Members Potts Posted August 27, 2012 Members Share Posted August 27, 2012 Agreed and well said... We love what we do, and would rather play than not play. We charge a little more than the average duo so it pays, but that's not why we do it.Funny, I've seen musicians play for hours without a break at jam sessions where they are not getting paid anything, and then when they get a gig demand their breaks, even if the audience is jamming and a break would be inappropriate right then.Go figure.I also find the audience easier to control by not taking breaks. They have more fun and so do we!Notes Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members toddkuen Posted August 27, 2012 Members Share Posted August 27, 2012 ... when the musicians stop playing, it is a subconscious cue for folks to get up and leave and not tip on the way out. ... We usually play at least an hour a set, maybe an hour and a half. If we care its like BlueStrat says. A break before about 10:30 on a 8:30 - 12:30 type schedule doesn't send people home - but after that it can and does. In general as long as we're having fun we tend to play over. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members SLScott86 Posted August 27, 2012 Members Share Posted August 27, 2012 Is there an existing medal for most smug thread title ever? If whoever currently holds that medal could please go and get it. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members cephus Posted August 27, 2012 Members Share Posted August 27, 2012 I'll take my breaks. I think part of the job is going around to schmooze the boozers. I can see why you guys sit at your station the whole night. it makes sense. But I'm not doing it. I work too hard stompin around and hollerin. I need to punch out every hour to charge back up. What is way worse is playing a long long set and then when you finally take a break, it's too long. A ten minute break is a target. 20 minutes an people are leaving. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members sventvkg Posted August 27, 2012 Author Members Share Posted August 27, 2012 If I had no added benefit, I would take them too, but here the pay is so bad that tips are a sizeable part of your income. There's something I've noticed over the years is that when the musicians stop playing, it is a subconscious cue for folks to get up and leave and not tip on the way out. So taking breaks can end up costing me 20 to 40 bucks a night or more. Also, if the place still has a small crowd when I'm supposed to be finished, I often play an extra half hour or 45 minutes. I've gotten as much as 100 more dollars in tips that I would have in doing that. Yea that happens sometimes but more often than not I take breaks, walk around socialize, meet people, sell CD's etc..I guess there are many ways to skin a cat. I'm not one of those guys who will kill myself unless it's warranted. Obviously if they are rocking and tippin I stay on stage. That should be obvious but I've never played a whole night..4 hours with no breaks. The kind of singer I am with the intensity I put out, I would blow myself out..Especially all the years I played 5-8 gigs a week.. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members peanutroad Posted August 27, 2012 Members Share Posted August 27, 2012 When you reach my age, you need frequent breaks to visit the restroom. Especially if you've downed a beer or two. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members Potts Posted August 27, 2012 Members Share Posted August 27, 2012 When you reach my age, you need frequent breaks to visit the restroom. Especially if you've downed a beer or two. Fine..we'll take over this thread. Man...40 wasn't bad, 41,42 and no changes. 43? Everything is changing! Geesh I could go every hour now. There's now firehose stream anymore either! LOL kids...see whats just around the corner? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members nchangin Posted August 27, 2012 Members Share Posted August 27, 2012 crap I'm not far from 43 either..... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members EightString Posted August 27, 2012 Members Share Posted August 27, 2012 I just wear depends. You should hear the sound effects I do live on "Splish Splash". Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members Bob Dey Posted August 27, 2012 Members Share Posted August 27, 2012 I remember when I turned 40. I went to Penney's to by some jeans in the young man's section. The sales girl asked if I needed help and I told her I couldn't find my size. She went in the back for a while and finally came out with the perfect jeans. That's right... they had the stretch band waist! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members fingerpicker Posted August 27, 2012 Members Share Posted August 27, 2012 Breaks are a time you can be more social, sit down with friends or make new ones. This is my thoughts too, but I am relying on repeat customers too for most of my gigs. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members BlueStrat Posted August 27, 2012 Members Share Posted August 27, 2012 i've never seen an added benefit for killing myself... I've been in construction for almost 30 years and just about the only breaks we ever take most days is lunch. Sitting in a chair playing my guitar and singing for three hours is hardly killing myself in comparison! In fact, it's a walk in the park. Even my band gigs, the sets are often 90 minutes to two hours. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members Terry Allan Hall Posted August 27, 2012 Members Share Posted August 27, 2012 Fine..we'll take over this thread. Man...40 wasn't bad, 41,42 and no changes. 43? Everything is changing! Geesh I could go every hour now. There's now firehose stream anymore either! LOL kids...see whats just around the corner?Wait 'til you hit your mid-50s... BTW, OP, Springsteen was born September 23, 1949, so he'll be 62 next month... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members peanutroad Posted August 27, 2012 Members Share Posted August 27, 2012 next month... Make that 63. I was born in '50 and turned 62 a little while ago. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members BlueStrat Posted August 28, 2012 Members Share Posted August 28, 2012 Make that 63. I was born in '50 and turned 62 a little while ago. You don't look it in your avatar! I'll be 58 next spring. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members Terry Allan Hall Posted August 28, 2012 Members Share Posted August 28, 2012 Make that 63. I was born in '50 and turned 62 a little while ago.Sorry...was having a "senior moment"...turning 56 next month. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members BlueStrat Posted August 28, 2012 Members Share Posted August 28, 2012 Terry was the one who encouraged me to go out as a solo a few years back. Remember that, Terry? I'd never done one before that. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members Potts Posted August 28, 2012 Members Share Posted August 28, 2012 Terry was the one who encouraged me to go out as a solo a few years back. Remember that, Terry? I'd never done one before that. Seriously? That's really cool! That's great that you guys have communicating for years on a message board. At least I find it great that these those types of "friendships" exist. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members Bob Dey Posted August 28, 2012 Members Share Posted August 28, 2012 You don't look it in your avatar! I'll be 58 next spring. So far, one of you is my Senior. Anyone else 60 or over? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members chemikool Posted August 28, 2012 Members Share Posted August 28, 2012 Why should I kill myself for no added benefit?? If I'm not getting any added benefit I will not do it; so believe me, I take breaks. But I try not to if possible. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members Voltan Posted August 28, 2012 Members Share Posted August 28, 2012 i usually just play it by ear... WOOF! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members Voltan Posted August 28, 2012 Members Share Posted August 28, 2012 i usually just play it by ear... WOOF! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members Loner Posted August 28, 2012 Members Share Posted August 28, 2012 I don't take breaks so i don't have to talk to idiots. It's always some chick that wants to hit on me and piss my wife off or some asshole musician who wants to know why I don't have a 'real band'. The time goes by much faster when I'm playing. Plus I can close my eyes and pretend I'm a big star... Oh, wait, I am!! (tongue in cheek) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members sventvkg Posted August 28, 2012 Author Members Share Posted August 28, 2012 If I had no added benefit, I would take them too, but here the pay is so bad that tips are a sizeable part of your income. There's something I've noticed over the years is that when the musicians stop playing, it is a subconscious cue for folks to get up and leave and not tip on the way out. So taking breaks can end up costing me 20 to 40 bucks a night or more. Also, if the place still has a small crowd when I'm supposed to be finished, I often play an extra half hour or 45 minutes. I've gotten as much as 100 more dollars in tips that I would have in doing that. You post got me thinking..It really has gotten so bad compared to when we started gigging eh? I started around 87 and I know you were doing the road thing before that...How bad does it have to get before everyone says, screw it..It's not worth it anymore, I'll stay home? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members fingerpicker Posted August 28, 2012 Members Share Posted August 28, 2012 I don't take breaks so i don't have to talk to idiots. Wow. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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