The Last Bass Outpost

Main Forums => The Outpost Cafe => Topic started by: ack1961 on November 10, 2015, 04:36:20 AM

Title: Well, I'm taking the plunge - my first gig.
Post by: ack1961 on November 10, 2015, 04:36:20 AM: Long story short: A few weeks back, I was asked by my two sons (22 & 17) to open a gig with them here in Raleigh this Thursday night.
I'm almost 55 - I've never really been on stage before, and I'm certainly no musician, but "no, thanks" was not an option. It's a once in a lifetime opportunity.

It'll be just the 3 of us - all new originals (prog rock-ish) that my eldest is writing (yes, present tense). There are some weird time signature changes in some of these songs, but I'm really happy that he thinks I can do it without oversimplifying the music. I'm struggling trying to learn these songs as he writes them, but the absolute truth is that the time crunch has helped quell the nerves.

What little rehearsal time we've been able to scrounge out has been a great deal of fun, and we now have 2 full days to finish writing, transcribing and practice. I've been video recording our rehearsals and watching them constantly. I know there will be some mistakes, but I'm really looking forward to it.
I may need a push to get up there, but I'm hoping the nerves will burn away quickly...

Steve
Title: Re: Well, I'm taking the plunge - my first gig.
Post by: gearHed289 on November 10, 2015, 08:28:40 AM: Awesome man! Hope you're having a great time with the project. Good luck with the gig!
Title: Re: Well, I'm taking the plunge - my first gig.
Post by: Basvarken on November 10, 2015, 09:30:33 AM: Have fun! That's the most important part.
Title: Re: Well, I'm taking the plunge - my first gig.
Post by: Pilgrim on November 10, 2015, 09:41:05 AM: Have fun and remember that you will notice any mistakes more than anyone else does. It's going to be fun!
Title: Re: Well, I'm taking the plunge - my first gig.
Post by: uwe on November 10, 2015, 10:17:08 AM: (http://ecx.images-amazon.com/images/I/413tiudCZyL._SX300_.jpg)

Or in this case: PROGS together!
Title: Re: Well, I'm taking the plunge - my first gig.
Post by: TBird1958 on November 10, 2015, 10:33:06 AM: You'll have a great time! So cool that you're playing with your sons :thumbsup:
Title: Re: Well, I'm taking the plunge - my first gig.
Post by: slinkp on November 10, 2015, 10:48:00 AM: This is awesome. I love when people overcome a decades-long "I'm not a musician" misapprehension. If you are doing music, you are a musician :) You don't have to be a prodigy or a genius, you just have to have fun!
Title: Re: Well, I'm taking the plunge - my first gig.
Post by: Dave W on November 10, 2015, 12:02:54 PM: Best of luck, and don't sweat it, you'll be fine.
Title: Re: Well, I'm taking the plunge - my first gig.
Post by: ack1961 on November 10, 2015, 12:37:30 PM: Thanks all...the kind words are very much appreciated.
I'm really looking forward to this.
Title: Re: Well, I'm taking the plunge - my first gig.
Post by: gweimer on November 10, 2015, 02:01:04 PM: Go for it! Enjoy it. My old drummer in Cincy, although he had played his whole life, hadn't really done a band thing until later on. He's now drumming for Scotty Anderson.
Title: Re: Well, I'm taking the plunge - my first gig.
Post by: Father Gino on November 10, 2015, 02:59:35 PM: Why once in a lifetime? You may find playing in front of an audience addictive ;)
Title: Re: Well, I'm taking the plunge - my first gig.
Post by: patman on November 10, 2015, 04:42:39 PM: Scotty is a national treasure...your friend must be a good player.
Title: Re: Well, I'm taking the plunge - my first gig.
Post by: Highlander on November 10, 2015, 05:44:10 PM: Have fun...!
Title: Re: Well, I'm taking the plunge - my first gig.
Post by: Nocturnal on November 11, 2015, 08:31:42 PM: Relax and enjoy it. You will do great!!
Title: Re: Well, I'm taking the plunge - my first gig.
Post by: Pilgrim on November 12, 2015, 08:44:33 AM: A bit of advice:

Spare cables
Spare batteries
AC extension with octopus outlet
Screwdrivers and any other tools that might come in handy
Gaffer tape
Backup bass. Strings can break. Drops can happen.
AND - take a stable guitar stand along! Never lean an instrument against a cab.

Also - never leave any equipment unattended, even for a few seconds. At load-in and load-out, split your troops so that someone is watching everything, every moment.
Title: Re: Well, I'm taking the plunge - my first gig.
Post by: ack1961 on November 12, 2015, 02:23:50 PM: Heading off!
Thanks for the encouragement, and really helpful tips!
Title: Re: Well, I'm taking the plunge - my first gig.
Post by: drbassman on November 13, 2015, 03:00:39 AM: Im sure all will go well!
Title: Re: Well, I'm taking the plunge - my first gig.
Post by: Highlander on November 13, 2015, 02:36:45 PM: How'd it go then...? :popcorn: :toast: :rimshot:
Title: Re: Well, I'm taking the plunge - my first gig.
Post by: ack1961 on November 13, 2015, 02:54:49 PM: Hey all,
It was great! We all made a few mistakes here and there, but overall we had a blast.
I was being a bit rough on myself - these are all brand new originals, some of which were still being pieced together days before the show.
After the first couple songs, the nerves went away and just had a great time being on stage with my kids.

It was also somewhat rewarding to haul a truckload of gear and actually get to play - usually, I'm the roadie.

Thanks again for the encouragement and tips!
Steve
Title: Re: Well, I'm taking the plunge - my first gig.
Post by: patman on November 13, 2015, 04:05:34 PM: That is so cool!
Title: Re: Well, I'm taking the plunge - my first gig.
Post by: chromium on November 13, 2015, 05:46:16 PM: That's awesome, and I'm sure it meant a lot to your sons.
Glad to hear you had fun.
Title: Re: Well, I'm taking the plunge - my first gig.
Post by: Dave W on November 13, 2015, 06:09:14 PM: Good for you!
Title: Re: Well, I'm taking the plunge - my first gig.
Post by: Highlander on November 14, 2015, 04:03:31 PM: +1 on all of the above...