Bluewine Posted December 4, 2017 Share Posted December 4, 2017 (edited) What else do you bring to the table? This is your official "blow your own horn" thread! other than your bass wizardry, what other skills do you have that would make you invaluable to a band? Let's talk about it. Blue Edited December 5, 2017 by Bluewine Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
chris_b Posted December 4, 2017 Share Posted December 4, 2017 A bigger carpet. 3 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
T-Bay Posted December 4, 2017 Share Posted December 4, 2017 I am the organiser in the band, whether it’s rehearsals or gaffer tape I am the one that sorts it. My bag of everything is part of our band folklore now, whether is a 9v battery, spare lead, cable tie or whatever, the chances are I will have one. I don’t mind as I can’t bear not being prepared atbthe best of times. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
FinnDave Posted December 4, 2017 Share Posted December 4, 2017 I find and book the gigs. All of them. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bluewine Posted December 4, 2017 Author Share Posted December 4, 2017 (edited) I'm a marginal bass player, even though I've been gigging since 1966. I bring stability and committment and the right attitude to our band. Never missed a gig or rehearsal, never blocked any dates. And I've been with them for 6 years. In summary, I know how to be in a band. I always have fun and don't take myself too seriously. After 50 years of gigging, I never bring a fowl attitude to a gig. It's still a whole lot of fun for me from load in to load out. Blue Edited December 4, 2017 by Bluewine Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
FinnDave Posted December 4, 2017 Share Posted December 4, 2017 Blue, I am sure that your attitude makes you a lot more fun to play with (and gets you more gigs) than being a virtuoso prima donna with a sour face who thinks they're 'too good' to be playing bar gigs Reliable and pleasant to be around win every time in my book. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lozz196 Posted December 4, 2017 Share Posted December 4, 2017 Well at first thought my reply was, I print the set lists. But on digging further I can safely say I contribute in: Song-writing/arrangements Mixing - I have a pretty commercial ear, so tend to lead on mixing our recordings, at least to get where all is needed are minor tweaks Stability & punctuality Organising travel - I tend to go with road knowledge and experience, rather than "the sat-nav says" Making sure no matter how rotten/tired I feel, the performance never shows either of these - the punters don`t want to see that So I suppose much of the above is knowing how to be in a band, as much as for my musicianship But at the end of the day, those set lists are darn good-uns................ Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lozz196 Posted December 4, 2017 Share Posted December 4, 2017 4 minutes ago, FinnDave said: Blue, I am sure that your attitude makes you a lot more fun to play with (and gets you more gigs) than being a virtuoso prima donna with a sour face who thinks they're 'too good' to be playing bar gigs Reliable and pleasant to be around win every time in my book. I think you`re spot on there, Dave. I`ve played with many very talented musicians who simply did not know how to be in a band. Attitude - as in having a pleasant/good one - is one of the main requirements. I`ve played in bands with many really talented guys who simply had no idea how to actually be in a band. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bluewine Posted December 4, 2017 Author Share Posted December 4, 2017 5 minutes ago, FinnDave said: Blue, I am sure that your attitude makes you a lot more fun to play with (and gets you more gigs) than being a virtuoso prima donna with a sour face who thinks they're 'too good' to be playing bar gigs Reliable and pleasant to be around win every time in my book. Your right Dave, I always stress the value of playing with the best people not the best musicians. I know some prima donnas that I would never let into my house no less play in a band with them. Blue Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dmccombe7 Posted December 4, 2017 Share Posted December 4, 2017 (edited) Reliable solid bass player. I play with an aggresive confident and energetic style that suits most rock bands i've played with. Never miss a rehearsal or gig. I'm very organised and write every song out note for note on the bass part and ensure all covers are done to the agreed version structure. Always eager to help other set up if needed. As far as i know i'm pretty easy going altho i do like things done properly and can be quite pushy to ensure band sounds tight at any gigs. Having done PA & Lighting hire for few years i have a good working knowledge of how things should be set up and being an electrical / electronics engineer i am