blue

[quote name='Bobthedog' timestamp='1444344193' post='2882528'] I enjoy your threads as they are thought provoking, however, to accuse a bedroom player as taking the easy way out comes across as if they are wrong. They are not, they may just have a differing view or ability to yours. Personally, anyone (and I am not saying you do) who gigs for the applause comes across to me as being insecure, but that does not make it wrong or worse than someone who plays for their own enjoyment in a bedroom. Different strokes for different folks. I like the idea of playing in a band, but I could not care a hoot if there is no audience or money in it. [/quote] You have touched on multiple issues here. OK, [i]"taking the easy way out"[/i] may have been a little harsh. But isn't sitting in your bedroom playing easier than dealing with all the issues the gigging bass guitarist has to deal with? The appreciation of applause to fulfill insecurities. I think that's a far reach for most. I would think the insecure one might chose the bedroom over the stage. Audience and money are the fruits of your effort. No shame for those of us that are compensated for our efforts just like any other field of work. No shame for those of us that did the crowd work to generate an audience for a product. Those that have no value for the audience or money is really a different kind of musician. OK, this is where we do agree, "Different Strokes For Different Strokes". I agree, I don't clearly understand it, but I agree. Blue

[quote name='Slipperydick' timestamp='1444344337' post='2882529'] Whats woodshedding ? Not a term I've heard before. [/quote] Really, that's sort of an issue in itself. Wood Shedding refers to heavy duty practicing usually hours on end to get your chops up to speed or to maintain and manage your chops. Normally occurs in the basement or bedroom. Blue

[quote name='Marvin' timestamp='1444344506' post='2882531'] Gigs don't pay enough for me to play material that would make me cringe. If all that's on offer is playing Sex on Fire etc, I'll go fishing. [/quote] Another thing about gigging, you don't have to play for low pay and you don't have to play material that makes you cringe. I don't. However, you do have to put the effort and research into finding the right gigging band for you. I think a lot of guys join bands without giving a lot of thought into specifically what they want out of a band experience. Is it going to be easy to find the right gigging opportunity, "NO". This might be a topic we want to revisit in another thread. Blue

[quote name='peteb' timestamp='1444344164' post='2882527'] Dude - you are getting old... [/quote] Man, did I walk into that one. Oh well, seeing that I'm well into what very well may be the longest dry spell of my life, wood shedding is the only game in my bedroom. Maybe I can break the spell this weekend. Blue

[quote name='leschirons' timestamp='1444342965' post='2882517'] But people who only want to play in the bedroom, don't give a sh*t about standing or having to play with a live drummer, that's the point Blue, not everyone wants to do what you do and probably 75% of them don't need the money. Folks just do what suits them. [/quote] All I'm saying is playing in the bedroom is still taking the easy way out. Just because a guy doesn't care about the inconveniences of gigging doesn't change that. Do your saying the skill set it takes to be a live gigging musician is the same as the bedroom player? Blue

[quote name='BassTractor' timestamp='1444342565' post='2882512'] I always liked gigging, but now I'm starting to doubt. Maybe there are good reasons to be in the bedroom. Stuff that happens in the bedroom happens there! [/quote] For me, the bedroom is good for woodsheding and only woodsheding. Blue

[quote name='Slipperydick' timestamp='1444310810' post='2882126'] One of the best guitar players I know only ever did one gig, didn't enjoy it and hasn't done one since. Just sits at home jamming along to his 70s albums. His one gig wasnt a total disaster either, I know, cos it was my first gig as well. It was NYE, Good money and a friendly crowd. I cant help thinking all those bedroom players daydream about gigging though, and as for recording stuff to play back just to yourseelf. Eh ? Why ? [/quote] TBH, some very good musicians are lazy. I know one excellent guitarist that would never even be able to handle the audition process. There's a lot of stuff we as gigging musicians have to learn to put up with and adapt to. Playing at home by yourself is pretty easy. Blue

