How Flexible Are You?

[bluewine]

I saw a good opportunity for a guitarist for an established cover band (9 years)

I would reccomend the opportunity to my guitarist friend who could bring any band up a couple of levels, but I wont.

If its not some sort of originals super progressive fusion and if the band doesn't look cool he won't consider it.

He's concerned about the lack of opportunities here, however that's a 2 way street if nothing is good enough for you.

Blue

[fdeck]

Flexible about some things and not others. There are conditions that would make it impossible to join a band.

[pedro]

I have limited skills. I don't play jazz and am not a reader. I'm good with r&b/soul/rock/pop/ but definitely would prefer to know the material ahead of time. I can do blues but I'm not particularly fond of it.

As I've gotten older I'm more forgetful of changes and need to do more work to get things 'under my fingers' so to speak.

[Muttleybass]

I'll play anything the crowd digs.

[bluewine]

I think we might want to limit this discussion to flexibility in terms of offers to join bands. What are the deal breakers.

Flexible, ok I'm flexible to a point, genre is not a deal breaker for me, however pay is. If you can't offer an equal split at the $100.00 a man level, then I'm not flexible at that point.

Blue

[davidgoldman]

Since I'm a fat old man, I don't have much choise. Ask me to play, I'm there.

[4001]

I am open to gigging and practicing anytime. It's the rest of the band that has put this band at the bottom of their priority list. Another rehersal cancelled last night after last weeks rehersal was cancelled and nobody can rehearse next week. Sometimes I wonder why this band was even formed. Getting sick of it.

[bluewine]

Originally Posted by 4001

I am open to gigging and practicing anytime. It's the rest of the band that has put this band at the bottom of their priority list. Another rehersal cancelled last night after last weeks rehersal was cancelled and nobody can rehearse next week. Sometimes I wonder why this band was even formed. Getting sick of it.

That might come under professionalism.

Blue

[SquierJazz72]

In terms of bands, I think everyone having common interest and drive is important.

Outside of that, I've found something funny. When I was only playing guitar these last few years, I was very locked into specific genres, very limited in how I saw myself.

Since I took up bass again, middle of last year, I find my musical tastes and willingness to explore almost anything have greatly expanded.

At this point, I will try almost anything, with anyone. Within the limits of certain things regarding band member age, I will work with almost anyone of any age or gender, as long as we have enough common interest to keep the drive going and we can get along well enough to work together. I don't require friendship right off the bat, but I am always open to it if it happens along the way.

So I am pretty flexible, and what I don't know, I'm usually happy to explore. So there aren't too many deal breakers for me, as long as we can get done whatever we set out to do.

[fdeck]

A difference between me and your friend is that I don't complain about lack of opportunities. Rather than list a bunch of show stoppers, I'd list things that would attract me to a band:

Killer players
Good hang
Use of my strengths
Chance for me to improve
Respect for my time
No artificial limits on my role on the band
Realistic business plan, even if noncommercial band
Compatible with my day job and personal life

Failure in any of these areas is a deal breaker unless massively offset by other factors

[bassbully]

Originally Posted by 4001

I am open to gigging and practicing anytime. It's the rest of the band that has put this band at the bottom of their priority list. Another rehersal cancelled last night after last weeks rehersal was cancelled and nobody can rehearse next week. Sometimes I wonder why this band was even formed. Getting sick of it.

Understood, try getting 4-5 guys together with families and jobs and book gigs.
I had to move a date with a good club we play at a few times a year today. The owner just offered another date but our lead said he can't do it so we might drop a good gig with them this year. We only get 3 gigs a year form them as it is.

This stuff gets on my nerves.

[zfunkman]

After playing in misc. blues bands, funk bands, and trying to make it in several original projects I ended up getting my college degree in business (already had the music degree). Since I don't need money from music I only play music I like which is a lot but not modern top 40. I currently play in an old school funk band that specializes in obscure funk tunes and a jazz/fusion/funk/improv band. If I wanted to make money I'd look for an old school funk/hits band, traditional blues or classic rock. But definitely funk first.

[bluewine]

Originally Posted by zfunkman

After playing in misc. blues bands, funk bands, and trying to make it in several original projects I ended up getting my college degree in business (already had the music degree). Since I don't need money from music I only play music I like which is a lot but not modern top 40. I currently play in an old school funk band that specializes in obscure funk tunes and a jazz/fusion/funk/improv band. If I wanted to make money I'd look for an old school funk/hits band, traditional blues or classic rock. But definitely funk first.

Sounds like your pretty flexible if money is not a concern or issue.


Blue

[RustyAxe]

Originally Posted by bluewine

6. I restrict myself to established working band opportunities with a strong book of business.

Limiting the discussion to bands (as opposed to other collaborative projects). Bands are too much hassle (eg, rehearsals, travel) to put up with unless there's a monetary return. I'm in a working band, and if it folded I wouldn't be at all interested in a start-up band and would look for a reasonably established project with a history of gigs, and a calendar of upcoming gigs.

[MatticusMania]

Im going to go ahead and say that Im not very flexible. I know what I want, and what works for me, and I go for that.
Its up to us, as musicians, to define our goals. Im flexible so long as the situation will still put me on the path to accomplish those goals, of which I have more than a few.

[agreatheight]

My requirements revolve around:

Talent
Personality
Professionalism
Originality (in originals bands)

In other words...

Cover bands: I want to play with people who get the job done and are fun and easy to play with. I like rehearse seldom and play often, and I won't play for free (80$ minimum, 100$ average).

Orignal bands: I want play with people who can do something creative. I like to rehearse and record regularly, and I will play for free.

[bluewine]

Originally Posted by RustyAxe

Limiting the discussion to bands (as opposed to other collaborative projects). Bands are too much hassle (eg, rehearsals, travel) to put up with unless there's a monetary return. I'm in a working band, and if it folded I wouldn't be at all interested in a start-up band and would look for a reasonably established project with a history of gigs, and a calendar of upcoming gigs.

We talk the same language.

Blue

[jaxom]

I recently agreed to join another cover band (Southern rock, Blues rock & Classic rock) only because I know everyone and they are very good musicians....

[bluewine]

Originally Posted by MatticusMania

Im going to go ahead and say that Im not very flexible. I know what I want, and what works for me, and I go for that.
Its up to us, as musicians, to define our goals. Im flexible so long as the situation will still put me on the path to accomplish those goals, of which I have more than a few.

I agree, defined goals are crucial.

Mine are easy ;

Good people

Good musicianship

Established with impressive bookings

Equal pay split

Blue

[Bert Slide]

Do you like American music? We like American music.
I like American music... Baby.
Do you like American music? We like all kinds of music.
But I like American music best... baby.