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Should a fill-in be asked to rehearse

#41
bwardmusic said:
I would say, yes -- one rehearsal so they can get comfortable with you. You know your musical acuity, but they don't. Also, if they are on the ball, they should have recordings of themselves available so you can learn any nuances without rehearsal.
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This was my thought. One run-through to make sure you're on the same page with them. If that's too much of a burden (too far away, you're too busy, the gig doesn't pay enough) - you don't HAVE to take the gig.
 
#43
I see you added some pertinent info in a follow-up post (#13).

You already know the band (and they, you) since you were the original bassist ~ 6 years ago, and also filled in again about 4 years ago. You already know the songs, also more than likely in the way this band does them (which key, different structure, etc.).

Given that, I'd tell them there's no reason for you to rehearse. Just ask them if they've changed anything about any of the songs they/you had done previously and go from there.

I could (possibly) see the justification in doing a rehearsal pre-gig if you were going in totally blind, but you're not.
 
#45
I'm 100% with agreatheight.

Still, every situation needs to be assessed on it's own merits and everyone's criteria will be different.

For me, $100 is way too low for 2 rehearsals and a night spent at a biker bar. I'd just tell thank you for thinking of me, I very much appreciate it, but it's not enough money for that kind of time/effort. If they can find someone else who'll do it, great. But if you can't, then give me a call. And oh, I occasionally get calls for gigs my band can't do. Would you be interested in me passing on your number if/when that happens?
 
#46
it sounds to me like you pretty much knew what you were getting into (as per your updated post).
It seems like you should go to 1 rehearsal.
2 is too many rehearsals (and yes 1 is too many!) but it since you know them and you know they don't rehearse very often, you also know they will need a good rehearsal and probably one with you there.
it's not really about what you would normally do in this type of situation or really what they should expect from you. it sounds like you're doing it as a favor. so see the stupid thing all the way through.
 
#47
I just subbed for a band last week. This band does different arrangements of R&B covers with lots of old school hits and breaks. We did 11 songs with 2 rehearsals. I wasn't expecting that but it was fine with me. I have done" blind gigs" but I prefer to have "one" rehearsal to make sure we are all on the same page. In the end the gig paid $200 and I'm sure i'll get called again or at least referred to their buddies.
 
#48
Yes, a sub should definitely be asked, but I don't think for a second a fill in should be required to show up to a rehearsal unless the sub wants too, unless there are some sort of expectations, like a stage show or anything like that.

On the other hand I also do not think it hurts for a second to go the extra mile for your clients, good word of mouth is priceless advertising.
 
#51
Runlikegregg said:
it sounds to me like you pretty much knew what you were getting into (as per your updated post).
It seems like you should go to 1 rehearsal.
2 is too many rehearsals (and yes 1 is too many!) but it since you know them and you know they don't rehearse very often, you also know they will need a good rehearsal and probably one with you there.
it's not really about what you would normally do in this type of situation or really what they should expect from you. it sounds like you're doing it as a favor. so see the stupid thing all the way through.
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SEE THE STUPID THING ALL THE WAY THROUGH...should be my signature
 
#53
Runlikegregg said:
it sounds to me like you pretty much knew what you were getting into (as per your updated post).
It seems like you should go to 1 rehearsal.
2 is too many rehearsals (and yes 1 is too many!) but it since you know them and you know they don't rehearse very often, you also know they will need a good rehearsal and probably one with you there.
it's not really about what you would normally do in this type of situation or really what they should expect from you. it sounds like you're doing it as a favor. so see the stupid thing all the way through.
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And since it's a four hour gig, shouldn't they give you a set list instead worrying about randomly choosing from 125 songs throughout the night?

I mean, you're not their bass player, only a sub, and they should worry more about getting through the gig with songs you know instead of having you put in time at rehearsals to get more songs down.

They should pick 40 songs for the gig, make sure you know the keys and any changes to structure and that's it, especially since you've been in the group before.

If you do agree to a rehearsal, it shouldn't be any longer than a hour or so. Play the first minute of each song, review changes and that's it.
 
#54
I suppose if you are working pro and play 5 nights a week, turning down an unpaid rehearsal would make sense. But other than that, you say you are 15 minutes away, compromise and do a rehearsal. Don't you like music enough that even a rehearsal can be fun?

I am the opposite, I won't do a public gig, money or not, without being well rehearsed. I just hate making a fool out of myself. I know some people are better at winging it than I am, I am envious, but I like to be tight and play as best as possible. I am not saying my way is "right", but that's what is important to me.
 
#55
Floyd Eye said:
Really? I don't really know, as I have and would never use a sub, but it seems to me that as a sub bassist you would pretty much just have to bring your own crap, set it up, play for 4 hours and then leave. That's $25/hr. As long as I dig the music they play it's a no brainer.
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Ya, rly.

And $25 an hour? No way.

4 hours - Playing time. Say it's a 9pm-1am since OP said it's 4 sets.
+ 1 hour - Get to the gig at least an hour before for setup and sound check.
+ 15 minutes - What a very quick tear down and load into the car would be
+ 1 hour - Travel time, round trip. I very rarely get to drive less than half an hour to whatever venue I'm playing.

So about 15.25 an hour. Then the tax man is going to take on top of that. AND you haven't factored in gas as well as possible food/drinks.
 
#59
zephyr_words said:
Ya, rly.

And $25 an hour? No way.

4 hours - Playing time. Say it's a 9pm-1am since OP said it's 4 sets.
+ 1 hour - Get to the gig at least an hour before for setup and sound check.
+ 15 minutes - What a very quick tear down and load into the car would be
+ 1 hour - Travel time, round trip. I very rarely get to drive less than half an hour to whatever venue I'm playing.

So about 15.25 an hour. Then the tax man is going to take on top of that. AND you haven't factored in gas as well as possible food/drinks.
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If we're calculating hourly rates (which I'm not sure is really the paradigm), hardly any normal jobs pay employees more or less depending on how long their commute is, what the gas mileage on their car is, or what they decide to eat or drink at work or on the way. So I would count the setup and strike time when calculating what the hourly pay is, but not travel or gas or food.

Still, if I were subbing I would agree to the one run-through (and not charge extra for it, unless I was turning down OTHER paying work in order to be at the rehearsal). The reason being that I would want to make sure that that the gig didn't turn into a train wreck due to my jumping in cold with these people. I would worry that a couple train wrecks would take me off of people's lists of good subs. Better to keep the work flowing in than to cut it off squabbling over $50.
 

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