No management at rehearsals

[jakelly]

I've been with this band since last March. It's a start-up cover band. We had to do a slight reshuffle when a member quit in June, but instead of replacing him we just continued on without him. Same band, one less member.

So, rehearsals have been slack. Not working hard enough on refining the songs. We've been adding new songs, but its a slow process. Many times, I've noticed 15 minutes or more have passed and nothing has been played at all. This often leads to 6 or 8 songs being played in 2 to 3 hours.

No one is taking charge of the situation, but I am willing to if they agree. I've never led a rehearsal however. What I want to try is: give everyone the same 4 or 5 songs to learn and practice at home, then, come h*** or high water, have them ready to play and work out any minor kinks on them next rehearsal. I would say more than 4 or 5, but I doubt they could/would prepare more than that due to their day jobs, family life and such.

In the past, I would have walked out on this type of situation after so long, but I want to stay and make this work. Advice appreciated.

[lfmn16]

If no one is stepping, up there is no reason you can't. You may want to test the waters by saying something along the lines of, "I was thinking, how about if we do this for next rehearsal ..."

They may be looking for someone to take charge. There are few things worse than going to a rehearsal with everyone noodling around and getting nothing done ... BORING!

[powmetalbassist]

your proposal sounds reasonable. practicing at home between practices is a good way to get eveyone on the same page. It's something we've been doing for quite some time. Also have a list of songs posted on the wall of the jamspace (Known, semi-known, on deck) Then make sure you focus on the working on section, try to bring up a few of the on deck ones into semi-known status, and play through once the known songs so you don't get rusty. Works for us!

[HeadyVan Halen]

This will be a re-post but:
1.) Have a definite starting AND ending time. People usually start on time but don't finish. We usually do 6-8:30..after 8:30 is drinking time. Nobody wants their drinking time cut into.

2.) Have a plan BEFORE rehearsal starts. Start with songs that you aren't 100% on. Know the parts that you are struggling on.
(i.e. we need to do the bridge/verse/outro better etc.)

3.) Cut down on 'jammin'. We love to do it live but if the song is in regular rotation, we don't need a 7 min solo during rehearsal. We'll say 'do 2 bars of the solo and then were getting out'

4.) Cut down on banter..."Yeah, great story bro, then she did what...?" stories are great. Not so great when you're telling them and the drummers banging away and you can half way hear and etc...save it for later

5.) It REALLY helps when they know their part BEFORE they practice starts...in real life, everyone can get foggy on some parts but have a quick re-fresher and not 20 min conversation on wether it's an augmented 9th or flat 5th chord.

Hope it helps

[1958Bassman]

Originally Posted by jakelly

I've been with this band since last March. It's a start-up cover band. We had to do a slight reshuffle when a member quit in June, but instead of replacing him we just continued on without him. Same band, one less member.

So, rehearsals have been slack. Not working hard enough on refining the songs. We've been adding new songs, but its a slow process. Many times, I've noticed 15 minutes or more have passed and nothing has been played at all. This often leads to 6 or 8 songs being played in 2 to 3 hours.

No one is taking charge of the situation, but I am willing to if they agree. I've never led a rehearsal however. What I want to try is: give everyone the same 4 or 5 songs to learn and practice at home, then, come h*** or high water, have them ready to play and work out any minor kinks on them next rehearsal. I would say more than 4 or 5, but I doubt they could/would prepare more than that due to their day jobs, family life and such.

In the past, I would have walked out on this type of situation after so long, but I want to stay and make this work. Advice appreciated.

I'd ask everyone about their goals for the band- do they want it to become something, or is it just for them to get together and play? Dinking around on a few songs and not improving doesn't tell me that they're anywhere near serious. Also, record when you play, as a band. Listen as a group and don't be ruthless when you critique the songs.

[bluewine]

Originally Posted by 1958Bassman

I'd ask everyone about their goals for the band- do they want it to become something, or is it just for them to get together and play? Dinking around on a few songs and not improving doesn't tell me that they're anywhere near serious. Also, record when you play, as a band. Listen as a group and don't be ruthless when you critique the songs.

+1

You really want to get the members to address these issues.

I can't say much because I really don't know how much time it takes a cover band to be gig ready.

[bassbully]

I would jump on this now since it will only take away time from your life that you will never get back...trust me. I was in a band just like you are talking about and in 6 months we knew maybe 15 songs and maybe another 5 half right all cuz they stood around. There was no drive or anyone taking direction and the band went nowhere.
I finally got sick of it and got us a paying gig which the band said they were not ready for since we knew..15 songs Get rid of jammers and standers and get a direction. Like you said 6 songs learned at home (homework) before next practice. Try to push for a goal maybe a gig in the near future to fire them up...worked for me...well for awhile then they went back to old habits and I bailed. Good Luck.

