Working Cover Band Quitting Notice

21 days

 

Depends on several factors, but for a busy band with many gigs on the book I'd say two months just because if they can't find anyone to replace you quick enough they risk pissing off a LOT of venues and clients if they can't come through. Of course, if they're super busy then they probably already have guys lined up to take any members place at the drop of a dime, but I'd still say that long as a common courtesy in case they need to audition people.

 

One month (four weekends) is standard around here. That is how I have done it several times and there have been no hard feelings.

 

The option isn’t on your poll - but, I’d give as much advance notice as possible.

 

I think you'd owe them at least the gigs you committed to.,.. or until they find a replacement..
That's how i've done it, and [if they're a decent band] they'll get a replacement before all the dates are played.

 

Yup, plus I'd honor the currently booked gigs,(within reason)
and be available to help work in the new guy.

The only difference is if the parting is/will be amicable,
and providing you have a new situation in place, how things will work out with them.

 

I have played in bands that were booked out for over a year. Are you kidding me? I decide to leave and I am supposed to stick around for a year until the gigs on the books are done?

Plus, quite often if you give a long notice, people will drag their feet trying to find your replacement. Leaving it open ended ("until they find a replacement") is a bad idea. People come and go in every business. Music is a business and should be no different.

I have given a one month notice plenty of times and it worked out fine. On one occasion the band had found someone by then but he wasn't ready yet so I stuck around for an extra weekend to help them out. So everything is negotiable.

 

As others have said, it depends on the situation. You hate it, you quit that day and thats that. See ya. If some other circumstance comes up and its a friendly departure, stay on as long as YOU can but people on this site can take the Dudley Dooright thing too far...stay until all dates are played??? How long do you give a "day job"? Two weeks right?

 

One month has worked for me in the past. Usually they have a sub within that time period.

 

SOP with me is 3 weeks, unless they're total douches,
or I'm getting hosed.
Then it's "Good Luck and thanks for all the fish"

 

I selected all booked gigs, but obviously that may not be feasible. I've known cover bands in my area to be booked for a year or more. obviously thats not reasonable. actually just heard a cover band in my area whose bass player told me they were booked on 135 shows over the next year has just broken up, roughly 4 months after him telling me. that's a pretty aggresive schedule, but dang i wish i had that oppurtunity.

 

As a musician who has given the notice. I would say minimum of 1 month, but would even consider more depending on how many gigs are booked and how your area is for talent to replace you.

As a BL I would prefer at least 1 month. I always have a backup plan with other musicians who are good and could be on call. I think all working bands especially cover/party bands should have a solid backup plan. We play corporate, weddings, and standing club gigs. So, we are always busy. I even have a back up for myself! A few years ago I had a wrist issue that required surgery and was out of playing for about 5 weeks. I had a backup play all 9 gigs during my time off.

 

When I left my long time band, we found a guy who could do it, and I stuck around for a few months and worked with him on songs until he was up to speed.

 

I wrote three months. Good bass players are hard to find around here. If I had the option to pick two answers I would have picked 2-3 months depending on the situation. I could not give my band a commitment to all the gigs booked since we book gigs six months in advance sometimes.

 

Someone brought up a good point that needs repeating. Regardless of how long you choose, you need to let the band know that your time frame for leaving the group is (more or less) non-negotiable. You don't want them assuming they can string you along for as long as they need/want to. Some people have found themselves getting stuck because they'll keep playing dates they originally disagreed to, and all along the band doesn't even bother looking for a new player because they know the current guy doesn't have the balls to leave.

 

It's a cover band...there's nothing you need to teach the next bassist, the songs already exist. If you want out now, then leave now. If you're in cool with these folks then give it 30 days for them to fill the chair.

 

I picked two months. Advertising for, auditioning, and selecting a new bassist, getting him up to speed on all the songs he has to learn, and rehearsing and getting him to gel with the band to the point he is ready to play good gigs is typically more than a one-month process.

 

And +1 to this.

I might come in for an hour one time to help with anything particularly tricky, but, for the most part, the material is all there for the next guy to do his thing. No help from the last guy should be needed.

That's why I picked it, too. It definitely takes time unless they have people already in line for the spot.

 

Considering how many times I've gotten four sets of music under my belt in a couple of weeks' time, I think a month is more than fair.

Can't find a replacement within a month? Cancel the bookings as soon as possible, as professionally as possible. Bands do it all the time, venue owners usually have a Plan B. Any band that has a good relationship with the venue owner and can deliver will still be on his rotation when the time comes.