or less the same, but it's new material that would require a not insignificant amount of woodshedding (including some technical reconfiguring). To be honest, the material is not very thrilling or inspiring. It's not bad per se, it just doesn't pump my 'nads that much. The always-fun-money-part is based on contingencies that I won't go into here, so let's just say I'd basically be donating my time in the role until there was money to be split between everybody. This is my main hangup - I'm not 'all about the money' but I'm also older and wiser and have to put a value on my time. Especially with this ho-hum situation. Also, vibing with the new people involved is an unknown (obviously), but that's rarely been a problem for me.

The only positive I can think of here is learning/re-learning some new/old tricks, keeping my chops/abilities fresh and up to date. Keeping busy. That's about it. I'm in a holding pattern waiting to hear from the BL, who is 'very busy' and so I am re-re-re-thinking if this is even worth my time. I could do this gig in the meantime and then jump ship when a better opportunity becomes available, or not take the job at all and keep looking elsewhere.

whatwouldjeebusdo

If you are not 100% stoked for the project then pass

 

[PoutinePete]

I would apply my 90/10 rule in this situation. Years ago I had to learn Taking Care of Business, a song that never really grabbed me. But once we played it live I discovered our dancing audiences loved it. So I went with the flow.

Out of that came the 90/10 rule. It goes like this. We all have to learn songs that we don't really like — that's normal — but for me I have to like at least 90% of the band's repertoire or I'm in the wrong band.

And I suspect that's the situation facing the OP.

Some people have suggested he go along with it because he'll keep up his chops and expand his repertoire and make himself more desirable to band leaders. I would beg to differ on that. Spending your time mastering songs that don't interest you just makes you more desirable to band leaders playing similar stuff — i.e. songs that didn't interest you in the first place. So it becomes a vicious circle.

Right now I'm in a similar situation and have to send a text to a band leader tactfully passing on his invitation.

Perhaps it's an age thing. I'm 71, the years are limited, and I don't want to spend playing stuff that I just don't like.

 

[gln1955]

If the BL is too busy to get back to you with an offer, then he probably too busy to effectively manage the band, get paying gigs, etc. That with your low enthusiasm for the music sounds like a pass to me.

 

[brianrost]

Eventually if I’m not excited about the repertoire, I’m not going to hang around.

considering a couple of next steps: hanging it up for good, learning some other instrument (re: staring from scratch), or forging ahead in a shrinking market of less and less returns.

I’d forge ahead, in fact that is where I’m at right now.

At my age (71), forget about learning a new instrument. I’ll be six feet under before I become good at it.

 

[pepj]

I might be tempted, but unless i get the same pay as the others for a gig, that’s a deal breaker. Otherwise the old “two out of three” rule would be in effect.

Didn't get why the pay would be different. The only way that is acceptable is if you turn it down..some gigs dont make enough for decent splits, but every gig I do is a split.
I know that because the pay bands for every gig of the same type, is pretty narrow. You work at the top end of the scale and I book a few.. you get to know the rates.

 

[Pocket Dave]

The always-fun-money-part is based on contingencies that I won't go into here, so let's just say I'd basically be donating my time in the role until there was money to be split between everybody.

Oh please. Go into it here.

You've already given us just enough info to be misleading.

By "until there was enough money to be split between everybody", do you mean there's not quite enough for YOU while everyone else gets a cut?

Or is everyone else experiencing the same pay hold until debts are settled? (PA system, IRS penalties, BL's past due child support?)

FWIW, neither reason would matter to me - I don't load my car on a weeknight for less than a $100 guarantee, considerably more on weekends - but it might matter to you.

 

[Bringindafunk]

I'm assuming the "donating my time in the role until there was money to be split between everybody." comment means that you rehearse and then when you gig, everyone gets paid. I've never been in a band that paid players to rehearse so I certainly wouldn't have a problem joining a band on spec, BUT I would definitely want to be feeling an organized and competence vibe from the BL or whoever is handling the booking. Most of the startups I've played in have made it from rehearsal to gig, but looking back there were always red flags from some of the more...scattered...people. Older and wiser now, I'd pull the ripcord just a bit sooner I think, but it still wouldn't dissuade me from at least checking it out if I had no other projects cooking. Some of my favorite bands were a complete leap of faith on my part based on nothing more than an awesome drummer.