Band Commitment

[bluewine]

I don't like the word "Committment" because it means different things to different people.

Commitment can mean different things, for me, if a band has significant business on the books. All members have to be committed to fulfilling the bands gigging obligations.

You have to;

• Show up on time prepared for all shows

• Show up for all rehearsal that are necessary to prepare for the work

• Alter your personal schedule to accommodate all bookings and rehearsal. (Easy for me, I don't have a personal life.)

If you can’t do these things you’re not committed.

Blue

 

[Marial]

I'd agree with that.

 

[BayStateBass]

Commitment can mean different things, for me, if a band has significant business on the books. All members have to be committed to fulfilling the bands gigging obligations.

You have to;

• Show up on time prepared for all shows

• Show up for all rehearsal that are necessary to prepare for the work

• Alter your personal schedule to accommodate all bookings and rehearsal. (Easy for me, I don't have a personal life.)

If you can’t do these things you’re not committed.

Blue

Pretty much where I'm at as well.

At this point I'm all done with wanting to be your new best friend or being part of your delusion that somehow we're all getting a record contract next week.

If you can do the job, you're not a total douchebag, and you aren't Mr. Auditory Destructo whenever you play your instrument, it's all good.

What Blue put up above is pretty much how I would categorize my own commitment to a band.

 

[Cycho]

My band has some people who *should* be committed. Seriously, I don't think band politics is any different from the politics of any other shared enterprise. People tend to act in their self interest, so the only way to make a person commit to the band is to somehow make the band's interests and the person's interests coincide.

 

[bignote]

Wow, this thread is coming at the right time for me personally. I have been playing in working bands that generate income since I was 14. Now I am 47. I was lucky to have a father that supported me one hundred and ten percent. Plus, I was fortunate that my first few bands were comprised of experienced older players. This was priceless.
When it comes to commitment in a band situation my take is this. Commitment to yourself as a player is first.
Know your craft, songs, gear and behavior. Being in a band with people who are honest about the reason they are in the band really helps. It is amazing when everyone is doing it for the same reasons. This can often breed or increase the level of commitment. When one guy is playing for income and another for free drinks and ass or to show off for his or her pals.......trouble.
After playing for so long and being fairly successful at it, when people recruit me for a band or a gig. I just express my expectations and listen to theirs, collectively or individually. If I don't like what I hear, I'm out. If everyone in a band would do this from the get go it would be very easy to determine commitment level.
I have invested in my craft. I have spent time becoming proficient at my instrument. I have professional level gear and know how to use it. I know the material before rehearsal. My commitment should be evident. Now, let's play some music.

 

[pedro]

Good topic Blue.

This past fall my little r&b/soul project fell apart after years of me keeping it together. The band had tremendous potential but never accomplished all it could because of the varying degrees of commitment. I couldn't get these folks to practice, booking gigs was a nightmare but I hung on as long as I could. So much material we just never got to.

Now I'm down to one band where everybody shares the same level of commitment. We practice about once ever two weeks mainly to add material (we grow bored easily). Everybody has a pretty good mastery of their instruments and generally come pretty well prepared - albeit nobody gets bent out of shape is somebody didn't get a chance to prepare. The goal is to play 1-3 gigs a month and we're pretty much on target.

P.S. Blue, don't forget to let me know when you guys are in Madison.

 

[bluewine]

P.S. Blue, don't forget to let me know when you guys are in Madison.

I will, I know we have a gig in Fort Atkonson in June.

blue