Are Wedding Gigs a CURSE? | EP35 | The SBL Podcast

[@thenashvillebassmentor594]

Ian, I invite you guys to come to Nashville and really get a take on how bassists can work up to 16 hours per day, 7 days a week playing covers. Actually original music is forbidden for most of the Lower Broadway scene. But those of us that do it full time have like a counter culture for bass players, and each shift is 4 hours and it’s not uncommon to earn $300 per shift. I would say interview a few of us for a different opinion on playing covers for a living.

[@baskruitnl]

Man, this is so relatable. I've played too much with people who just didn't bother. As long as the audience was happy (and drunk), they were happy. That really doesn't work for me either. I want to play the best version that's reasonably possible.

[@jasonstemm1126]

Church gigs are great for learning. Some of the best musicians I've played with have been in the church. However... playing only church can hurt your learning in the long run if you dont expand your headspace to include other genres.

[@Lordofthefliess]

Thanks so much for this! I’m trying so hard to break into this world.

[@admarhermans1]

I’ve been playing in lots of wedding/divorce (🤣) and coverbands for almost 35 years. When the players are all into it, it is a blast! Musically, it’s all about the details, even more than in an originals band, I feel. I played in various bands that played originals too. A few times making albums and doing shows for radio and tv. I’ll never forget those experiences. But coverbands are great for me now, untill I die, 🤗. So should Scott. There he can make his P basses happy all over again, 😉.

[@goncalomarques2711]

I love this episode I love playing in cover bands... I just love it, because the people I play with are great players, good hang and above it all, they have fun with it... They wanna play the best they can I allways look at the original part... but then I put a bit of myself, depending on the song and on the band

[@AyyyyUhhhh]

For drums ghost notes can be like the seasoning on the food it adds flavor and bounce but it has to be intentional and leave space if needed in music context

[@kane6529]

I can do relate to the Involuntary Ghost notes! I just do it so often particularly practicing at home like Scott said and i saw a video about the topic and once i recognized it in my own playing I try to be so much more mindful but it’s hard 😂

[@craigbachman5765]

Thanks guys, this was really helpful.

[@martialboivin5172]

thank you so much. my special friday eve. 3 large beers. and amazing talk that I dig as bass player or sound eng. greeeart . love it. thank you guys. peace

[@Nugmania1]

Scott, even though your doing a fusion album, deep dive Gary Thains playing on Demons and Wizards, so course a must listen 5 minutes ago

[@Nugmania1]

Sorry so choise lol

[@stephendenman6339]

I haven't had a chance to listen to the whole thing yet but the general drudgery is only something I've experienced as a) a dep and b) when working for agency bands. When you've got a wedding band that is consistently different members and you're stuck playing the 'standard' arrangements of the same 50-60 songs, yes I have seen a lot of disillusioned people. And that tends to be the way the full time pro's work, because they have fingers in many pies and the guys running the bands (band leaders) are doing this just for a living. The other problem is those agency bands where you get maybe one member from the last gig playing, is that they charge an absolute shedload, but have formed a circle of charging a lot and having good advertising, so they pick up the gigs (I can think of at least 3 of those agencies operating nationally and london based in the UK ) . Those gigs with a scratch band can often be a train wreck and can be excellent just because of musicans on them. Those agencies just rely on enough of them not being terrible and play the percentages. Another problem is that the average joe public can't pick up the difference between a great gig and a meh average gig. Building a band of people who can commit to those regular Saturdays , who have the musicality to do interesting arrangements, that can build it nice and tight, that know how each other play - its a totally different gigging experience. Its a lot harder. But its a way better gig. And you can get that slickness with the BV arrangements and so on Building and changing the repertoire is important - don't stick to the tried and tested 30-40 songs - have a great repertoire - theres a band near us who I saw break out a will smith song in the middle of their set - not many who'd be willing/able to risk such a thing. But they read the crowd and it works.

[@stephendenman6339]

Also, I have a single rule of wedding gigs - ALWAYS HAVE AN ENGINEER. Theres little I hate more than going to a wedding where the band may have sounded ok in the empty cold venue , but stick 200 bodies and raise the temperature 15 degrees and it sounds crap. Add in the schlepping and stuff and its just waay worth it.

[@lawrencelozada5780]

I wanna learn from you guys, but my schedule is in nightshift. I hope i can enroll someday.

[@jachuonbass]

I try not to be rude when I tell my fellow musicians, if I see they are bored playing them covers: hey, is not the song's fault that it sounds like this right now (wrong feel, obviously) :P ...cause I've been in situations where it sounds amazing and when it doesn't and Ian is so right when he talks about caring for the music that you play, whatever it is, cause you could be a part of the artist's crew of musicians performing the song in a concert for 20K people too

[@garrysimmons111]

There's nothing wrong with enjoying playing in a cover band on the weekends be it bar gigs, weddings, or corporate stuff. The wedding/corporate stuff pays WAY better than a local bar gig where you're lucky to make $100 (per person) for a 3 hour show. Plus the wedding gigs are usually early (home before midnight). You have a guaranteed crowd (no playing to an empty room). The women are dressed nice. You might even get fed. True, the crowd isn't there specifically to see YOU, buy playing is still fun and getting paid well (compared to a bar gig) is nice. You guys need to come down off your high horses and realize that the vast majority of musicians are hobbyists/weekend warriors with day jobs and we're fine with that. Personally, I enjoy doing original music, but it's even harder to get a local gig, they usually don't pay anything (like zero), and you only get to play a 45 minute set.

[@martialboivin5172]

come on Scott.. you are a loittle far but lets put up a band. i have great contacts . i ll engineer it .. bit wedding around london and europe .. lets do it

[@mikevonhohenstein5587]

I found Waldo. (j/k Scott!)