at least we have musicI mean the world itself is going to hell in a bucket, but atleast I'm happy musically
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Anyone Else in the "Sweet Spot" of their Musical Endeavors?
- Thread starter neddyrow
- Start date
our fiddle player just had a baby and getting to hang with us for a few hours a week is therapeutic for him
Same boat here: couldn't be happier than since 10 years. After struggling with bands as everybody with diva singers, Gods of the guitar, deaf drummes, etc, i've found my perfect balance:
One band is a comtemporary jazz 4 tet with drums, keys, sax. Nice guys, good to hang with, always positive about trying new things, listening each other, no ego trip. So good with these guys than i've started to learn reading and writing music sheets after 30 years of ears only; to be able to compose things for this band. We make some cover our ways, and started to add few compositions in the set. Few gigs per year and 2 rehearsals per month: perfect rythm compliant with my day job.
The second band is an afro-ska-reggae band. My wife was one singer' daughter nanny. He proposed me to sub one gig, then a seconde one, a third .. rest is history. 6 pieces with 3 singers, keys, guitar, percussions, drums, all originals. Two of the guys are not fun 100% of time, but there's no drama and good relationship. Few gigs per year and one or two rehearsal per year too: tunes are the same since 20 years. We have added two tunes since 2/3 years and will certainly work on others this year. Each gig is a blast of fun with everybody dancing. Very energetic music.
So at final, few gigs a year for each band is my perfect balance: i still have time to pursue my personal and spiritual path through Music: i need time to play my instrument alone, to work on my musicality, discover others music, transcribe music, read about music, compose things, and feed my playing and my soul with all of that.
One band is a comtemporary jazz 4 tet with drums, keys, sax. Nice guys, good to hang with, always positive about trying new things, listening each other, no ego trip. So good with these guys than i've started to learn reading and writing music sheets after 30 years of ears only; to be able to compose things for this band. We make some cover our ways, and started to add few compositions in the set. Few gigs per year and 2 rehearsals per month: perfect rythm compliant with my day job.
The second band is an afro-ska-reggae band. My wife was one singer' daughter nanny. He proposed me to sub one gig, then a seconde one, a third .. rest is history. 6 pieces with 3 singers, keys, guitar, percussions, drums, all originals. Two of the guys are not fun 100% of time, but there's no drama and good relationship. Few gigs per year and one or two rehearsal per year too: tunes are the same since 20 years. We have added two tunes since 2/3 years and will certainly work on others this year. Each gig is a blast of fun with everybody dancing. Very energetic music.
So at final, few gigs a year for each band is my perfect balance: i still have time to pursue my personal and spiritual path through Music: i need time to play my instrument alone, to work on my musicality, discover others music, transcribe music, read about music, compose things, and feed my playing and my soul with all of that.
Nope. I moved to a different city for work last year and am back to scrubby bar gigs for now. It takes a few years to get established in a new scene.
After 50 year, our sweet spot is a little rough…I just listened to the recording as well as watching the videos my wife took from our gig last week, and granted it’s out of context While it was receipted very well by the audience, visually we are not (ahem) the most exciting act in town musically execution has gone down significantly over the last 10 years.
Personally, in my 72nd year I’m a shell of what I was and not so sure I’m going to continue much longer. We have one more gig on the books for this year next month, I’ll see how it goes, then make a decision if I go another year.
I think I'm in a pretty sweet spot.
1. I play in a cover band that is pretty popular. We play when we want/can and can say no when we can't. We all have families and kids from toddler to high school so life can get busy. Family comes first. We have annual gigs from festivals to private parties that are great for exposure, pay well and are fun to do. We get along. Everyone is a good musician. Everyone helps with load in/out. We've been together for 8 years. I have played with the drummer in other bands for close to 20 years.
2. That same group also plays at church for the contemporary service on Sunday's. Steady paid gig.
3. I occasionally (wish it were a little more) play in a jazz groups made up of various players, sometimes from the cover band, sometimes others, for various "background music" type gigs.
4. I also occasionally (wish it were a little more) play with a husband/wife singer/songwriter duo that does originals and covers.
I was just telling my wife after a weekend of 3 different gigs that if I could have a weekend (or spread out over a week) like that - variety and decent money - every week and was retired from my day job, I would be pretty happy. Without the day job, I'd even be willing to do more. Sadly, where I live that just isn't an option.
1. I play in a cover band that is pretty popular. We play when we want/can and can say no when we can't. We all have families and kids from toddler to high school so life can get busy. Family comes first. We have annual gigs from festivals to private parties that are great for exposure, pay well and are fun to do. We get along. Everyone is a good musician. Everyone helps with load in/out. We've been together for 8 years. I have played with the drummer in other bands for close to 20 years.
2. That same group also plays at church for the contemporary service on Sunday's. Steady paid gig.
3. I occasionally (wish it were a little more) play in a jazz groups made up of various players, sometimes from the cover band, sometimes others, for various "background music" type gigs.
4. I also occasionally (wish it were a little more) play with a husband/wife singer/songwriter duo that does originals and covers.
I was just telling my wife after a weekend of 3 different gigs that if I could have a weekend (or spread out over a week) like that - variety and decent money - every week and was retired from my day job, I would be pretty happy. Without the day job, I'd even be willing to do more. Sadly, where I live that just isn't an option.
