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Why Some Musicians Don't Gig

#161
Mayers said:
I did some rock and jazz gig during the first 4 years I learned to play ... after that I went to college in music and I played DB in the college classical orchestra for 2 years.

That was 5 years ago. Since then I don't gig. It just doesn't fit what I think music and being a musician or artist. Many time playing infront of people mean you have to give a show and act like your super cool and whatever while you only pluck your E strings.

I'm the kind of musician who what to be the best he can be, mastering that thing we call music. By doing so I know maybe too much stuff to enjoy simple stuff ... I need a challenge and this is why I like about solo stuff like Victor Wooten, Zander Zon, Micheal Manring and of course I like so much classical music and jazz.
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'that thing we call music' :D is that like 'this business of show' I keep hearing about -
 
#162
lfmn16 said:
And this is why you have to ask the question. If you don't get it no one can explain it to you.

I haven't played a gig (other than to occasionally sub for a friend) in 7 or 8 years. I don't need anyone to validate my music. I know that some people will love it, some people will hate it and 99.9999% of the people will never hear it or give a damn if they do. That's fine, I'm not trying to be the McDonald's of music.

By the way- all of this musician stuff came from the title of your thread, "Why Some Musicians Don't Gig."
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If I have learned anything from this thread it's that we all came into playing bass guitar differently which has an impact on what we do with it

It also seems like gigging is a big pain to some you to the extent that it's not worth your time.
 
#164
bluewine said:
Your not alone I know a lot of older guys that feel the same way



If I didn't gig I would feel a lack of my contribution to society.

blue
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I'm only 28.

The music "scene" is dead. It's easier and more profitable with modern technology to record songs and promote them over the web rather than pack up the old van and drive town to town playing to empty bars while having to cover gas, lodging and food. Times have changed...either you change with them or you get left behind.
 
#169
NKUSigEp said:
I'm only 28.

The music "scene" is dead. It's easier and more profitable with modern technology to record songs and promote them over the web rather than pack up the old van and drive town to town playing to empty bars while having to cover gas, lodging and food. Times have changed...either you change with them or you get left behind.
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I understand your position, however you really have to know what your doing and it won't work for all bands.

My last band tried the web route. It didn't work, but we didn't know what we were doing.
 
#171
pudgychef said:
'that thing we call music' :D is that like 'this business of show' I keep hearing about -
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You seem very serious and acomplished.

I can't determine whether or not playing out is beneath you or your afraid to hit the front lines of the biz on stage, which is still where everything happens.
 
#172
NKUSigEp said:
I'm only 28.

The music "scene" is dead. It's easier and more profitable with modern technology to record songs and promote them over the web rather than pack up the old van and drive town to town playing to empty bars while having to cover gas, lodging and food. Times have changed...either you change with them or you get left behind.
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I agree that things have changed.People are not as enamored hearing live music as 30 years ago. What has not changed is peoples desire to get out at night and dance. So the competition is between automated dj type club scenes and having a live group.
 
#173
Definitely said:
I have a few reasons, one obviously being age and lack of talented musicians within close proximity, but the reasons I play bass are more like this:
- the girls are more impressed and always want to hear me play if I'm around
- I play two and a half hours a day on average, my parents like it a helluva lot better than playing ps3 all day like my friends do
- I am completely happy playing with/for friends or along with my iPod, I don't need gigs
- it helps me think and it makes me feel better if I'm down (no, seriously)
- can't have too much sitting in the bank account, if it starts piling up I buy some new gear
-it's so damn fun!
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Why do you feel you don't need gigs, you obviously like attention.
 
#175
NKUSigEp said:
The music "scene" is dead. It's easier and more profitable with modern technology to record songs and promote them over the web rather than pack up the old van and drive town to town playing to empty bars while having to cover gas, lodging and food. Times have changed...either you change with them or you get left behind.
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Really this boils down to the same thing that dictated success in rock music's birth in the 50s....marketing.

Nothing in that regard has changed, you just have a different medium by which you can market your product. While the internet has given people a vast array of opportunities to promulgate their material, it's given that ability to ALL people who wish to apply themselves for that purpose. Information overload is what limits success by the means you mentioned above. Marketing will dictate that the person with the most money gets in line first, which is usually the record labels. Your song may be 84681250 times better than the new Lady Gaga tune, but you better believe her stuff will be front and center on the iTunes home page, while people would likely have to search for your stuff specifically if you promote it yourself.

When it comes to gigging, there are many pros and cons to gigging. Some people find it artistically fulfilling and rewarding (my case), other people feel it's an investment in their career as a musician, and some people feel it's the best way to get exposure or get noticed by a label.

This goes back to my original post, but it just depends on what your view of "making it" is. For some people it's steady session work, being a touring bassist for a random band, getting signed and touring for your own band, playing local shows and getting decent turnout, having a jam band that gets together and plays for fun, playing covers as a house band for a club or bar, and even just playing a song they really like in their basement with just their bass and their iPod. I've posted this before, but I'd like to make a career out of music but have the focus remain on having my band get signed and hopefully have a profitable touring gig. Now the means to fund that can come in many ways...it might mean doing lessons or session work on the side, or (GASP!) selling out! (i.e. - $80k a year playing for Justin Bieber). If it means steady money to fund my OWN band, I'll bang out some Bieber tunes for a little while and make my money lol. To sum it all up though:

YMMV!

;)
 
#176
bluewine said:
Why do you feel you don't need gigs, you obviously like attention.
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Not sure whether that was an honest question or a snide remark, but if it was a question I answered it in the beginning of the post. I am only 13 and have no good musicians in my area to jam with. I did meet a guitarist today that I might start getting together with but I really am ok playing in my basement and for my family and friends.
 
#178
Definitely said:
Not sure whether that was an honest question or a snide remark, but if it was a question I answered it in the beginning of the post. I am only 13 and have no good musicians in my area to jam with. I did meet a guitarist today that I might start getting together with but I really am ok playing in my basement and for my family and friends.
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Well your a young guy with your whole life in front of you. You also started playing at the right age, nobody can call you a "Johnny Come Lately"


It was not a snide remark and you opened the door to let me play the role of "geezer" Here we go:

Your 13, you don't know if you like giging or not. Your too young and don't have the experience to make that call.

I was playing at your age and gigging too. It was a blast to gig at 12 years old and it's a blast to gig at 58 years old.
 
#179
chris stopa said:
I agree that things have changed.People are not as enamored hearing live music as 30 years ago. What has not changed is peoples desire to get out at night and dance. So the competition is between automated dj type club scenes and having a live group.
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I'll concede this. I guess with the tough economical times we're facing, that which poses the least threat to the club's profits, wins...usually this is a DJ or a jukebox.
 

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