TimR

There's an It Bites forum that can get quite tasty argument-wise. No doubt there is a Genesis forum and a Marillion forum as well as loads of others. I think you probably need to decide what exactly you want to play. What era and what artists. Then find a forum. There will be musicians on them. I have a selection of friends who are always talking about getting a prog band together but unless you're going to play prog hits it's a very specialist market. Probably just as specialist as the originals scene. If you market it well you'd definitely get pub gigs and a following. Assuming you can drag some fans away from their XBoxes and Linux PCs.

[quote name='Iain' timestamp='1463236054' post='3049817'] We have an understanding - I don't comment on shoes, handbags and gadgets she doesn't comment on guitars! [/quote] Except to ask where you're going to keep it. Next time she buys a pair of shoes, ask her where she's going to keep them. See what reaction you get.

[quote name='Iain' timestamp='1463170743' post='3049317'] ... a wife who doesn't expect me to justify purchases either. She does get practical asking daft questions like "where are you going to keep it?" ... [/quote] I'm guessing you don't know much about women then.

I play bass in a gigging band. I need a bass and an amp so that I can do that. That's the simple justification for the gear. I wouldn't like to even try to justify why I play bass in a gigging band.

[quote name='gjones' timestamp='1463171836' post='3049333'] Well I do have have people, down The Pig & Whistle, regularly prostrating themselves in front of me at the weekend but the're usually fat, drunk, middle aged men [/quote] Judging by some of the gigs I've played, you should count yourself lucky that they're men!

[quote name='chris_b' timestamp='1462971405' post='3047407'] I'm fine with playing any of these numbers and the audience reaction is the only criteria we judge a song on. . . . however. . . . one of the main comments we hear is that they like us because we play different songs. Apparently many cover bands play the same numbers. [/quote] I agree. We play two of those numbers. I've probably played them all at some point, some of them only once, on the fly, at a gig as a dep. The only criteria for our set list is the tune has to be well known. There's nothing worse than having members of the audience siting there with blank faces asking you to "Play something we know." Well actually there is: having people coming out of the audience and pleading with you to play a particular song that's not, never has and never will be on your setlist. People like familiarity but they also like to be surprised. Hence the positive comments and reactions you'll get when you play something the rest of the bands don't play. This was on last week. Why we like Repetition in Music: http://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/p03t9drb

[quote name='Twincam' timestamp='1463059753' post='3048186'] Was unsure how to title the thread. I'm embarrassed at how nice my bass is compared to my lack of talent. So everyone who picks up my bass has been a great player and they say how great the bass is then proceed to play something far from my level. I get the bass back and don't have a reply. Now ive started to feel a bit self conscious even though I believe in a more simple bass playing style and even if I could play at a higher level I wouldn't play anywhere near as fancy as some do. I'm thinking my current ability makes me look a bit all the gear no idea or something to that effect. So much so I've thought about getting a cheap bass so I don't look a plum. My catch phrase is fast becoming "I work on them much better than I play them". [/quote] If you're in a band then your band mates think you can play bass to a pretty good standard. If your band plays gigs and people stay, then a few more people think you can play bass to a pretty good standard. You'll always get some strange people at gigs staring at your gear and making comments. If you have a cheap bass they'll say you'd be better if you played an expensive one. If you play an expensive one, they'll suggest you play a cheap one for gigs. Enjoy your playing. And if someone picks up your bass and plays something fancy, just remember; that's probably their party trick.

[quote name='Muppet' timestamp='1463047819' post='3048032'] Lots of interesting replies so thanks to all for taking the time. I guess it does come down to us spending more time on the detail before we engage his services. If he said " it's this price on the basis that you give me a hand" then that's absolutely fine. He is a good guy which is why we will continue to use him and we get on well, but I think clarification on what we are getting for our money is the way to go. [/quote] I'd just be careful how you approach that conversation as you've already agreed to help in principle by helping in the past. I'd be inclined to say something like it's taking quite a long time to set up and pack down and the band are pretty knackered, and ask if there's a better way for everyone. Bear in mind that most bands have to double hand their own PA gear anyway - Load the van, empty the van, set up, pack down, load the van, empty the van. So we're already doing a good hour and a half at each end anyway. Or at least the bloke who has agreed to do the PA is.

Yes. We try to make sure the singer doesn't arrive at the venue more than 10mins before we go on and get him out as soon as we're paid. It's just a lot easier that way.

Quite. I'm no pro and I have no idea how many songs I've learned over the last 30years. Sometimes to play for free as a one off. If it's less than 2-300 I'd be surprised.

[quote name='funkypenguin' timestamp='1462986022' post='3047616'] The current workload for Carnival Cruise Line bands is that we have 3 weeks in rehearsals with the band to put 180 plus songs together. I received the setlists last night so I have 2 weeks as of today to transcribe and learn the 90 of these that i've not played before before i leave on the 25th to join the band. [/quote] This is kind of what I'm leaning towards. It's a skill as bass players we should all have and really shouldn't be a huge ask. Personally when I'm bored I'll sit in front of YouTube for an hour and just play along to whatever comes up. Most songs are under my fingers by the end of the first chorus. If anyone has done a few jam sessions or depped for a function band on the fly this should be second nature to them. I can't understand the hardship or reluctance to learn a few tunes.

