So yet another band I'm in has split after about 6 months and I'm starting to question if going through all the hassle of being in a working band is worth the trouble. Maybe my time would be better spent attending jam sessions and brushing up on my chops.
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It may take several tries to get the right combination of people. And even then, it's tough to keep a band together. I'm in a small market. I have a few guys that I've played with for years, off and on, in different groups and different genres. If you want to play in a band, keep at it. It should pay off some day.
Been playing longterm with just a couple bands for over 30 years. There were a couple 1 to 2 year short stints w/ various groups thrown in as well.
Very lucky to collaborate with musicians who stay[ed] focused on the band's goal.
Very lucky to collaborate with musicians who stay[ed] focused on the band's goal
Humans can be some of the weirdest people.
I finally found a couple of groups that don't make me want to become an "active shooter situation" ..... or ASS. (What? That's an acronym.)
It's hard though. I love fill-in gigs. It's kind of like being the "cool uncle". You get to play with them and then give them, and all of their drama, back to their regular guy.
I finally found a couple of groups that don't make me want to become an "active shooter situation" ..... or ASS. (What? That's an acronym.)
It's hard though. I love fill-in gigs. It's kind of like being the "cool uncle". You get to play with them and then give them, and all of their drama, back to their regular guy.
I've done a few fill in gigs. I like them as well. No drama, I usually get to learn some new songs, get some cash and be on my way.
Right now, and subject to change at a moments notice-
House band at a really nice club.
Jazz/standards/loungey 5 piece.
My own rock/drivin' blues band 1000 Pounds of Sound.
Subbing in a top 40 band.
Subbing in a blues combo.
A couple of these are just for a few bookings, but as I tick them off my list, others will have appeared.
House band at a really nice club.
Jazz/standards/loungey 5 piece.
My own rock/drivin' blues band 1000 Pounds of Sound.
Subbing in a top 40 band.
Subbing in a blues combo.
A couple of these are just for a few bookings, but as I tick them off my list, others will have appeared.
i'm still a gigging bassist, but i've slowed down considerably (relocation+age). i play fewer gigs, but: i tend to enjoy them more these days than when my schedule was always filled. maybe it's more of a 'stop and smell the roses' thing/pace.
Haven't been gigging much at all over the last year or so. In fact, I've had three gigs since January last year; two were benefits, and one was an actual paying gig. I used to play regularly, sometimes as much as 4 or 5 gigs a week, in addition to working a day job. I also used to do fairly regular fill-in gigs. I've gotten away from that in the last few years, and have been spending more time working on my own projects in my home studio. Honestly, I really don't miss it that much. The money was always a nice supplement, but I really don't need it now. I certainly don't miss the drama that inevitably comes with playing in a band, be it from other members and their significant others, or the various parasites that can't seem to keep themselves away from musicians.
No check box for past tense stuff.
I used to regularly gig, now no action.
I used to regularly gig, now no action.
For me, being clear about your intentions from the get-go has been good for not having the band end in a big fiery mess. It's also pretty easy to see if things are going south if you're looking and not forcing it to work.
Originals bands are always tough because people are so emotionally tied to songs, but if you can find the right people when songs come together it's the best.
Look for reasons to leave rather than reasons to stay. If the reasons to leave are just glaring, it's probably not going to work and you'll be able to tell early. If the reasons to leave aren't really tied to the members or the music, it's probably going OK.
Originals bands are always tough because people are so emotionally tied to songs, but if you can find the right people when songs come together it's the best.
Look for reasons to leave rather than reasons to stay. If the reasons to leave are just glaring, it's probably not going to work and you'll be able to tell early. If the reasons to leave aren't really tied to the members or the music, it's probably going OK.
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Blues band that rehearses a lot, plays out, not so much; duo with bandmate doing local cafe & farmers markets sporadically; just joined a new country band, but were not in rehearsals yet and, finally, working on another project specifically for benefits - we'll go by the name of 'Charity Case'. As you can see, a lot of effort and little return, other than the pleasure of playing with some pretty good people! It's only rock & roll, but I like it!
I play 4 string, 5 string, fretless and upright basses in a mostly original San Francisco based rock band called Fog Swamp (Fogswamp.com).
I play 5 string bass in a new Grateful Dead Tribute act called "Ted & Company."
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I also play guitars and mandolins in several other SF based bands covering Bluegrass, Swing Jazz, Music for Kids and more....
I play 5 string bass in a new Grateful Dead Tribute act called "Ted & Company."
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I also play guitars and mandolins in several other SF based bands covering Bluegrass, Swing Jazz, Music for Kids and more....
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You need an option for, “Yes, I am a freelancer who plays for many bands in all types of situations.”
I WAS in a gigging band, but haven't had a gig since NYE. The guitar player had an offer to be a tech for a national touring band for the spring so he went off and did that. I can't blame him, but leaves the rest of us just sitting around waiting.
I'm a basing giggist in that I play in a gigging band, but will sub on guitar, keys, drums, vocals and/or bass.
Yes. And a gigging guitarist when needed. Not my main income, I'm not a professional musician. I'm almost 49, my prime is long gone but it was - and still is - a fun rock n roll ride 
Whether it's worth it or not completely depends on the band and your situation. I'm in a band that plays 3-5 times a month, pays (not a ton, but every time) and requires no rehearsal. That fits the amount of time I have to be in a band and my desire for a bit of extra spending cash. If any of those factors weren't in place I might not be in that band.
Your rubric may be completely different, but it's still a matter of finding a fit or deciding it's not something that fits your life right now.
Good luck whatever you decide.
Being in a band is more than a musical challenge, and there’s no substitute for the experience. Improving chops is a great thing to do — always — but learning how to be in a band, work with others, anticipate drama, and make it work can only be learned by being in a band, or rather, being in several bands. The worst band members are usually those who have not been in bands a lot; their expectations are often unrealistic.