Sick of playing rock and roll - other options?

[turf3]

Yes, Zydeco, which is NOT the same as Cajun! (I'll tell the truth, the distinction kinda escapes me.)

Check this one out!

Especially from about 10:02 when Madame Landry takes over the bass duties and shows us all HOW IT'S DONE. And I've seen a lot of musicians performing, but I think those smiles are genuine.

 

[ardgedee]

As an example, I always thought I would LOVE Irish music. Hey, I'm a flute player, I'm Irish in heritage, this will be right up my alley. Well, I found out I really don't care for it much, certainly not enough to ever get involved in playing it. On the other hand, I figured bluegrass was just some more of that hick stuff, then I got involved and found out I love playing bluegrass. Set your preconceived notions aside, get a playlist, and start listening. Not to the same stuff you've been playing and burned out on; DIFFERENT stuff. You might find Conjunto button accordion is the thing you REALLY want to do.

Good examples. There can be styles of music that don't really hit you hard as a listener but can be a total blast to play.

In athletics there's the concept of cross training: working out muscles that aren't as important to your primary sport because they can still help you in less obvious ways. Competitive cyclists will go running or weight lifting, for example. It's possible that doing something that's not your strong suit for a while will get you over whatever obstacle, physical or psychological, that's making your main gig not that much fun any more.

 

[brianrost]

Yes, Zydeco, which is NOT the same as Cajun! (I'll tell the truth, the distinction kinda escapes me.)

The simple answer is Cajun is the music of Acadian Americans (who are white) and Zydeco is an African American style. Both are primarily music for dancing and the dance styles are different.

There’s been a lot of cross pollination since the 1970s leading to shared repertoire which is probably why most new listeners get confused. Many Cajun bands today will play zydeco tunes and there are all-white zydeco bands (I’m guilty of playing in a few here in New England). Modern zydeco bands draw from blues, reggae, funk and hip-hop.

Nathan Abshire (Cajun) from the 1950s, this is the original version of Pine Grove Blues. Notice the steel guitar! Drums but no bass, just accordion, fiddle and guitar plus someone playing a triangle.



Beau Jocque (Zydeco) from the 90s covering the same song. No fiddle and electric guitars and bass.



Lost Bayou Ramblers (Cajun) heavily amplified in the 21st century

 

[Doug P]

I’ll say this. Not knowing anything about your skill level, I’ve played for many many years too, but……. Find a band you like that would make you “work it”. Zeppelin, Rush, Dream Theatre…… whatever. Buy a 5 or 6 string if your a 4 banger guy. Change up your rig. There are many things I’m sure that could challenge you musically, right ??
There are only so many notes on your bass. It goes back to your likes in music. It would be hard for me to play music I’m not into. I did it for the last 14 years kinda. But I enjoyed my band mates and playing to a good crowd and making a little $$. I had fun with my rig. I’m not into pedals and thus not a lot to play with for me anyway. But I found a way. I’ll shut up. Take a break from playing. I did. I haven’t picked up a bass in over a year except to wipe the dust off the ones I have on a stand in the “little room “. Not one song. Just stopped. I miss my buddy’s and rehearsals as much as the stage. Hey, only you know !

 

[factory presets]

Yes, Zydeco, which is NOT the same as Cajun! (I'll tell the truth, the distinction kinda escapes me.)

Check this one out!

Especially from about 10:02 when Madame Landry takes over the bass duties and shows us all HOW IT'S DONE. And I've seen a lot of musicians performing, but I think those smiles are genuine.

Difference is more a spectrum than a Berlin wall. But the zydeco I've heard tends to be bluesier than Cajun music. Witness the fiddle in your example. Great video BTW. Can't hear the bass in my phone but are you sure they're not smiling coz the squeezebox came out?

 

[brianrost]

Difference is more a spectrum than a Berlin wall. But the zydeco I've heard tends to be bluesier than Cajun music.

Today it’s a spectrum but not six decades ago.

Zydeco is bluesier because African Americans were playing it. Clifton Chenier was the best known zydeco player back in the 50s and 60s and his albums sounded like a blues band with an accordion. He recorded for blues labels like Specialty, Alligator and Arhoolie.

This one has Elvin Bishop on guitar!

 

[hbarcat]

I played electric bass on ocassional gigs as a trio with a fingerstyle acoustic guitar player and a drummer. We played mostly in the "Americana" genre.

Americana (music) - Wikipedia

I would have liked to make it a full time job but moved out of state and had to abandon it.

A few things I liked about those gigs was they tended to be in higher class venues than the rock cover bands I usually play in, they tend to be at more modest volume levels (I hate playing on a stage that's too loud), and my take home pay is usually more because it's only a 3 piece band instead of the usual 4 and 5 piece rock band.

Setlists also tend to be more flexible because you can add songs that are in other genres (like pop, country, folk, and of course, rock), and audiences appreciate it if you make your own unique arrangements to familiar songs. For example, we played a version of Rocky Mountain High by John Denver and really rocked it out and crowds always went nuts for it. Beatles songs are almost always a sure hit.

Many songs in the Americana genre are acoustic only, so not having to learn a lot of vocal parts might be a plus to some people.

The challenge is finding a really talented acoustic guitarist. It's nearly impossible to successfully pull this off with a mediocre guitarist.

Here's a random example of the style with Tommy Emmanuel:

 

[51PRI]

I think this is KILLER!

 

[5StringBlues]

I think this is KILLER!

Speedy on bass! Fun guy, we played the Smithsonian Folklife festival with those guys back around 2009.

 

[4StringDave]

I played briefly in a 70s Soul band. Lots of Al Green and Bill Withers etc.

