As a bass player—or really any kind of musician who plays in bands—there’s going to come a time when someone calls you to play a sub gig. If you don’t know, a sub gig is when you step in for someone else in their band. Maybe their regular bassist can’t make it. Maybe they don’t have one right now. And sometimes, you’ll get called by someone just throwing together a pickup band for a show.

I do a lot of these gigs now. They can be fun. They can be profitable. But they come with their own set of problems and potential pitfalls. And to avoid as many of those as possible, there are a bunch of questions you should ask—either before you take the gig or while you’re ironing out the details. Sometimes, you’ll need to ask more than once. Musicians have a well-earned reputation for being a little flaky. Not all of them, of course. But enough of them to reinforce the stereotype. So don’t be surprised if you have to double back for clarity. Voice of experience here.

These questions tend to fall into a few broad categories.

The first one is the most obvious, at least in theory: How much does the gig pay?

I’m assuming you’re getting paid—if the band is getting paid, then so should you. But how much is very much up for grabs. There are times when I know I’m not making as much as the other members, and other times when I’m probably the highest-paid person on stage. It depends. I usually don’t ask how I’ll be paid on the first gig. I expect either cash or a quick Venmo that night. But there have been cases where payment was less than timely, and now I often insist on being paid the same day. That’s a case-by-case thing, but the key is to avoid surprises. You don’t want to show up expecting $100 and get handed $40. I try to get a guarantee, and anything above that is always welcome.

Next, the logistics. These are the practical details that often get overlooked but can really make or break your night.

How big is the stage? Do I need to bring the smallest rig I own? Is there even room for more than one guitar? I’ve played on stages where we were packed in like sardines, and I had to bring the most compact setup possible just to function.

Sometimes there’s a backline. Sometimes you’re running direct through the PA. I usually bring a rig anyway and leave it in the car, just in case. Don’t assume the person hiring you knows much about sound reinforcement or what your instrument setup requires. I ask whether there’s a mic stand I can clamp my iPad holder to for notes, but I often just bring one. Better safe than sorry.

What’s the load-in like? Where do I park? Is there parking on-site, or am I going to be hiking from some garage down the street? You don’t want to find this out when you pull up to the venue.

What time is downbeat? What time is the show over? When do you need to be there for soundcheck or setup? This is all basic stuff, but I’ve seen people show up late or underprepared simply because they didn’t ask.

Also, will there be a rehearsal? Are they insisting you practice with them? That can really affect the cost-benefit ratio, especially depending on where and when that practice is happening. Some sub gigs don’t require a rehearsal. Others do. Ask.

Can your significant other get in for free? Is there an opening band—or are you the opener? Is the gig outdoors? All those little details can prevent nasty surprises.

Then there’s the most important category: the music.

You absolutely have to show up prepared. The time to learn the songs is not at rehearsal and certainly not at the show. I always ask for a set list—in order—so I can prep my notes accordingly. When they give me the list, I ask for not just the song titles, but also the artists. And if there’s a particular version they want me to learn, I ask for that too—ideally with a Spotify or YouTube link.

But that’s not all. One of the biggest issues is key changes. I always ask whether any of the songs are in a different key than the recorded version. You don’t want to find out at the first note that they’ve moved the song up a minor third or dropped it a half-step.

Speaking of which, a lot of recordings were done with instruments tuned down a half-step. Some bands play those songs a half-step up in standard tuning, while others retune their instruments down to match the recording. So I always ask: are you in standard tuning or flat tuning? I’ve even had a guy tell me he plays a whole step down.

Sometimes, they mix it up—some songs in standard, some in flat tuning—and switch guitars between them. That’s one more reason to ask how big the stage is. If space allows, I often bring two instruments. If flat tuning is essential, I’ll consider breaking out a drop pedal, even though I don’t love how they sound. Might have to bite the bullet and do that again.

And here’s a big one: do they play the songs exactly like the recording? Or are they doing something different?

I’ll warn you: many bands say they play things just like the record. But in the middle of the show, you find out they skip the bridge, or add an extra chorus, or ditch a second verse, or slide into a medley through a custom chord progression they forgot to mention. Maybe there’s a signature lick they do, and suddenly you’re the only one not in on it. It helps to be able to roll with those punches—but better to know in advance if you can.

Which brings me to another key question: do they have any video or audio of recent performances?

This can be a lifesaver. It shows you how they actually play the songs. Most bands these days have something on YouTube or Facebook. Even if it’s not super recent, it can help. I’ve even asked for this before agreeing to a gig—because sometimes, a few minutes of watching them play can tell you if you want to do it at all. I usually say yes before checking, but I’ve definitely had moments during the show where I regretted it.

Live and learn.

One last tip: if you start asking technical questions—about the PA, keys, arrangements—you may get referred to another band member. That’s fine. Just make sure you get the info from whoever actually knows what’s going on. Don’t be afraid to say, “Hey, is there someone else in the band who might know the answer?”

Most of the time, people are happy to help. They want a good show too.

Hopefully, none of this sounds intimidating. Once you get used to it, these questions become second nature. And they can save you a lot of headaches. Every one of these came from experience—times I didn’t ask and got surprised. Now, I try to make sure that doesn’t happen again.

You won’t avoid every surprise. That’s just part of doing sub gigs. But the more you can stack the deck in your favor, the more you can focus on making the show great—and having a good time while getting paid.

And really, who doesn’t love that?