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Why Some Musicians Don't Gig

#302
WJGreer said:
That's exactly what I did as well. I was wearing a tuxedo just like the waitstaff, but this guy was seated very near me when I was playing and it wasn't more than a few seconds after the last note when this exchange happened. It's not likely he thought I was a waiter. Maybe, though.

For all I know, the guy had just written a $50,000 check to the fine arts school and figured that a little coffee service wasn't too much to ask in return. He's right, too - it isn't. But I decided I would rather be the person writing the check than the one getting the coffee.
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In all seriousness, Will... some people think all musicians look alike. And it's not for the obvious reason either;). I had a guy ask me if I was the sax player when I'd come off stage for a break. Let's just say we bore absolutely no resemblance (I'm neither short nor blonde).
:D
 
#304
Brad Johnson said:
In all seriousness, Will... some people think all musicians look alike. And it's not for the obvious reason either;). I had a guy ask me if I was the sax player when I'd come off stage for a break. Let's just say we bore absolutely no resemblance (I'm neither short nor blonde).
:D
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I agree, which goes to the point that most people aren't really paying much attention, which in turn goes to the point that if we want to gig, we'd better do it because of some internal satisfaction that provides (which it does) and not because of the girls, glory, and the pedestal everyone around us elevates us to!
 
#310
WJGreer said:
I agree, which goes to the point that most people aren't really paying much attention, which in turn goes to the point that if we want to gig, we'd better do it because of some internal satisfaction that provides (which it does) and not because of the girls, glory, and the pedestal everyone around us elevates us to!
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Can't say I could draw that conclusion from an encounter like that. No offense. One guy is not most people.

And there are all sorts of reasons to gig. I enjoy playing bass and I enjoying owning nice gear and it's nice that the gear can and has paid for itself. I even enjoy playing with some of my peers.
:D

If I were doing it for what people think are the usual reasons... I probably wouldn't be doing it. It's something I like to do that I find enjoyable and I'm good at it... and I can get paid relatively well for it. If I were doing it for the glory I would spend time learning tricks that impress people:hyper:. If I were doing it for girls I wouldn't be playing bass;)

I actually feel sorry for some of the people I meet who view this as a competition or as some sort of validation. They invariably come across someone who does what they do better, in their mind and it makes them miserable. Music has never made me miserable. I'm even philosophical about dealing with musicians. Gotta have a sense of humor.
 
#311
Brad Johnson said:
In all seriousness, Will... some people think all musicians look alike. And it's not for the obvious reason either;). I had a guy ask me if I was the sax player when I'd come off stage for a break. Let's just say we bore absolutely no resemblance (I'm neither short nor blonde).
:D
Click to expand...

They usually mistake me for the cello player.
 
#315
This whole thing seems pretty "Trolly", and has continued to reveal the holes in a lot of perceptions and argument skills.

But I couldn't be happier that I got turned on to "Fresh" by Sly and The Family Stone.

"Thanks Boss"
-Rob Gordon, High Fidelity
 
#317
Some musicians may look at playing as a casual hobby. It can sometimes take a lot of time, money, traveling, and "blood, sweat and tears" to be a gig'ing musician all while dealing with the rest of the stuff life throws at you.
 
#318
Did cover bands and music for money for many years. I ended up unhappy and stopped playing altogether for a while. I regrouped mentally, but just playing at home and not gig at all, is not for me either. I will have my my first gig since 2005 this coming February, and when writing this I just realized it will also be my first gig ever under my own moniker.
 
#319
Okay finally read through all of this with a few thoughts-not entirely on topic:

Early on there was a few posts with the general gist of "why play live? You can record and release via computers and the internet now." Which is true, however I don't think there are many good examples of an act that made it big purely via an internet presence. Certainly Rebecca Black for as long as that lasted (anyone talking about her second release? Because it happened), but bands like Ok Go! which made a big splash on Youtbube, and Kate Bush never had a second tour and has been huge, but both put in their time live before then.

I am happy to report that I quickly did a google search and found all of the recordings with my name on them up to par, so I still feel good about offering advice here and there.

Brad Johnson, are you the Brad Johnson that's been playing with Ocean Street?
 

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