Subbing (Part 1) : Getting a Phone Call This is the first in a series of short articles on my experience "subbing" with bands. Logically, I figured I'd start at the beginning of the whole process - "The Phone Call" and the question: "Are you available to play on" this day? Unfortunately all gigs are not created equally! I try and ask as many questions as I can about the gig I'm being offered. A generalize list of questions I usually think to ask are: 1. What is the style of music? 2. Where is the show's location? 3. How long is the show? 3. How many rehearsals does the band expect to have to prepare? 4. What is the load in time vs. the start time for the show? 5. How'd you hear about me? Based on the answers to the above questions I could quickly figure out what kind of money I will need to make for the show to be worthwhile. Granted, the amount of money is not always the most important factor in deciding if you are going to take the gig. Depending on where you are at in your career - or if you already paid your rent for the month - you may agree to do a show that just covers your expenses. Be careful however, the call you receive next might be a good-paying gig and then you'll be kicking yourself for agreeing to work for less. This brings up a good point. Don't get into the habit of canceling one gig to take another - especially if it is for financial reasons. No bandleader wants to get a phone call from you canceling one week before a show. If the style of music is one that you are used to playing and you already know many of the tunes, you'll have to invest less time and thus could afford to do it for less money. Conversely, if the show is 2 sets of original material that you'll need to chart out, and the band wants two rehearsals (both 1 hour from your house); and the gig is 2 1/2 hours away - you'll need to invest more time, and have more expense. So, you may need to charge more. Whatever the case, once the payment is established and agreed upon, get to work as quickly as possible on preparing for the show. I make sure I get a setlist, charts, or pre-recorded tape ASAP. I always request a live cassette off the soundboard from a recent show because it will have the endings and segues that the band is used to playing. If I don't receive a package in the mail within a normal amount of days, I contact the leader to see what is up. Money aside, I think you need to be skeptical of any call where the caller says "we'll just wing it!" I usually don't take those gigs - unless its with musicians I know or have played with on other occasions. That type of gig isn't fair to you or the audience, who probably paid a cover charge to hear the band. In the next article on subbing I'll talk about how I prepare for show once I receive the material from the bandleader. Now go make sure your phone works!