Band management advice, novice musicians

MooseLumps · #1 10-06-2009, 12:58 PM

Alright, first things first. I'm in a 4 piece now with some kids who are just starting out on their musical journey. The drummer got his first kit 2 months ago, The rhythm guitarist only plays about 30% of the time (He is exceptionally new to the instrument as well) and our lead has major volume issues. We've had a few jam sessions together, and they seem to be taking things seriously. I gave the rhythm player a tuner so that he would stop borrowing mine, and advised the drummer to start practicing to a metronome, which he seemed amenable to at the time. our lead guy knows theory and can actually improvise, having much more practice and a hair more talent than the other boys.

I assigned some stupid simple cover songs for them to learn by next Friday(Born to be wild, Teen spirit, ect), and they seem to be taking things seriously.

Issue is this. I'm sort of the big cheese right now. I'm trying to get these kids on the right track, as they have never done this sort of thing, and I have. My real concern is that I will come off too authoritative or bossy. I'm constantly giving impromptu lectures (death grip, quieter practice, regular tuning, regular practice, critical listening, listening to what the other band members are doing, ect). I do my best to keep things low key and cool, and not usurp anything, But these kids are harder to herd than caffeinated cats.

Are there any tips from teachers and band leaders on how to get these kids shaped up without being an *** ?
I should note that I'm not trying to go boot camp on these kids, and if they never make it out of the basement I won't cry. I have been looking for a band for 2 years and this is the most potential I have found. I just want to have a place to try out ideas and regular practice. It's really whipping me back into shape, making me re-evaluate how I practice, ect.

Advice?

fractal0243 · #2 10-06-2009, 01:22 PM

Sounds like you're off to a good start. At least you get to break them of bad habits early on. I'm sure there will come a point in time where you all get pissy with eachother, but if they're really serious about learning, they'll take the criticism and move on. Plus, I'm sure you'll learn from them as well! Good luck!

electracoyote · #3 10-06-2009, 01:26 PM

Just make sure they know you love them, and they will follow your lead. They recognize your experience. You gotta have some people skills now, get and keep them on your side. Keep reminding them it's all about a good end result, good music. Remember to smile once in awhile.

DblG · #4 10-06-2009, 06:51 PM

If they're mature enough, they'll look to your experience and you may teach them some good habits. When the band I'm in started w/ our current drummer ~1993, he was (and still is) ~14 years older than the rest of us. After a few practices, he suggested to us to use what he called the "pyramid method" (as opposed to what he termed the hog dog method) of learning covers together...work on the beginning, then do the beginning plus the next section of the song, then those two parts plus the next section and so on. Each time we would get better at the first sections while learning the newer parts. We learned that early on and still use it today. No one thought of him as being too authoritive, just took good advice. Hopefully they'll do the same for you and you can grow together as a band.

Stumbo · #5 10-07-2009, 09:35 AM

You might want to check out the links in my sig. for some great TB info that may apply to your situation.

Nashrakh · #6 10-07-2009, 10:46 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by electracoyote

Just make sure they know you love them, and they will follow your lead. They recognize your experience. You gotta have some people skills now, get and keep them on your side. Keep reminding them it's all about a good end result, good music. Remember to smile once in awhile.

+10380234

Talk to them and tell them the same stuff you did here. Make sure they get your point of not wanting to come across as bossy and all should be fine.

Quote:

Originally Posted by MooseLumps

I assigned some stupid simple cover songs for them to learn by next Friday(Born to be wild, Teen spirit, ect), and they seem to be taking things seriously.

Actually, the Steppenwolf version of Born to be wild (which is the version everybody knows, I assume) has a b*tch of a bass line. Not to be trifled with.

MooseLumps · #7 10-07-2009, 11:29 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Nashrakh

Actually, the Steppenwolf version of Born to be wild (which is the version everybody knows, I assume) has a b*tch of a bass line. Not to be trifled with.

i guess that this is my burden to bear

Jeb · #8 10-11-2009, 12:29 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Stumbo

You might want to check out the links in my sig. for some great TB info that may apply to your situation.

You post links to some very useable info, but I'd like to know what you (Stumbo) think. I tend to associate your posts to a series of links. While I appreciate the info sources, I'd really like to hear your personal take from time to time.