No rehearsal at all this week... (sigh)

hrodbert696 · #1 01-21-2011, 07:15 AM

Just a vent ...

I'm in two bands. Band A, the drummer put together and is the only one who can access our rehearsal space (it's at his work, we practice Saturdays). Last week, something came up and he had to cancel. This week, he has a family thing. Two weeks straight with no practicing, which means assuming we do practice next week, it will be after a three-week hiatus.

Band B is still putting itself together. Founding singer and guitarist, and me so far. Trying to find a drummer and keys. This week, no practice because there's nobody lined up to try out, so they called practice off altogether, apparently we are not going to play together unless auditioning someone or until the total lineup is there.

So I'm at home practicing at home every day to be geared up and ready for rehearsal -- and no rehearsal at all to go to. It's discouraging.

Like I say, just venting.

Jim Campbell · #2 01-21-2011, 07:25 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by hrodbert696

Just a vent ...

I'm in two bands. Band A, the drummer put together and is the only one who can access our rehearsal space (it's at his work, we practice Saturdays). Last week, something came up and he had to cancel. This week, he has a family thing. Two weeks straight with no practicing, which means assuming we do practice next week, it will be after a three-week hiatus.

Band B is still putting itself together. Founding singer and guitarist, and me so far. Trying to find a drummer and keys. This week, no practice because there's nobody lined up to try out, so they called practice off altogether, apparently we are not going to play together unless auditioning someone or until the total lineup is there.

So I'm at home practicing at home every day to be geared up and ready for rehearsal -- and no rehearsal at all to go to. It's discouraging.

Like I say, just venting.

well i'd be prepared for another round of excuses next time....if someone cancels a third time it's time for the "
if you have no time for this project,just say so and i'll find another project " speech...

**jmattbassplaya** · #3 01-21-2011, 08:18 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Jim Campbell

well i'd be prepared for another round of excuses next time....if someone cancels a third time it's time for the "
if you have no time for this project,just say so and i'll find another project " speech...

+1

I'll even 1-up this story with one of my own. I played in a band about a year and a half ago where we would all agree upon songs that we would learn for our next rehearsal, and when the rehearsal came I was always the only one who had learned the songs

Sometimes I think us bass players are stuck being the 'productive' member of any group or ensemble.

MatticusMania · #4 01-21-2011, 09:46 AM

Here's one:

Practice at the rehearsal studio scheduled for last night at 10pm. I show up at 9:45. Talk to the guy who says are room is just ready. Of course Im the first one there. Set up and redy to go well before 10. When does everyone else show up? Well, 10:30 of course... and then we proceed to waste half the time while lead singer has to adjust lead guitar players effects processor.

Randall · #5 01-21-2011, 09:55 AM

If your band still has no drummer i suggest you try a practice without one. You will hear who has a good meter or not

JohnMCA72 · #6 01-21-2011, 09:57 AM

Band C?

BryanM · #7 01-21-2011, 09:58 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by jmattbassplaya

+1

I'll even 1-up this story with one of my own. I played in a band about a year and a half ago where we would all agree upon songs that we would learn for our next rehearsal, and when the rehearsal came I was always the only one who had learned the songs

Sometimes I think us bass players are stuck being the 'productive' member of any group or ensemble.

We passed up on rehearsal last week because we had played a show on Saturday, but in response to us bassists being the productive ones, my drummer is giving me a run for my money. 3 months ago he started playing accordion and writing songs on it, having no melodic instrument training whatsoever, then yesterday I got a call from him saying "Hey I wrote a song, wanna hear?" I say yes and proceed to hear him playing guitar and singing a song he wrote. When I asked him when he started playing guitar he said "This is day two." He sounded damn impressive considering.

stylonpilson · #8 01-21-2011, 10:13 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by jmattbassplaya

I'll even 1-up this story with one of my own. I played in a band about a year and a half ago where we would all agree upon songs that we would learn for our next rehearsal, and when the rehearsal came I was always the only one who had learned the songs

Ah yes, the old "Guys, I've been really busy recently, haven't had time to practise" which we've all heard every now and then. And the contradicting Facebook status updates, of course.

S.P.

