blue

[quote name='BigRedX' timestamp='1483542409' post='3208076'] TBH I wouldn't use Facebook at all. If I was answering a band ad, I'd let them know what I'd done musically in the past, and send some links where they could hear some recent and maybe some musically appropriate songs I'd done previously. I was assuming that someone was then looking me up on Facebook from name and location. [/quote] If music is your life, like me it's going to show up on your Facebook page. There's nothing else but music stuff I can post. What would I post, that I baked a Peach Cobbler? Blue

[quote name='Monkey Steve' timestamp='1483538587' post='3208027'] Mixed bag, and I don't see that there's one right answer. We're using "experience" as a proxy for "are you the musician we're looking for?" and it isn't. But what I have found it good for is finding out if people have done similar stuff to the level of commitment you're looking for in the new band. Which may or may not be a good thing. File under "interesting to know" rather than "essential for the job". But, back to the OP, I think the ad is excellent - clearly sets out the band's immediate requirements, so there won't be any misunderstanding. i don't think that you need any previous experience of touring, but you do need to think about whether you want to spend a solid four months away from home, and with people you don't as yet know - can you stick it out if the guitarist's slightly dry sense of humour starts grating after a week? [/quote] And if you have experience you know if you can handle that life style. I have personally seen what can happen when you hire someone with no experience at the bar band level. All of a sudden they realize they have to be at a gig prepared in some cases Friday, Saturday and Sunday. I've seen guys give notice after the first few weeks of this type schedule. They didn't know what they were getting into. I would never hire anyone for my band if they had no current relevant 4 hour a night gigging experience. Blue

[quote name='Bassman Sam' timestamp='1483472210' post='3207469'] I thought Sir Mick Jagger's latest release was into a 29 year old ballet dancer. [/quote] Why not. 😁 Blue

[quote name='ahpook' timestamp='1483470105' post='3207430'] For a start it depends on the type of band. For example, 30 years experience in a covers band doesn't automatically make you any use in an originals band. [/quote]

[quote name='Grassie' timestamp='1483470706' post='3207438'] Yes. That's why I started the last sentence "For me..." �� [/quote] Apologies, I missed the "For me" However, the dirty old men comment. Depends on how you define dirty old men and how well you know the Stones personally Blue

[quote name='karlfer' timestamp='1483443210' post='3207114'] Even though I'm a grumpy fat old git, I can make suggestions about song arrangements that can make a difference. [/quote] I started gigging for pay in 1966. I can make those suggestions too. However in my band of the last 5 years I don't. It became very clear to me that those suggestions and ideas were handled by the band leader. I was hired to play bass, sing backing vocals and help with set up and tear down. Turns out the 32 year old BL is a lot better than me at making those suggestions. Blue

[quote name='ahpook' timestamp='1483470105' post='3207430'] For a start it depends on the type of band. For example, 30 years experience is a covers band doesn't automatically make you any use in an originals band. [/quote] Agreed, and I'd say the cover guy is probably not the best candidate for a role in an Originals band. They're to use to getting paid. 😁 Blue

[quote name='Grassie' timestamp='1483447110' post='3207145'] Dirty old men, the lot of em. Apart from Charlie, who is quality. For me, they stopped being interesting and relevant at the end of the 70's, much like AC/DC and Status Quo. [/quote] I'm still facinated and interested in them after 50 years. Stopped being relevant and interesting to who, you? Blue