[jakelly]

Originally Posted by bassbully

I would jump on this now since it will only take away time from your life that you will never get back...trust me. I was in a band just like you are talking about and in 6 months we knew maybe 15 songs and maybe another 5 half right all cuz they stood around. There was no drive or anyone taking direction and the band went nowhere.
I finally got sick of it and got us a paying gig which the band said they were not ready for since we knew..15 songs Get rid of jammers and standers and get a direction. Like you said 6 songs learned at home (homework) before next practice. Try to push for a goal maybe a gig in the near future to fire them up...worked for me...well for awhile then they went back to old habits and I bailed. Good Luck.

Its not that bad, we know a lot more than 15 songs. But, it seems we've always been at the stage of knowing well about 2 sets worth of music, and another 2 or 3 sets in the works. By the time we finally get back to some of the ones we thought we knew well, we can barely play them because its been too long (we haven't played some of them for weeks or even months). The other night, we forced ourselves to go through 12 songs, but some we were very rusty on and others we are still learning. Basically unproductive, and it has to have been a wake up call for all of us.

[TRichardsbass]

The guy from Akron is on spot, as are the others. No problem stepping up, just don't declare yourself the leader. Let the others know that you've noticed a reduction in productive rehearsal time and that you've seen the competition and they are working harder and adding more stuff all the time. Suggest what you believe needs to be done, then step back. If they don't react in a positive way within a rehearsal or two, I'd contemplate looking for another situation.

Top cover bands either do the songs spot on to the original, or have a personal, unique spin on it. If you guys can't nail it, then you are just another hobby band that only your closest friends and the regular drunks at a bar will listen to. Unfortunately a lot of guys and gals don't understand that.

[jaywa]

Good on ya for seeing the need to take charge.

IMO, a rehearsal that is poorly run (and/or for which one or more band members come unprepared), is a total waste of time and worse than not rehearsing at all. I don't tend to stick around long in bands that roll like that.

[bassbully]

Originally Posted by jakelly

Its not that bad, we know a lot more than 15 songs. But, it seems we've always been at the stage of knowing well about 2 sets worth of music, and another 2 or 3 sets in the works. By the time we finally get back to some of the ones we thought we knew well, we can barely play them because its been too long (we haven't played some of them for weeks or even months). The other night, we forced ourselves to go through 12 songs, but some we were very rusty on and others we are still learning. Basically unproductive, and it has to have been a wake up call for all of us.

Ok we knew more than 15 too but thats not the point. Hey! are you sure your not in my old band It was the same deal. We would learn some songs, move on and waste time trying to learn some new ones. Most of the guys came in to practice not knowing the new material since they never went over them from home.
Practice then became a learn the song there and after 3 hours we had gone over 2-3 songs half @ssed. When we would try a setlist it was bad since we spent so long trying to learn new songs we forgot some and got rusty on the old ones.
Find out how many songs you need for a complete show say 3 hour show, with breaks and do that 3sets...just work on those songs and don't add anymore for now.

A nice thing to do is every practice start out (warm up) with 3-4 of the older songs on the setlist that you know. From there work on songs 6 or so that all members should of homeworked. At the end of practice go over a few more on the already known setlist and call it a night.
If you take charge, get them to do 5-6 songs a practice and they do homework this will work. You can then go back when the song is down and tweak them if need be. What type (songs) are you doing BTW?

[JosephFourier]

jakelly:
I have been in a similar situation and I know how frustrating it can be. And what your thinking is in my opinion exactly what needs to be done.
Another piece of advice that really helped my band (we've nearly doubled in efficiency because of it) that I haven't heard yet is this:
Don't talk between songs. For my band, we had a similar problem where it would turn into 15 or 20 minutes between songs, now what we do is we have a plan set up before rehearsal (by text or email, either to run through a concert set, or work on a few songs or specific sections), and after we warm up we play them through. After the song we only address issues about what just happened, go back and work on parts that need work or, if we are ready to move it, go directly into the next song.
We take one 10ish minute break in our 2 hour rehearsal where we literally leave the studio and walk outside (it helps that our drummer is a smoker). This is where we shoot the **** and talk about band business. But as soon as we get back inside we only talk about the music we are currently playing (constructively). This technique and organization took us from going through 3 or 4 songs a night to over 15.
Hope this helps and good luck!

[jakelly]

Originally Posted by bassbully

what type (songs) are you doing BTW?

Well, classic rock, classic radio hits, 80's pop, and some choice newer stuff too, plus a few country songs. But what we are trying NOT to do is the "Gimme 3 Steps/Keep Your Hands To Yourself/Hard To Handle-type songs that so many other bands do. Oh, we can do those if there is a call for them, but we don't want to be that kind of band.

To be fair, I should have mentioned that more than a few of the songs we are working on are a little more involved in arrangements - not just jam songs.

[Bredian]

March? You're doing gigs.. correct? If not, you've had plenty of time to get ready.

Suggest practicing to the set list. Different set each week. Start with a separate warm up tune you have down cold. Last 1/2 hour, introduce a new tune to work on, finish with something you have down cold (on a high note). Email during the week, proposed tunes (everyone contributes, but pick one). With youtube and tab/chord charts, this is a one hour weekly homework assignment.


