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Subbing For Free???

bass81800

bass81800

Supporting Member
Dec 7, 2011
542
297
Pittsburgh, PA
#1
I have been getting out there and networking to try to find more gigs and play in better situations. As a result of this, I got a call from someone to sub for their gig. My first thoughts were that my efforts are starting to get results, and I will have the opportunity to play with a new group of musicians in great location. Was told no pay, just food and drink. I do not normally do free gigs, but, as I said, I see this as an opportunity.

Now I found out that the gig does pay, but I agreed to do this for no pay per conversation with the player who asked me to sub, because I was available, was happy to be called, and see this as a good opportunity to get out there. I will do the gig and give it my all, hope it goes well, will keep my mouth shut, and hope I get called again, but am not going to do this again for free.

What is you take on this?
 
#9
It's also possible that the bassist who called you didn't have all the current details when he booked you.

What are the details about how you found out that the gig paid? Does the rest of the band seem to expect that you'll be the only one still be playing this gig for suds and spuds?

Any evidence that they're assuming you'll get the regular bassist's cut?
 
#10
bass81800 said:
Now I found out that the gig does pay, but I agreed to do this for no pay per conversation with the player who asked me to sub, because I was available, was happy to be called, and see this as a good opportunity to get out there. I will do the gig and give it my all, hope it goes well, will keep my mouth shut, and hope I get called again, but am not going to do this again for free.

What is you take on this?
Click to expand...

Don't make a habit out of playing for free.

If your just starting out I can somewhat understand.

However, if I understand the gig correctly, I think it's low class for the band to ask you to play for free while they get paid. Especially if they are paying their regular bass player for the work you did.

Blue
 
#12
I wouldn't make a habit out of it, but if you're fortunate enough and professional enough about it, doing a freebie gig once in awhile can lead to more paying gigs. I used to play with a group that would play free gigs for the city from time to time and at each free gig we would get people asking if we played private functions and parties and such, and suddenly 2 or 3 free gigs in a year turned into 6 or 7 $250-$450/man gigs in a year. That's my experience, of course. Don't be so stingy as to decline every free gig, but like I said, don't make a habit out of taking alot of free gigs, either. You won't make enough money to make it worth your while, number one, and number two, you might get a reputation for being the guy that plays for free and it might snowball from there.
 
#13
The only opportunity I see for you is you being taken as a fool,and confirm it if you do the gig.
Unless this is major act where you will have exposure and will help built a reputation,all the rest is just bull poo poo.
C'mon,have some self respect,that is a working band,they get paid,everyone should get paid.
If nobody gets paid is another situation,more understandable.

I answered an ad many months ago,they were looking for a sub,in a band that plays good music,originals,for a summer event.
The only problem is they offered $50 as pay.
I explained that for a rehearsal and a gig,plus the travel for both,$50 was not much of a motivation for any musician at the level required to play those songs.
The conclusion is I did not take the gig,they thank me for the honesty and self respect,but there was no one paid more than that,since it was a promotional arrangement from the label.
Well,if you are in a band and commit to do this,is ok,but my problem goes toward the sub,where the promotion is not for him,the effort is not for him,the only benefit is for the band.
You find TONS of those people that say " I am coming out strong,I have the cd,help me playing for free,we promote it,we play for nothing,but is exposure" and at the end,is only them the beneficiaries of the effort,not the musicians.

If you are happy with the arrangement,do it,only you know the value of your musicianship.
I help people if they need a hand too.
 
#15
Someone is playing you for a chump. You did not mention if the bass player called you or if it was one of the other band members who asked you to sub. If it was the bass player, he might be pulling off a side deal with you and the other band members may not be even aware of the pay arrangments he made with you. On the other hand, if it was one of the other band members who asked I would ask for fair compensation. It's a matter of self respect.
 
#17
MarkMgibson said:
Keep your promise and do the show for sure. Hopefully they'll do the right thing and sling you some cash after the gig.
Click to expand...

Agreed. Fulfill your end of the deal, as you agreed to, but make the band leader, and absolutely no one else, aware of your understanding of the situation. Hopefully he will either clarify the situation and/or make it right. That way you don't look like a chump and now he can worry about his reputation and his methods for hiring sidemen. Do not go moping about the event telling your tale of woe to anyone who will listen. This is between you and the band leader and whoever "hired" you to fill in. Anything less than this and you look like a whiner and very unprofessional.
 

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