My band has finally started giging again

[Summit]

You take criticism very poorly. You seem overly defensive of this performance and that's no way to improve. Do you want advice or not?

I agree completely about the drumming, it's way overdone and completely destroys any sort of groove that's developing. Maybe it sounds better live but all I've got to go off of is your video and I think it sounds, frankly, bad based on what I am hearing.

Singing is quite flat at times. Maybe that's your style or intention but I think it'd sound better otherwise. I know I can very particular about this though, some people don't mind flat singing (sounds more indie I suppose). Singer has great energy, but yeah I agree the outfit is a bit strange.

[Manuel101]

Originally Posted by Summit

You take criticism very poorly. You seem overly defensive of this performance and that's no way to improve. Do you want advice or not?

I agree completely about the drumming, it's way overdone and completely destroys any sort of groove that's developing. Maybe it sounds better live but all I've got to go off of is your video and I think it sounds, frankly, bad based on what I am hearing.

Singing is quite flat at times. Maybe that's your style or intention but I think it'd sound better otherwise. I know I can very particular about this though, some people don't mind flat singing (sounds more indie I suppose). Singer has great energy, but yeah I agree the outfit is a bit strange.

I disagree with your assessment. Its not like i am shutting down anything you guys are saying. All I said was that I was surprise when you guys told me that the drumming was inadequate because I have never noticed it. How is that taking criticism poorly? also when you guys said that the singing was flat i responded, "I'll take the blame and say it was probably me. I couldn't hear myself to well though (bad excuse). In all honesty this wasn't our best show and that was the first thing we said to each other after the show. Got to work on a few things for next show. The best show we had so far was the one before this one, we were much tighter." So i admitted that we weren't that tight and that my singing was off so explain how exactly i am not listening or rejecting the advice?

[mellowinman]

Originally Posted by Manuel101

I'll take the blame and say it was probably me. I couldn't hear myself to well though (bad excuse). In all honesty this wasn't our best show and that was the first thing we said to each other after the show. Got to work on a few things for next show. The best show we had so far was the one before this one, we were much tighter.

It's not you. You were on. She is going flat a lot. She can sing. She's got a decent voice. She goes flat. She needs to practice more, and just learn some control. She's sloppy in her technique, and sometimes that sounds cool, but I'll tell you a little secret:

When a singer with tight, super controlled chops does a slide, they start and end on pitch, and they sound really cool doing it. When a lesser experienced singer does it, their lack of chops shows up. She isn't bad at all! She needs to really own the material, and put in the time.

The drummer is another matter. He will have to get a LOT better, or he will probably not last.

As for you, keep doing what you're doing, dude.

[mellowinman]

Originally Posted by Summit

You take criticism very poorly. You seem overly defensive of this performance and that's no way to improve. Do you want advice or not?

I agree completely about the drumming, it's way overdone and completely destroys any sort of groove that's developing. Maybe it sounds better live but all I've got to go off of is your video and I think it sounds, frankly, bad based on what I am hearing.

Singing is quite flat at times. Maybe that's your style or intention but I think it'd sound better otherwise. I know I can very particular about this though, some people don't mind flat singing (sounds more indie I suppose). Singer has great energy, but yeah I agree the outfit is a bit strange.

He's got the guts to put his original music on YouTube, and then invite professional musicians to critique him. He is doing just fine at handling that criticism, so lay off.

This guy is making the effort, and if he continues to do so, he will do well. With female vocals, up in the mix as they are, there is a fine line between sounding "bad," and sounding "excellent."

As I said in my previous post, this girl could be a winner. She has the basic ingredients, but she lacks TIME. We don't know how well she can hear herself in the monitors, for one thing.

To the OP:

Once again, KEEP GOING. You're doing fine.

[Manuel101]

Originally Posted by mellowinman

It's not you. You were on. She is going flat a lot. She can sing. She's got a decent voice. She goes flat. She needs to practice more, and just learn some control. She's sloppy in her technique, and sometimes that sounds cool, but I'll tell you a little secret:

When a singer with tight, super controlled chops does a slide, they start and end on pitch, and they sound really cool doing it. When a lesser experienced singer does it, their lack of chops shows up. She isn't bad at all! She needs to really own the material, and put in the time.

