Practice on Very Rainy Days - Slight Rant

[Handyman]

Given what the NYCbassist has told us about this band, I'd be looking for excuses to bail, too. Especially with a 45 minute drive.

[marijn van gils]

Didn't the OP almost literally state that the rain was not the real reason for bailing on the rehearsal, but rather his lack of commitment for the project? Whether that lack of commitment is justified in his situation or not is another matter, no?

I'm not saying the OP did "the wrong thing" in his situation, but in any non-disfunctional band, I cannot see rain to be a reason to skip rehearsal unless this is agreed upon beforehand.

[NYCbassist]

Originally Posted by marijn van gils

Didn't the OP almost literally state that the rain was not the real reason for bailing on the rehearsal, but rather his lack of commitment for the project? Whether that lack of commitment is justified in his situation or not is another matter, no?

I'm not saying the OP did "the wrong thing" in his situation, but in any non-disfunctional band, I cannot see rain to be a reason to skip rehearsal unless this is agreed upon beforehand.

It's not really a dis-functional band. It's just 3 older pickers getting together to jam at the drummers house. My whole point in the original post is that this drummer is pushing way too hard. I still want to get together and Jam but the Drummer keeps adding a bunch of unnecessary stress to it all. We're supposed to be having fun in a casual setting not Preparing for a Career as a gigging band. It seems like Most people are just not comprehending the situation. I doubt anyone would have gone to Jam if they understood the details.

[Ric5]

Originally Posted by NYCbassist

Well It's pouring today and I really don't like schlepping my Gear in the rain. I called My drummer and he was still pretty gung ho about it but all he has to do Grab his sticks & sit down at his Kit in His living room. I was all set to go but decided against it when I couldn't find anything decent to cover my Cabinets with to keep them dry. I know I should have water proof covers bit I Just don't at this time. So My drummer seems kind of Pissed off about the whole thing. I feel like A Gig on a rainy day is one thing but..... I really don't want to haul my gear to the car then drive 45 minutes in the pouring rain and then haul it from the car up My Drummers Driveway in the rain for one Practice. There's no gigs lined up or emergency and I Do need to woodshed more at home anyway. I'm definitely into the band and the song list etc...Just don't see the need to get my precious gear all wet.

Okay let the flaming or Brotherly support begin:

I have multiple amps ... One at Home for practice, one at the rehearsal space, and one for gigging, and a spare in case something malfunctions. The basses are in cases or gig bags so they are protected. My other stuff is carried in cases or bags.

[NYCbassist]

Originally Posted by Handyman

Given what the NYCbassist has told us about this band, I'd be looking for excuses to bail, too. Especially with a 45 minute drive.

I don't really want to Bail. I just want it to stay what it was supposed to be. Thanks though for at least taking the time to read and understand the situation.

[marijn van gils]

In my book, a band in which not everyone has more or less the same goals, manifesting itself to the extend that one or more members don't really enjoy rehearsals anymore, is disfunctional. Of course, everyone will have a different idea of what is or is not disfunctional...

[Joedog]

Given y'all are doing this just for fun (no gigs) I can understand. Here on the Gulf Coast, we get so many downpours (usually don't last long tho), we just have to deal with them. At least we don't get the stuff you have to shovel or scrape off the windshield.....LOL.

[Handyman]

Originally Posted by NYCbassist

I don't really want to Bail. I just want it to stay what it was supposed to be. Thanks though for at least taking the time to read and understand the situation.

I completely understand. If you guys agreed on a specific number of rehearsals each month, and one of the guys is trying to increase that number, it can be a problem.

Having recently become a father, its become very obvious that additional commitments that are no big deal to some members can turn into a massive PITA for others (aka, me).

Oh, for the care free life of the single man.

[Raymeous]

As somebody already mentioned earlier, this is a prime example of why you have multiple rigs.

Keep one at home for practice and one at the rehearsal space for "insta" jam as needed. It saves you from unnecessary load in/out, save you a few drops of gas since you don't have to haul the extra weight, and it eliminates that moment of "aw gawd I have to load up my crap now so I can go to practice. =*("

I agree with both sides of this argument to be honest. I can see both sides as being reasonable. I used to drive a truck for a living and a longish drive in the rain is not the best of ideas, though it does need to happen from time to time. However if this is a normally scheduled rehearsal that happens every week, or whatever, the band should have already covered this topic and found a solution for "incimate weather".

It sounds like the band needs to have a serious chat to me, and that there is no need for the crusifixion of the OP.

And to the OP: BUY A SECOND RIG (or at least a cab) so you don't have to worry about this anymore.

[steelbed45]

I agree with the 2nd rig. I have a small combo amp that I can put right in the front seat with the bass. There are a lot of small combos with enough wattage for jam sessions available now. Good luck.

[two fingers]

You guys already know how I feel about this anyway based on past posts. Bands practice to much to begin with. If you need that much practice, your band members aren't very good. SO I'm with you. I wouldn't drag my gear in the rain for practice either. How bout this? Just call your drummer back and tell him practice has been moved to YOUR house. HE can drag his DRUMS through the rain. Then see how DEDICATED HE IS.

