arthurhenry Posted October 21, 2017 Share Posted October 21, 2017 If you have an impromptu jam with your friends in front of the guests at a party in your home, is that a gig? What about if you play bass for a few songs at the local primary school's Christmas service? Playing in the band for a pantomime matinee and then again in the evening. Is that two gigs? Turning up and doing a couple of songs at a jam night. Is that a gig? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
T-Bay Posted October 21, 2017 Share Posted October 21, 2017 Does it matter? But I would count it as something organised where you are 'on the bill' as it were. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
arthurhenry Posted October 21, 2017 Author Share Posted October 21, 2017 [quote name='T-Bay' timestamp='1508605370' post='3393296'] Does it matter? But I would count it as something organised where you are 'on the bill' as it were. [/quote] It doesn't matter in the slightest, but it will be interesting/a bit of fun to read people's opinions. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dad3353 Posted October 21, 2017 Share Posted October 21, 2017 [quote name='arthurhenry' timestamp='1508605125' post='3393294'] If you have an impromptu jam with your friends in front of the guests at a party in your home, is that a gig? What about if you play bass for a few songs at the local primary school's Christmas service? Playing in the band for a pantomime matinee and then again in the evening. Is that two gigs? Turning up and doing a couple of songs at a jam night. Is that a gig? [/quote] From the OED ... [color=#800080]NOUN, informal...[/color] [color=#800080]A live performance by a musician or group playing popular or jazz music.[/color] ...so, yes, all the examples given are gigs; two gigs for the panto... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Wylie Posted October 21, 2017 Share Posted October 21, 2017 My trio plays farmers' markets summer and winter. Great gigs: you get paid, and farmers give you food. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SpondonBassed Posted October 21, 2017 Share Posted October 21, 2017 (edited) Personally I see a gig as a commitment to play whether money is offered or otherwise. I wouldn't count open mics so much. I prefer to think of them as enrichment as you don't always know what's going to happen. It's interesting to read Dad's definition. Edited October 21, 2017 by SpondonBassed Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
discreet Posted October 21, 2017 Share Posted October 21, 2017 [quote name='SpondonBassed' timestamp='1508607129' post='3393317']I wouldn't count open mics so much. I prefer to think of them as enrichment ... [/quote] Must be a new definition of 'enrichment' I'm not familiar with. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Len_derby Posted October 21, 2017 Share Posted October 21, 2017 A Jewish pal of mine tells me that the word gig is Yiddish and basically means 'a job' or a 'piece of work'. Not sure if that helps this discussion, but if true, the word has a wider meaning than just music. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
discreet Posted October 21, 2017 Share Posted October 21, 2017 [quote name='Len_derby' timestamp='1508607589' post='3393323'] ...the word has a wider meaning than just music. [/quote] It does, hence the 'gig economy'. Not trying to shoehorn in a Brexit discussion, by the way. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
FinnDave Posted October 21, 2017 Share Posted October 21, 2017 A gig is something you are booked to do in advance, whether paid or not. An impromptu jam is not a gig, in my opinion (but they are often more fun than a gig!) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SpondonBassed Posted October 21, 2017 Share Posted October 21, 2017 [quote name='discreet' timestamp='1508607298' post='3393318'] Must be a new definition of 'enrichment' I'm not familiar with. [/quote] Please bear in mind that as a musician, I have led an overly sheltered life. I stand by my definition because life has been a bit difficult until recently and I hadn't been getting out much at all. What do you say about OM? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
discreet Posted October 21, 2017 Share Posted October 21, 2017 [quote name='SpondonBassed' timestamp='1508611849' post='3393368'] I stand by my definition because life has been a bit difficult until recently and I hadn't been getting out much at all. [/quote] I was joking, hence the grin. OMs can be a lot of fun. Please ignore me, I'm having a weird day. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
FinnDave Posted October 21, 2017 Share Posted October 21, 2017 [quote name='discreet' timestamp='1508612078' post='3393370'] I was joking, hence the grin. OMs can be a lot of fun. Please ignore me, I'm having a weird day. [/quote] Weird days are the best sort of day to have Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SpondonBassed Posted October 21, 2017 Share Posted October 21, 2017 [quote name='discreet' timestamp='1508612078' post='3393370'] I was joking, hence the grin. OMs can be a lot of fun. Please ignore me, I'm having a weird day. [/quote] It's okay my friend. The only thing I will ever ignore is the smilies because I find them hard to understand. Then that's just me having a weird life compared to the "normals". Keep the quips coming mate. They can't do yer for it. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mykesbass Posted October 21, 2017 Share Posted October 21, 2017 [quote name='Dad3353' timestamp='1508605921' post='3393304'] From the OED ... [color=#800080]popular or jazz music.[/color] [/quote] Mutually exclusive of course... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
