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Uncomfortable Situations at Gigs
Ah yes, the bassist who rushes or plays too many notes. The horn section that can't read. The lead singer who insists on banging on a cowbell, and who has less than perfect time. Shall I go on? If you haven't encountered anything like this in your musical career, you will. I can (but won't) site many occasions where it was just plain uncomfortable to work and perform to 100% of my capabilities. My playing suffers, the gig goes on for what seems like 8 hours, and, well, it's just not fun. What do you do?
I'd like to tell you to "grin and bear it". So, I will!! There are a lot worse things you could be doing that don't involve playing your instrument. Complaining will not get it done, believe me. Complaining to band mates, well, what happens if you comment to the bassist on how the horn players really are not cutting it, and one of the horn players is the bassist's best friend? Two friends gone and with them go job and performance opportunities. Complain to the band leader and you may be seen as someone who is not pulling with the rest of the band, a non-team player. Once again, lost opportunities.
What positive steps can you take? When this type of situation arises in my career, I take the attitiude that I am blessed to be working as a drummer, making money playing music. I silently say, "Thank you for the opportunity to do this and thank you for the opportunity to make a living doing so". You can choose, when the opportunity arises to work with the same band, same bassist, or whomever, to not take the job and spend your time in other pursuits, i.e. making more contacts by going to a club, making phone calls, practicing, or spending time with loved ones.
Take the opportunity to act positively and proactively. Turn a negative situation into a positive one. It can be more difficult than just letting off steam, but you never know where that steam may end up!
Above all.......Be Positive!
Do you have any drumming and/or musical subject you'd like to know more about? Please write to me and I'll do my best to address your requests!