Partner in 2, member in 1. Although the member band includes me in everything but i let them make all the decisions anyways
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Band leader or member?
- Thread starter 13bass
- Start date
I put member. In the past, I've generally been either co-front person or frontperson, and co-leader or leader. Now I'm I member of an originals band where we have vaguely defined but somewhat specific roles. The singer handles gigs, promotion, pay, etc., which he does very well.
Almost every new song originates with me. I come up with the riffs and chords and often a few lines of lyrics. Then I hand it off to the singer to finish lyrics and do not concern myself with those at all after the initial handoff unless I'm singing backup. For all I know the lyrics are offensive to me, although I do some light political vetting before I join a band. But ignorance is bliss.
Then guitar player and drummer and I finish off the structure. I rarely have the last word on the finished product - guitar player and drummer are married and have a particular aesthetic. They have a knack for the little rhythmic stops and starts that make a hard rock or punk song kick.
The compromises I make are well worth it to be in a band where I write the easy/interesting part of each song, and then hand it off, and we're playing it by the next show. I used to have so many half-completed songs. It's fun to have the division of labor within a band make sense. I was used to being a self-defeating bandleader. Now I just stand in the back and play (mostly) my own songs on bass with a drummer who keeps perfect time, while other people have to worry about their guitar effects or whether they have a sore throat, or who's gonna get the posters made.
Almost every new song originates with me. I come up with the riffs and chords and often a few lines of lyrics. Then I hand it off to the singer to finish lyrics and do not concern myself with those at all after the initial handoff unless I'm singing backup. For all I know the lyrics are offensive to me, although I do some light political vetting before I join a band. But ignorance is bliss.
Then guitar player and drummer and I finish off the structure. I rarely have the last word on the finished product - guitar player and drummer are married and have a particular aesthetic. They have a knack for the little rhythmic stops and starts that make a hard rock or punk song kick.
The compromises I make are well worth it to be in a band where I write the easy/interesting part of each song, and then hand it off, and we're playing it by the next show. I used to have so many half-completed songs. It's fun to have the division of labor within a band make sense. I was used to being a self-defeating bandleader. Now I just stand in the back and play (mostly) my own songs on bass with a drummer who keeps perfect time, while other people have to worry about their guitar effects or whether they have a sore throat, or who's gonna get the posters made.
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BL
for this band since 2003my original project was 1979-88 that one had a lot more responsibilities legally and otherwise.
this one just steering the ship laid back, till I need to step in and fix things I don't feel are the way I want them to be. In the long run I am fair and respected by my band mates 2003-the present seems to be the right path so far
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If I were ever entirely in charge of a project it would probably have to be a solo project (not off the table but not that feasible right now)
But you know those aren't the only options right? I shine best in a supporting role but I still do a lot of the booking and make a lot of decisions in the writing of our music. We each have our own roles that compliment each others.
But you know those aren't the only options right? I shine best in a supporting role but I still do a lot of the booking and make a lot of decisions in the writing of our music. We each have our own roles that compliment each others.
I get to suggest songs and set lists, but at the end of the day, She who books the band gets the final say on everything.
I was a bandleader once. I was terrible. Never again.
I was a bandleader once. I was terrible. Never again.
Lets see, I own the PA, lights, provide the practice place and truck, and get all the gigs. I've had to get fill in drummers for the odd gig and even threw together a couple of guys once or twice when neither of my guys could make it. I guess that makes me "The Band Leader", although I really don't feel like it.
Currently I am the Band Leader. However, I am actively searching for a band where I can just be a member.
I have always taken care of everything, I even own most of the musicians equipment, drums guitar amps PA ,pick the music, book the gigs, provide practice area give rides , whatever it takes.If they are really talented and fit well I will take care of them. One time a member spoke up and we made it a democracy. A month later after I was begged to I took the helm again. I am never unfair and listen to ideas, but I do have final say about pretty much everything.
Neither. I play in several situations and I see myself as a 0% partner service provider. I make no decisions but I also invest no money or time other than my own equipment and the time to play the gig.
I was in a band with a leader once... Lasted less than a couple rehearsals. I don't work well with leaders of any kind, much less in a musical situation, and, since I also don't want to hate myself, I refuse to be a leader. I'm a co-equal musician with an equal say in what happens or I'm in a different band.
My vote was BL but we are all leaders. Everything is agreed upon between us. It's a cover band. I realize there is always a place for 1 BL in certain situations but I will never join a band with one BL. I am just too opinionated
and unless the person is superstar, great human, excellent arranger, vocal harmonizer, and has tremendous work ethic with superior business skills I wouldn't want to be part of the project. 4 great minds are than 1 IMHO.
We all pick songs to cover, divide pay equally, and all pay for rehearsal space. Someone covers social media and another books the band. These duties are delegated by each person's strengths.
and unless the person is superstar, great human, excellent arranger, vocal harmonizer, and has tremendous work ethic with superior business skills I wouldn't want to be part of the project. 4 great minds are than 1 IMHO.We all pick songs to cover, divide pay equally, and all pay for rehearsal space. Someone covers social media and another books the band. These duties are delegated by each person's strengths.
I seriously don't need the added stress of being a band leader anymore. We all know, It's like herding cats
Member. I'm an old guy (55) but a late beginner and I just recently joined my first gigging band. I have a lot to learn before I'd ever consider leading a band, but the biggest thing I've learned so far is that it's more work than you might think at first. So right now just being a "mere" member is fine with me.
That doesn't necessarily mean I'll be happy to always be just a member in every band I'm in from now on. I'm paying attention, looking for all the little things that the BL normally takes on, watching how things get handled/resolved, asking questions, etc. That way, if I ever decide I want to form my own band, then I'll at least have some idea of what I'm in for. We'll see if I ever decide to try it but, for now, I'm happy as a member.
That doesn't necessarily mean I'll be happy to always be just a member in every band I'm in from now on. I'm paying attention, looking for all the little things that the BL normally takes on, watching how things get handled/resolved, asking questions, etc. That way, if I ever decide I want to form my own band, then I'll at least have some idea of what I'm in for. We'll see if I ever decide to try it but, for now, I'm happy as a member.
