Basic Rant re: keeping it simple.

[bumperbass]

A few years ago I played in a trio. All the songs were dumbed down (skip the middle part because there's 'too much' there).
The BL (guitar player) had practice at his house but there was NEVER anything there to play the song for reference. So, for instance, if the song started on '3', they wouldn't get it.
You couldn't play the song right there to show/refresh. I started to bring a laptop with me to plug into the practice PA for them. Then we stopped having practice, so I stuck with them until my car was paid off, then left.
The crazy part was, they had all the bookings I could handle. I was always petrified that another local musician would show up at one of our gigs.
Right now we are going through this with our keyboard player. "I didn't have the chance to really go over this song".
The band I joined after that one also had steady gigs booked. I left that band because the drummer only had ONE bass drum rhythm and used it on every song, with slight variation. That lasted 6 months..almost a year, because I didn't want to quit until I had something else lined up.
Other than the keyboard player, my current band strives to learn the song correctly and thankfully, the drummer listens to/learns his parts.
The behavior you describe is everywhere these days.

 

[StayLow]

Dock their pay if they show up unprepared. James Brown fined his musicians $5 or $10 per mistake during rehearsal, up to $150 for a mistake during live performance.

Unlikely they were making $150 per gig, so that's pretty hefty!

Gotta like his attitude. Bootsy tells some good stories about being called out hard by James, even side-stage during shows.

 

[StayLow]

Refuse to reahearse again unless they send audio or video of them playing the song correctly, ideally to just a click without backing track.

In the meantime, put ads out for replacements.

Same rules though - no audition unless they first provide audio, ideally video, evidence they can play the material.

It's that simple. No excuses or exceptions unless a pro you trust can vouch for someone auditioning.

 

[FingerDub]

@Rayjay

Lmao, who told you bit was sweety? It is KEEP IT SIMPLE STUPID, because you complicate things.....

 

[raphaeld]

I'm getting really fed up with a certain situation that seems to be rampant in my local music scene.

People show up to a rehearsal, unprepared. Don't know the song form, or even the right chords. It's a complete hack job forgery of an attempt.

Absolutely!!! And this is disrespectful for the other band members, for human being. period.

(I realize this is not unique to my area, LOL)

At which point, I attempt to explain to them what they are doing wrong.

This is always met with "let's just keep it simple." LET'S JUST KEEP IT SIMPLE?!?

Don't get me wrong. I live by the K.I.S.S. method. (Keep it simple, sweety) But to me, and the musicians who brought me up, the actual act of keeping it as simple as possible is when everyone learns the song and shows up prepared to play what they were assigned with learning, simply.

Am I alone? I'm getting annoyed with the level of excellence people are striving for. I can't seem to find a band where the unacceptable isnt allowed onstage. Thanks for letting me vent!

No, you're not alone and it isn't local as well!! Up until here . I'm afraid it's universal and related to our times.
People are afraid to commit, undecided.
Facebook culture makes people unable to take critics or remarks. If you don't get a "like" you get up and leave. People don't commit, they're just passing by.
IME, Music in general (and Rehearsals in particular) demands commitment, dedication and fair amount of (self)-respect!! I'm afraid this is something that is somehow not popular these days.
I wouldn't dare to show up unprepared to a rehearsal , same as I wouldn't show up unprepared to a meeting at work. Not only it's disrespectful for others but mainly for me.

The band I joined after that one also had steady gigs booked. I left that band because the drummer only had ONE bass drum rhythm and used it on every song, with slight variation. That lasted 6 months..almost a year, because I didn't want to quit until I had something else lined up.
Other than the keyboard player, my current band strives to learn the song correctly and thankfully, the drummer listens to/learns his parts.
The behavior you describe is everywhere these days.

Oh I do feel you, we have the same issue with our "new" drummer. Told the other band members that we have until the end of the year to make it right otherwise I won't loose my time with this ....

 

[pht2356]

Dock their pay if they show up unprepared. James Brown fined his musicians $5 or $10 per mistake during rehearsal, up to $150 for a mistake during live performance.

James Brown was a great innovator, writer & musician; but also an xxxhole

 

[interp]

I stopped tolerating players who refused to prepare themselves for rehearsals years ago. If you tolerate it you forfeit your right to complain about it and give them tacit permission to steal the only thing you have in life—your time.

 

[Nick Danger]

In my last band I was the guitar player. For a few years everything was fine but then the bass player and drummer basically quit practicing between rehearsals. After a few consecutive poor rehearsals I told them that they would need to find another guitar player. I ain't got time for that mess.

 

[two fingers]

I'm getting really fed up with a certain situation that seems to be rampant in my local music scene.

People show up to a rehearsal, unprepared. Don't know the song form, or even the right chords. It's a complete hack job forgery of an attempt.

(I realize this is not unique to my area, LOL)

At which point, I attempt to explain to them what they are doing wrong.