The drummer is another matter. He will have to get a LOT better, or he will probably not last.

As for you, keep doing what you're doing, dude.

Thanks man for the kind words. I am curious, in the song called SVU i noticed that the drummer and I were not hitting the one at the same time in some parts of the verse, how do you know if its the drummer or me messing up. After the show I was annoyed at myself because i felt that i was the one who was not timing it right.

[mellowinman]

Originally Posted by Manuel101

Thanks man for the kind words. I am curious, in the song called SVU i noticed that the drummer and I were not hitting the one at the same time in some parts of the verse, how do you know if its the drummer or me messing up. After the show I was annoyed at myself because i felt that i was the one who was not timing it right.

I could go back and count it. Then I'd know. He just seems erratic, over all. He could get better; sometimes they do, but he is what I would call a "weak drummer." Believe me, I've had my share of 'em. They'll get you through the gig, but you need a drummer that really pulls his weight.

If you're the one who is off, then STOP IT. Count out your beats to be sure, and you two could woodshed together a bit, while counting beats, or using the metronome.

How good do you want to be?

I've been playing music for over forty years, and I'm still nowhere near as good as I would like to be.

[Manuel101]

I am a high school math teacher and many times I tackle what i consider to be my students most detrimental misconception. What do you guys think is the one thing each of us need to work on. i don't want to go to next rehearsal with a list of things I think it might be best to single out one thing at a time and address that. So tell me guys what should each of us work on? I think I need to work on my singing a bit. By the way do you guys think I should take down the videos?

[Manuel101]

Originally Posted by mellowinman

I could go back and count it. Then I'd know. He just seems erratic, over all. He could get better; sometimes they do, but he is what I would call a "weak drummer." Believe me, I've had my share of 'em. They'll get you through the gig, but you need a drummer that really pulls his weight.

If you're the one who is off, then STOP IT. Count out your beats to be sure, and you two could woodshed together a bit, while counting beats, or using the metronome.

How good do you want to be?

I've been playing music for over forty years, and I'm still nowhere near as good as I would like to be.

Getting another drummer would be almost impossible because he started the band, he coined the name. I own the site and the youtube account.

[mellowinman]

Originally Posted by Manuel101

I am a high school math teacher and many times I tackle what i consider to be my students most detrimental misconception. What do you guys think is the one thing each of us need to work on. i don't want to go to next rehearsal with a list of things I think it might be best to single out one thing at a time and address that. So tell me guys what should each of us work on? I think I need to work on my singing a bit. By the way do you guys think I should take down the videos?

I wouldn't take down the videos. They're a great way to watch the band progress. If you think you're all ready for the record deal, I'm afraid you might be disappointed, but that shouldn't stop you from keeping on.

You're singing well, but you should stay at it. How's your listening? Remember, playing in a band is about playing with other musicians. Make sure that girl is coming out of the monitors strong, and make sure you're all playing the same song.

[Manuel101]

Originally Posted by mellowinman

I wouldn't take down the videos. They're a great way to watch the band progress. If you think you're all ready for the record deal, I'm afraid you might be disappointed, but that shouldn't stop you from keeping on.

You're singing well, but you should stay at it. How's your listening? Remember, playing in a band is about playing with other musicians. Make sure that girl is coming out of the monitors strong, and make sure you're all playing the same song.

I could hear her well I couldn't hear myself too much though.

[Floyd Eye]

I think the new singer is definitely an improvement and whatever issues she is having could be worked out relatively easily. The drums certainly didn't bother me nearly as much as it did some of the other guys on this thread, but then again I didn't see anyone saying anything about the guitarist, whom I would replace immediately.

Just my two cents.

[TrevorCJ]

Get a new drummer, everything else is very good. Good luck in your future musical career my friend!

[Manuel101]

Originally Posted by Floyd Eye

I think the new singer is definitely an improvement and whatever issues she is having could be worked out relatively easily. The drums certainly didn't bother me nearly as much as it did some of the other guys on this thread, but then again I didn't see anyone saying anything about the guitarist, whom I would replace immediately.

