Take my gig

Gerry

Gerry

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If anyone is in my area and wants my spot in a R&B group that's getting ready to gig seriously, it's available. Respond or PM me for details. I'm giving up the gig for work related issues. I didn't even take the audition seriously. I showed up with my Thumb bass, which I never play and ran through the playlist they gave me a few days before. I made the cut and I played with them for a few weeks now. If I had to be totally honest, I'd have to say that the biggest reason I'm not keeping the spot, is because my heart is not in it 100% and they deserve someone with conviction to see it through.
We all have a place in music. I always thought that the highest level you could play at was with a band, in public. people are always saying, "you got to get out there and play with people" True enough, it's a lot of fun and I've learned a lot about myself as a player. The most important of these things, is that if I never find another band, I'll be fine with that. I'm just glad I was good enough to make it with musicians way more experienced than me. I like the jam scene more and besides, I actually like learning the songs I like, covering different styles and practicing when I want to. The other day, I had to play over blisters from practcing so much. I know, (waaaah-boo hoo)....but I'm a carpenter in the day time and need me fingerz! As always, any thoughts on the subject are always welcome. "hobbyist vs pro"?
Anyway, if you want the spot, let me know. Auditions are on tuesdays.
 
Hey Gerry,

Thats to bad that you have to give up your spot in that band, it sounded like a real opportunity. Im sure something else will come up. At the end of the day its whatever makes you happy. :)
 
Tough decision to make, man, but i totally understand. Takes a lot of courage to give up a paid profession and take a punt in an industry as notoriously difficult as music, where you could work your ass off for years and come out with basically nothing. Don't think anything less than a contract with 'EMI' or 'Nitro' along the top would convince me to give up my job, no matter how much I love my music and my band.
 
If I really wanted to, I could manage both. I think I just wanted to know if I was good enough to play in a band like that and have a place I could go play really loud for a while. I always thought that you had to play in a band to be a "real musician" so I felt I needed to give it another shot, but don't think it's right for me to waste everyone's time if I'm not committed. I don't have a lot of experience playing with others but know I like doing it. Just want to keep it fun. So, if anyone, members or browsing guests in the area want to try....
 
What I can tell you after 10 years on the road is that Music is a tough job if you go that way.

Congrats for your honesty man, not many people will act that way!
 
You gotta do whatcha gotta do, man.

A little over a year ago, I had to walk away from the best project I'd ever been involved with because the push was to tour and play every sh*thole that would have us on any given night. I only had to look at my wife and daughter for a second to realize they were more important to me than life on the road. Not to mention giving up a six-figure day job.

Find what fits for you. Period. ;)
 
Sounds tempting, but R&B isn't really my thing.
I'd like to be in a project right now, but as you said, I would not be 100% into it if I wasn't feeling the music.

I think you made a mature and wise decision.
 
Thanks fellas! I feel a lot better knowing that some of you can relate. I would love to "live the dream" but like Flo said, it's a lot of work. I actually like my day job and running a business on the side. I'm not at all discouraged. In fact, I'm more passionate about playing than ever. They even said I could come by anytime, sit in and jam or whatever. So, in the end, I made some music friends and have a jam spot for a while.
 
EVOLVEBASS said:
You gotta do whatcha gotta do, man.

A little over a year ago, I had to walk away from the best project I'd ever been involved with because the push was to tour and play every sh*thole that would have us on any given night. I only had to look at my wife and daughter for a second to realize they were more important to me than life on the road. Not to mention giving up a six-figure day job.

Find what fits for you. Period. ;)
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I really liked that band you were with. I have a family too so, I understand how you feel about that one. Wish I could say the same about the six figures!
 
Gerry said:
I really liked that band you were with. I have a family too so, I understand how you feel about that one. Wish I could say the same about the six figures!
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Thanks, man. If you have any interest, we are going to record everything we had written sometime in May - I'd be happy to send you a copy. Most of the MySpace/EP stuff was just a 'glimpse'... ;)
 
EVOLVEBASS said:
Thanks, man. If you have any interest, we are going to record everything we had written sometime in May - I'd be happy to send you a copy. Most of the MySpace/EP stuff was just a 'glimpse'... ;)
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I was hoping I could get that. I'm all about support as well, so, if it's for sale, I'd be glad to purchase it from where ever it's available. Drop me a pm or make a post when it's ready!
 
noodles said:
Sounds tempting, but R&B isn't really my thing.
I'd like to be in a project right now, but as you said, I would not be 100% into it if I wasn't feeling the music.

I think you made a mature and wise decision.
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I thought of you first actually, or Mike (Doc). They play some laid back originals and cover stuff like (Stevie Wonder)-Ribbon in the Sky, Another Star, ( Jill Scott)-Golden, A long Walk, (Heater Headly)-Wait a Minute, (Tom Browne)-Funkin for Jamacia (Sade') Paradise, Sweetest Taboo..ect...
Around here, you won't find many genres. It's a hip hop/ r&b thing.
 
Well, still with the band at this point. I learned so much in the last month or so from playing with other people. Most important I think, is that playing with dynamics and feel can get you the spot over a more "flashy" player. oh yeah, gear that sounds good at home will truely be tested in a band setting along with it's durability. Actually, I've learned too many things to list, so, I'll just say that although my future with this band is unclear, the experience of playing with other people is pushing me through barriers in my playing and has really opened my eyes to what's really important for me at this stage in my musical development. If you have never played with others, I strongly urge you to find some cool people to do that with.....and Florin was right about the SVT3!
 
Florin said:
Whaaaat?
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Yeah, no offense to those that like the modern Ampeg sound but my new Mesa combo has really opened my eyes as to proper tube tone and headroom. I don't know if it's the compressed tone and color that Ampeg provides for you but the next Ampeg I get will be an old SVT, all tube head. I remember in a past thread, you mentioned that the SVT 3 is not the true Ampeg sound. I had no problem with my gear until I had to put it up against a loud band. Anything sounds good in my living room, but I can see how it will not provide enough headroom in mid size venues. I will be better off taking the head out of the Walkabout to power my 4x10 HLF cab.
 
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