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Post by Deleted on Oct 24, 2021 5:19:26 GMT
I've spent months doing almost no music, due at least in part, to Covid. The local jam scene all but disappeared, and local gigs were few and far between due to lockdowns and restrictions on numbers of people that could congregate. People who I'd like to practice with have demurred over the last few months, either because they were trying to isolate, or had spouses who had immuno-compromised health.
I'm tired of being inactive, retired life has become altogether too quiet and tame, and I've found myself sinking into depression brought on by social isolation and lack of outside interests. I've spent a few weeks deliberating on selling all my band gear and maybe just hanging onto one guitar and amp as a way to occasionally scratch the itch to play music. I decided, within the last few days, to give it one more year before I hang it up for good and admit that my life as a musician is over.
I've been advertising for a spot in a band again, and writing contact emails to people who I think might be prospects to form a band. So far I haven't had any positive results, but it feels good to think that I'm making a last-ditch attempt to resurrect my life in bands before I give up.
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Post by zontar on Oct 24, 2021 5:32:49 GMT
You never know unless you try.
And I love just playing on my own at home--whether to backing tracks, recorded songs or just me.
Although it can be more fun with others.
Here's hoping something works out for you
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Post by Die Bullen on Oct 24, 2021 13:36:00 GMT
I've spent months doing almost no music, due at least in part, to Covid. The local jam scene all but disappeared, and local gigs were few and far between due to lockdowns and restrictions on numbers of people that could congregate. People who I'd like to practice with have demurred over the last few months, either because they were trying to isolate, or had spouses who had immuno-compromised health. I'm tired of being inactive, retired life has become altogether too quiet and tame, and I've found myself sinking into depression brought on by social isolation and lack of outside interests. I've spent a few weeks deliberating on selling all my band gear and maybe just hanging onto one guitar and amp as a way to occasionally scratch the itch to play music. I decided, within the last few days, to give it one more year before I hang it up for good and admit that my life as a musician is over. I've been advertising for a spot in a band again, and writing contact emails to people who I think might be prospects to form a band. So far I haven't had any positive results, but it feels good to think that I'm making a last-ditch attempt to resurrect my life in bands before I give up. I don't know, Ken. If you are depressed about not playing, selling your stuff will hardly make you feel better. If you lack outside interests, removing a primary one seems like a recipe for disaster. These are very strange times we live in and people's attitudes towards Covid exposure is a wide ranging spectrum. Frankly I'm stunned that you can't find guys who want to play- I can always find players eager for just about any gig
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Post by johnreardon on Oct 24, 2021 15:27:55 GMT
I've spent months doing almost no music, due at least in part, to Covid. The local jam scene all but disappeared, and local gigs were few and far between due to lockdowns and restrictions on numbers of people that could congregate. People who I'd like to practice with have demurred over the last few months, either because they were trying to isolate, or had spouses who had immuno-compromised health. I'm tired of being inactive, retired life has become altogether too quiet and tame, and I've found myself sinking into depression brought on by social isolation and lack of outside interests. I've spent a few weeks deliberating on selling all my band gear and maybe just hanging onto one guitar and amp as a way to occasionally scratch the itch to play music. I decided, within the last few days, to give it one more year before I hang it up for good and admit that my life as a musician is over. I've been advertising for a spot in a band again, and writing contact emails to people who I think might be prospects to form a band. So far I haven't had any positive results, but it feels good to think that I'm making a last-ditch attempt to resurrect my life in bands before I give up. I don't know, Ken. If you are depressed about not playing, selling your stuff will hardly make you feel better. If you lack outside interests, removing a primary one seems like a recipe for disaster. These are very strange times we live in and people's attitudes towards Covid exposure is a wide ranging spectrum. Frankly I'm stunned that you can't find guys who want to play- I can always find players eager for just about any gig Fully agree. I haven’t been out at all since my wife has been ill and yes it gets me down a bit, however I wouldn’t dream of getting rid of my gear.
