Should I stay or should I go?

[alex1fly]

Have a chat about the overall goals of the group. It's not about the slide.

 

[sean_on_bass]

So, I played a gig with an originals band whom I’ve been playing with for about 4 years. We probably do about 3 or 4 gigs a year and have recorded an album and EP of original tunes. My role as bassist is to supply basslines to the tunes—I am not paid to do this, nor are any of my ideas for original tunes entertained. Im completely a “hired gun”, as is another band member. We play with these guys because we enjoy the hang.

Here’s the catch: we played a 30 minute (free) show with 3 other bands over the weekend. Prior to the show, I had indicated I’d like to try one of my basslines with a slide (a la Morphine) - it sounded cool in my woodshed and thought it might be nice to try with the band. Well, many of the band members liked the idea, but another stated he’d rather me try things in the studio. Understandable.

Anyway, the gig happens, some of the band members with less gigging experience were nervous, and the mistakes started to happen. Well, the song comes up, I play it with the slide, it sounds ok.

Next day, the guitarist who did not want me to try the slide on the gig called it “sloppy and messy”. That said; he’s the least experienced musician in the group, and plays like it.

I’m reconsidering whether I want to continue on with this band where I have no songwriting input, and then any playing input seems to be “controlled”. I’m not paid to replicate parts, so I’d like more creative leeway than what I’ve been getting. What would you guys do?

If you are truly a hired gun, you can step away at any time. Generally hired gun means you are only committed on a gig by gig basis. If the gigs don't pay and you aren't enjoying them, it's an obvious decision.

 

[Marko 1]

Play whatever and however you want...

if they don't like it they can "fire" you.

 

[Shalto]

So the old rule is you need 2 out of 3 (money, music, hang). From the OP it sounds like 1 out of 3 (the hang, and that's likely to get less fun if people are critical of one another's playing after a free gig).

So it doesn't sound like I'd want to stay from the OP. But them I'm not you and you haven't quit yet so there's presumably some reason that 1 out of 3 is worth it...

 

[DWBass]

In order to be a hired gun......they should be paying you......even for free gigs. Without creative input you are nothing more than a free bass player to them.......they want to have it both ways and it seems like you are letting them have it both ways. If I were not getting paid.....I would play the basslines however I wanted to. You can't be a hired gun without getting paid.

Agreed. Hired gun means getting PAID! Otherwise, you're a volunteer.

 

[DWBass]

Gotta say I love my band situations as compared to some you guys post about here. Granted some cats aren't the greatest musos but I get to play what and how I want. I play whatever bass I want. In all my years of playing (since the mid 70s), I have NEVER been asked to do anything different besides maybe turning up the volume a bit. But I play R&B, Funk, Soul and Pop music. I don't fall in that ultra creative camp. But if I ever fall into a situation where I'm being stifled......I"M OUT!! Not playing that kinda crap with anyone or any band!

 

[Michedelic]

So, I played a gig with an originals band whom I’ve been playing with for about 4 years. We probably do about 3 or 4 gigs a year and have recorded an album and EP of original tunes. My role as bassist is to supply basslines to the tunes—I am not paid to do this, nor are any of my ideas for original tunes entertained. Im completely a “hired gun”, as is another band member. We play with these guys because we enjoy the hang.

Here’s the catch: we played a 30 minute (free) show with 3 other bands over the weekend. Prior to the show, I had indicated I’d like to try one of my basslines with a slide (a la Morphine) - it sounded cool in my woodshed and thought it might be nice to try with the band. Well, many of the band members liked the idea, but another stated he’d rather me try things in the studio. Understandable.

Anyway, the gig happens, some of the band members with less gigging experience were nervous, and the mistakes started to happen. Well, the song comes up, I play it with the slide, it sounds ok.

Next day, the guitarist who did not want me to try the slide on the gig called it “sloppy and messy”. That said; he’s the least experienced musician in the group, and plays like it.

I’m reconsidering whether I want to continue on with this band where I have no songwriting input, and then any playing input seems to be “controlled”. I’m not paid to replicate parts, so I’d like more creative leeway than what I’ve been getting. What would you guys do?

If you are a “hired gun”, you are getting paid. In reality, this situation is no on both counts. What are you really getting out of this, then?

 

[Admiral Akbar]

So the old rule is you need 2 out of 3 (money, music, hang). From the OP it sounds like 1 out of 3 (the hang, and that's likely to get less fun if people are critical of one another's playing after a free gig).

@Shalto I think you’ve pretty much hit the nail squarely on the head: the hang, which was what mostly was supporting me for this gig, is definitely less fun with the non-constructive critique of each other’s playing after a free gig.

 

[Egg250]

I'm a hired gun in a musical project, but they are absolutely making me feel like a band member. Creativity is encouraged, as long as I hit the benchmarks(?) for each song. Find a project that allows you to be creative.