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What would you do?
- Thread starter dbase
- Start date
Do you need him to do the gig?
If you don't, do it without him.
And probably the next one too. Perhaps the one after as well...
My main band is an originals band with 3 guitarists. Despite being originals we are at the stage where we get decent gigs regularly (took a while). One of the guitarists in this 7-piece has been difficult for a few months now... we just don't bother replying to his texts announcing he won't do a particular gig and we're effectively operating as a 6-piece. We only keep him because he was a founding member and we've all become a bit of a family in a way, so we just roll our eyes and have fun with him when he's in, but we won't let him stop the rest of us.
Is that a possibility with your band?
It depends. Some people out there don't really need the money but love playing just for its own sake. Who are we to judge?
Personally I am happy to play *some* free gigs as long as there's something in it that makes it worthwhile: if I know it's going to be fun, I care less about how much we get. If it sounds like a chore my fee goes up automatically.
Fire the guitar player and hire a drummer......
Hang on.....did I really just write that???.....
Hang on.....did I really just write that???.....
Fire the guitar player and hire a drummer......
Hang on.....did I really just write that???.....
I was just thinking the same thing. I do believe that the guitar has something else bugging him, maybe just an off day, maybe feels he gets too many/not enough solos, you will not know unless you ask or he blows up.
Maybe they know and hate each other. Until you get the whole story, everything else is mere speculation. Try talking to the guitarist one more time and ask if it's about money. Often times this is the issue and it's a difficult one to approach without hurting people's feelings. If he's adamant that he won't play this gig, try to get a sub, or adjust your set to minimize the loss. Have fun and if you show up and play anything at all, I'm sure the recipient will appreciate it.
We play a poker run for the local animal shelter, someone always passes around a hat for the band, we just take the money and donate it back to the animal shelter.
Just called him again . Sent to voice mail
Wheb we originally formed it was stated that we play these vet gigs for free. In the 50s and 60s we played professionally and we dont need the money...just play now for fun about once a month or two.
I don't know, Dbase, but I think some of the others are right, you guys need to have a sit down over a beer or a coffee "cause somethings up with him. Let us know what happens. 
Does the guitarist live nearby?.....If so, personally, I'd go ring his doorbell.....
Everyone on TB is in a different place musically. Whatever makes you smile is fine by me. But it sounds to me like that isn't working for your guitarist any more. And I don't think hounding (harassing) him is making your case any stronger.
There must be a million ways to guilt-trip musicians into playing for free. After enough years it gets old.
"We're having a party and you guys are invited! Oh, and bring your instruments."
Edited to add: In your case it's probably a little different since you play for free as a policy. However, he might just be feeling a bit burned out and wants to pass on this one. Being burned out isn't always dickish. Even a dick can get burned out. But that doesn't means that he's not a dick.
"We're having a party and you guys are invited! Oh, and bring your instruments."
Edited to add: In your case it's probably a little different since you play for free as a policy. However, he might just be feeling a bit burned out and wants to pass on this one. Being burned out isn't always dickish. Even a dick can get burned out. But that doesn't means that he's not a dick.
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I think i already mentioned hes a dick
Ah yeah... been long enough that it's obvious he's blowing you off. That was probably already obvious to you but it is to me now as well.
This thread is filed with so much bad advice. Do people even read? To those people griping about playing for free, I'm sure their is a ton of demand for bands playing music from the 40s and 50s. I'm sure the bar is packed and women are all over the band. For those who say replace the guitarist I'm sure guys interested in playing this kind of music grow on trees. Throw a drum stick and you'll probably hit one.
People go through stages in life. If you enjoy playing 40s and 50s for a crowd it's going to be for nursing homes and specific requests like this 1 for free.
Here's advice that the op can use. Have a band conversation about goals. Make sure everybody is on the same page. Make sure everybody is having fun.
1 time when my band played a gig we charged a small fee like $50 or something then gave it all to the drummer who had to travel twice as far to practices and to this gig than we did. So maybe if you asked this party for a small fee and gave it all to guitarist he'd do it, depending on how much money motivates him.
People go through stages in life. If you enjoy playing 40s and 50s for a crowd it's going to be for nursing homes and specific requests like this 1 for free.
Here's advice that the op can use. Have a band conversation about goals. Make sure everybody is on the same page. Make sure everybody is having fun.
1 time when my band played a gig we charged a small fee like $50 or something then gave it all to the drummer who had to travel twice as far to practices and to this gig than we did. So maybe if you asked this party for a small fee and gave it all to guitarist he'd do it, depending on how much money motivates him.
All good points that many missed. Also, I think early on @dbase mentioned that money is not a motivator, at least for dbase. That may well be the case for all members. A meeting of the minds on goals is needed. That will tell you more about specific motivators/demotivators. I think in this specific case, money is not the issue, something else is.
My wife plays in a big band, 40s & 50s music they charge no less than $2,500/gig they have never played a nursing home or for free, the band has been going since the early 40s. They play beach clubs and quite a few weddings.
So you're comparing a big band with a rock or country band? Is this the only thing they do? Are and were they professional musicians?
Over this past weekend I played with a 76 year old drummer. He couldn't keep up in a rock band context. Iliked the guy but it was 1 of the few times i didn't enjoyed playing music. I'm sure just a fit thing. Different situations call for things.
I once started a post asking if a 50s and 60s band would go over well. General response was in nursing homes. But if you're convinced the gigs are our there, go for it.
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