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Should a Hired Gun Have Standards?

#41
Of course this guy is enthusiastic: this is probably the best line-up he's ever had backing him. Who here has not been thrilled by playing with musicians above their own skill level?

As for the standards, I don't know. Why dismiss it upfront? You could indeed offer to do some gigs if and when available, and see where it leads.

And as for being seen with a bad band - as a musician I rate musicians individually from their band. A friend of mine plays guitar in an originals band. I totally dig their music, I think it's great. As for the musicians: my friend is a mediocre guitarist, especially considering the high level of musicianship that the rhythm section displays every time. I would recommend the drummer or the bass player in a heartbeat, even if they play with a mediocre guitarist.

When I saw the ad that lead to my previous (blues rock) band, I sent them audio of my then current, terribly bad rockabilly band. Seriously, that band was horrible: a bassist I admire told me he would never be able to play as well as I did with such bad musicians. I sent those clips anyway and the guy from the blues band heard my potential, so I ended up in a great band, opening for some international acts and having a total ball.
 
#43
jmattbassplaya said:
The biggest one for me is that other musicians on the scene may see how bad we are and instantly assume I'm a bad player or that I don't hold myself to a level higher than the band they're currently watching me play in on stage.
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Definitely.

jmattbassplaya said:
A musicians reputation is everything in this business,
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True.

jmattbassplaya said:
and only good players get spots in good bands that get paid good money.
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...SUPER false.
 
#45
Downunderwonder said:
I'm with Eddie. If you're all that and a bag of chips the muso's who you want to be playing with will see what's what if they happen to catch your 'B' band.
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While I agree with the idea that you can easily identify a good musician in a group of bad ones. I also keep in mind that most of that musicians I want to play with aren't out in the crowd working that out. They're too busy playing their own shows elsewhere. Word of mouth and association are really the best you have to go with a large percentage of the time.
 
#46
My experience recently, I was playing with a sub-par group and gained a rep as the standout player. I'm now in a group of excellent players. Better chance of getting a good gig if you're out there playing. Nobody is going door to door asking if there happens to be an awesome bass player in the basement.
 
#48
Can you sing ? I'm no Robert Page or anything, but I have taken vocal duties from someone a few times because the band was decent, but the guy singing just sucked too much... cuts down on the embarassement, but I guess this is only viable if you want to front the band...

I'd pass unless you can negociate a flat pay rate.
 
#49
BillyRay said:
Can you sing ? I'm no Robert Page or anything, but I have taken vocal duties from someone a few times because the band was decent, but the guy singing just sucked too much... cuts down on the embarassement, but I guess this is only viable if you want to front the band...
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Actually my steadiest gig income lately has been coming from singing tenor in a choir, whodathunk? :eyebrow:

But yeah, I'm not really into fronting a reggae band. He has talked about the drummer and I singing backup vocals on some tunes. I'm not averse to that, although I'm not sure how many of the tunes he does even have vocal harmonies.

Lots of good comments folks; different perspectives are good to hear.
 
#50
I use to do fill in work all the time we very low level bands.. it made me a better player and no one associated me with the bands, rather I just raised my exposure. I find honesty is the best policy. Always say, I will play until this date if I am available for $xx per night. You need to look for permanent members of the band.
 
#51
stringtapper said:
First of all the rate for the gig was supposed to be $100. He shows up at the rehearsal with a DJ who is supposed to spin samples and scratch while we play. Of course this also lowers the rate from $100 to $75 because the band is now a four-piece. Anyway.................
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He hired you for $100. and then cut your pay?
yeah..... I think that I would have a problem with that.
 
#53
jmattbassplaya said:
The biggest one for me is that other musicians on the scene may see how bad we are and instantly assume I'm a bad player or that I don't hold myself to a level higher than the band they're currently watching me play in on stage. A musicians reputation is everything in this business, and only good players get spots in good bands that get paid good money.
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i worry about this very scenario.
i am in a similar situation musically.
i think most musicians watching a gig would read between the lines and see a good player regardless of the level of the others.
i can only hope...
 
#54
jmattbassplaya said:
The biggest one for me is that other musicians on the scene may see how bad we are and instantly assume I'm a bad player or that I don't hold myself to a level higher than the band they're currently watching me play in on stage. A musicians reputation is everything in this business, and only good players get spots in good bands that get paid good money.
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This - well said. I've done a few hired gun gigs where the band "talent" was severely lacking, but the gigs were not in places where I felt my reputation would be at stake.
 
#55
Guys always remember - Players Play.

That is what you need to know. Play shows. If everyone sucks in your area - play shows. You will get recruited for better gigs if you are a real player. Trust me.
 
#56
I wouldn't do it. My original band makes more than $75 a gig and I get to write most of the music and every one of my bandmates is good at what they do.

I think if not being in a band, and being a bassist for hire is what you really want to do. I personally would turn down opportunities that would make me look bad in front of musicians I could get work from in the future.
 
#57
I'm subbing today in a band that has issues. But, I'll just be a mercenary and smile, get paid, and go home. Done it many times with different bands in order to be a working musician. Not as much lately, though, since I got tired of doing it. I'm more settled nowadays. But I got the call, so here I go. No worries. Yes, I have standards, but I can't worry about that when it's not my band anyway. Just go to work and make the dough.

EDIT: as to reputation, yes, I understand, but my rep solid in my area. Has been for a long time. Seeing me help someone out, even if they're not up to speed won't hurt me a bit. That's just me, though.
 

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