[quote name='chris_b' timestamp='1444306969' post='2882071'] If you want to learn a language put away the book and talk to people from that country. As a bass player you only get "match fit" by playing live and in front of an audience. I learnt bass so I could join a band and gig. I practice a new number when one gets added to the set and so far this year I've only rehearsed 3 times, for a new band. For me the only reason to play bass is to gig. The other buzz is when a good player says, "Well played". It's R4 or the World Service for me on the way home. [/quote] Thing about playing at home, your always playing under damn near perfect conditions. Playing to a perfect tempo,playing along to recordings made by the best in the business, playing in a sitting position. None of that happens at live gigs.There's a completely different learning curve you have to master to play live. Stuff that doesn't happen in the bedroom. Blue

[quote name='Marvin' timestamp='1444339472' post='2882481'] I know of several musicians who have absolutely no interest in playing live. Their motivation and wants from music are entirely satisfied by the writing and recording process and that whole creative side. There is no right and wrong way in pursuing one's musical goals, hence those who don't want to perform live, get the seal of approval from a group of strangers watching them perform, are as valid in their aims as anyone else. There's nothing superior, in my view, about performing over someone who doesn't choose to. I personally like gigging. Rehearsals are good fun but I prefer the discipline you have to have to play live, the pressure to get it right. I'm not really in it to have my ego stroked or garner the adulation of audiences. If I gig then it has to be with the right set up. I could probably get in a gigging band tomorrow, there's an ad of a band I know looking for a bass player. However, it's not a band for me, mainly the material...I'd rather burn my favourite bass than play their set list ( and play in the places they want to play). [/quote] I say, guys waiting for that perfect band with all the material you happen to like could be waiting a long time. Most guys I know that are in gigging bands and making money had to make compromises on several levels. For me, good musicians,good honest trustworthy band members,and a solid book of good paying gigs trumps material any day of the week. Blue

[quote name='JTUK' timestamp='1444324296' post='2882284'] From my point of view, there are plenty of gigs I'd rather not do ..and by that definition, they are bad gigs. As I've often said, pub work is too much hassle for the money and so I want a really easy ride. That is not to say there aren't great pub gigs every now and then but trawling around every Dog and Duck for an average gig is not my idea of doing it properly. It isn't upto me if others do it properly, but at least I make sure we do.... from my view point. [/quote] From what I have read and heard about pub gigs, it sounds like our bar scene in the States is a much better scene and experience for bands. Blue

Gigging, funny stuff happens that keeps you young.I'm 62. Last weekend at a gig, we were loading out and this short but really cute 32 year old lady with a really hot body comes up to me and asked me if I was married or had a girl friend. My friend and drummer hears the whole exchange. So I said to him ( he's also 62 ) [i]"See, chics still dig me " [/i]So it was a great laugh. That sort of stuff doesn't happen at home. The lady, I forgot to mention she was so drunk her girl friend had to come get her to help her stand up and then they escorted her outside. Blue

[quote name='Slipperydick' timestamp='1444293460' post='2881873'] Aint no feeling like it when you hear applause. Is there any other reason to play Bass ? Or to be in a band at all ? [/quote] Hearing a roaring applause after your band has nailed the hell out of a song is wonderful yet weird feeling. I love it when it happens but I never know how to react. I usually just stand there looking down at my shoes. Blue.

[quote name='JTUK' timestamp='1444290889' post='2881844'] Good gigs only for me... not interested in the rest. PITA and Ballache. [/quote] Interesting, I say there's no such thing as a bad gig by principle. However, we do have venues we have decided not to play anymore. Blue

[quote name='BobVbass' timestamp='1444310893' post='2882127'] I first picked up a bass so I could be in a band and haven't looked back since, I don't care whether there's 1 person there or a couple of hundred, its getting up and doing it that just feels great - being in a band where we can all have a laugh and mess about when we play and play packed out clubs where loads of people dance (mostly) is just the cherry on the top. Getting paid for all that is the fine sugar glazing on top of the cherry. [/quote] This is the attitude that I take. For those of us that gig a lot we know your not going to have the ideal crowd at every gig. It goes with the territory, you understand it will happen from time to time and you learn to adapt, you don't freak out over it. Blue

