sports bar etiquette

[Brent Hahn]

If it's a real paying gig (big if these days) you do what's expected. You can always decide later that it's not something you want to do again, but in the moment you do the job.

[Cecil6243]

Originally Posted by Howard Emerson

Sports Bar Etiquette.

That's an oxymoron, right?

HE

[Bob from Brooklyn]

Nothing personal but to me it reeks of 'mailing it in'.

[Nymuso]

That’s a dream gig! You don’t want it!? I’ll do it! Where are you?

[rmp]

when it comes to me, and playing "Sports Bars"

the answer is "No thanks"

[rllink]

It is kind of a two way street. If you are up there looking like you're bored to death playing the SOS, probably you aren't going to get as much attention as you would if you looked like you were having fun playing good music for them.

[Charlie Bernstein]

Can't relate. Isn't there anything more interesting than the TV to look at? Hard to imagine. At the pubs I play at, the TV screens are the least of the show.

What bugs me is thinking someone is riveted by my playing and then realizing they're actually staring at the game on big screen over my yead.

[mr. beaumont]

Originally Posted by Howard Emerson

Sports Bar Etiquette.

That's an oxymoron, right?

HE

Lol, the first thing I thought of.

Second thing I thought was "that must be some BORING music if you can watch TV while you play it." I say do what you gotta do to stay awake

[Deliberate1]

I could not relate to the premise of the question if not for a gig I played with a band I joined recently - as the "sax section," which is half of the "horn section" (plus trumpet). There are seven of us, and we do covers. And some classic jazz tunes, which is my wheelhouse, as a jazz horn player for life.

So we played a benefit (as are 90% of our gigs) at a local restaurant, which serves alcohol and food, in equal measure, I'd say. As we were getting going, I looked up only to see several TV's suspended from the ceiling. Each was casting a different signal - ski racing, game show, soccer, etc. I found it more an annoyance than attractive distraction. I am the kind of musician who regards paying attention to your band-mates as important as anything you do in the course of a gig. Moreover, people were listening to us, and dancing. That interaction keeps any potential boredom at bay.

So, to the OP, I ain't here to judge. You do you. But, if you feel you got to multitask while performing, maybe it is time to mix up your repertoire or arrangements, and make it interesting (and fun) again.

David

[Gordon Currie]

Originally Posted by zuzu

What say you? Am I disrespecting the audience by watching the game as they talk over the music I am playing?

Yes, and in addition you are not being professional.

Professional means that you show up on time, play well, and deliver a quality product - no matter what the environment, lack of customers, bad attitudes etc.

Professional means you don't lower your standards because there are people not paying attention to you.

Whenever we get a 'paid rehearsal' we use that time to hone our stagecraft.
Or try out a new tune that hasn't been played live yet.

[MartinD12-20]

I imagine that at times the crowd is louder than the band.

[Mr. Jelly]

There is an opportunity here. Do a long jam doing play by plays for lyrics That would get their attention.

[slopeshoulder]

How would you feel about your dentist watching the game while doing your root canal? Sports bar gigs are on the tough side to play. Same as strip clubs. Nobody is watching the band.

[Bluenose]

Think of it as a good story for your biography after you become famous and/or maybe it's just part of 'paying your dues'. I'm trying to be positive here.

Personally I would find the situation soul crushing and I'd start looking for other ways to make a buck if that's the way my musical career is going to go. BTW I never had a musical career so ...good for you getting out there anyway.

[zuzu]

Originally Posted by Bluenose

Think of it as a good story for your biography after you become famous and/or maybe it's just part of 'paying your dues'. I'm trying to be positive here.

Personally I would find the situation soul crushing and I'd start looking for other ways to make a buck if that's the way my musical career is going to go. BTW I never had a musical career so ...good for you getting out there anyway.

Whatever thoughts or dreams I had of a "musical career" are well behind me. I'm just making some extra money so I can fish all I want for "free", essentially. My occasional consulting gig with my former firm dried up, so I go out to play for "pocket change", pretty much. I have other musical "irons in the fire" but the most consistent cash is generated from playing bass in the geezer band. And, because of the great guys in the band, it is fun. I stand corrected and won't be watching the games while I play anymore.