[quote name='skankdelvar' timestamp='1483457810' post='3207270'] Seems to me that the 'bigotry' stuff at the start of the post is there as a lead-in to a heartfelt if entirely conventional wail about being rejected by bands (or impeded from applying) because of one's years on the planet being greater in total than the combined age of the rollicking pups who placed the ad. I don't think band ageism has got anything to do with competence or lack thereof. It's because peppy young things don't want to spend time hanging out with people who remind them of their dad, may possibly smell of wee and gig a teeny rig because of their bad back. The other thing is that older men have usually lost whatever good looks they had by the time they're thirty and the mythical record company will immediately finger any uglies or crumblies as a no-no and demand their ejection before pen hits paper. Keeping coffin-dodgers out of bands is good commercial sense. Music is an outpost of fashion and fashion is all about looking cute. Put three trim, handsome lads onstage alongside a superannuated warthog dressed like a sack of sh*t tied up in the middle and audience members from the age of 5 to 65 will point and laugh and cry 'Who is that silly old fool up there, prancing around like a spavined eejit? Who is he? Do tell?' and filming it on their smartphones and tweeting it as '!!!This OAP is in the wrong band!!!' And rightly so. Once past a certain age one should put aside childish things like 'being in a band' and focus on technique, performance and a mastery of one's instrument. Once achieved, one should establish a loose collective with like-minded geriatrics and play jazz. I understand that it's big in Felixstowe so I can't see why it can't be rolled out on a national basis. [color=#ffffe0].[/color] [/quote] Agreed, you won't catch me trying to fit in with a bunch of 20 somethings. Hell at 63 most bands with 40 year olds wouldn't give me a second look. You might see the ad that indicates "age doesn't matter" What they really mean is age doesn't matter, but we're not going to hire you if your an old guy. Blue

[quote name='TrevorR' timestamp='1483441040' post='3207095'] Genuine question... How does someone get their first touring experience, presuming they've not come up through the "originals band schlepping round the country/state in a beat up van" career route? [/quote] Good question, I don't have an answer. I can guess that you might get a chance if your ready to get on the bus right now and you knew someone who could get you in Blue

I would think many of you have auditioned the guy that shows up for an audition prepared, has the right attitude, and understands the opportunity. Those basics say a lot about experience. Blue

[quote name='DaytonaRik' timestamp='1483440142' post='3207086'] Experience means nothing when it comes to talent/ability but it DOES mean a whole lot when knowing what's expected of you in terms of professionalism, approach to rehearsals/learning material, spares etc. That said, not every experienced gigging musician are particularly proficient at the professional approach either. [/quote] I disagree, those with current relevant experience, meaning gigging experience usually understand and execute all those professional qualities. IMO Blue

[quote name='chris_b' timestamp='1483440086' post='3207085'] The last audition I did that got me into a band was in 1985. Since then it's been a long list of one door closing and two doors opening. Every offer to me for over 30 years has been by word of mouth. I don't know any bands that advertise for new members, so IME every new person is already known, wanted and has the gig before the phone call is made. That makes it extremely difficult if not impossible to be an outsider and break in to the local band scene. I usually get my deps from people I know or who know the guys I play with. For the few where I'm not known I'll provide Youtube's of me playing. Unfortunately that can be a double edged sword for an old git like me! [/quote] Very true,the top teir musical communities are usually exclusive clubs and they never let outsiders in. Video clips are pretty one dimensional. What do they really show? That you were in a band playing bass. Video really doesn't address experience. Blue

[quote name='bazztard' timestamp='1483438726' post='3207060'] I know musicians who have played for 20 plus years, constantly gigging, but can't get their act together, turning up late, broken gear, no spare anything. Experience doesn't mean they're gonna be good, but most people learn SOMETHING after all those years. I've been lucky enough to have always played in bands with people I was friends with already, bringing in one new person maybe. It's more important that the new member gels with the band than whether they've played in bands for a long time, assuming the talent is there. [/quote] Agreed, not to beat up on the 20 years of experience guys. However some of us have seen ,say the drummer with 20 years of experience and shows up for the audition in a 20 year old car, no cases for his beat up kit and he's constantly bragging about what he claims he has done. My point, experienced accomplished musicians rarely brag about themselves. Blue

Experience means so many things. How many if you guys have seen this guy. After 3 weekends if gigging he announced he has to leave the band because his wife doesn't want him out gigging every weekend. It's why we always ask guys where their wife stands in terms of gigging and being away in weekends. My point, some guys have so little experience they don't even know that support and approval from a wife is crucial. Blue

[quote name='NancyJohnson' timestamp='1483436816' post='3207032'] Obviously with the prevalence of social media, it is quite routine to do some online checking to support any credentials - just a few minutes ago I read a Facebook entry on a musicians wanted page where some guy said he's played 'over a thousand gigs in the last ten years'. Clicking on his photos showed up loads of photos of trees and his dog, but not one of the guy playing with anything other than a football. What does that say? [/quote] It says , I'd question this guys story. Interesting, I never thought about it. If you go to my Facebook page all you will see is are current weekly ads for where my band is playing. And you will see most of my friends are musicians. Blue

