Fender 50's P-Bass (MIM)

Okay, so you've honed your chops until they are flawless and now you're ready to show off to the world, or at least to a few people listening at a bar. However, you feel you want to play the field a little, see what bands are out there and what you want to do at this point. You have to apply tact and a little common sense to land the gig(s) you want. That's what's great about doing freelance: you take the jobs you want, dismiss the ones you don't, and the freedom can be exhilirating. Although there may be a picture of a bass here, these tips can apply to any instrument, even vocals.

First off, you need to know where to find a gig. Sites like Craigslist and Musician Forest are excellent sources to find what you want, but there are so many others out there. Or, if you know a vast network of people, get it out there that you're looking for a gig, there's sure to be a group that's looking just for you. Readers, feel free to suggest other sites and they will get posted onto this article. Be wary, there are bands who want you to commit totally to their group, unless that's what you really want. However, there are other bands that won't mind if you freelance, just as long as you don't screw them on any gigs. You have to be upfront about your intentions to play the field when you initially contact the group. They can either accept or reject you - if they pass on you, don't take it so hard and move on. Also, you must be a little humble to be a working musician hoping to snag that first job. There are bands that are set in their way of playing a song and on how to conduct business. For example, let's say you're auditioning for the band and you go over a cover tune, but to you they're playing it all wrong. Don't criticize them for doing it wrong, show some tact and bite your tongue. Who wants to work with someone who thinks they're a know-it-all? If you're already in the band and you've been playing with them for awhile and making money with them, politely suggest that maybe they can do the song this way. There are no guarantees that they won't get offended, but if you're only doing one night with them, just don't say anything about it and be respectful.

To be a freelance musician, you must be a person of your word. When they say to show up for an audition at a certain time, make sure you leave yourself enough time to get there, maybe get lost, and ask for directions. If you get lost the first time, fine, don't worry about that, but if you make a bad habit of it, it reflects badly on you. They'll question whether you'll do this when it's showtime or whether you even want this gig or not. When you first contact the bandleader (or whomever posted an opening for a freelancer), don't be afraid to ask questions such as these:

...What days do you often practice?
...Where do you practice at?
...Can I have a basic songlist?
...Where is the gig at?
...How much do we get paid for the gig?

Don't be afraid to ask even the most trivial of questions, and be honest with them when they ask you questions. It's like a job interview: the more questions you ask, the more interest in you it generates to the members of the band. And if you don't like their responses, let's say they practice way too far for your taste or the money's just not worth it, politely decline. Don't fall into a trap of taking the first offer you get simply because they offered but you weren't really sure you could do this. You're wasting your time and theirs. The best option is to contact as many bands as you can and then pick and choose what best fits you.

You need to get a daily planner or a calendar, you can get one for very cheap at a dollar store, Walgreens, CVS, a neighborhood supermarket, etc.. Then try your best to fill that baby up, but be sure not to overbook. Unless you're a magician who can seemingly be at two or more places at once, you must plan carefully. If you feel you can do two shows at once, say one in the afternoon and one at night, then go for it by all means. You may need to get a new set of clothes and maybe a second rig waiting for you at the other gig, but that's entirely up to you. But don't be too surprised if it blows up in your face. There are only perfect plans and intentions, the rest of life isn't so perfect.

An mp3 player can be a lifesaver to a freelance musician. You can download entire set lists and study them for as long as there's battery life left in them. And if they say you need to download a certain version of a song (i.e. the acoustic version, the live version) then see if you can get it, because it might be done in a different way than the studio version. That will help you from being taken by surprise come the day of the gig. Spend every ounce of free time you have playing along with the tracks and listening to them without playing. You must be able to adapt quickly. Let's say the band you're subbing for does a song in a different key, then segues into another song. Try to get as much forewarning as possible, like asking how they perform the song during the breaks or when they give you the set list to study. Usually the band will nod to you or motion with their instrument a moment before the change is made, so listen, be observant and know what is going on around you. Most freelancers spend the gig flying by the seat of their pants anyway.

Some bands want you to dress accordingly. It might be a suit-and-tie event at a wedding, or a simple black shirt and pants deal. If you don't own what they ask for you to wear, you might end up renting a suit, rifling desperately through a thrift store, or having to borrow clothes from a really, really good friend. Reliable transportation is also a must. You could hitch rides from people, but that means you're at their mercy and will have to wait for them. If you live a block away from the drummer, let's say, he/she probably won't mind picking you up and dropping you off, but you have to wait for him/her to breakdown their drum set after the show and also help them load/unload the set from their vehicle. And if you happen to live miles across town, at least give them some money for gas and be grateful as heck.

Being a freelance musician also means listening to a variety of music, even if it's something you don't particularly care about. The next time you tune a radio and hear a song you don't like, don't be so ready to change the station - you never know when you may be put on the spot and asked to play it for a $100 tip. Talented musicians are able to dissect any song into its many parts. Obviously a bassist will focus in on the low end, a drummer will focus on the rhythm patterns and tempo, and so on. If you want to freelance, open your mind to as many styles as you can. Even though you might not like country music, for example, there is a big market for it and you might end up turning down a gig that ended up opening for a big name act down the road. Some might consider it selling out, but who really cares? You're not a superstar yet.

Your goal is repeat business from the bands who hire you. To do that, always apply courteousness, savvy business sense, and professionalism when dealing with them. In other words, don't be a jerk. On the flip side, if you find the band you're subbing for intolerable to work with, you must reconsider what you're doing and consider moving on. Even if the money is good, you must weigh the pros and cons and decide what's best for you. After you've done a few gigs with a band, you will earn trust and respect and more dates to fill your calendar. You hook up, make beautiful music together, and hopefully it'll be the start of a wonderful relationship. And if you and the guys in the band agree to have you on permanently, sacrifices must be made. Again, it's all up to you. Bands are as individual as the musicians that are in them, all have their good points and faults just like the rest of us. These tips are but a broad guideline to help you along as you wander into the wilderness of a brave new world. Good luck, happy hunting, and remember to have fun doing this. That's why you wanted to play music in the first place.

Some sites of interest to burgeoning freelancers:
www.musiciansforest.com -OR- www.musicianforest.com
www.exploretalent.com
www.bandmix.com
www.musolist.com
www.musicianleader.com
www.musiciansavailable.com
www.find-a-musician.com

See Also:

Bass 101: Part 1 - The Bassics

Bass 101: Part 2 - Shopping for a New Bass and Amp

Bass 101: Part 3 - Playing Pickstyle