Weekly practice, bi-weekly practice, and even monthly practice is just dumb. Learn your parts at home and try new songs at sound check. If you can't do that, your band isn't very good.

[DiabolusInMusic]

I apologize I didn't read the 5 pages (I know it is in the rules) but you don't want to go to jam because it is raining?

I live in a city where a foot and a half of snow and -50 celsius doesn't even shut the city down... you're being a complainer.

I am not saying your decision is wrong, it is your decision, but I think you are making a mountain out of a molehill.

[guy n. cognito]

Originally Posted by two fingers

You guys already know how I feel about this anyway based on past posts. Bands practice to much to begin with. If you need that much practice, your band members aren't very good. SO I'm with you. I wouldn't drag my gear in the rain for practice either. How bout this? Just call your drummer back and tell him practice has been moved to YOUR house. HE can drag his DRUMS through the rain. Then see how DEDICATED HE IS.

Weekly practice, bi-weekly practice, and even monthly practice is just dumb. Learn your parts at home and try new songs at sound check. If you can't do that, your band isn't very good.

Wow.......

Somebody call all the touring acts right now and tell them that they don't need to spend weeks or months rehearsing before they go on the road.

[NYCbassist]

Originally Posted by DiabolusInMusic

I apologize I didn't read the 5 pages (I know it is in the rules) but you don't want to go to jam because it is raining?

I live in a city where a foot and a half of snow and -50 celsius doesn't even shut the city down... you're being a complainer.

I am not saying your decision is wrong, it is your decision, but I think you are making a mountain out of a molehill.

LOL, There's way more to it but in a nut shell it was just a casual Jam.

The Funny thing is as it turns out the Jam wasn't going to happen any way. The guitarist and Drummer had a huge blow-out. Drummer called me this morning and invited me to jam with 2 other guitarists and a Female Singer who is supposed to be really great.

Who knows? Maybe that'll go so well that I'll be the one pushing it to be more serious. I totally misread the drummer on the phone yesterday. He was all pissed at the guitarist and it had nothing to do with me.

I will say this... at 47, I'm coming at this from a totally different perspective then alot of people on this forum. But I am looking for the right band to get very serious with.

[guy n. cognito]

Originally Posted by NYCbassist

LOL, There's way more to it but in a nut shell it was just a casual Jam.

The Funny thing is as it turns out the Jam wasn't going to happen any way. The guitarist and Drummer had a huge blow-out. Drummer called me this morning and invited me to jam with 2 other guitarists and a Female Singer who is supposed to really great.

Who knows? Maybe that'll go so well that I'll be the one pushing it to be more serious. I totally misread the drummer on the phone yesterday. He was all pissed at the guitarist and it had nothing to do with me.

I will say this... at 47, I'm coming at this from a totally different perspective then alot of people on this forum. But I am looking for the right band to get very serious with.

Honestly, the rain excuse just seems to be a passive aggressive way to avoid the real conversation about the direction of this jam/band.

[Muttleybass]

Being in Vancouver, if we didn't practice when it rained we'd never practice! Personally I couldn't think of anything I'd rather do on a rainy day. It's the NICE days I'd rather not practice.

[gastric]

Originally Posted by guy n. cognito

I'd be pretty pissed if someone cancelled because they might get a little wet...

Ahhh, TalkBass entertainment at it's finest. Funny stuff.

[millsbass5]

I really just don'y understand it when someone spends a boatload of cash on something to gig with, but yet they don't wanna scratch it, or get it wet. Believe me when I tell you this! That gear WILL LAST. That gear WILL TAKE run-of-the-mill, everyday abuse. It's tested by guys playin' anything from picnics to stadiums. That's what you bought it for, and now your're driving yourself crazy about puttin' a stain or scratch on it? Use that Sh!t!!!! Check out my profile. Just about everything I have is at least 15 years old, minus the cords & strings. I've used it at least 2 times a week since I've had it. I purchased my Eden rig in '96 (I think). That goes for my vintage Fenders, too. Everything I have gets ragged, but yet it's very well taken care of. It all shows no signs of a hiccup of any kind.

[NYCbassist]

Originally Posted by millsbass5

I really just don'y understand it when someone spends a boatload of cash on something to gig with, but yet they don't wanna scratch it, or get it wet. Believe me when I tell you this! That gear WILL LAST. That gear WILL TAKE run-of-the-mill, everyday abuse. It's tested by guys playin' anything from picnics to stadiums. That's what you bought it for, and now your're driving yourself crazy about puttin' a stain or scratch on it? Use that Sh!t!!!! Check out my profile. Just about everything I have is at least 15 years old, minus the cords & strings. I've used it at least 2 times a week since I've had it. I purchased my Eden rig in '96 (I think). That goes for my vintage Fenders, too. Everything I have gets ragged, but yet it's very well taken care of. It all shows no signs of a hiccup of any kind.

I know you are right about this. I have this thing about keeping my stuff looking new. I'm gonna work on that.

[Yango]

That's definitely a lame excuse for cancelling. I'd start looking for a replacement if someone pulled that on me.