Sooner or later every band makes use of a dep, or stand in.
Last Friday presented the opportunity to dep for a band performance which did not have a bassist. It was an impromtu request, a matter of being in the right place at the right time (in this instance winding cables) so the performance proceeded without being planned, organized, or rehearsed.
It came about through existing connection, one of them being Jordan, the keyboardist referenced in the post 28 November last, also a member of the performing band. It goes to show that such opportunities rarely arise out of auditioning, rather the people met, the impressions made and the relationships formed along the way. As it isn't possible to predict, it's especially important to treat every performance like a job interview.
In this instance, through last minute circumstance, musical interpretation and improvisation were key. However, that isn't how it usually is. The role of the dep is ordinarily to take the place of the regular bassist, to fit in seamlessly, and to sound the same (as similar as possible), to the extent that the other band members should not even notice that they are playing alongside a dep.
In those instances, it's essential to do the groundwork and do it well. One can never over prepare for a performance. It's absolutely necessary for the benefit of the band to maintain that continuity of performance, and, from a personal perspective, give the very best performance every time. Afterall, you never know who might be listening!
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