Why Some Musicians Don't Gig

[kanonfodr]

Now that I have tasted the stage several times with my bass guitar, I certainly understand the highlights (girls, fun, chance to be somebody, etc) and the not so great parts (2am drives home, band issues, not making any money, singer getting all the girls) I can understand why some would choose not to go through the troubles of it.

But for all the hassle, cursing, and 'Aw Crap' moments, I find that 45 minutes or so to be a great escape from everything else in my life and that's the joy. When you're on that stage with good musicians; the car payment, ex-wife, butthead boss, all of that slips away and you can focus on the moment. It's a pure sensation, IMO, that I relish every chance I get.

Peace,
Greg

 

[Ben Noblit]

I gig, but I've met plenty of people who play music just because they love playing music. Nothing wrong with that, and I find that these people are often some of the most enjoyable to play with.

 

[bluewine]

Now that I have tasted the stage several times with my bass guitar, I certainly understand the highlights (girls, fun, chance to be somebody, etc) and the not so great parts (2am drives home, band issues, not making any money, singer getting all the girls) I can understand why some would choose not to go through the troubles of it.

But for all the hassle, cursing, and 'Aw Crap' moments, I find that 45 minutes or so to be a great escape from everything else in my life and that's the joy. When you're on that stage with good musicians; the car payment, ex-wife, butthead boss, all of that slips away and you can focus on the moment. It's a pure sensation, IMO, that I relish every chance I get.

Peace,
Greg

Great comment, That's part if it for me too. I have the chance to be somebody other than me for a few hours. How much fun is that.

 

[Mike M.]

It's down to two things with me. 1: Been there, done that. 2: Due to my schedual I don't have the time. I work nights and that in itself will kill any chance for getting together to even jam with other people.

These days I just play once a month at church and that's fine with me.

 

[bluewine]

Well, I love dinking around and recording at home... but I can play some guitar, some piano, so I can create on my own. With that in mind, is it really so hard to imagine enjoying making music without ever gigging? I'm also not a person who particularly gets off on being the center of attention, that's why I'm a bass player and not a lead singer or lead guitarist, ya know?

Yeah, we are all different. I also like the attention and at some level I need it.

No shame in being the center of attention. However, I can understand why that's not everyone's cup of tea.

 

[Thrust Meatnozl]

Shows are my favorite thing about playing but unfortunately they have become vitually non-existant where I am.

 

[Down & Outman]

I gigged abunch thru high school and into my 20's. Loved it. But family pressures, working all the dang time (somehow I like to sleep inside, have heat and A/C, eat every now and then, etc.) and not finding anyone who didn't want to quit after 6 months and other BS like that, I just gave up.

Moved to Georgia, started playing at church every Sunday night, and started building axes. Still have the GAS to play again. Recently heard if your a good bass player around here you can find work, so I have my ears open for the possibilty.

 

[jimmydean]

Lots of players are getting their ya-ya's off a open jam nights .

 

[AwkwardLoudness]

Why some musicians don't gig

This topic has been tossed around but I have never seen a thread dedicated to it. This is geared towards Rock Musicians.

Music hits us all differently, but besides health reasons, young family, a job that prohibits it or age, why would any one spend time honing a craft and then only want to jam or play by himself or just record.

It makes no sense to me, I love to hear your spin or views.

I can think of other reasons:

Some rock musicians only work as studio sessions musicians and/or producers.

Some musicians just like to jam with friends in their basement or garage.

Some musicians just write songs for others to play.

Some musicians just like to play acoustic guitar (or other acoustic instrument) while camping.

Some musicians have stagefright, but still enjoy playing at home.

Some musicians are luthiers who focus on building instruments.

Some musicians hope to gig, but are not ready yet or haven't found the opportunity.

Some musicians want to gig, but the local market is dried up for gig choices.

Some people just play music to relax.

As for me, I gone through long droughts without playing due to being busy with work, school, and/or girlfriends. These days, I generally avoid bars/clubs due to the hassles involved. I typically play at private parties more than anywhere else.

 

[Ed Goode]

Up until this year (2011) I was averaging 130 gigs a year while holding down a very high pressure day gig for the past 15 years. Prior to that I was a full time musician for nearly 25 years (yep, I'm that old ).

I made a decision at the start of this year that I would no longer knowingly take any unpleasant gigs. Hard load-in/load-out, bad hours, long drives, weak coin, poor musicians .... I no longer want any part of it. The gigs I do now (3-4 a month on average) are with excellent players for above average money, playing the music I want to play.

In fairness, I'm old, I live a pretty comfortable life and I don't need the money .... but out of respect for this industry and myself I refuse to work for next to nothing. But in my specific case playing music is about the interaction between the players and I really can't imagine just playing at home for my own entertainment.

I see a billion YouTube videos with guys covering all sorts of tunes (easy & hard) while sitting in their basement and I regularly wonder if they have ever even played with a band. They can slap the snot out of a RHCP tune, but I wonder if they can support a full band? I rarely practice my bass at home (actually, can't remember the last time I did, to be honest), but I do mess around with a lot of different instruments for fun ... lately I've been playing cello a fair amount. Come to think of it, there is probably a cellist somewhere thinking to himself "why would anyone just sit at home and play a cello?"