He should really have made it clear how much help he was expecting from you when you booked him. When we hired a guy he said he would need help lifting subs, speakers and racks out of the van, wheeling them in and positioning them. They're two man jobs. [quote name='pete.young' timestamp='1462912235' post='3046958'] Does his insurance cover you for personal injury sustained while you are acting as his unpaid employee? [/quote] This would worry me. Ideally he should be bringing someone with muscle. If I smashed a finger unloading from his van and couldn't play - what happens. If I smash a finger lifting my bass cab out of my car (I wouldn't I wear gloves, but did get a metal splinter before the last gig putting up a speaker stand) that's my lookout. .

[quote name='cheddatom' timestamp='1462872433' post='3046393'] I wouldn't shut up about the growing up in the 60s and how amasing the beatles were [/quote] We did actually fire a guitarist who kept suggesting we should play Beatles tunes.

[quote name='neilp' timestamp='1462911674' post='3046952'] I've only been fired once, and that was because "you're not black enough".... [/quote] Looking at your profile pic I'd say they did have a point.

[quote name='Dave Vader' timestamp='1462872555' post='3046394'] He wasn't turning the gigs down, just moaning about them the whole way through, really put a downer on it, so I joined one of the other constant stream of bands asking me to play instead, job done. Except there's always another moany bastard in every band. [/quote] My lot take it in turns. It adds to the excitement, you never know who will be doing the moaning. I hate predictability.

[quote name='CamdenRob' timestamp='1462875665' post='3046428'] This would have been a non starter for me without resorting to a hair transplant... [/quote] Me too now. This was 30 years ago.

I wouldn't grow my hair long. The band wanted my hair longer. My boss wanted it shorter. I did try to explain that without a job I'd have no car and without my car the band would have no transport. They decided on another bass player and then realised I was right about the transport. .

"Unless"

[quote name='Les' timestamp='1462801831' post='3045730'] Hi Tim I don't think anyone is reluctant to learn new tunes for a band, it's just the 20 songs for an audition that seems to have people raising their eyebrows mate. It is in my experience of auditions an unusual amount to learn, and it would appear the same for many who've commented on this. Les [/quote] It's an unusual amount but not unheard of. A few people have said "the only reason I'd", which implies that they're not adverse to doing it for certain reasons. It's a really good way of sorting out people who are serious about playing music and being in a band. Would you want someone who has only got enough time, ability or motivation to learn three songs in a week in your band? And we're talking about standard pop tunes here, not originals or prog rock opus'. It's something we can all do if we're going to dep for £80 for one night. 20 songs to add to your armoury. So what's the tipping point? .

I wonder if the reluctance of bass players to learn tunes that they might never play bears any relation to why bass solos are so rarely performed and received well. They're just tunes, it's not hard. I don't understand. I've had the same problem when it comes to learning new tunes with a band. Just go away, learn the tune and if it doesn't work, bin it, learn another one. Too many closed minds considering we're supposed to be musicians.

[quote name='Les' timestamp='1462658810' post='3044789'] Agreed. I suppose one way of looking at it is your prepared to do 20 songs for an audition your chances of getting the gig are higher than usual as going from this thread there's a sh*t load of us not turning up for the audition anyway. [/quote] I auditioned for a band a few years ago. Their bass player had to drop out at short notice. They had lots of well paid gigs lined up and needed someone urgently. The guitarist auctioned 3 bass players on separate nights. I was second and after a few tunes was told the first guy had nailed it but he thought he should at least give me a chance.

[quote name='blue' timestamp='1462655795' post='3044771'] Sounds very questionable to me. For those of us with decades of playing and experience behind us I don't think, at least for me, it would make me a better bass player. There are tons of other options I use to keep up my chops and over all skill level. Not a questionable band that wants me to take the time out of my schedule to learn 20 songs for an audition. Blue [/quote] If you have decades of playing behind you it wouldn't take you 10 hours to learn 20 songs.

Sounds ok to me. The more songs you learn the better a bass player you'll be. Even if you don't get the gig. Sound like most of the songs will be standard pop tunes so useful if you want to get into depping. Or at least if you're auditioning for this type of band again. Develop big ears and a huge repertoire and you'll be in demand.

[quote name='Rich' timestamp='1462613269' post='3044337'] Yeah, but we don't all play for the money. [/quote] Therein lies the problem. Once you have gigs lined up, the band either steps up to the mark, or spectacularly crashes/implodes. And while the amount of money shouldn't make any difference, people will always put in a lot more work and produce a polished performance for the higher paid gigs. The 'only a pub gig' vs 'someone's wedding' ethic will always be there.

I'm not sure a bass with a bowed neck would be top of my list.