Get a double bass they said; loads more gigs they said.....

[Bilbo]

I did a gig with John Parricelli last Sunday and that is it. One more gig in the diary for November (which I have arranged) and then nothing. 'Get a double bass and you will get loads more gigs', they said.

Clearly not.

[Happy Jack]

You need to broaden the range of music you're prepared to play.

[Hobbayne]

.... Or get a Fender

[TPJ]

Or live where the gigs are....

[Bilbo]

I had 120 gigs in one year and I was living in the same place!! It has gone down every years since. I guess I am going to have to set up my own gigs from here on and be the bloke who books everyone else.

PS the November gig is on electric!!

[Bilbo]

[quote name='Happy Jack' timestamp='1443605148' post='2876079']
You need to broaden the range of music you're prepared to play.
[/quote]

So Jazz, Blues, Pop, Funk, Big Band and Latin not a wide enough selection, then?

[skej21]

[quote name='Bilbo' timestamp='1443611105' post='2876148']


So Jazz, Blues, Pop, Funk, Big Band and Latin not a wide enough selection, then?
[/quote]

What about all those Moondance gigs you're missing out on though ;-)

[bobmartin]

I used to play masses of gigs on the D/B, it dropped down to almost nothing. Since then I've sold it, kept the Stagg and now keep busy on the trombone; how strange is that...

Edited September 30, 2015 by bobmartin

[Beer of the Bass]

[quote name='Bilbo' timestamp='1443611105' post='2876148']
So Jazz, Blues, Pop, Funk, Big Band and Latin not a wide enough selection, then?
[/quote]

It might or might not be up your street, and I don't know what the scene is like in your area, but folkies of various sorts love a double bass. Perhaps there could be some gigs to be had there?

[Happy Jack]

[quote name='bobmartin' timestamp='1443611600' post='2876156']
... and now keep busy on the trombone ...
[/quote]

Euphemism?

[skej21]

[quote name='Happy Jack' timestamp='1443612776' post='2876186']


Euphemism?


[/quote]

Euphoniemism? (I'll get me 'tenuous brass pun' coat!)

[bassace]

Funny thing, the double bass. You can have lean periods with nothing in the diary then you get a call. Then another. So stay optimistic, Rob.

[fatback]

Poverty is God's punishment for playing jazz.

But seriously, hang on in there; everything comes in threes.

[TheRev]

It worked for me, got as many gigs as I can handle. That's with one band though, dunno what the gig situation would be as a bass for hire (assuming that's your situation?).

[jakenewmanbass]

freelancing is hard for everyone Rob... and getting worse it would seem.

[mtroun]

Feeling this. It seems like a lot places are putting on bands of questionable quality who will play for peanuts or nothing at all, and I'm trying hard to break onto the established professional circuit but because my band is made up of my peers instead of 'names' I haven't had a single positive response from a venue.

The gigs I do get at the moment seem to be one-off 'event' type gigs which require a lot of preparation for only a small financial reward. Not great.

I'm not doing many functions at the moment, are most people with agencies or relying on contacts?

[Bilbo]

[quote name='jakenewmanbass' timestamp='1444214783' post='2881141'] freelancing is hard for everyone Rob... and getting worse it would seem. [/quote]

It's just picking up, Jake. I now have two gigs (both on electric and only one is paid) between now and my eventual death. It's grim!!