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Sitting in for 1-2 songs??
- Thread starter TimboSlice87
- Start date
We can't tell you how that band feels about sit-ins, and generally it depends on the gig. (The higher profile the gig, the less cool folks tend to be with any sit-ins.)
In general, though, a pre-arranged sit in is cool if (a) the band leader and player being asked to briefly sit out both know and agree to it, and (2) a decent musician has vouched for the sit-in.
See http://www.talkbass.com/forum/f67/sitting-your-bands-policy-471873/
and also http://www.talkbass.com/forum/f67/audience-members-who-want-play-309284/
In general, though, a pre-arranged sit in is cool if (a) the band leader and player being asked to briefly sit out both know and agree to it, and (2) a decent musician has vouched for the sit-in.
See http://www.talkbass.com/forum/f67/sitting-your-bands-policy-471873/
and also http://www.talkbass.com/forum/f67/audience-members-who-want-play-309284/
I hate sit-ins, from either side of it. It's one thing to add a "guest" to a group for a couple tunes (as long as it's somebody "good", known (at least locally), & can add something positive to the show). It's a whole 'nother matter, though, when one of the band regulars has to step out to make room for a temporary replacement.
1. It destroys the whole vibe while you're doing the swap-out or swap-back. There's just a whole lot of nothing interesting going on while that's happening. Then everybody's got to agree on what to play. Any action on the dance floor is going to go away & look for something more interesting.
2. If the "temp" guy isn't as good as the regular, it's going to suck while he's in there.
3. If the "temp" guy is better than the regular, it's going to suck when the regular comes back. Either way, it's going to suck, & somebody is getting set up to be humiliated.
Proper etiquette is that the guy sitting in should never ask; the band should ask him, & he's under no obligation to accept if he is invited. Within a band, the guy who's going to have to give up his spot should never be put on the spot, by being asked to sit out.
1. It destroys the whole vibe while you're doing the swap-out or swap-back. There's just a whole lot of nothing interesting going on while that's happening. Then everybody's got to agree on what to play. Any action on the dance floor is going to go away & look for something more interesting.
2. If the "temp" guy isn't as good as the regular, it's going to suck while he's in there.
3. If the "temp" guy is better than the regular, it's going to suck when the regular comes back. Either way, it's going to suck, & somebody is getting set up to be humiliated.
Proper etiquette is that the guy sitting in should never ask; the band should ask him, & he's under no obligation to accept if he is invited. Within a band, the guy who's going to have to give up his spot should never be put on the spot, by being asked to sit out.
I hate 'em. Once the BL came up to me between songs and said, "Gimme your bass my cousin wants to sit in for a few songs". The guy came up and took my bass and I sat out and listened to about half a song. It sucked pretty bad. So I went across the street and got a beer and a sandwich and went back about a half hour later. Last time that happened.
I was watching my friends band (he's the lead singer) just to go and have a few beers and have a good time. Half way through the first set he asked me to get up on stage and play a couple of songs, at the same time his bass player was walking towards me offering his bass up.
I took them up on it and played a couple of RHCP things and a Foo Fighters song, then stepped back down and gave the guy his bass back. Their guy was a solid enough bass player but played stripped back basslines that missed out a few of the fills and licks that I play and that are on the original tracks - so, since the audience was having a good enough time when he was in the bass chair, I just followed suit and played more simply than I would normally have done. It was still solid enough that I wasn't embarrased and I didn't try and blow this guy away just for the sake of my own ego (why would I, I've got my own band to express myself fully).
So a stand in for a couple of songs doesn't always end in humiliation for either party.
I took them up on it and played a couple of RHCP things and a Foo Fighters song, then stepped back down and gave the guy his bass back. Their guy was a solid enough bass player but played stripped back basslines that missed out a few of the fills and licks that I play and that are on the original tracks - so, since the audience was having a good enough time when he was in the bass chair, I just followed suit and played more simply than I would normally have done. It was still solid enough that I wasn't embarrased and I didn't try and blow this guy away just for the sake of my own ego (why would I, I've got my own band to express myself fully).
So a stand in for a couple of songs doesn't always end in humiliation for either party.
I mostly don't like it. When my band plays a 4 hour bar set, after the third break they typically do this blues jam. Which is fine, except our drummer plays bass, our singer/frontman plays drums, and our guitarist plays guitar. Our singer used to be the drummer (and singer!), so he's an excellent drummer, and our drummer is a hobby bassist whose favorite genre is classic rock and blues. I however, listen to mostly music this side of the 90s, and we're an alternative rock band (think Chevelle, Three Days Grace, etc). So it's out of genre for us, and I just end up...watching. But yeah, grab a beer, some food, talk to girls, it's fine. I think I'd rather just play though sometimes.
Thank God I play originals and would never have to worry about that. No way would I let somebody play my bass through my rig unless I knew them REALLY well. And, as stated, they'd need to have made a name for themselves in that area and be recognized/respected in that venue.
I've done both. A band I was in for a while usually had an extra guitarist or a sax player come up during the night. We were a funk/jam band so we'd just call out a key signature and go for it. Sometimes we'd call out a familiar tune and let the sit ins take solos (chameleon, thank you, Franklins Tower, etc...)
I frequently go to friends jazz shows and get called up to sit in along with other musicians in the band. Sometimes it's prearranged as well.
I frequently go to friends jazz shows and get called up to sit in along with other musicians in the band. Sometimes it's prearranged as well.
You, sir, have class. If I ever get to the UK I'm buying you a pint!
It's never worth assuming that YOU'RE the fastest gun in the West. Could you imagine what could happen if someone went into a situation like that thinking, "Ha, I'm gonna show this root thumper how a REAL bassist does it!" and slaps and pops his butt off for a song or two. The real bass player might take his bass back, think, "Ha ha ha ha, that show off thinks HE can play!" and then outplay you in every way - technique, groove, technical ability, taste, tone, and also double the number of butts shaking on the dance floor while doing it!
Really depends on the vibe.... if it's a party atmosphere, ... let the people entertain themselves
IF asked to sit in.. I'll normally just do a guitar only and sing (me alone) I'll use it as an oportunity to discuss how good the band is and do somethng way outside of what they're doing.
IF asked to sit in.. I'll normally just do a guitar only and sing (me alone) I'll use it as an oportunity to discuss how good the band is and do somethng way outside of what they're doing.