 

[jimmydean]

Just to finish a thought or two . In my area , you can jam at a different club every night of the week . That is also why alot of people are having a hard time joining or forming a band . It's easier to show up and play and leave . Dealing with band stuff , has become a major pain to alot of people. I have been doing nothing but sub gigs for the last three years because of this and I HATE DOING SUB GIGS !

 

[AfroCubanFunkMa]

If you were serious and not just trolling. A better way to pose that question might be something like this:

Title: What are your thoughts on gigging?

Post: As a musician that puts time into learning/performing/creating music, where does gigging fall into the list of priorities. For those that do, what drives you to do it? For those that don't, what are some of the reasons for your decision?

That removes the assumption of guilt for not gigging from the question and would likely get you more answers... if that was the goal.

That's a BIG if... Isn't this the usual Blue wants justification from anyone who will agree with him and can gas himself while look/talk down or ignore everyone that doesn't agree thread..? I'm sensing some De Ja Vu..

 

[jmattbassplaya]

This topic has been tossed around but I have never seen a thread dedicated to it. This is geared towards Rock Musicians.

Music hits us all differently, but besides health reasons, young family, a job that prohibits it or age, why would any one spend time honing a craft and then only want to jam or play by himself or just record.

It makes no sense to me, I love to hear your spin or views.

Because some people prefer to keep to themselves and still want to enjoy the creative process?

I don't play soccer anymore (outside my PE class), but I still practice it on occasion. Why? Because I find it soothing and a ton of fun.

 

[Waffles and Scotch]

Some folks might just enjoy playing their bass. There are lots of worse ways to spend your time.

This is an example of something that makes absolutely no sense to me.

But that's just me

Gigs are fun and all, but what keeps me going is picking up my bass and creating something new...waking up on a Sunday morning or getting out of bed in the middle of the night when I can't sleep and just playing...

 

[Lesfunk]

The Beatles didn't gig for the whole second half of their career?
Just sayin...

 

[bluewine]

Just to finish a thought or two . In my area , you can jam at a different club every night of the week . That is also why alot of people are having a hard time joining or forming a band . It's easier to show up and play and leave . Dealing with band stuff , has become a major pain to alot of people. I have been doing nothing but sub gigs for the last three years because of this and I HATE DOING SUB GIGS !

Don't get me wrong, I have 1st hand experience with all pain associated with being I'm a band. A lot of this BS is what broke up my last band.

 

[bluewine]

The Beatles didn't gig for the whole second half of their career?
Just sayin...

There were multiple reasons for that some is public knowledge, some we will never know.

I know their music had changed drastically from the early days and at the time we didn't have the technology that would have allowed them to perform the stuff live.

 

[bluewine]

That's a BIG if... Isn't this the usual Blue wants justification from anyone who will agree with him and can gas himself while look/talk down or ignore everyone that doesn't agree thread..? I'm sensing some De Ja Vu..

Afrocuban is a fine bass player and has a cool band. However he just does not dig where I am coming from on any issues.

We are all different and it's all cool for me.

 

[bluewine]

Up until this year (2011) I was averaging 130 gigs a year while holding down a very high pressure day gig for the past 15 years. Prior to that I was a full time musician for nearly 25 years (yep, I'm that old ).

I made a decision at the start of this year that I would no longer knowingly take any unpleasant gigs. Hard load-in/load-out, bad hours, long drives, weak coin, poor musicians .... I no longer want any part of it. The gigs I do now (3-4 a month on average) are with excellent players for above average money, playing the music I want to play.

In fairness, I'm old, I live a pretty comfortable life and I don't need the money .... but out of respect for this industry and myself I refuse to work for next to nothing. But in my specific case playing music is about the interaction between the players and I really can't imagine just playing at home for my own entertainment.

I see a billion YouTube videos with guys covering all sorts of tunes (easy & hard) while sitting in their basement and I regularly wonder if they have ever even played with a band. They can slap the snot out of a RHCP tune, but I wonder if they can support a full band? I rarely practice my bass at home (actually, can't remember the last time I did, to be honest), but I do mess around with a lot of different instruments for fun ... lately I've been playing cello a fair amount. Come to think of it, there is probably a cellist somewhere thinking to himself "why would anyone just sit at home and play a cello?"

Another veteran player possibly of my vintage. He supports one of my claims. For us 55 + guys when we started playing it was all about giging

 

[Marial]

With regards to being all about gigging, I think if you're in multiple projects and your income is derived from gigs, gigging all of the time makes sense. In my case, since I'm not a 'working' musician and only do originals, we don't want to burn out our audience and drive down our attendence numbers. The fact that one of my bands will have played three gigs in about as many weeks is very uncommon and is not something we'd normally do. The opportunities presented by two of these were just uncommonly good.