I'm pretty happy where I am. Found a couple of guys a few years ago with similar sensibilities and tastes. We seem to only play one gig a year, the annual alley party where I used to live (last year was the 18th, depending on who you're talking too), but we get together for pure improv. Once in a great while we'll brutalize some poor song, but mostly we make it all up as we go and I'm happier than I've ever been musically.
Enjoy it while you have it. It won't last forever. I'm also fortunate to be in the same band for coming up on 15 years. Everything is seamless with setup and teardown. We play probably more than I really want to. Back to back this Fri and Sat and again next week. We have the luxury of turning down gigs that don't pay. It's a good spot. Next issue will be age related as the drummer is starting to have some stamina problems at 73. He still pulls it off but i don't know for how long. Time marches on.
skyline_01
Endorsing artist: Nordstrand Audio, Tsunami Cables
Although I'm at a bit of an all-time low with gigs ATM, I feel like I'm in a sweet spot of sorts.
I've been in an originals+cover band (Endive, Cincinnati) with good friends for ~20 years on and off. Even when gigs are slow we have fun playing and appreciate the time we spend together.
Also, a couple years ago I met a very talented, young singer/guitarist/writer/producer/engineer (Coburn) and her kickass drummer, Brandon. Since then I've done many gigs with them in surrounding states and we've become good pals. I'm about to record bass for her newest demos and we'll likely tour the new material sometime next year.
In addition, I'm part of an online band called Emerald City Council and we put out our first album earlier this year. All remote recording, with members spread out in different states. Two of them are family of well-known artists, which is like a cool little cherry on top.
Yes on this !!Nobody wants to hear how good you have it.
We want sagas of dysfunctional bands with lazy, delusional, passive-aggressive or downright psychotic members.
Been there. Got to weed through a lot of trash before you find the hidden gems of musicians. Then you have to convince them to let them join is also a battle.
We are in a very similar place, you and I. Heck, I even played "Sweet Home Alabama" last month and oddly enjoyed myself.
Sound like what I want to do when I'm retired! I love the Rhodes jazz sounds!
I agree on not missing the negatives. I haven’t played in a traditional 4 set bar band since 2007. So many other negs I could mention, but ultimately I needed a new scene, IMO.
I’m in a much better place now musically, financially and health wise since now I’m waking up to a sunrise vs just crawling into bed when those first rays are filtering in.
I don't care about tightening my belt due to retirement, I just want Bass stuff.
Ill give up things to keep the money to buy guitar stuff. Lets just say, my shoes last longer than they used to.
OP, happy for you that you've found such a solid gig! Love hearing stories of 'things are actually good!'
I'm pretty happy as well. I'm in a trio that plays covers from all over the musical map - our guitarist/BL is great at creating a set list. The other two guys are great dudes and we have fun at our weekly rehearsals. I'm about to turn 50 and I think my playing is as good as it's ever been, because I haven't played this much since probably college. I do wish our gigs paid better, we are still doing the bar scene, albeit usually in the evening sets, not 8-12 or 9-1. But we are doing this because it's fun, not for income. But you know, gig money = gear money
On the non-paid front, a friend puts together a really well-run monthly jam session with a lot of advanced-level players, and it's generally a blast. Each month the theme changes (90's alternative, Americana, Classic Rock, Horn Section Night, etc.), so I get to learn/play songs and artists that I likely wouldn't have, so it's good to keep the ear training up to speed, and the 'music community' aspect is great as well.
I'm pretty happy as well. I'm in a trio that plays covers from all over the musical map - our guitarist/BL is great at creating a set list. The other two guys are great dudes and we have fun at our weekly rehearsals. I'm about to turn 50 and I think my playing is as good as it's ever been, because I haven't played this much since probably college. I do wish our gigs paid better, we are still doing the bar scene, albeit usually in the evening sets, not 8-12 or 9-1. But we are doing this because it's fun, not for income. But you know, gig money = gear money
On the non-paid front, a friend puts together a really well-run monthly jam session with a lot of advanced-level players, and it's generally a blast. Each month the theme changes (90's alternative, Americana, Classic Rock, Horn Section Night, etc.), so I get to learn/play songs and artists that I likely wouldn't have, so it's good to keep the ear training up to speed, and the 'music community' aspect is great as well.
We RARELY do bar gigs, thank goodness. When we do we call the shots like start and end time.
I am the oldest at 58. Next closest is about 12 years younger. A far cry from 73, but eventually my age will be a factor - if we're still together. I did get a hip replacement this summer and it has effected how much I can do at load in/out. I don't like not doing as much but it is what it is. Hopefully it'll get better as I'm only 3 months out of surgery. I can still lay out cables, wrap cables, put clamps on lights, etc.
I put the time and effort into my current band and now it’s on auto-pilot… which is a great thing. Without much work I’m making really good money pretty much every weekend. This allows me to spend time moonlighting with other bands on drums from time to time…. So no complaints here.
Yes. A couple years ago I quit my band at the time because I didn't like the music, didn't like the musicians, didn't like the audience, and wasn't making any money. No redeeming value. Suffered alone for a couple years until my current situation, which has good musicians, good people, great understanding and use of technology, professionalism, a drummer that is easily the best I've played with in 30 years, and is rocketing upwards into the best gigs in our area faster than any band I've seen. Super happy.
Hmm, is he speaking a Cote d'Ivoire dialect? Or is Languedoc + accent really that different from what we use in Lebanon?