Productive band practices- HELP

Foxworthy925 · #1 09-29-2007, 02:26 AM

****FOR A SUMMARIZED VERSION OF THIS, SCROLL DOWN****

I need some help here. No matter what any of us do in my band, it always seems like productive band practices are very few and hard to come by.

Back a few months ago, it would be that we'd all get there set up, and start jamming, usually when I or the guitarist play a cool riff we knew or created. No one would ever know when to stop and we'd just keep going on for hours, whittling away the usable time.

Our last practice was absolutely horrible. Our drummer and myself were on the same page, but the guitarist was really in a different world that day. It really seemed like he just didn't want to play. We all set up and started playing to a cool riff/chord proggression that our guitarist created which was a good way to warm up. After that, it all goes blurry for me. Some how, everyone starts getting side tracked. I think the drummer goes and gets some food or something, and our guitarist goes and starts skating (skateboarding). The drummer starts playing guitar, and i just sit back in amusement. then he hops on drums and I start playing guitar and jamming with him. Then when we're actually ready to play, the guitarist just sits in the room joining this one, doing nothing. We say we're waiting for him, and the drummer and I start playing a song we'd just completed the practice prior. We're just playing this alone, while the guitarist is lying back on a couch with the drumer's acoustic guitar. then when we finish the song and get him to come over to where we are, he comes in and asks "So what are we doing?"
"We're waiting for YOU!"-we reply
ok, so we're all there now, and no one is really doing anything. finally, the suggestion is put out by the drummer to create a new song with the guitarist's music we were playing at the beginning of "practice" (and I use that term loosely). We designate the chorus and the guitarist writes a verse. We never really decided on whether there should be a bridge or not. Then I say "so what kind of an intro do you think this song should have"
They both think it should have a reggae type bass intro, because that's the vibe that the verse is. I've never really lisened to any reggae before, and have absolutely no idea of what they want me to play. i ask and the guitarist hums something, and then plays (on guitar) what he was imagining for my bassline (intro). well, I didn't like it at all, and was pretty straight forward about it. he wasn't mad, which was a good thing. He just sat back and said "you asked what I had in mind, and I told you. It's up to you then".
This would normally be fine, but I still don't have any idea of what they want me to play, because I'm not really diggin the whole reggae thing in the first place. after a few minutes of me noodling around, the guitarist goes back outside and starts skating again. After realizing that I'm not going to be able to pull something like this out of thin air and it'd waste too much time, we get the guitarist back in and move on to other things. I won't go into too much detail, but it basically ends up with the guitarist going back outside to skate again, right when we were actually about to do something. rediculous.

A major part of that practice was that I just wasn't in a very creative mood that day, and it seemed like I couldn't think of anything. our guitarist though, didn't help that one bit. I'm hoping by next practice we'll be back to our normal, creative, more productive selves. but we deffinitely need to work on how we do things at band practice. any ideas?

Foxworthy925 · #2 09-29-2007, 02:28 AM

**SUMMARIZED VERSION**

We never seem to have productive band practices. We either jam all the time away, or everyone is off doing something else. It seems like we really need a schedule or someone to crack a whip over our heads to keep us on path. Does anyone have any tips or advice to help us? What do you all do?

SUNNyday r. · #3 09-29-2007, 02:53 AM

Is there a "singer/songwriter" type or is it a free for all in terms of material? Is there a focused vision or direction? Style of music?

capnsandwich · #4 09-29-2007, 02:56 AM

First thing to do, set goals for each band practice. My band, when we get together, we make out a song list of every song we want to go over and how long we want to spend on each song. If we want to learn a new song we set out goals of how far we want to go into that song until we move onto the next song.

Now jamming can be good. Many great songs came into existance as a result of jamming together. The key to that being productive is the amount of time spent. Don't let jamming take over your practice time but allow a certain amount of time for it and if a song seems to be developing then spent a little more time on the ideas but don't just keep on trying to play different stuff every time. Try to build on ideas and memorize parts so the next time you come together to play the same song you guys build on it instead of rewrite it.

It's all about time management. I know first hand how quick your practice time is gone. It seems if I look up at the clock every ten minutes a half hour clicks off each time.

Foxworthy925 · #5 09-29-2007, 03:08 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by SUNNyday r.

Is there a "singer/songwriter" type or is it a free for all in terms of material? Is there a focused vision or direction? Style of music?

Well, that too is something we're working one- we're currently searching for a singer/songwriter. our guitarist has a nice voice, and our drummer writes some great lyrics, but we deffinitely need someone to take over these tasks, and we're looking.