Spinal Tapper · #9 01-21-2011, 11:15 AM

Band B should start jamming with a drum machine. That's what all the hip kids are doing these days...

seanm · #10 01-21-2011, 11:29 AM

With Band A, do the excuses seem legit? Especially with family, things do come up.

With Band B, I can understand the reluctance to practice without a drummer. If you don't find a drummer, then it could be considered a waste of time.

I agree with others that it might be time to try and find Band C.

dpbass66 · #11 01-21-2011, 01:04 PM

my band practices without drummer all the time. At first we were apprehensive, but we found it provided us an opportunity to rehearse at low volume and to work out some of the intricate stuff in our music. Also, as someone already pointed out, the low volumes really let you hear who is screwing up and who doesnt know parts and lack of drummer lets you see who has bad time!! I think there is alot you can accomplish without the drummer. Learning new songs doesnt require a drummer either. if you are working out parts, (ie verse-chorus-bridge orders, etc. ) that can all be done without a drummer. Drummer being a non-harmonic instrument, can pick this stuff up alot more quickly than other instruments.

rtslinger · #12 01-21-2011, 01:11 PM

We never rehearse together. we all learn our part and bring to the stage live flying by the seat of our pants keeps it exciting!

hrodbert696 · #13 01-21-2011, 01:16 PM

I've thought about the band C option. The thing is that I don't have a PA nor even a rehearsal space of my own to offer so I'm a little skittish about putting myself out there as a band founder; also it would largely mean casting the craigslist net to see what I catch and I'm not sure I'd get results any better than what band B is already doing. Band A has been together nearly a year now and spins its wheels a lot; still, the drummer/rehearsal space keeper is actually one of the most committed and prepared members so I'm inclined to take his word that he really can't make rehearsal.

But thanks for all the responses -- sometimes it just helps to vent. I feel like I could get out there and play tomorrow but I just don't have a band to do it with.

Vakmere · #14 01-21-2011, 01:28 PM

In the mean time work on your chops and scales.

klokker · #15 01-21-2011, 02:23 PM

Yeah, I wouldn't give up yet. We took all of December off after our last gig and it ended up being six weeks. My band has gone through several periods of disruption (we all have other jobs, families etc.) but somehow we manage to keep it going.

Having another gig to play pretty quick here helps though.

TBrett · #16 01-21-2011, 04:53 PM

I hear your frustration. We took 2 months off while we replaced our drummer. Our guitarist gets positively bitchy if he doesn't get to rock out each week!

Back when we were first putting this band together, it was just me (vocals), bass, and guitar. We used drum tracks, copied to a CD and played over a stereo while we worked out our parts (originals). By the time we were ready to incorporate drums, the three of us were pretty tight. I would encourage band B to consider going this route, or trying something similar (even a metronome can be helpful). That way, you'll be more of a "band" when auditioning new musicians, and you'll be a lot clearer about who's a good fit and who isn't. At the very least, you'll have some kind of regular rehearsal to attend!

EddiePlaysBass · #17 01-22-2011, 04:58 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by jmattbassplaya

I played in a band about a year and a half ago where we would all agree upon songs that we would learn for our next rehearsal, and when the rehearsal came I was always the only one who had learned the songs

You played in my band?

stoneboy26 · #18 01-23-2011, 08:31 PM

A week off is good every now and then.

My original band hasn't had a rehearsal in about 3 years I reckon - haven't spoken to the guitarist or singer in over 12 months!

We never officially broke up.

My current band never rehearses. Last rehearsal was the audition for our drummer, last May......a week before his first gig with us. Mind you we have played every week since then except Christmas Day

hrodbert696 · #19 01-24-2011, 04:38 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by stoneboy26

A week off is good every now and then.

My original band hasn't had a rehearsal in about 3 years I reckon - haven't spoken to the guitarist or singer in over 12 months!

We never officially broke up.

My current band never rehearses. Last rehearsal was the audition for our drummer, last May......a week before his first gig with us. Mind you we have played every week since then except Christmas Day

If either band was out and gigging, I wouldn't mind a bit. It's that band A spins its wheels between bursts of progress while band B isn't up and running at all yet.