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Would you take this gig?

#86
If I got this right...

Expectations are low
Time spent to prep is low
Potential for trainwreck is high
Potential for learning is low (I'm not in the camp that thinks trainwrecks are valuable learning experiences)
Still gotta haul the gear...

"I'd do it for fiddy dolla!"
(Willing to negotiate down to a twenty and a good meal.)


baddarryl said:
... the singer generally decides why to play on the fly.
Click to expand...

So he's just off sitting in a corner thinking "Why are we here?" "What's the meaning of life?" "What's the point of doing anything?" "Is it all meaningless?" "What do I mean when I mean meaniningless?" "OH HEY! A MICROPHONE!"
 
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#88
OP, maybe I missed it but how much time do you have before the gig? If you’re set on doing it and have the time, talk to whomever you think can put together a somewhat comprehensive list of their song collective, and quick. Its not an unreasonable request.

How well do you know your fingerboard? Can you mentally hear a melody and immediately translate it to your fingers with little or no fumbling around? If someone shouts out a key/Roman numerals, can you react accordingly and quickly?

How well do you really listen to other’s parts? It’s a bit surprising how many folks don’t. Doing this well helps immensely. Play along with a variety of unfamiliar songs, not with the intent to memorize but rather to work on translating quick mental listening to putting something passable down on the fingerboard. Take note of how fast you can fall into a groove, even if it’s not the exact passages.

I hate to throw a little stress in, but playing without a drummer turns you into the next best rhythm master. Fumbling around in this scenario is amplified without the cover of drums, so one has to do their level best to not “rattle” the band’s rhythmic groove. Even if you have to resort to the occasional light touch on notes you’re not sure of so as to avoid the blaring clam, keeping a strong fundamental rhythmic bottom is mucho importante. Searching around is a powerful disrupter.

All the best if you decide to do it, and prepare to be very worn out as a result. But man, this kind of playing is LIVING!
 
#89
baddarryl said:
Op here: Thanks everyone. Set list or forget it.
Click to expand...
That's fair.

As long as it's not challenging music that I've probably heard before I'm fine playing songs I've not played before but I NEED the chords for the songs. My bandleader frequently pulls out tunes at gigs that I've never seen before but he's always got the chords for us and our works. I'd do the gig without a setlist if they had a book.
 
#90
baddarryl said:
My wife’s boss is having his annual party and the regular band’s bassist can’t make it (a trio with no drums (I think)). Through a serious of obscure events they have asked me to sit in. There is no set list and though say they’ll try to find common ground the singer generally decides why to play on the fly.

Now I am in the mediocre bassist club and am certainly no gigging pro with 300 covers under my belt. That being said I can play and know quite a few. My weakness is improv and “jamming” though. I have only played a few live gigs and am considering this as a huge learning experience among friends. Reminds me of an open mic I did once where I played 3 songs I didn’t know. Oh yeah, I have never played with these dudes before and only am vaguely aware of the material they play. They said I can just play as much or as little as I want. Train wreck or possible Gold Star memories? Lol!
Click to expand...

if you know what guitar chord shapes look like, put yourself in a position to see the guitarist's neck and you should be fine
 
#93
Do it.
baddarryl said:
Oh yeah, I have never played with these dudes before and only am vaguely aware of the material they play.
Click to expand...
In this day and age, just quickly look up chords etc. from Dr. Google on the fly. if you need to. I've done exactly this sort of thing before, just used my phone to look deets up as I went.
I would tell them tho, give me 10 songs to learn before I will accept the gig.
 
#95
baddarryl said:
My wife’s boss is having his annual party and the regular band’s bassist can’t make it (a trio with no drums (I think)). Through a serious of obscure events they have asked me to sit in. There is no set list and though say they’ll try to find common ground the singer generally decides why to play on the fly.

Now I am in the mediocre bassist club and am certainly no gigging pro with 300 covers under my belt. That being said I can play and know quite a few. My weakness is improv and “jamming” though. I have only played a few live gigs and am considering this as a huge learning experience among friends. Reminds me of an open mic I did once where I played 3 songs I didn’t know. Oh yeah, I have never played with these dudes before and only am vaguely aware of the material they play. They said I can just play as much or as little as I want. Train wreck or possible Gold Star memories? Lol!
Click to expand...
Shouldn't be a problem have them do some chord charts for songs you don't know. I wouldn't go with the old " I'll call out the chords for you bit" because if they don't it can get a bit dicey :)
 
#98
I’ve done a few “winging it” gigs, some were great, some were disasters.

But in all of them i didn’t know/ have any link to the audience. So worst case scenario, consider how things might be for your wife if you stink the place up!
 

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