able to sort out the minor probs with gear on the night. Can cover all the lead repairs where required. Dave Edited December 4, 2017 by dmccombe7 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Oopsdabassist Posted December 4, 2017 Share Posted December 4, 2017 Definitely organisation, think its a bass players lot to keep the band on an even keel, I always send out MP3's of new songs, just because 1 lead guitarist always goes to 'what Clapton does', on You Tube regardless of what arrangement we have agreed to *sigh* Set lists too, no one else seems to have any idea how to structure a set to get the punters happy...tnx to all on here for that..I learned a lot!! I must like herding cats too, cos it always seems to be me chasing for new songs updates, next rehearsal, next gig, etc. Plus the last minute txts tio make no one has forgotten anything... the list is endless! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bluewine Posted December 4, 2017 Author Share Posted December 4, 2017 Bring a strong work ethic to your band. Don't be the guy that splits after he packs his personal gear, leaving the rest of the tear down to the other band member. Blue 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Andy_L Posted December 4, 2017 Share Posted December 4, 2017 Organisation. Oh, and a VW Passat estate Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
super al Posted December 4, 2017 Share Posted December 4, 2017 I'm not sure I'm bringing much to my current band other than being the guitarist's taxi (he contributes good conversation and diesel money). In previous bands I've organised and printed off set lists (nobody else offered!), Borrowed the works van as a tour bus, driven the van to God knows where! Picked up the singer and 2 guitarists for rehearsal when singer couldn't borrow his parents' car, organised rehearsal space, written music, organised recording sessions, etc. All with a smile on my face and a bass in my case. Nowadays I find myself in a band where everyone else seems to take responsibility for these things. It gives me more time to concentrate on my family and also practice the songs! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dmccombe7 Posted December 4, 2017 Share Posted December 4, 2017 28 minutes ago, Andy_L said: Organisation. Oh, and a VW Passat estate I never even gave that a thought but i have a Hilux covered pick up. So that's why bands have been asking me. Its nothing to do with me or my ability. I just have a big car to cary gear Dave Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
AndyTravis Posted December 4, 2017 Share Posted December 4, 2017 Well, I’m the class clown - stop rehearsals being dull. And I play alright. Not just an average plodder, which is handy if there’s a good drummer because a decent rhythm section makes a band. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mikel Posted December 4, 2017 Share Posted December 4, 2017 I bring creativity, commitment and hard work. I am not the best musician but I am always the best prepared. I organise the rehearsals and help find gigs. I sing decent harmonies and If needed I also play drums and guitar. As for my bass playing, my bass lines are not the most complex but I get into bands because they are creative and dependable. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DJpullchord Posted December 4, 2017 Share Posted December 4, 2017 Hard drugs. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ezbass Posted December 4, 2017 Share Posted December 4, 2017 Humour and a ‘can do’ attitude. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Cat Burrito Posted December 4, 2017 Share Posted December 4, 2017 I have a guitar shaped bottle opener on the zip of my gigbag. Everything else is just a bonus. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ahpook Posted December 4, 2017 Share Posted December 4, 2017 NVQ Level 3 Customer Service. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Toddy17 Posted December 5, 2017 Share Posted December 5, 2017 Easy,,I can drive through the night...bit of a laugh, and can be trusted,, Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
casapete Posted December 5, 2017 Share Posted December 5, 2017 I drive the tour bus. The band call me ‘Petenav’ although I do occasionally take a wrong turn. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JBP Posted December 5, 2017 Share Posted December 5, 2017 Beer and bottom end... and a big bag with all sorts of spare stuff in it that everyone else always forgets. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
fleabag Posted December 5, 2017 Share Posted December 5, 2017 I started as a drummer < hack vom spew > and did many years gigging on drums in my early days. And before that i twanged a guitar, but not good enough to be the gitwrist in a band I occasionally drum at jam nights Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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