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Post by infant on Oct 24, 2021 19:13:14 GMT
I've spent months doing almost no music, due at least in part, to Covid. The local jam scene all but disappeared, and local gigs were few and far between due to lockdowns and restrictions on numbers of people that could congregate. People who I'd like to practice with have demurred over the last few months, either because they were trying to isolate, or had spouses who had immuno-compromised health. I'm tired of being inactive, retired life has become altogether too quiet and tame, and I've found myself sinking into depression brought on by social isolation and lack of outside interests. I've spent a few weeks deliberating on selling all my band gear and maybe just hanging onto one guitar and amp as a way to occasionally scratch the itch to play music. I decided, within the last few days, to give it one more year before I hang it up for good and admit that my life as a musician is over. I've been advertising for a spot in a band again, and writing contact emails to people who I think might be prospects to form a band. So far I haven't had any positive results, but it feels good to think that I'm making a last-ditch attempt to resurrect my life in bands before I give up. DONT DO IT!!! Like someone said, download some backing tracks and play to them. In your quest to start another band, make sure to tell them you are fully vaxed. Also tell them that you are willing to just get together to jam, gigs would be icing on the cake! Right now, that's all I'd like to do as the guys in my band are still paranoid about getting together. im ready to start looking elsewhere.
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Post by zontar on Oct 25, 2021 0:17:08 GMT
You can even create your own backing tracks fairly simply (Or complex if you'd like) Or a looper pedal I getter isolation bit can be tough--especially on those who aren't as used to it. And that sucks--but check out options
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Post by Deleted on Oct 25, 2021 0:55:31 GMT
Maybe this is a good time to ask.....I know nothing about backing tracks. Is there a particular site online where I can find these things? I can see it being a convenient way to practice on my own, but other than the odd posting by a member on a forum, I've never found a good source for them.
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Post by zontar on Oct 25, 2021 1:15:50 GMT
Maybe this is a good time to ask.....I know nothing about backing tracks. Is there a particular site online where I can find these things? I can see it being a convenient way to practice on my own, but other than the odd posting by a member on a forum, I've never found a good source for them. I have an amp that has some on it (G-Dec Jr) I sometimes use a digital recorder I have to make my own. There are some on You Tube. there wa s website that used to create some & send out emails when there was a new one--btu I haven't heard from them for a while. Maybe someone else has some suggestions.
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Post by infant on Oct 25, 2021 2:34:19 GMT
Try this one. backingtracks.co/I used to use backing tracks.com but it was bought out by ultimate guitar and although it always supposed to be back up and running last spring, it’s still not working. It was the best one out there. I just found the one above.
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Post by infant on Oct 25, 2021 2:38:46 GMT
Check this out too. It’s how to find backing tracks
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Post by Deleted on Oct 25, 2021 2:44:00 GMT
That's pretty cool. I just had a quick listen and it sounds like something that would work for me. Thanks, Rob.
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Post by infant on Oct 25, 2021 3:15:13 GMT
I just started playing with some tonight. I don’t know if you have Spotify on your computer but I have it on my tablet and I noticed that they also have backing tracks to jam with.
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Post by johnreardon on Oct 25, 2021 7:27:29 GMT
Maybe this is a good time to ask.....I know nothing about backing tracks. Is there a particular site online where I can find these things? I can see it being a convenient way to practice on my own, but other than the odd posting by a member on a forum, I've never found a good source for them. At one time a couple of years ago, I was going to back a female singer who used backing tracks She used the site in the link below. Never really looked into it, but it was supposed to be ok.
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Post by Deleted on Oct 26, 2021 5:44:52 GMT
I just heard back from the guy I'd emailed that I thought was the most promising prospects as a singer/lead player. He says he's still interested, but is too busy doing other things (helping older parents relocate) to be ready to jump into a band right now. I think this might be a good thing eventually, but for at least the next while, I should pursue the backing tracks idea.
I appreciate the leads on where to find them.
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Post by highdeaf on Oct 26, 2021 14:00:04 GMT
I don't envy anyone trying to put together a band in this current C19 environment. The same as I don't envy people trying to hook up or swipe right. Gotta be frustrating. I was already hooked up (both band and otherwise) before all this happened, thank the gods. It wasn't planned, just luck. We did a set at a local pub last weekend as things try to open up again.
As for backing tracks, years ago I was working into another guitar player's band as 2nd guitarist. We disagreed on how a couple songs went. Turned out, I was learning from the original studio recording (again, thank the gods for Youtube!!) while he had bought tracks from some California company that made their own instrumental versions of popular songs. TBH, they weren't very accurate. That was what caused our disagreements - and I wasn't gonna learn the non-official version of the song "no matter what".
If it were me, and it sometimes is, I'd just use Garageband or some other cheap/free DAW to put together a few tracks (drums, bass, rhythm guit?) to play along with. In particular, I find their drum program quite easy to get on with. I haven't found that with other drum loops so I'm pretty glad to have GB as one of my DAWs. I still use it quite a bit.
