Conductor for local rock band?

slick519 · #1 11-18-2002, 06:13 PM

It seems i have a little question, concerning my status in this new band i am "in."

I am 15 years old, and a guy, and music runs in my family EXTREMLY deep. So, that made me a pretty musical guy. This was all good, but a couple of months ago, i was at a local concert and there were som fairly talented musicians in this one band. The kids in this band are all talented w/ there instuments (2 guitars, bassist, and a drummer) the only thing was that they just couldnt write any good music!! so i suggested some tips to there guitar player on a very un-inspired solo that needed some work. He had very open ears about it all, and invited my comments to there recording studio. I agreed, and now a couple months, and a bunch of help later, they are about to release their new album.

now here is my problem....
Almost all of the songs on that album are my ideas, and i would run the recording pretty much like a conductor, me acting like a fool, counting out beats and ordering crecendos. I always had some rough sheet music infront of me, keeping place, and all that such.
But how well is this gonna hold up, and is this any way for a band to be? they are all in there 20s, and they are taking instruction from someone a ways younger than them. I am really enjoying this so far, but i fear that this is gonna crumble pretty soon....

your thoughts?
slicks

Boplicity · #2 11-18-2002, 07:07 PM

It's about time for a heart-to-heart talk with these guys in which you all lay your agendas on the table. What do they expect from you and what do they plan to do for you in return? What do you expect from them, etc? Be clear. Tell them you don't want any surprises, nor should they.

I think you need to have the end game in sight. Do you want this arrangement to be permanent? Do they? Or would you like to gradually wean them from your guidance? Do they want to eventually wean themselves form you?

Should you be compensated for your contribution to the band? If so, how? A one time fee or a share of the CD's profits or what? Should your name appear on the CD jackets as producer? Did you write or arrange any or all of the songs? Should you get any income from publishing?

Iron out all these details so that there are no misundertsandings or hard feelings if either you or they end up feeling cheated or mistreated. Maybe you'd better put the agreement in writing. Talking it out now will save heartache and bitterness later.

slick519 · #3 11-19-2002, 07:42 PM

Thanks alot, ill try to do that, but what are your feelings about this, jstu as a way of making music?

thanks,

=slicks=

Peter McFerrin · #4 11-19-2002, 08:06 PM

Congratulations, son, you can call yourself a "producer" now. Steal their royalties and go snort some of your hard-earned blow.

tufnuts · #5 11-19-2002, 08:15 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by Peter McFerrin
Congratulations, son, you can call yourself a "producer" now. Steal their royalties and go snort some of your hard-earned blow.

Ladies and gentlemen, PMF...the man who's no help at all

Just kidding Pete.

On topic? Sure, no prob.

I say just keep on doing what you're doing. If band mates are okay with taking your direction...then you're doing something good. Practice will make you even better.

Good luck man.

And don't listen to PMF about the snorting and the blow. He lies.

Peter McFerrin · #6 11-19-2002, 08:17 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by tufnuts

And don't listen to PMF about the snorting and the blow. He lies.

Oh, you wish. YOU WISH.

**Josh Ryan** · #7 11-21-2002, 01:06 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by Peter McFerrin
Congratulations, son, you can call yourself a "producer" now. Steal their royalties and go snort some of your hard-earned blow.

Right on!

Actually, slicks, you did fufill the role of producer and are entitled to production credit on the album and some cut from it's sales.