If your asking about the musical part of things, then we just do whatever we want. as in, our guitarist or I (or even drummer, though not as likely) comes up with a cool chord proggerssion/riff, then we use that to build a song off of and all just input ideas as to how the other parts of the song should go.

The style of music that we end up playing would probably be classified as very alternative and progressive. then again, I'm not good at classifying music. I'd love to start playing heavier, harder music (I don't mean harder as more "technical". I mean it as heavier, more distortion, very powerful, driving) , as it would be better suited to my tastes.

With regards to our personal tastes in music, we're very different. The drummer and guitarist both like things from more poppy modern stuff, to hiphop and rap. They like harder rock stuff too, but not like me. I on the other hand like things from very soft, melodic, I guess pop type stuff, all the way to death metal, technical death metal and metalcore. I also love classical (not all types of classical, just certain kinds. but I don't know what to call them), and some jazz, though I don't know of many jazz artists/groups.

invader3k · #6 09-29-2007, 11:29 AM

Coming up with parts and structures should be reserved for personal time. Unless you guys are just a "jam band", practice should be for bringing all the parts on a specific song together. Doing a practice where you just bring up vague ideas for songs isn't going to go anywhere, generally.

Foxworthy925 · #7 09-29-2007, 02:06 PM

that's a very good point. thanks for the advice. keep 'em coming guys.

HomeBrewTJ · #8 09-29-2007, 02:51 PM

You really need to have a plan each time you get together.

Silas Martinez · #9 09-30-2007, 03:02 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by HomeBrewTJ

You really need to have a plan each time you get together.

Yep. Have a solid plan, and stick to it. Songwriting, typically, should happen during individual time - remember (or record) jam sessions, as some great ideas can come out of it - but focus on writing songs separately.

If you're lacking a solid singer songwriter, then maybe you should consider some cover tunes that you all like - work on those - then at least you're building experience working out changes, and getting 'tight' with each other. Not necessarily playing them note-for-note, but working through them, and focusing on playing together tightly through the changes. Then when a songwriter comes in and wants you to work on his stuff, you'll already be comfortable dealing with song structures.

A band I used to be in thought we were really tight with each other, that we played off of one another well, and sounded good - when we were jamming. Then, we started trying to learn a few covers, and realized just how far we had to go. It is easy (easier at any rate) - to sound good just jamming, where you don't have to think about the break thats coming up, or that tricky little fill on the bridge - you don't have to think so much about long term structure.

If you're worried about productive practices, then that is how I would approach it. It isn't about creative vision, or becoming a cover band. Think about it like language - storytelling, maybe. Its easy to write a nonsense story, or to make something up off the top of your head. It is usually much harder to remember a story you heard, and tell it back in a way that is meaningful to the listener. Now, multiply that by every member of the band, where you have to be able to tell that story together, and each deliver your parts, matched precisely to the other guy, and you see why learning to tell stories (play songs) together is pretty critical.

meev992 · #10 09-30-2007, 03:10 PM

Being in a band, is no different from being in a family, or a relationship. It may seem strange, but in all aspects of life, in terms of interacting with people, it is best to sit down and have everyone express their expectations, likes and dislikes. Our disappointments in life are often attributed to expectations that people are unaware of.

So make some s'mores and finger sandwiches, and have a good band talk

ducatiman · #11 09-30-2007, 03:44 PM

you asked "any ideas". yes ....DISCIPLINE and determination. i don't think you'll like this. its hard WORK!

style doesn't matter, from ABBA to ZZ top, they didn;t get to where they were without it.

skating during a practice? you gotta be kiddin.
switching instruments? c'mon

you didn't mention whether you do covers, originals or jam band but WHATEVER you do you must have goals, an agenda with which to meet the goals, and the discipline to reach the goals. without determination...give up.

example....set a target......next rehearsal we will practice and nail these 2 songs ONLY. go in, sit down DON'T start screwin around jammin, just get to the beginning of your 1st target song. (NO skating, switching instruments...) stop any screwin around as soon as it starts or NOTHING will be accomplished. Nail the 2 songs and set your target for the next rehearsal. you've ALL got to be on the same page and mindset, it'll become habit after awhile.

if you can't get THAT far, a job in food service industry may be a better investment in your time.

skaismyhero · #12 09-30-2007, 03:54 PM

haha same with my band. we dont get anything done until about 3 days before a performace

Foxworthy925 · #13 09-30-2007, 04:23 PM

thanks everyone- I've gotten some really great advice.

about the whole cover band thing. the thing is, we all just came from playing together in the same cover band, doing classic rock covers. we had one other member- a keyboardist/lead singer. we had a decent amount of covers and had multiple gigs. It's just that we all hated the music we were playing, and didn't like how the singer/keyboardist turned into a dictator that chose each and every song we did, and controlled everything according to himself. we wanted to play a different style of music and wanted to work on our own originals.