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Post by allthumbs56 on Oct 26, 2021 19:22:45 GMT
I don't envy anyone trying to put together a band in this current C19 environment. The same as I don't envy people trying to hook up or swipe right. Gotta be frustrating. I was already hooked up (both band and otherwise) before all this happened, thank the gods. It wasn't planned, just luck. We did a set at a local pub last weekend as things try to open up again. I think that a lot of local bands have folded over covid. Some guys got old, some found other things to do - or decided it was nice to be in bed by midnight on a Saturday. Of course, not every member wants to hang it up so we're seeing these still eager leftovers finding each other and forming new bands. And new versions of Brown-eyed Girl
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Post by infant on Oct 26, 2021 20:50:10 GMT
I’m 65 and I don’t want to hang it up yet. I don’t care about playing every Sateurday but rather, just playing music with a bunch of guys who want to do the same. If gigs happen, that’s great! My guys haven’t decided to pack it in although it feels that way to me. Hence, I’ve started selling off some spare PA stuff.
None of the guys have been in contact with me except for the bass player. Bands are starting to gig around here and my guys are saying we should wait until 2022. What do I do if I start getting calls for gigs? ….“Oh sorry, the guys don’t want to play until the new year. Can I call you when we are ready?” The venues are looking now to book for the fall and winter, if we wait till the new year, we won’t be getting anything until next fall. My bass player seems to be in the same boat, except that in his case, it’s his wife that is paranoid. We both know another good drummer who’s not busy with any band right now and all I’d like is a good keyboard player to finish off the group. As I said in my first sentence I’m not ready to hang it up. I’ll play as long as I’m standing.
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Post by laristotle on Oct 26, 2021 22:35:42 GMT
I keep a stool by my amp. My left knee is shot. You're too old to play gigs when: 1. It becomes more important to find a place on stage for your fan than your amp. 2. Your gig clothes make you look like ...George Burns out for a round of golf or Dolly Parton with no bosom. 3. All your fans leave by 9:30 p.m. 4. All you want from groupies is a foot massage and back rub. 5. You love taking the elevator because you can sing along with most of your set-list. 6. Instead of a fifth member, your band wants to spring for a roadie. 7. You lost the directions to the gig. 8. You need your glasses to see the amp settings. 9. You've thrown out your back jumping off the stage. 10. You feel like heck before the gig even starts. 11. The waitress is your daughter! 12. You stop the set because your ibuprofen fell behind the speakers. 13. Most of your crowd just sways in their seats. 14. You find your drink tokens from last month's gig in your guitar case. 15. You refuse to play without earplugs. 16. You ask the club owner if you can start at 8:30 instead of 9:30. 17. You check the TV schedule before booking a gig. 18. Your gig stool has a back. 19. You're related to at least one member in the band. 20. You don't let anyone sit in. 21. You need a nap before the gig. 22. After the third set, you bug the club owner to let you quit early. 23. During the breaks, you now go to the van to lie down. 24. You prefer a music stand with a light. 25. You don't recover until Tuesday afternoon. 26. You hope the host's speech lasts forever 27. You buy amps considering their weight and not their tone or "cool" factor. 28. Feeling guilty looking at hot women at the audience, 'cause they're younger than your daughter. 29. You can remember seven different club names for the same location. 30. You have a hazy memory of the days when you could work 10 gigs in 7 days and could physically do it! 31. Your date couldn't make it because she couldn't find a babysitter for the grandkids. 32. The set list has to be in 20 point type.. 33. Your drug of choice is now coffee… 34. It seems impossible to find stage shoes with decent arch support.
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Post by Die Bullen on Oct 26, 2021 23:54:58 GMT
I’m 65 and I don’t want to hang it up yet. I don’t care about playing every Sateurday but rather, just playing music with a bunch of guys who want to do the same. If gigs happen, that’s great! My guys haven’t decided to pack it in although it feels that way to me. Hence, I’ve started selling off some spare PA stuff. None of the guys have been in contact with me except for the bass player. Bands are starting to gig around here and my guys are saying we should wait until 2022. What do I do if I start getting calls for gigs? ….“Oh sorry, the guys don’t want to play until the new year. Can I call you when we are ready?” The venues are looking now to book for the fall and winter, if we wait till the new year, we won’t be getting anything until next fall. My bass player seems to be in the same boat, except that in his case, it’s his wife that is paranoid. We both know another good drummer who’s not busy with any band right now and all I’d like is a good keyboard player to finish off the group. As I said in my first sentence I’m not ready to hang it up. I’ll play as long as I’m standing. The thing is too, if you did get a call for a gig you'd have to have the band rehearsed and ready, which takes time. Going out cold is a bad idea!
