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Double Bass "You forgot your tape?!"

Jack Clark

Jack Clark

Aug 17, 2008
1,022
14
Idyllwild, California
#1
Guitarist Bob Boss tells a funny (and a bit scary) story about a session he once did with a well-known group leader who got all over the case of one of the guys because he overhead him say that he had forgotten his tape. ("You come to a session, you bring your instrument, your . . . (etc., etc.) . . . your pencil, and your tape!")

Bob said he kept his mouth shut because he hadn't brought tape either. Apparently, this leader felt that a pro was expected to have his own cellophane tape on hand to tape together multiple sheets of music to a tune, as needed.

You pros ever run into this? What stuff like this is a pro expected to have with him when he reports to a session or gig?
 
#2
I played in a 9-piece band where everybody played from a pretty fat binder of charts, and somebody was always borrowing tape from somebody else. Pencils, too. After a while I started carrying a roll of gaffer tape, a spare 9v and a few AA batteries, a couple pens, a multi-tool, a flashlight, some granola bars, and all kinds of other items my bandmates were always forgetting.

Oh yeah, and I was the bongo player.
 
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#4
Tape lives in the bag, next to the _other_ tape! Oh, and the spare rosin, rockstop, tuner no one knows about (so it cant be borrowed) Couple Mechanical Pencils, a Realbook 5 and 6 and some sheet music. Whats another few pounds between friends? <G>
 
#8
Worst I ever did was forget my bow. A cellist lent me her bow. Luckily it was a pops concert, so there were nothing more than a few whole notes that weren't plucked.

Tape? I suppose it depends on the gig. There have been times when I showed up with scissors, tape, a glue stick, and even white out. That's unusual though. I don't think most players out there would agree to bring tape along even if it was requested. You hire me to play the notes, not to be your copyist and librarian.
 
#11
Yes! I keep a roll of the Scotch-brand tape at all times to repair charts, to put together loose leafs as handed out, and because this particular brand does not get gummy and separate over time. Yes, it is a must, just as much as a tuner, pencils, a rag or washcloth to keep everything wiped down, clothespins for an outdoor gig, backups of the rest of the personal gear, etc.
 
#18
I once forgot my black socks for a wedding gig and wore my tux with bare ankles the entire night. At the time, however, the Don-Johnson-Miami-Vice-pushed-up-jacket-sleeves-stubbly-face-shoes-no-socks look was in fashion, and no one gave it a second glance.

I play in a pick-up chamber orchestra that meets once a year for an annual music series at a local church…two rehearsals and a concert. Last year, I forgot my bow on the performance day. Luckily, the other bassist lived nearby and ran home and got his Glasser fiberglass for me to use.

Fast forward one year, at last week’s rehearsal, the other bassist grins smugly and mentions that he brought his Glasser “just in case.” “Very funny,” I said, “but you can bet I won’t be needing it this year.” Sure enough, I arrive the day of the concert, and my bow pocket is empty.

Rather than suffer the humiliation of asking the guy to use the Glasser, I tore home, retrieved my bow, and made it back just in time for the downbeat. Of course, bassist #2 knew what was up anyway and grinned evilly for the entire concert.
 

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