When to start playing gig?

[schuyler]

i played my first gig on bass the day after i bought my first bass and amp (MM5 and SWR).

of course, i'd played that smaller, six stringed, high-pitched thingy for 12 years prior to that....

 

[Bigby]

Much of it will depend on the talent level of the band you audition for. Before going out to audition, ask for a song list of things they play (if a cover band) or songs that related to their style of music (if original). This can give you an idea of what level they are at, plus it might give you time to learn some songs prior to meeting with them.
In the years I've played with bands, one thing that has always given me the gig if I wanted it was the ability to come to the first rehearsal and pretty much have their stuff down. Unless you have a good ear and feel for picking up chord patterns and groove on the first time around, you don't want to show up fumbling for the notes. Being prepared would be the best advice I could give.
Good luck!

 

[ii7-V7]

i have been playing for 2 months ...~if you have the fretboard memorized.*

I don't think that you can have the fretboard truly digested in just two months. Memorizing the fretboard means more than taking ten second to count up to the 7th note on the G string.

I played guitar in a band after I'd been playing for only seven months. They kicked me out (deservedly) four months later. Five years later I returned to jam with them and they were still working ont he same seven songs as when I began.

 

[quallabone]

I don't think that you can have the fretboard truly digested in just two months. Memorizing the fretboard means more than taking ten second to count up to the 7th note on the G string.

I played guitar in a band after I'd been playing for only seven months. They kicked me out (deservedly) four months later. Five years later I returned to jam with them and they were still working ont he same seven songs as when I began.

You don't need to know the fretboard. You just need to know the songs you're playing and have some sense of time. Please note that I do not endorse this method of playing the bass.

 

[Kosko]

In all fairness the 7th note on the G string is a tough one.

 

[quallabone]

In all fairness the 7th note on the G string is a tough one.

haha

 

[ii7-V7]

You don't need to know the fretboard. You just need to know the songs you're playing and have some sense of time. Please note that I do not endorse this method of playing the bass.

I'm not the one saying that you do, but the guy who is claims to have only played for two months. I just don't think that you can have the board memorized in any functional way in that short a period of time.

Still, I think having the board completely memorized (i.e. not having to think about what note you're playing or where to find a particular note) is pretty essential.

 

[CShep]

i remember when i was in 7th grade and thought i was good enough to be in a band after two months. i thought i was a bad ass b/c i could play the intro to "higher ground" (or to my ears it sounded like it). there's no right or wrong time to join a band. just don't quit when you think you suck after the first practice. it's tough playing with other people and you begin to improve areas you never thought about improving before. also, moe.'s "happy hour hero" doesn't mention playing from 10-2 for no reason. you need to know quite a lot of songs to play at bars. i play in a jam band and our songs can get pretty lengthy but we still play about 30-35 songs at a bar and those songs average over 5 minutes.

 

[Akami]

Only requirements for playing a gig is that your up to the gig itself.

It's a lot different playing in a packed stadium, in a local bar or at a kegger.

Pretty obvious statement, but many of the replies here have made certain assumptions about what kind of gig Energy might have been thinking of.

Truth is there are even some players who know nothing about theory and yet can fill the dance floor with one note.

To know your instrument inside and out would seem like the ideal, but you only need to march to your own drummer, and assuming you can do so in a manner others find enjoyable, you will be gig ready.

Play for the song, in sync with the band and the audience will enjoy themselves.

Then once you're gigging, continue your progress by honestly assessing your strengths/weaknesses against the backdrop of your desired progress.

 

[WOOFMAN]

I joined a band after I gave up learning the fret board and figuring out where different notes and strings are on the fret board. Also, it helps to play with a drummer with patience and rhytm and at least one or two other musicians that know what they are doing so that they can point the missed notes out to you. Also, practice with and without the band: before long the force will be with you and you shall over come your fears(as there will be many).