This being New York, money is never on the table (not usually, and certainly not in terms of the assorted stuff I end up doing), at least for rehearsing.

Because most everyone works, rehearsals and gigs for any given person are not that exhaustive... as such I am committed to a number of different people with an array of different schedules.

A guy I played with on someone else's recording called me up to come and play with him and the band he's got. The only problem for me is that he has a twice weekly practice schedule that is hard to commit to.

If they ask you to become a part of the band and receive an equal share of the money taken in, then you can decide if it is worth it to you to share in the responsibility of dedicating to unpaid rehearsals for the potential of something better in the future.

In regards to whether or not you should sit through hours and hours of the drummer and the bass player shlogging it out, I would approach the leader and tell him that you would prefer to come in after the initial rhythm section stuff is worked out so that you can concentrate on working out your stuff over a rhythm section that is solid in what they are doing. Have them tape the rehearsals so you can listen ahead of time while driving around in your car or at home and get some ideas.

I work mostly shows and such where rehearsals are paid. "Band" rehearsals are another story.

However, very few of the people I am playing with expect this concrete and comparatively extensive schedule of rehearsals.

I have never run into anyone in my league who has mentioned paying for rehearsal time... I just need to figure out how to avoid having to waste time any more than necessary.

Hell, I have a half-hour drive, and hauling my gear to a place in their neighborhood... I don't mind doing it, but I don't want to have to put in 16 hours every month for it.

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zum SD10 peavy vegas 400 peavy session 400
if its not a zum steel it isn't real

You could add... "Maybe the lead singer and rhythm guitarist (maybe the same guy) can come over to my place for a coupla hours to play through the tunes with an acoustic?"

Ask them for a tape or work CD and go to the gig prepared to rock the house.
That works for me.

I sub out as the fifth piece all the time...and I have a reputation as one that comes prepared.....without a rehearsal.

If they have a lot of gigs lined up....one or two rehearsals may not be a bad investment if they are committed to you being the steeler.

Let us know how it goes.

b

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MSA Millennium D10, Walker Stereo Steel, Stone Tree Custom Tele, LINE 6 Vetta II and POD XT PRO

I am one of those guys who asks for rehearsal pay....CAUSE playing is what I do for a living. If you want me to come be your backing track because you can't get it right without me...then you need to pay.

By the way, when you play at a more advanced level...then paid rehearsals are the NORM.
Usually the Club bands are the ones that don't have the money for rehearsals.

I have been a side guy and the band leader on both small bands and National Artist gigs.

I'm not saying I'm better than anyone...I'm saying my time is valuable.

Sounds like your bitterness should be more appropriately directed to the Lazy Amatures that you have been working with.

b

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MSA Millennium D10, Walker Stereo Steel, Stone Tree Custom Tele, LINE 6 Vetta II and POD XT PRO

Dealing with these situations is like playing a song. You know what you want. Find a way to get it. Know your capabilities. Present them in a manner that is becoming to you.

Don't worry about "padding the truth" if you have to. Mainly because musical performance doesn't have much to do with "the truth" to begin with.

If you are capable of learning the material without rehearsal, tell them so. You recorded for them before.

If you need the rehearsal, and want to do the job, or have some other reason to want to do a gig cheap, like more work with them down the line, a cute female vocalist, or just a chance to get "out". Do it, take notes, and see later if it was worth it.

Mainly, just take that extra time to figure out how to present what you decide to them in a non offensive or poorly reflective manner.

Leave room for both to save face without insults.

Or if they give you an "attitude", play it by ear.

You won't make a mistake if you leave them the basic impression that you don't work cheap.

Err on that side, if any.

It feels better.

($2.00 an hour is about my personal minimum with 3 thousand bucks worth of equipment.)

EJL

[This message was edited by Eric West on 02 February 2005 at 10:22 PM.]

Steve W. was right in saying that to really do something great with music, there has to be more substance than about just the money. The trouble is, there's so many wanna-be's out there who really don't care all that much about what the steel player's vision might be....Especially in country music! They just want "that sound" to make their self image more complete.

Those are the ones that I've charged dearly for rehearsals, done one or two showcases with, then watched their dreams of superstardom go nowhere. They usually go on to become something else eventually, and I find myself having to explain to some new visionary why I need to charge them to learn their 3 chord songs.

Kevin, these are my gigs this week:
Wednesday on keys with a blues band
Thursday on steel with a jazz quartet
Friday on keys with a (different) jazz trio
Saturday night with my own quartet
Sunday night doing a jazz duo.

Should I cancel one of my gigs to spend an evening trying to teach some clueless chick singer when to come in again during Summertime ? Hehe... I think not.

No offense taken brother...
Just offering another side of this topic.

Don't get me wrong here....I do rehearse...I try to get money for the rehearsals. Sometimes they pay...and sometimes they don't. If they don't, I tell them up front...I will schedule a rehearsal time with you..but if a paying opportunity presents itself...I have to make money. I can rehearse on my own time.

I understand your point...(typing words seems a little colder than saying words).
It is VERY hard to get people to rehearse paying or not....
If the guys in the band are any good at all...then most of the rehearsal will be in their own bedroom. The tricky little endings and turns and intros to some of your newer tunes can be rehearsed at sound check.
There is ALWAYS an alternative.

It was not my intention to be offensive either....please forgive me if it read that way.

b

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MSA Millennium D10, Walker Stereo Steel, Stone Tree Custom Tele, LINE 6 Vetta II and POD XT PRO