Getting a band together, writing, and other questions

Michael Case · #1 08-10-2009, 09:50 AM

Hello Janek,

I was wondering, did you write the music for the band then go out and find the players or did you know what the line up was and then start writing? I've been considering putting a group together to play some original music, but don't have much written. How did you go about it?

janekbass · #2 08-10-2009, 02:33 PM

I normally write the music for specific musicians, and write for their strengths. Just as I would hire the right people for a record date as a producer having listened to the music that was written for it.

But it's really important for me to write things that have space to grow because as soon as the guys in my band get hold of the material it's going to change and improve beyond recognition. It has a lot to do with being able to let go of the initial idea I have as a writer and letting it become what it's going to become.

Easy,

Janek

Michael Case · #3 08-10-2009, 11:34 PM

Did you ever find it difficult to present your ideas to people? And if so, how did you get beyond it?

I have a bit of a confidence problem and get really uncomfortable presenting my compositions to a band.

janekbass · #4 08-13-2009, 12:53 PM

I don't normally find it hard to present my ideas to cats, but I totally understand what you mean about being uncomfortable about doing so.

I think I've learned to take my time with the compositions and really try and get them as close to where I want the finished product before I present them to the band. That might not work for everyone, but it's working for me right now. Just try and surround yourself with open minded musicians and get into situations where there's a mutual respect happening. Then you guys should be totally uninhibited when you're sharing ideas. It's educational to me when something I think is going to work really well fail miserably, and then something I consider to be total junk ends up being the best song on a record..... I think the key is just letting go of it all, and letting the music do the talking.

Easy,

Janek

Michael Case · #5 08-13-2009, 06:17 PM

Nice, thank you for your thoughtful responses.

giovabass · #6 08-28-2009, 05:19 AM

Janek, I listened to your podcasts and noticed that often you compose using your bass with loopers and effects. When you present a composition to your band you just give them the written part on paper or give them audio too (like I would do)... Do you find more comfortable composing and making the audio "demo" on your main instrument (bass) or doing it like many people do, on piano and/or software like Logic etc.? Hope my question makes sense

janekbass · #7 08-29-2009, 02:49 AM

I normally just write down the melodies and harmony in my note book whenever I come up with them. And then once I have a number of melodic ideas I tend to fit them together like pieces of a puzzle to make songs.

I'll normally come to the band with a basic lead sheet, and quite often an audio demo with programmed drums, bass, harmony, and melody.

and then the real fun starts, when the band gets hold of it and the composition starts to grow.

easy,

Janek

giovabass · #8 08-30-2009, 10:09 AM

nice, I guessed something like that... thanks for the answer.

Rossesh · #9 09-12-2009, 04:24 PM

Hi Janek,

I have been playing bass just over a year and currently in the process of forming a band at college, where I have just started a music practice course. I am very inexperienced as I have not been in band before and up until now only really practiced on my own. Many of my fellow students as you would expect have been playing years and years and are used to jamming in a band but I am not. I just need some tips really on how I should approach this opportunity and what I should expect from myself.

Thank you

Ross

janekbass · #10 09-12-2009, 08:19 PM

I would get into as many jam session situations as you can, keep your ears and eyes open, and learn as much as you can from other people about playing in a band situation.

I'm a huge advocate for writing your own music, and having your own band, but it sounds like you may need a little experience just being a bass player right now before you embark on putting a band together. If possible I would try and do sideman/jam sessions/rehearsal stuff and at the same time be thinking about what you want out of your band. Getting an idea of a sound, a groove, a genre perhaps....

Just keep an open mind through it all and know that you can learn something from absolutely any situation, and you'll do great.

Easy,

Janek