stingrayPete1977 Posted October 21, 2017 Share Posted October 21, 2017 I'd only say "I've got a gig" if the show couldn't happen without me or a dep arranged to cover for me. A jam night or jam session at someones house even in front of friends isn't a gig however a gig in front of friends at a friends house is imo a gig. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Norris Posted October 21, 2017 Share Posted October 21, 2017 I think to count as a gig it should be pre-arranged. A jam is ... well a jam. Having said that I suppose you can still jam at a gig. Certainly I don't think an OM counts, but then if you want to tell your mates you gigged, I'm not going to stop you. Time for a drop of JD methinks Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
discreet Posted October 21, 2017 Share Posted October 21, 2017 [quote name='Mykesbass' timestamp='1508612656' post='3393377'] Mutually exclusive of course... [/quote] He heu he. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Deedee Posted October 21, 2017 Share Posted October 21, 2017 [quote name='Dad3353' timestamp='1508605921' post='3393304'] From the OED ... [color=#800080]NOUN, informal...[/color] [color=#800080]A live performance by a musician or group playing popular or jazz music.[/color] [/quote] 😂. Love that Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SpondonBassed Posted October 22, 2017 Share Posted October 22, 2017 http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AKJQd65aFvo Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Yank Posted October 22, 2017 Share Posted October 22, 2017 To me a "gig" is a job, which means you get paid. You could participate in a "jam" at a club or friend's house. You could go to a "hootenanny" around a campfire. You can "woodshed" at home, or "play" a benefit. A gig is special. You're expected to set that date aside in your calender, show up and put on a professional musical entertainment, for hours specified, and expect payment in return. If anouther musician tells me that "we've" got a gig and wants me to participate, that's what I expect. If you want to call any of these examples a "gig", feel free, just don't change your terminology to your musical mates at the end of the evening in question. "Oh, when I said a "gig" I meant......." Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Skybone Posted October 22, 2017 Share Posted October 22, 2017 [quote name='Dad3353' timestamp='1508605921' post='3393304'] From the OED ... [color=#800080]NOUN, informal...[/color] [color=#800080]A live performance by a musician or group playing popular or jazz music.[/color] ...so, yes, all the examples given are gigs; [b]two gigs for the panto...[/b] [/quote] Oh no it isn't! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
lowdown Posted October 22, 2017 Share Posted October 22, 2017 [quote name='arthurhenry' timestamp='1508605125' post='3393294'] Playing in the band for a pantomime matinee and then again in the evening. Is that two [b]shows[/b]? [/quote] Yes, correct, two shows. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
stingrayPete1977 Posted October 22, 2017 Share Posted October 22, 2017 [quote name='Yank' timestamp='1508662153' post='3393560'] To me a "gig" is a job, which means you get paid. You could participate in a "jam" at a club or friend's house. You could go to a "hootenanny" around a campfire. You can "woodshed" at home, or "play" a benefit. A gig is special. You're expected to set that date aside in your calender, show up and put on a professional musical entertainment, for hours specified, and expect payment in return. If anouther musician tells me that "we've" got a gig and wants me to participate, that's what I expect. If you want to call any of these examples a "gig", feel free, just don't change your terminology to your musical mates at the end of the evening in question. "Oh, when I said a "gig" I meant......." [/quote] So it turns out there is no such thing as "a charity gig" then even after all the pages about playing for free. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bassace Posted October 22, 2017 Share Posted October 22, 2017 [quote name='Len_derby' timestamp='1508607589' post='3393323'] A Jewish pal of mine tells me that the word gig is Yiddish and basically means 'a job' or a 'piece of work'. Not sure if that helps this discussion, but if true, the word has a wider meaning than just music. [/quote] My understanding is that on receiving payment the Jewish musician would silently intone ‘ God is good’, spelling gig. And although it’s mainly used for musical work the term applies to a freelancer in any field. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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