We're doing it wrong

[Stealth Fighter]

.... OH! I forgot, this always happens.. we're playing some fast rockers one after the other and the crowd is dancing up a storm and they decide to either go on break or play a slow song... = loose the crowd again. Ok, I'm done ranting.

If you are playing a concert, I agree that this is not good. On the other hand, when playing a bar gig, it is often necessary. You have to remember why you are there. You are primarily there to sell drinks; entertaining the crowd is secondary. On more than one occasion, bands I have played with have been asked to kill some stage time or play some slow songs, because the people were dancing too much and not buying drinks. We usually used this time for an impromptu commercial urging the audience to patronize the bar and tip the waitresses.

 

[waynobass]

Very funny post, thanks. I don't know why others are taking it so seriously.

 

[REMBO]

for $100 bucks....a good time was had by all!!!

 

[Kmonk]

and the bar got what they paid for. I would not worry about it.

+1

Unprofessional band deserves unprofessional level pay.

 

[avvie]

... when doing the gig, they throw out the set list and stand around saying "What do you want to play next, or I don't want to do that one, or lets play this one"... What key is that in? ...

So, a coupla years ago I parted ways with a band that was doing all that. Life goes on, things change, and last week I'm being majorly wooed to come back. The fact is that for all the shortcomings we still play well together...and a friend of mine told me last night that I need to just get over it all because the guitarist and I obviously belong on stage together.

The scene out here is a bit different than on the mainland, and with the style of music that we play- funky grooves and jams a la Santana and Allman Bros- nobody cares about the spaces in between the songs or that there isn't a set list. I don't like playing an unrehearsed gig but every time I do here it's never the trainwreck I expect it to be. if anything it's the rehearsed gigs that crash and burn.


I have a reputation for being the picky stickler, the negative influence, the guy who always finds the faults and glosses over the high spots. The hardest thing for me to learn is to live in the moment. I miss those moments when they suddenly aren't there any more.

 

[Stealth Fighter]

Very funny post, thanks. I don't know why others are taking it so seriously.

+1

 

[BassCliff]

Hi,

Very funny post, thanks. I don't know why others are taking it so seriously.

+2



Thank you for your indulgence,

BassCliff

 

[chuckNC]

I used to play in a Gospel band that was just the biggest bunch of cutups you ever saw. Joking all the time, sloppy-sounding and almost offensively loud. But we were more fun than a barrel full of monkeys. People either loved it or they hated it. We stayed busy, even though it would take more than one hand to count the churches that didn't ask us back again.

Sounds to me like the peeps just liked you. Enjoy it--it's sure not a given!

 

[P Town]

I can relate.

I did not play for over thirty years, and have taken it up again as a way to occupy myself in retirement. (I've got a while before I give up the rat race though).

If I can play some blues in a little north woods bar for the tourists, and flirt with the ladies, I don't care if I get paid a dime.

I don't need money, and I don't think I'll be cutting in on the professional bassists territory.

I pay to see the pros, and I buy music retail, so you real musicians should forgive us hobbyists.

If you happen to shine around the Boathouse Bar up here in the great green north woods, while you are on a fishing vacation, feel free to sit in, and show us how a professional does it. I'll buy ya a beer for the lesson.