I guess I never really realized the true workings of most bands. I never looked at it as one main songwriter, with everyone else just playing their parts for that other guy's song. Now that I think about it, that makes a lot more sense than what we've been doing.
Our guitarist comes up with some great music. It's just that he'll come up with maybe one part that would be a great chorus or verse, and won't have anything else- expecting it to be made at band practice. I myself am guilty of this too. I'll think of some nice sounding piece, but won't be able to come up with any other parts related to it that would make up the other parts of the song. We actually did complete a song this way, it just took us way longer than it should have.

So besides becoming more disciplined in general, I think the clear answer is finding a singer/songwriter rather than waisting valuable practice time, trying to put together/create all our ideas.

Silas Martinez · #14 09-30-2007, 05:33 PM

Not necessarily one main guy. The key is having those skills present in the band - be they centered around one guy, or spread equally by all members.

In Rush, for example, I think that Geddy writes the songs - does the main arrangements, etc. But then Neil writes the lyrics. I think I also remember reading that this has changed a bit recently, but, yes, in short, to do original material, at least one person has to have strong songwriting skills, and you likely want at least one person with strong lyric writing skills - they don't have to be the same person.

TrevorOfDoom · #15 09-30-2007, 05:33 PM

kick 'em in the junk and run!

meev992 · #16 09-30-2007, 06:28 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by TrevorOfDoom

kick 'em in the junk and run!

"do something brave, and run really fast!"

Foxworthy925 · #17 09-30-2007, 06:40 PM

ahaha. rofl^

Samuel. K · #18 09-30-2007, 06:52 PM

I believe every band is different in the way they work. Asking for advice may be the first step in getting it wrong, as every band is unique in the way they work.

If you can analyse your practices as you have done, then between yourselves you can surely work out whatever 'problems' you are having.

What do you consider a productive practice?

Perhaps you need to build a stronger understanding of how each other works. Instead of focusing on practice, perhaps focus on building stronger relationships between each musician.

Setting goals for a practice is kind of like writing to a formula. What happens if you're jamming out something really sweet, but you've got to stop because you have designated yourselves to rehearsing one thing in particular?

Music is based on feel. Everyone needs to 'feel', that's how bands have x factor. They all feel what they've created.

Or something.

jerome_oneil · #19 10-01-2007, 12:43 AM

We designate specific rehearsals as "writing" rehearsals. Usually every fourth one or so. We use that time to talk about what we like and don't like about the set list, or particular songs in it, and introduce new songs we may have written.

But first, you gotta have a little discipline in your practice sessions. Skateboards? Rehearsal time is work, and if you're not focused on your work, nothing good is going to come from it.

Bloodfist · #20 10-03-2007, 03:06 PM

Ok, I'm going to add my two cents in to see if this helps you. My band is an all original rock band so practices are extremely important. First off you need to set a permanent pratice schedule and stick to it. For us it's every Tuesday, Thursday, and Sunday from 7pm to 9 pm. Six hours a week is not much to ask, and every memeber is required to call everyone in case they are not going to be able to make practice. During those 2 hours, no one is allowed to come over to practice, distractions lead to waisted time. We take a 5 minute smoke break at 8pm. I know this sounds like we may be little harsh on ourselves and treating it like it's a job, but being in a band is a buisness and it takes a lot of work to be a good band. The competition is fierce out there.
Now the good stuff, writing. Mostly we encourage everyone to try and bring in a new riff or song and introduce it to the band, however sometimes someone in the band might come up with something on the spot and we'll work on it. We don't use any particular forumla to our writing, each song has a different structure. To help with writing we have a dry erase board on the wall behind the drummer. We write down down the structure of the song as we are writing it so that no one forgets what to do when rehearsing it. You would be suprised how much that can help especially if you have to come back to it the next practice. After the song is complete we record it and everyone listens to it in their own spare time and comes up with those extra little fills that makes a good song great. When it's show time, we rehearse like crazy, and actually plan out the show so that it's as intense as possible.
All the members in this band are basically local "all-stars" from other bands. We've been down that road of playing with bands that have members more in love with the idea of being in a band rather than actually putting forth the effort needed to be in a band. We drink a lot of beer at practice, cut up and have fun, but we do what we have to to get the job done. We don't have time for those who don't.

www.myspace.com/theoverdriveband