Just my two cents.

You see that's the funny thing, i thought the guitarist was the weakest link but then i was surprise when people spoke about the drummer. Getting a new guitarist has been a long and fruitless affair. We have wanted a second guitarist for a long time with no luck. We rehearse in west orange New Jersey if anybody knows of a decent guitarist please let me know we really need one.

[bluewine]

Originally Posted by Manuel101

You see that's the funny thing, i thought the guitarist was the weakest link but then i was surprise when people spoke about the drummer. Getting a new guitarist has been a long and fruitless affair. We have wanted a second guitarist for a long time with no luck. We rehearse in west orange New Jersey if anybody knows of a decent guitarist please let me know we really need one.

Then you know my home town, Montclair.

My band use to play at that tiny tavern across the street from Star Pizzeria in West Orange back in the early 70s. It was called Wallace's. I think it's been closed for years.

Blue

[Mugre]

A lot of potential but amateurishness that I would expect from a band of 17 year olds is getting in the way. You're getting good advice about the drumming and the lack of a deep pocket. Do your best to hear it and do something about it. I would encourage the guitarist to play more rhythm parts to reinforce the harmonic and rhythmic structures of the songs.

[Manuel101]

Originally Posted by Mugre

A lot of potential but amateurishness that I would expect from a band of 17 year olds is getting in the way. You're getting good advice about the drumming and the lack of a deep pocket. Do your best to hear it and do something about it. I would encourage the guitarist to play more rhythm parts to reinforce the harmonic and rhythmic structures of the songs.

what do you think I should work on? In regards to the drummer his dad is a drum teacher so ill let him talk to his son about it because i wouldn't know what to say as i honestly don't hear anything wrong with his playing, he is the only drummer I've ever played with other than the drummer at my old church and he is a mayor improvement. I usually play in latin bands which dont use a drum. What I am trying to say is that i dont have a point of reference in my mind which i can use to compare him with.

[Manuel101]

Originally Posted by Mugre

A lot of potential but amateurishness that I would expect from a band of 17 year olds is getting in the way. You're getting good advice about the drumming and the lack of a deep pocket. Do your best to hear it and do something about it. I would encourage the guitarist to play more rhythm parts to reinforce the harmonic and rhythmic structures of the songs.

by the way am i doing anything amateurish? if so what?

[socialleper]

You're a braver man than I for asking that question. You must be a fan of abuse or have super thick skin.

I'm a fan of music that makes people want to punch each other in the face, so I think its safe to say it isn't my bag.

[sb69coupe]

I agree with what's being said about the drummer. In particular, listen to the following parts on "Far Away"

- the fills at 0:14 and 0:27 in are very awkward, he doesn't land back on the beat. The entire intro is very hectic, there's no real groove. If he would hold back and play less, you could lock the bass and drums together to provide a better groove and foundation for the vocal intro. Listen to the awkward fill/accent at 0:33, it distracts from the vocals and the groove completely.

Once the guitar comes in, the song moves well and I have no real criticism until it breaks down at the 1:17 point. In the section following that, it feels like the drummer is trying too hard to throw many licks in with multiple snare hits. Sticking with a more simple and emphatic single snare hit for the backbeat would allow the vocals to stand out, and provide a stronger groove.

On SVU, the fill in the intro at 0:20 is similarly awkward. He lands back on the beat, but it's just got a very awkward feel. The transition to the faster section at 1:14 was odd, there was no real strong entrance to indicate what was happening. And he was very early to the "one" at the 3:05 mark. The fast sections really speed up quite dramatically, and then the tempo drops way too much in the following slow parts.

In general, most of these issues could be addressed by having the drummer play to a click when you're rehearsing. The combination of tightening up his timing, and playing a little less busily, would really benefit the songs. And that's what it's truly about, playing to benefit the song, rather than throwing every lick you know into every measure.

[bluewine]

I am no expert on modern music. However your female front could use some sprucing up.

Why was she acting like she was warming up to take part in a wrestling match before you guys played "Far Away"?

Blue