Back to the gig question, I practice SO I can gig. If the current band doesn't get it together and get gigs, I find another.

I'm not the BL, but I am the bass player. If the BL starts noodling around on a new tune that hasn't been even emailed out, I politely ask him to do so we can come prepared.

[delta7fred]

Long term covers player here. No one is in charge, we just all have the required work ethic.

We always have a list of songs to learn that is agreed by email or at the previous rehearsal. You put the time in and learn them at home or else.

No jamming, if the guitarist wants to practice his chops he can do that at home. There is no need for the rest of us to be bored senseless.

No off topic chat, just discussions about arrangements etc.

No noodling between songs, especially while discussions are going on. Instruments have a volume control so use it if you need to run through something to refresh your memory.

Rehearsals start at 20:00 at my house so the kettle is on ready to make mugs of tea.

At about 22:00 we stop for a beer, cold drink or another mug of tea and a sit down and 10 minute chat, usually music related and often what we are going to learn next time.

Rehearsal rarely ends before 23:15, by which time we are all shattered but happy.

I then edit the recording and email the mp3s out for them to critique. Any suggestions on improvements are welcome from anyone.

[bassgod0dmw]

Having a structured rehearsal is awesome.

My cover band does it, and we do it well. We have a set start/end time, we've all got the material we need to know, we talk about what to work on for next time, etc. We get a lot done at every practice.

My originals band does not. We have a scheduled practice, but out of 4 guys I'm the only one that is ready to go. The drummer needs to warm up for 30 minutes before he can play, then guitarist 1 starts talking to him about cars or politics for another 20 minutes. By the time I can actually pull everyone onto the same page an hour is wasted and we've got one hour left. Then we'll play one song and the talking starts up again...another 15 minutes gone.

I've addressed it multiple times, but it never lasts. The drummer just says that we're all friends so of course we're going to talk. It's such a mess and I'm totally checked out. When we play, I'm into it. When they start yammering on I just zone out and practice my ass off until they're done. Such a waste of time. He's right though, we're all good friends for a long time so I've got no reason to leave. We accomplish nothing and we don't gig. Thing is, most of the material is pretty good and we're all pretty accomplished players so it all sounds great.

That's why I joined the cover band though. We get to play out often, have fun, and make money while doing it. I can't complain about them...

[bassplayerbob]

In my coverband we get together to REHEARSE the songs we PRACTICE at home. Might sound silly but we have never used the term "practice". You practice on your own time and get together at rehearsal to put what you practiced at home all together as a band.

[mellowinman]

I work three jobs, and so does my wife. We have the rehearsals at our house, and we consider our time precious. So the amount of noodling by our 22 year old guitar player is somewhat controlled. If we are talking about what to do next, and he wants to noodle a bit, we don't say anything. If he starts noodling a song, and then the drummer joins in, and they think we're about to spend time on a "jam," I get on the mic, and intone, "IS THAT ON THE SET LIST???" and they know it's time to stop. Our newest drummer is a pro, so he doesn't really encourage the guitar player like some of them have.

We have a rehearsal set list, that is divided into sets just like a gig set list would be, and we do different methods at different times.

Sometimes we barrel through a couple of sets, so we get in the habit of flowing from song to song as a band.

Sometimes we iron out kinks on some of the more complicated arrangements. Sometimes we mix it up. There are certain songs that we feel need practiced EVERY time we get together, such as "Ain't That a Shame," "Train Kept a Rollin'," and "Freebird," just because they only work if the band is all in together, and since they're longer pieces, with more sections to remember. "Yer Blues" is one I like to get in every time, even though we have it, just because there's time changes, and you can never get it "tight enough." There's always one more level of tightness for something like that.

Since we've had our new drummer, we haven't even tried the 10 minute jam that is "Long Tall Sally/Whole Lotta Love" including the "Young Boy Boogie Blues" section from "The Song Remains the Same." We will probably have to spend most of a practice on just that, before we can get it back on the "real" set list. That thing has so many sections, and time changes, and starts and stops, and a real need for bass and drums to be locked throughout that I wonder why we do it at all, but the audience seems to like it.

It's crucial to get the maximum out of your practices. If someone doesn't want to keep with the program, and go 3 or more hours twice a week or more, we will always replace them.

Without fail.

[jakelly]

Originally Posted by Bredian

March? You're doing gigs.. correct? If not, you've had plenty of time to get ready.

We've had two gigs since March. One in May I think, the other in July. The first one paid, the second was a freebie that was supposed to get us "exposure" and perhaps lead to another gig. We all know about those. It did get us some much needed stage time however.

Now, we have one coming up in December that pays, and could go a long way toward getting us off the ground.

[themacinator]

Originally Posted by bassplayerbob

In my coverband we get together to REHEARSE the songs we PRACTICE at home. Might sound silly but we have never used the term "practice". You practice on your own time and get together at rehearsal to put what you practiced at home all together as a band.

+ 1,000,000