It was a nice break from the usual rock stuff

 

[Bunk McNulty]

Indonesian Angklung Band playing "When The Saints" aboard a tourist boat on the Rhine.

 

[Ostie]

I’m no longer interested in playing loud music. I play in two acoustic trios with guitar, bass and mandolin (me). I also play cajon, congas and djembe. We play everything from Bluegrass to folk, pop, Beatles, REM, and acoustic 90s rock. It’s easier on my ears and less equipment to haul around. The audience likes it cuz they can still have a conversation with their friends. There’s more venues including brew pubs, beer gardens, farm markets, patios, etc.

 

[MrLenny1]

Went thru the same issue years ago so I got into Jazz fusion because it has elements of rock, funk,jazz etc. Really enjoyed it but could not find anyone or anyplace to play out. Went back to lessons and reading.

 

[buldog5151bass]

I'm 59. At this point, gigging isn't as important to me - playing with good musicians is, even if a lot of the time it's in someone's house. Tough to book good jazz, but some amazing musicians out there.

 

[friskinator]

It’s been awhile since I started this thread, and at this point, it’s been 8 months since I’ve played a gig or played with anyone else. It has honestly been fine. I really haven’t missed it, and I don’t plan on actively looking for something else.

That being said, I’ve occasionally looked at the usual outlets for finding musical situations (CL, etc), and yup, it’s all the same as it ever was in my area. Dad bands in the ‘burbs playing classic rock/blues looking for someone to fill the bass slot. Or people looking to fill a space in their 80s/90s tribute act that has recurring gigs at the local wing joints. Been there, done that, never again.

 

[Watchootognbout]

Try this for a while.

 

[Dlew919]

It’s been awhile since I started this thread, and at this point, it’s been 8 months since I’ve played a gig or played with anyone else. It has honestly been fine. I really haven’t missed it, and I don’t plan on actively looking for something else.

That being said, I’ve occasionally looked at the usual outlets for finding musical situations (CL, etc), and yup, it’s all the same as it ever was in my area. Dad bands in the ‘burbs playing classic rock/blues looking for someone to fill the bass slot. Or people looking to fill a space in their 80s/90s tribute act that has recurring gigs at the local wing joints. Been there, done that, never again.

And that’s ok. Are you playing at home? Maybe that becomes your outlet? Home recording?

 

[friskinator]

And that’s ok. Are you playing at home? Maybe that becomes your outlet? Home recording?

No. I’ve never been much of an at home player. I get bored with that after about 5 minutes. Plenty of people do it and enjoy it, but it’s not for me.

 

[Pocket Dave]

It’s been awhile since I started this thread, and at this point, it’s been 8 months since I’ve played a gig or played with anyone else. It has honestly been fine. I really haven’t missed it, and I don’t plan on actively looking for something else.

That being said, I’ve occasionally looked at the usual outlets for finding musical situations (CL, etc), and yup, it’s all the same as it ever was in my area. Dad bands in the ‘burbs playing classic rock/blues looking for someone to fill the bass slot. Or people looking to fill a space in their 80s/90s tribute act that has recurring gigs at the local wing joints. Been there, done that, never again.

No. I’ve never been much of an at home player. I get bored with that after about 5 minutes. Plenty of people do it and enjoy it, but it’s not for me.

Dad bands? Heck son, wait 'til you start playing with the grampa bands.

So you're saying it's fine that you don't have a reason to pick up your bass and play?

Could your occasional CL viewing mean you haven't quite completely given up on the idea?

If that's the case - What's your local jam scene like?

My personal experience with CL, and want ads in the era before the internet, has never been productive other than one time in 1983. Every time since then has been comical at best; ALL my productive gigs since then have been a result of networking, getting calls from people I knew, getting out and about on the scene.

Sunday nights here in DFW, there's a jam in Addison I try to make every 2-3 weeks. I've lost track of how many decent gigs with good musicians I've gotten from attending this jam over the past 15 years, including a nice weekly residence at another venue that lasted 3 years. Most recently, I picked up a gig this coming Saturday.

This was Sunday, June 9 - I stopped by on my way home from an afternoon gig. Musicians include University-of-Havana-trained-on-percussion drummer, Idalberto Perdomo, whom I work with whenever I'm so blessed.

 

[friskinator]

Dad bands? Heck son, wait 'til you start playing with the grampa bands.

So you're saying it's fine that you don't have a reason to pick up your bass and play?

Could your occasional CL viewing mean you haven't quite completely given up on the idea?

If that's the case - What's your local jam scene like?

My personal experience with CL, and want ads in the era before the internet, has never been productive other than one time in 1983. Every time since then has been comical at best; ALL my productive gigs since then have been a result of networking, getting calls from people I knew, getting out and about on the scene.

Sunday nights here in DFW, there's a jam in Addison I try to make every 2-3 weeks. I've lost track of how many decent gigs with good musicians I've gotten from attending this jam over the past 15 years, including a nice weekly residence at another venue that lasted 3 years. Most recently, I picked up a gig this coming Saturday.

This was Sunday, June 9 - I stopped by on my way home from an afternoon gig. Musicians include University-of-Havana-trained-on-percussion drummer, Idalberto Perdomo, whom I work with whenever I'm so blessed.

Yeah, it's fine with me that I don't have a reason to pick up my bass and play. I don't really think about it.

I actually do know a lot of local musicians, but again, they're all involved in stuff I don't want to do. At this stage, I think it's best for me to retire. The thought of that really doesn't bother me at all. I had a good run (almost 40 years), and if it's over, that's cool with me.