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Post by infant on Oct 27, 2021 2:03:26 GMT
The thing is that we would usually have a few weeks to rehearse beforehand. I don’t think I’d accept a gig happening in the next couple of weeks.
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Post by zontar on Oct 28, 2021 5:09:13 GMT
I keep a stool by my amp. My left knee is shot. You're too old to play gigs when: 1. It becomes more important to find a place on stage for your fan than your amp. 2. Your gig clothes make you look like ...George Burns out for a round of golf or Dolly Parton with no bosom. 3. All your fans leave by 9:30 p.m. 4. All you want from groupies is a foot massage and back rub. 5. You love taking the elevator because you can sing along with most of your set-list. 6. Instead of a fifth member, your band wants to spring for a roadie. 7. You lost the directions to the gig. 8. You need your glasses to see the amp settings. 9. You've thrown out your back jumping off the stage. 10. You feel like heck before the gig even starts. 11. The waitress is your daughter! 12. You stop the set because your ibuprofen fell behind the speakers. 13. Most of your crowd just sways in their seats. 14. You find your drink tokens from last month's gig in your guitar case. 15. You refuse to play without earplugs. 16. You ask the club owner if you can start at 8:30 instead of 9:30. 17. You check the TV schedule before booking a gig. 18. Your gig stool has a back. 19. You're related to at least one member in the band. 20. You don't let anyone sit in. 21. You need a nap before the gig. 22. After the third set, you bug the club owner to let you quit early. 23. During the breaks, you now go to the van to lie down. 24. You prefer a music stand with a light. 25. You don't recover until Tuesday afternoon. 26. You hope the host's speech lasts forever 27. You buy amps considering their weight and not their tone or "cool" factor. 28. Feeling guilty looking at hot women at the audience, 'cause they're younger than your daughter. 29. You can remember seven different club names for the same location. 30. You have a hazy memory of the days when you could work 10 gigs in 7 days and could physically do it! 31. Your date couldn't make it because she couldn't find a babysitter for the grandkids. 32. The set list has to be in 20 point type.. 33. Your drug of choice is now coffee… 34. It seems impossible to find stage shoes with decent arch support. 1. It becomes more important to find a place on stage for your fan than your amp. During the heatwave this summer on Sundays I played at church, the place we rent has two big fans & I point them at the stage while we set up. They interfere with sound when we play--ut while we're setting up--it's nice.5. You love taking the elevator because you can sing along with most of your set-list. Well I have heard Billion Dollar Babies in a grocery store.
6. Instead of a fifth member, your band wants to spring for a roadie. I wanted a roadie when I was still in high school.19. You're related to at least one member in the band. I grew up with brother who's a drummer.I'm not old though & I'm not 37 (Monty Python reference)
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Post by laristotle on Oct 28, 2021 8:33:09 GMT
I'm not old though & I'm not 37 (Monty Python reference) Bloody peasant.
