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Posted by: Alex Feather Dec 20 2011, 05:44 AM

Hi guys! Another cool subject I wanted to talk to you about!
As we all know Being a musician is a very tough job and a lot of times you have to have a few gigs in order to pay your bills
Even if you are doing music as a hobby and working at a day job there are different circumstances that can mess up your scheduled plans with one of your bands
A few years ago I discovered a way to keep all my gigs and not being fired if I'm leaving on tour or have a few weeks of recording sessions or if I just want to take a vacation and do not worry about anything! The answer is very simple!!! Get a sub!
How to get a Sub?
I have a couple of guys who I am using as a sub for my gigs it took me a while to trust those guys and to make sure they are not gonna still my work or stab me in a back! So what you have to do if you have a guy who can play and you have decided to use him as your substitution? You will have to teach him all your parts and tricks and maybe even rehears with him so he can fit perfectly for your position! Make sure that he is a very reliable person and you can trust him 100%. This way you will protect yourself from being fired and wont ruin your reputation!
If you will play it right you are not only will keep all your gigs also people will be really grateful to you because instead of leaving and making them to look for another guy, rehears with him and get all their stuff ready again your are providing the whole package!
How to become a sub?
When I was starting out and tried looking for gigs I got many gigs just being a sub what I did? I was going to a lot of shows
And when I saws band I liked I was giving my business cards to guitar player saying if they ever need a sub give me a call!
You can't imagine how many calls I got through out the years and even today I'm getting calls from people who I met five years ago!
Try it out! You will be rewarded!!!!

Posted by: Daniel Realpe Dec 20 2011, 05:55 PM

that's a really good advice, never thought about it! thanks!

Posted by: Alex Feather Dec 20 2011, 07:29 PM

QUOTE (Daniel Realpe @ Dec 20 2011, 04:55 PM)

Posted by: Bogdan Radovic Dec 20 2011, 07:53 PM

This is very useful advice! Completely logical yet never though about it. Substitute guitar players are actually great asset to have for a band. Its practical and you can't miss gigs. + guitar player gets more work.

Posted by: Gabriel Leopardi Dec 20 2011, 10:22 PM

This is a really good advice with many interesting ideas. Thanks for sharing man!

Posted by: Sinisa Cekic Dec 20 2011, 11:26 PM

Very useful advice really. A million times I've been in such situation, but never had a problem like a "gig takeover" . Don't know, but I think it's a unwritten code of ethics here - try to take a gig and I'll break you both legs

Posted by: Alex Feather Dec 21 2011, 06:23 AM

QUOTE (Sinisa Cekic @ Dec 20 2011, 10:26 PM)

Very useful advice really. A million times I've been in such situation, but never had a problem like a "gig takeover" . Don't know, but I think it's a unwritten code of ethics here - try to take a gig and I'll break you both legs

Posted by: Kristofer Dahl Dec 21 2011, 12:32 PM

Great advice Alex!

Reminds me a little of how things work on the normal employment market in general here in Sweden, because of the strained economy. (chances of getting sub jobs are much much higher than the normal ones)

Posted by: Ivan Milenkovic Dec 21 2011, 12:42 PM

Very interesting advice man, excellent thinking!