[quote name='mrtcat' timestamp='1444313178' post='2882156'] For me if there were no gigs I'd probably not play at all. Gigging has lead to some awesome experiences. In the last 12 months alone I've been lucky enough to play on boats, in a prison, in David Jason's back garden, on the roof of a museum and at Silverstone on Grand Prix weekend. I've also played with Gregg Bissonette, Steve White, Craig Blundell and Ian Matthews from Kasabian this year. We are playing in Cyprus in December for the RAF and are being flown out there (van and all) in a hercules transporter. Being in a gigging band is the best adventure I've ever been on and long may it continue. [/quote] Now, that's what I call cool. Blue

[quote name='JellyKnees' timestamp='1444317293' post='2882201'] Grinding through a set of covers in a grotty pub to a disinterested bunch of drunks on a Friday night is my idea of hell tbh. [/quote] That's not what gigging is suppose to be about. If that's the attitude and spirit to the whole gigging mentality and spirit, then you made a wrong turn somewhere.IMO Blue

For me, it's all I know. I started gigging at a relatively young age, 12 years old. It's the normal way to spend a weekend. Entertaining people has always been fun and continues to be a lot of fun for me. Blue

[i]"If anyone puts down gigging, tell them, Gigging is fun!"[/i] So many people write about how they dislike gigging, which I will never understand, I love gigging, can't get enough actually. Let's write positive stuff about gigging, why it's fun for you, the benefits and why you like it. Blue

Nine basses, I don't collect. I have all nine in gig rotation. I usually bring 2 basses to every gig. Blue

[quote name='JTUK' timestamp='1444251815' post='2881671'] Plenty of original bands round here get work and knowing the quality of some of them, I'm sure they get paid well. They wouldn't dream of the pub circuit ...altho they might do one or two as a special. You have to get away from thinking pub work is the be-all and end-all for acts... they are really the first rung of venues, tbh. Original acts will get work round here if they offer something original and are decent... Obviously there aren't as many venues as there are pub venues but then the two would hardly go together anyway... [/quote] Cool, there no paying work for originals bands in Milwaukee.A handful of originals clubs with those $5.00 backroom cover charge. Here in Milwaukee,originals bands get offered a lot of no pay charity and benefit work. Blue

Just enjoy, a half hour set will be over before it starts. Blue

[quote name='PaulWarning' timestamp='1444248395' post='2881630'] I didn't start playing bass in a band till I was 53, started off with original stuff too, we later decided to start playing covers because we wanted more gigs, but we still play some original stuff in our set and still come up with the odd new song, shouldn't sell all your gear off, give it a few months and you might find what you're looking for, I did [/quote] I think the originals scene in terms of bookings at the local levelis the same in England as it is in the States. Originals are for bands that do a lot of recording with aspirations to "make it". There's no bar or club work for original bands over here. Cover bands are for guys that want to make a little extra cash. There's still a lot of work for cover bands, but you have to work hard to get it and maintain a book of business. Blue

[quote name='anaxcrosswords' timestamp='1444245958' post='2881593'] When I was about 14 I knew I was going to be a cryptic crossword setter and that aspect of my life is stronger and busier than ever. While it was fun and often very satisfying, music was a bit of a distraction, so now is the time to kiss it goodbye.[/quote] Were all different, when I was 12 I knew I wanted to be a bass guitar player in a rock & roll band. Rock music and gigging has always been an attraction for me, not a distraction. Blue

I don't record much. Getting the tone you want live will always be a battle. There are just too many variables to get it right all the time. Blue

[quote name='colgraff' timestamp='1443819584' post='2878038'] I cheat and use a Darkglass Duality Fuzz. When that isn't appropriate, I use a Boss ODB 3 with the distortion up high but the distorted signal down low and the clean signal up high. [/quote] I had to get rid of my ODB 3, I could never get that thing to work right. Blue