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Post by infant on Oct 29, 2021 15:15:51 GMT
I keep a stool by my amp. My left knee is shot. You're too old to play gigs when: 1. It becomes more important to find a place on stage for your fan than your amp. 2. Your gig clothes make you look like ...George Burns out for a round of golf or Dolly Parton with no bosom. 3. All your fans leave by 9:30 p.m. 4. All you want from groupies is a foot massage and back rub. 5. You love taking the elevator because you can sing along with most of your set-list. 6. Instead of a fifth member, your band wants to spring for a roadie. 7. You lost the directions to the gig. 8. You need your glasses to see the amp settings. 9. You've thrown out your back jumping off the stage. 10. You feel like heck before the gig even starts. 11. The waitress is your daughter! 12. You stop the set because your ibuprofen fell behind the speakers. 13. Most of your crowd just sways in their seats. 14. You find your drink tokens from last month's gig in your guitar case. 15. You refuse to play without earplugs. 16. You ask the club owner if you can start at 8:30 instead of 9:30. 17. You check the TV schedule before booking a gig. 18. Your gig stool has a back. 19. You're related to at least one member in the band. 20. You don't let anyone sit in. 21. You need a nap before the gig. 22. After the third set, you bug the club owner to let you quit early. 23. During the breaks, you now go to the van to lie down. 24. You prefer a music stand with a light. 25. You don't recover until Tuesday afternoon. 26. You hope the host's speech lasts forever 27. You buy amps considering their weight and not their tone or "cool" factor. 28. Feeling guilty looking at hot women at the audience, 'cause they're younger than your daughter. 29. You can remember seven different club names for the same location. 30. You have a hazy memory of the days when you could work 10 gigs in 7 days and could physically do it! 31. Your date couldn't make it because she couldn't find a babysitter for the grandkids. 32. The set list has to be in 20 point type.. 33. Your drug of choice is now coffee… 34. It seems impossible to find stage shoes with decent arch support. #6. Roadies: back in the 90s my old band was doing wedding almost every weekend! We were getting paid between $1800-$2000 per gig. We hired the bass players younger cousin and his buddy to roadie for us for a few years and when they got too old for it, I hired my two nephews who were in their late teens. We paid them $150 each for each gig that they worked. We just needed them for a couple of hours in the afternoon to load up at the drummers house and bring everything into the venue and onto the stage. They would come back by 1am to help with the tear down, loading and unloading. Usually about 4 hrs of work in total….$150. Good spending money for high school students. the rest of the band would show up in the afternoon to finish setting up and doing a sound check and at the end of the night, we were out of there 10 minutes after we finished playing. One of the halls we played quite frequently was less than 5 minutes away from my house. It took me longer to get my car in the parking lot than it took to drive home! I was always home by 1:30 if we played in the city. Those were the good old days when there was money to be had at gigs. These days, playing bars and legions, the band gets about $400 for 5 guys….almost not even worth it. I miss the old days….
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Post by laristotle on Oct 29, 2021 15:48:59 GMT
Those were the good old days when there was money to be had at gigs. These days, playing bars and legions, the band gets about $400 for 5 guys….almost not even worth it. I miss the old days….
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Post by Die Bullen on Oct 31, 2021 2:02:27 GMT
Those were the good old days when there was money to be had at gigs. These days, playing bars and legions, the band gets about $400 for 5 guys….almost not even worth it. I miss the old days…. Some truth in that meme for sure, although I will never put the band out for less than our "floor rate". The musicians count on me to take care of them and once the rate goes to low it simply isn't worth it anymore and I say no. Not too long ago someone actually tried to hire us for $25 less than our minimum rate, and I mean for the band, not per musician. I held the line and said if you can't cough up enough another$25 to make sure everyone gets their minimum I won't do the gig. I'm sorry, but I am paying the guys for their time and $25 less means either a haircut or $5 each or someone gets less- minimum means MINIMUM
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Post by zontar on Oct 31, 2021 6:46:41 GMT
I'm not old though & I'm not 37 (Monty Python reference) Bloody peasant.
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Post by Deleted on Nov 20, 2021 22:32:31 GMT
I finally got a response to my ad looking for a gig. A classic rock band called Double Down needs a bass player and asked me to come and rehearse with them next Saturday. I played with the guitar player and drummer about three years ago and they're good enough players that I think it's worth giving it a try. It'll be nice to get back into playing some rock and roll.
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Post by Die Bullen on Nov 21, 2021 1:38:07 GMT
I finally got a response to my ad looking for a gig. A classic rock band called Double Down needs a bass player and asked me to come and rehearse with them next Saturday. I played with the guitar player and drummer about three years ago and they're good enough players that I think it's worth giving it a try. It'll be nice to get back into playing some rock and roll. That sounds promising- and you know the guys
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Post by infant on Nov 21, 2021 3:52:36 GMT
Sounds good Ken!
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Post by Deleted on Nov 24, 2021 18:26:45 GMT
Lots of slogging, trying to get ready. I managed to create a songlist from the mentions of various things in our opening emails. I sent it to my contact (the drummer) asking if he could put me in touch with the guitar player or ask on my behalf what key they play songs in, so I could learn stuff and be ready. I got put off, being told that both of them work long hours and they don't have time, so I should just wait until we rehearse to jot things down. I'm not comfortable with that, but I don't seem to have options. There are probably twenty or twenty five songs that I've either never heard, or may have heard but never played, and I don't want to walk into a rehearsal unprepared. My only alternative seems to be to print out chord charts/lyrics for everything and make notes as far as when the bass is supposed to come in, and then do the necessary key transpositions on the spot when we play. This is already starting to be time/effort intensive and making it harder for me than it has to be. I hope this isn't a portent of things to come.
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