[quote name='NancyJohnson' timestamp='1483436816' post='3207032'] My main band has undergone a few upheavals in the last year and while I'd stress that losing our guitarist (to another project) was just plain sad and awful, even he's admitted the new guy is a far better fit. From the experience perspective, we've all been doing it for decades; the new drummer and guitarist both have what qualifies as experience but for one reason or another neither had played in about a year. With both guys, I spoke to them at length on the phone and circulated audio ahead of the first get together, but if either of these guys had been asshats, it would have been apparent during the first conversation and they wouldn't have been invited along. I'd rather play with guys who want this to be fun rather than virtuoso fret-w***ers. Obviously with the prevalence of social media, it is quite routine to do some online checking to support any credentials - just a few minutes ago I read a Facebook entry on a musicians wanted page where some guy said he's played 'over a thousand gigs in the last ten years'. Clicking on his photos showed up loads of photos of trees and his dog, but not one of the guy playing with anything other than a football. What does that say? [/quote] I'm very leary of the "virtuoso". A lot of them are the worse when it comes to understanding how to be in a band and work with others. Not always, but these are the guys can be "know it alls", or I won't play this or that or I won't play here or there. Blue

[quote name='FinnDave' timestamp='1483433263' post='3207007'] Yep, if it wasn't someone I knew, I'd definitely be asking those questions. I'd also want to know how many bands they've played in over the last ten years, and why they left. Some people have been chucked out of more bands than most of us have played in! [/quote] Good point Dave and it's exactly what I was getting at. Blue

[quote name='FinnDave' timestamp='1483432161' post='3206994'] If someone says they have 'years of playing' under their belt, I'd expect there to be solid evidence of that, around here, we'd already know them. [/quote] Exactly and personally I have no problem asking a candidate; When was your last gig? Tell us a little about that gig. How many gigs did you play in 2016 What type of gigs, high profile, bar or pub gigs, theatre gigs? Blue

[quote name='Mykesbass' timestamp='1483430324' post='3206984'] Right temperament would trump experience any day for me. [/quote] Agreed, temperament and a granular understand on what it takes to be in a band. Blue

[quote name='Cato' timestamp='1483429553' post='3206983'] I think we're both making the same point. Enthusiasm and raw natural talent can be more fun to play alongside than the guy who's been plodding along in the same rut for years. [/quote] I'd say that's an element of the package. Blue

[quote name='Cato' timestamp='1483421945' post='3206962'] I've gigged with kids who've only been playing for a year who are significantly better than others who have been playing for 20. Experience is no guarantee of quality. IMO. [/quote] The 20 year old is better in what way? And I'm certainly not going to take sides with 20 years of experience. Playing for 20 years means nothing to me. It could mean 20 years of laziness, floating in and out of one band to another and generally being a pain in the arse. Many of you are well aware of these types of "20 years experience" guys. Just making a point. Blue

[quote name='jacko' timestamp='1483142501' post='3205092'] Hmm. Paul McCartney has had oodles of time to learn his parts yet he still has a big PC monitor onstage scrolling his lyrics as can be seen quite clearly in the attached photo... http://blog.eventim.de/wp-content/uploads/2016/04/paul-mccartney-tickets-2016.jpg [/quote] Paul gets a pass on everything as far as I'm concerned. Blue

I'll start. It depends on what a band is looking for. Here's an example, a national touring band, let's say they're headlining 250-500 seat venues.They are booked for 4 months, East coast,West coast and the Midwest. Then another month in Europe.They're looking for a bass player. I'd be very hesitant to to audition as I have no touring experience. Blue

This might be a worthwhile discussion. Anyone have any thoughts on why current relevant gigging experience should be important to a working band. How can you screen out those who have embellished their resume. We've all seen; "30 years experience" or " I have years of playing under my belt" Those statements could mean anything. This discussion is open to Originals Bands, Pub Bands, Bar Bands, Functions Bands, Pros whatever. Ok, what are your thoughts? Blue