I'm out of ideas...

Mr_Krinkle · #1 06-04-2008, 05:03 PM

Ok, so, I've been in a band for about a year now. We're all high school students, and it has not been going well. For the first 4 months we all just tried to get used to playing with each other (we are all friends from previous experiences), and for me to learn how to actually play bass. But after 6 months, all we know are... wait for it... two songs. :-l
Sure we try, hell, we've made like, 5 lists of 5+ songs that we want to learn to play, and are DEFINITELY not going to drop, and are totally going to learn. Only problem, they all get dropped. Somebody gets a problem with the song (I will admit sometimes it is me), or we cant find half decent tabs, somebody can't learn it because it is way too hard and we were kidding ourselves with it, or it is way too easy and it is no fun to play. We need to find a balance, and after a year I'm getting pretty ****ing sick of this ****. It's not like were incompetent, we can collectively learn a song or more in a week. And we're all talented musicians, the least of which would probably be myself, although that doesn't mean I'm bad, it just means that the others have more experience than I do. Leaving the band is not an option. Does anybody have any suggestions on how to get our asses motivated?

MCBTunes · #2 06-04-2008, 05:07 PM

Have you thought about booking a gig? Learn a few more songs, even if some are "easier" just so you have enough to do a set.

Do a battle of the bands type thing, all you need is a couple songs.

Alivefor5 · #3 06-04-2008, 05:10 PM

Get your butts out and book a gig for a date in 6 weeks. Any kind of a gig: A benefit for a sick friend, a wedding party, an outdoor gig in a park, etc., etc.

Knowing you have committed to playing a gig does wonders to expand the set list.

It also causes you to get any equipment problems resolved. Good PA, working amps, etc.

Get out there and do it!

Mr_Krinkle · #4 06-04-2008, 05:12 PM

I would be pumped if we could book a gig. Unfortunately, we live in what is essentially, the mennonite bible belt of Manitoba. If you aren't a scream-music band, and don't sing about how much you love jesus, your screwed. Basically I can really only seeing us playing small gigs, if any (like talent shows and crap like that...) until we turn 18 and can play in bars in the city, which is a lot more open-minded than where I live.

Just J · #5 06-05-2008, 12:27 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Mr_Krinkle

I would be pumped if we could book a gig. Unfortunately, we live in what is essentially, the mennonite bible belt of Manitoba. If you aren't a scream-music band, and don't sing about how much you love jesus, your screwed. Basically I can really only seeing us playing small gigs, if any (like talent shows and crap like that...) until we turn 18 and can play in bars in the city, which is a lot more open-minded than where I live.

It's not uncommon for bars to allow all ages to perform at open mic nights. Check.

alexnw · #6 06-05-2008, 05:09 PM

Can you let us know few of the songs that you've tried and dropped, and which have been succesful ?

Maybe we can come up with some suggestions/song's based on this.

Thunderthumbs73 · #7 06-05-2008, 05:27 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Mr_Krinkle

Ok, so, I've been in a band for about a year now. We're all high school students, and it has not been going well. For the first 4 months we all just tried to get used to playing with each other (we are all friends from previous experiences), and for me to learn how to actually play bass. But after 6 months, all we know are... wait for it... two songs. :-l
Sure we try, hell, we've made like, 5 lists of 5+ songs that we want to learn to play, and are DEFINITELY not going to drop, and are totally going to learn. Only problem, they all get dropped. Somebody gets a problem with the song (I will admit sometimes it is me), or we cant find half decent tabs, somebody can't learn it because it is way too hard and we were kidding ourselves with it, or it is way too easy and it is no fun to play. We need to find a balance, and after a year I'm getting pretty ****ing sick of this ****. It's not like were incompetent, we can collectively learn a song or more in a week. And we're all talented musicians, the least of which would probably be myself, although that doesn't mean I'm bad, it just means that the others have more experience than I do. Leaving the band is not an option. Does anybody have any suggestions on how to get our asses motivated?

Interesting. If you don't mind saying, what are your songs, and what are your influences? What sound are you looking for. I'm sure someone here, armed with that info, can help you fill the gap between boring and impossible. Don't give up.

Maybe it's wrong, but to me, sometimes its more ENJOYABLE to play easier songs that everyone can handle that end up being fun to play while helping the band get its bearings, and then move up to the kick arse songs you always wanted to play.

Maybe it's me, but to get a band through Van Morrison's "Brown Eyed Girl" (yes that's an oldie, and yes, some people really don't know how to play that one)and do it well is more fun that trying to trudge or fudge the way through Rush's YYZ, when the drummer just ain't cutting it, and it sounds like a train wreck.

As long as you know where you want to be in the long-term, and are working to get there, a little work "in the trenches" won't hurt too much- and it's temporary!