What do you bring to the party

[bmusic]

God. In my last band, everything. I provided the space and almost all the gear—2 synth stations, a drum kit with a sample pad (for which I recorded homemade perc samples and sweetener tracks), Mackie/QSC PA/monitoring. I transcribed and printed parts for all the songs and put them in binders, programmed presets on the keyboards, and provided the eye candy (my wife, who also prepared snacks and provided booze). And—oh yeah—I knew my own parts and held down the groove.

It wasn’t enough.

 

[TakeABreak]

The peanut gallery. That's me.

 

[lbbc]

I sing lead and backing vocals, own the PA and lights and do most of the booking. I am an intermediate bassist always striving to be better.

 

[bordinco90]

My appetite

 

[Naturekev]

The voice of reason

Our band was interviewed by someone with an Internet radio station in Orlando. Something the drummer said caused the interviewer to ask if he was the voice of reason in the band. In unison, the drummer and the guitarists pointed at me and said that I was the voice of reason.

 

[FantasticFour]

If I have to be totally honest, mostly discord.
I keep the drummer happy, tho.

 

[Teijo K.]

Station wagon and a hard top trailer.

And PA system.

Oh, and a studio good enough for releasable recordings.

 

[TrevorG]

Sorry to sound flippant but I'm the bass player... I AM THE PARTY!!!!!!!!!!!

Okay, I've taken my tablet. I'm pretty good at helping other players get up to speed on notes, phrasing and sharing the sonic space to get a good sound. I don't sing any more but I can help a singer to find the right dynamic line through a song while pacing their energy(though they look quite insulted till they hear I've sung at Glyndebourne and the Royal Opera House).

 

[JRA]

even though we like the democratic model: i mostly bring some leadership. the 'stuff' i provide is all good, but the 'voice' is probably what would be missed.

 

[Artman]

The fingerstyle funk, a stronger pulse, a few extra backup vocals, and some bad jokes that everybody seems to enjoy for some reason.

 

[pcake]

i'm always early, i bring duct tape, batteries, a pair of drumsticks, picks (and i don't even play with picks), extra cords. i sing - leads and harmony, whatever is needed. i write music and lyrics, am happy to take part in new arrangements or songs or lyrics from others. my gear is always up to the task.

i'll happily run the mailing or email list, will book low end gigs (i don't have higher end contacts). when issues appear, i don't turn them into drama, and i try to find alternatives. i can make and maintain a website, a spreadsheet, and can do simple photoshopping of images. i'm also happy to share these tasks with others.

i'll be happy to socialize AFTER rehearsal, but i'm also the one who keeps it going without hassling people. and for some reason i'm not entirely sure of, i'm usually the one who can approach a bandmate with an issue and have them not get upset.

oh, yeah - and i play the bass.

what a list! now I want to hire me!

 

[brianrost]

I guess I bring the following:

-- I know how to operate a PA system

-- I know how to make recordings

-- I have good sounding, reliable equipment

-- I have a reliable car

-- I'm punctual

-- I'm willing to sing if needed

-- I don't ask to sing when I am not needed

-- I'm willing to play songs I don't know if someone can show me the chord changes

-- I only turn up my volume when asked to

-- I always turn my volume down when asked to

-- I'm familiar enough with many musical styles to play them competently if not expertly

-- I defer to the BL's decisions without complaining

-- I play to support the band and keep my ears open

None of the above are rocket science, but I'm always surprised how many musicians can only tick off one or two items on that list.

 

[pcake]

I guess I bring the following:

-- I know how to operate a PA system

-- I know how to make recordings

-- I have good sounding, reliable equipment

-- I have a reliable car

-- I'm punctual

-- I'm willing to sing if needed

-- I don't ask to sing when I am not needed

-- I'm willing to play songs I don't know if someone can show me the chord changes

-- I only turn up my volume when asked to

-- I always turn my volume down when asked to

-- I'm familiar enough with many musical styles to play them competently if not expertly

-- I defer to the BL's decisions without complaining

-- I play to support the band and keep my ears open

None of the above are rocket science, but I'm always surprised how many musicians can only tick off one or two items on that list.

i have - briefly - played with several musicians who didn't tick ANY of those boxes.

 

[Johnny StingRay]

I know the owner of the local strip joint! Always a good connection for a party!

Haha, just kidding!

......what I do bring is a solid groove, years of experience playing everything from rockabilly to jazz standards, strong understanding of theory, ability to transpose on the fly....especially those way too frequent times the bandleader forgets to move his capo from song to song, competent chart and reading skills.

 

[grinx]

extra picks for the idiots who play stringed instruments that aren't bass
extra mics
extra cables, even ones I don't use
spiritual advisement "Jeezus C, Ya'll are making me lose my ship"
a sense of timing
xmas gifts every year, cool ones too
inspire, hire and fire. you don't want to get my Friday SOTU text
plenty of hugs and smokes and pi$$water

 

[bassliner50]

Pepto Bismol

 

[foolforthecity]

I bring The Groove.

 

[Tom Gallo]

Does bad attitude count? lol. My party tricks were being reliable, prepared and help loading in/out.

 

[RickyRocknRoll]

Like I said in the Dr. Cheese thread, I always show up prepared and on time, drug and booze free. Also I happen to be a "natural entertainer" so i'm very comfy with crowds and interactions, I always try to make a nice musical/fun experience for the people who paid money to get in. In other words, I try to put on a show by doing just enough. It's very easy to appear/be "professional" even if I'm no bass virtuoso. That way of doing things got me busy music-wise for the last 35 years. To me, I will always be at the band's service and it's important to make the whole band sound/look good, so I'll do what's needed. Band always comes first. My gear is good, well maintained and no one ever complained about tone, volume and whatnot. Also, nobody ever asked me to bring a P - that's what I play anyways.

To me, this is basic, common sense stuff. Help other band members when they need it, I can carry/move gear and whatnot. So that's what I bring to the party. Plus a P bass, Ampeg SVT CL and an 810 fridge.

 

[dbsfgyd1]

When you play with a band, what do you bring to the party?

As I was reading Dr Cheese’s post about being ok with mediocrity, I was thinking about how each individual probably has an asset or 2 that they bring to their band or team.

In my case, I think I act as the musical translator for the band, I can explain what is going on harmonically and rhythmically with the music that is being played.

I add the stank, I find myself playing with mostly rock and classical players, I’m the one that add groove to the otherwise 1/4 note, straight 1/8 note grooves that my worship team plays. In my last band, the drummer was a 4 on the floor guy and the guitar players were backbeat guys, there wasn’t much breathing in their music until I came along.

Good question. Leadership by example. Always prepared, on time, a positive friendly attitude, and I don’t waste other people’s time. I will look for consensus but will hold my ground if needed.

And Cheese Wiz...