Would you allow the old guy to do one song?

[TwinBass]

I joined my last band when their previous bass player was moving out of town. The old bass player hung around a bit and showed me the songs. He was a great help getting me started with the music.

There was a show scheduled for the weekend before he moved. I had the songs learned and was ready to go when he and the other guys asked me if he could play that show. I was a little bit disappointed, but I agreed since he was such a help. Plus, I figured it would earn me some good favor with the new guys.

The show was a benefit for a local guy with MD, and it was a raging success. While my band was playing, I ran into a group of friends from college. In that group of friends was a sweet girl I didn't know. We instantly hit it off. 16 years later, we're married with kids and a house in the 'burbs.

The disappointment was temporary, but the little bit of good karma I earned payed off in the best possible way.

 

[jive1]

Another thing is to try to take a look at the positives.

- You never know, you might actually like the guy and become friends.
- You may need to miss a gig, and being friendly with the ex means that you have a ready sub in case.
- The guy has friends, and they may become fans of yours.
- You may have a friend who is looking for a bassist for their band, and you get to see how this guy sounds.
- You may have a breakdown of your gear, and he may happen to have something you can use in his car.
- He might recommend you to someone else who could use a bassist.
- If he's in another band, he might ask you to fill-in when he can't make a gig.
- He might want to buy that piece of gear that's been gathering dust in your house or he might give you a helluva deal on a piece of gear he has.

Alot of my friends are bass players, and we help each other out. If I were to see them all as 'competition', I'd miss out on some really cool people.

 

[FretNoMore]

Networking. I imagine it's a good strategy if you plan on making money.

 

[HolmeBass]

I'd do it. The biggest hurdle is cleared: does he know the tune. With that out of the way, it's all good will to be earned.

One band leader I work with did say to me once, "Bass just isn't a good 'sit-in' instrument." Realizing the reality of the bassist usually having to be right on top of every change, downbeat, every time. But like I said, this is not an issue in this situation, so take advantage of it.

I do agree with those who said bring it up after it happens more than once, like after the 3rd time, I'd bring it up with the band. Permanent sit-ins are only good if they play an instrument not already in the band.

 

[JoeWPgh]

Something I have not seen mentioned is this "old guy's" relationship to the other band members. If he's good friends with them, you don't have much of a choice. You have to grit your teeth and go along with it. If you pitch a b*&^h over it and they are thinking of replacing you, you are just giving them some ammo to do so with. Dude. It's ONE SONG! Play nice and be friendly. I understand that you are apprehensive and maybe a little insecure about the situation, but as they say, 'Never let them see you sweat'.

All that said, and for the comfort of all, he should bring his own bass. We are all different sizes and shapes, like our axes at different heights, etc. It would be better for his own comfort to bring his own bass.

 

[mellowinman]

Another thing is to try to take a look at the positives.

- You never know, you might actually like the guy and become friends.
- You may need to miss a gig, and being friendly with the ex means that you have a ready sub in case.
- The guy has friends, and they may become fans of yours.
- You may have a friend who is looking for a bassist for their band, and you get to see how this guy sounds.
- You may have a breakdown of your gear, and he may happen to have something you can use in his car.
- He might recommend you to someone else who could use a bassist.
- If he's in another band, he might ask you to fill-in when he can't make a gig.
- He might want to buy that piece of gear that's been gathering dust in your house or he might give you a helluva deal on a piece of gear he has.

Alot of my friends are bass players, and we help each other out. If I were to see them all as 'competition', I'd miss out on some really cool people.

Our drummer gave us a date he couldn't play. A club we had been trying to book at forever offered us that date. We took that date, and used the previous drummer as a sub. Now, there are reasons the previous drummer is not our current drummer, but using him as a sub is all right. We would prefer to use our real drummer, but he's the band whore that's in more than one band, and we have to book what we can.

Life is like that.

It's not a big deal.

 

[ChrisB2]

All that said, and for the comfort of all, he should bring his own bass. We are all different sizes and shapes, like our axes at different heights, etc. It would be better for his own comfort to bring his own bass.

LOL. Yes. As I said in my first post, I deal with this issue, except "Tony" in my situation is a rather short dude. I'm 6'4" and play with my right arm hanging loose, like your hand is in your pocket. Most guitar straps won't work for me, I need the extra long jobbies. I let "Tony" play his one song and he uses my bass... it's kinda comical to watch him struggle to get both hands on the instrument.

 

[zephyr_words]

I've let the old bass players play in all the bands where I replaced someone. I've also been allowed to play in bands where I left.

It's a lot of fun both ways. I usually let them pick out 3 songs beforehand and that's what I usually get to do as well. One song is too quick and interrupts the flow of the show a bit too much with the player/bass switching.

 

[bassinplace]

I wouldn't have a problem with it at all. I don't see why anyone would. This is done at shows on a semi-regular basis, it's not anything weird or out of the blue.