Band Gets Distracted

MusicTheorist16 · #1 07-09-2007, 07:52 PM

The band that I am in has a couple of problems, so any tips/suggestions to any/all of these would be greatly appreciated.

One of our biggest problems is that if we actually get a song together (and we've only covered so far), when we're done somebody just rambles on and does their own thing. Some of the people in the band are just a tad lazy, because so far I'm the only one that has made it through a whole song, and in a one hour period I learned one song on the guitar, (it took our guitarist about a day and a half, laziness).

Another problem is volume levels, we're all turned up so high that it just sounds like noise. I know you're probably gonna say "turn it down", but, any tips for how loud the guitar should be, how loud the bass should be, etc.

Oh and uh, we don't have a name.

Dave Martin · #2 07-09-2007, 08:32 PM

Two things come to mind; the first is that the band is not supposed to learn those cover songs together - everyone is supposed to learn their parts at home before hand. That way, it doesn't matter that you learned it in an hour while the guitarist took a day and a half; at rehearsal, everyone should know their own parts.

Volume can be a tricky issue - if the drummer is banging the crap out of his drums, everyone else has to turn up to compete. Or if the guitarist feels like he can't get the tone he wants without the amp on 11, he'll be the source of the problem.

the actual answer to the problem depend on the psychology of the band; I've even had a bit of luck turning myself down and then, when someone else complains that they can't hear me, I suggest (politely and quietly) that everyone needs to turn down so that we can all hear each other. (I've also done that with the vocal monitor...).

Good luck!

Rattman · #3 07-09-2007, 09:06 PM

Sounds like a major lack of self-discipline to me... too bad.

.. What is the age bracket of your band mates? They way they handle business, I'm lead to believe they are fairly young if they haven't yet gotten over the 'battle of the amps' urge out of their systems.

iceshaft07 · #4 07-09-2007, 11:41 PM

This is how we solved the "volume problem".

Have all the amps face one direction (as on stage) and have someone stand where the audience would be. Have everyone play at the same time, and if he can hear everyone individually, then it is right. You may have to take the lead.

When my band gets distracted, I consider it something normal, but we play for about 6-8 hours straight in a day. When they start doing their own thing, I practice scales, slapping, new techniques, etc. I find it is a good way to keep warmed up. After about thirty minutes to an hour, everyone will refocus, and I got extra practice time in. However, for you, the solution may be a new band.

QORC · #5 07-10-2007, 05:42 AM

we have the same problem and it's not an age thing. My guitarist (41) and drummer (42) LOVE to noodle with other songs whenever we have a pause during rehersal, which is not only distracting and time-consuming, but makes it impossible for the rest of us to talk about the music we're supposed to be rehersing. Also, the drummer has a real problem with not practicing on his own (and he's really not that good) and doesn't really learn the songs but sort of fakes. It's all very annoying. Unfortunately, there's no getting rid of him -- he owns the PA, we practice at his house, and the guitarist is joined at the hip with him. Plus, I'm the last guy in so I say nothing.

I pretty much have to accept it or quit. I've chosen to accept it. There's no changing them.

Ripper · #6 07-10-2007, 08:08 AM

we have pretty much the same problem... after a few hours, everyone gets distracted, so we take a break. that, along with our drummer's dad's overwhelming desire to cook for everyone and his annoying little brothers (5 and 9) is somewhat annoying.

but for us the biggest problem is getting together... guitarist is working his @$$ of now bc of his job, singer and other guitarist i have no clue, and the drummer has had wrestling since november.

so... we have had no time at all to practice

chakah · #7 07-10-2007, 09:57 AM

on the volume side - another idea to try would be to have everyone play through one mixer or pa. another thing that my band has tried is point all the amps at one another in a circle. pretend you're in a coffeehouse and have the drummer play in a reduced volume (i know they hate that).

anytime my band mates get distracted after a few hours i start to pack my stuff up and leave. that usually gets their attention. life is too short to waste rehearsal time goofing off.

cowsgomoo · #8 07-10-2007, 10:08 AM

book the band a gig

your problem is that you probably don't have any short-term goals to work towards...

so: book the band a gig...

nothing focuses your attention on the job in hand like the thought of making complete idiots of yourselves if you don't knuckle down and get a set properly rehearsed

MysticMichael · #9 07-10-2007, 11:24 AM

The answer to your question is: maturity, focus and discipline. I don't have any easy answers for how you achieve that, other than time, experience and desire. I only know that, until/unless you do achieve it, it's all just a bunch of diddling...

MM

fenderjazz68 · #10 07-10-2007, 12:04 PM

Hmmmm, forget why I came in here.

JOHNNY CHINGAS · #11 07-10-2007, 06:46 PM

Does anyone think its ironic he never came back. Can you say ADD :P

fenderjazz68 · #12 07-10-2007, 08:33 PM

Just was distracted.

Quote:

Originally Posted by JOHNNY CHINGAS

Does anyone think its ironic he never came back. Can you say ADD :P

BellBottomBlues · #13 07-11-2007, 02:18 AM

As a general rule of thumb the bass amp is usually 3x the wattage of the guitar amp as its harder to the lower frequencies to be heard.

So if he plays a 50 watt amp, you should be playing 150 and should each have your master volume knob at roughly the same spot.

Some guitarists like the tone only a cranked amp can give, especially tube amps. Go to radioshack and get a variac. It lets you tweak the amount of power going into your amp (or any other appliance for that matter) Now you can get that distorted tube tone without blowing out eardrums.