This is always met with "let's just keep it simple." LET'S JUST KEEP IT SIMPLE?!?

Don't get me wrong. I live by the K.I.S.S. method. (Keep it simple, sweety) But to me, and the musicians who brought me up, the actual act of keeping it as simple as possible is when everyone learns the song and shows up prepared to play what they were assigned with learning, simply.

Am I alone? I'm getting annoyed with the level of excellence people are striving for. I can't seem to find a band where the unacceptable isnt allowed onstage. Thanks for letting me vent!

No, you are not alone.

I find myself in an odd, yet fortumate, position.

I am a family man these days, after almost thirty years of playing gigs as a major part of my life. For the past few years I have been trying to get up with some weekend warriors with HIGH STANDARDS.

I want to play the music correctly. I want to move around. I want to srt up lights. I want to dress the part.

Finding all of that is nearly impossible in a part-time band.

Olus, I wanted to nail some harmonies. I mean NAIL them.

Well, I got lucky. I have a band made up up three family guys like me, and two people who gig more and wanted a side project. Man, it is rewarding to play with these guys! I thought I was a great harmony singer until this band. But it has been a fun challenge. The music is incredibly well executes. The personalities are all great.

I'm sure it won't last forever. But I'm going to enjoy it while I can. Most part-time bands are exactly how you describe. And I just won't do it anymore.

 

[cnltb]

I'm getting really fed up with a certain situation that seems to be rampant in my local music scene.

People show up to a rehearsal, unprepared. Don't know the song form, or even the right chords. It's a complete hack job forgery of an attempt.

(I realize this is not unique to my area, LOL)

At which point, I attempt to explain to them what they are doing wrong.

This is always met with "let's just keep it simple." LET'S JUST KEEP IT SIMPLE?!?

Don't get me wrong. I live by the K.I.S.S. method. (Keep it simple, sweety) But to me, and the musicians who brought me up, the actual act of keeping it as simple as possible is when everyone learns the song and shows up prepared to play what they were assigned with learning, simply.

Am I alone? I'm getting annoyed with the level of excellence people are striving for. I can't seem to find a band where the unacceptable isnt allowed onstage. Thanks for letting me vent!

In unpaid situations I have walked out if people didn't show up on time(I'm ok to wait 20 minutes or so) and prepared.
Often this has worked.

 

[Nashrakh]

Refuse to reahearse again unless they send audio or video of them playing the song correctly, ideally to just a click without backing track.

Now that's commitment to never wanting to see them ever again!

I know this situation all too well, I once quit a band over it. We were running in circles trying to catch up on the songs the guys have forgotten how to play after only one or two months, and by the time we got them down, they forgot how to play others. A few years later I joined the band again upon the request of my best guitar buddy, and they still haven't changed their ways! The band was and always will be a mess. It makes me wonder why he puts up with it, really talented guy with big ears...

 

[lowphatbass]

I try to show up to sessions studied-up and ready to go, feeling like I can get it done in a single take. Most of the time I encounter challenges. Sometimes it’s due to another musician’s lack of preparation, other times it can be my over preparation.
You have to know the situation your walking into. If it’s understood that you’re playing the specific parts and/or form off a demo than memorize it or make a chart if not provided, do what you have to.
A decent amount of my sessions involve player(s) that are not necessarily expected to learn given parts, they’re there on their skill and creativity.

 

[ZAR14]

I also get annoyed when someone doesn't take the time to learn the material. I dont appreciate Bad and/or Lazy Attitudes. However, I see nothing wrong with helping someone with a section they may be playing wrong or having difficulties with.
If you are truly a "Band", a "Team", then you should be willing to help a fellow member just as quickly as you would berait them...

 

[Yango]

Keeping it simple and knowing how to play a song are two completely different things. They're just blowing smoke up your butt trying to make it look like you're the one with the problem, when it's just that they're too freakin' lazy to learn the material. Fire 'em all.

 

[Mark_70]

No, you're not alone. Love those moments in a band where everybody practices the song at home and for the first time you play it together you look at each other with that "nailed it" look and you can move on to the next one..

Regards
Mark

 

[MultiScaleMale]

How much are they being paid? $500 per week? $200 per week? $50 per gig which happens three times per year? You have to align expectations with what the gig is paying. There are a ton of other things happening in life so a band that pays effectively nothing becomes a lower priority. Chose songs that are easy crowd pleasers.

 

[interp]

@Rayjay

Lmao, who told you bit was sweety? It is KEEP IT SIMPLE STUPID, because you complicate things.....

I always thought it was Keep It Simple, S***head.

 

[Nashrakh]

Love those moments in a band where everybody practices the song at home and for the first time you play it together you look at each other with that "nailed it" look and you can move on to the next one..

Reminds me of a situation a few months ago. We play a new song exceedingly well, and after we're done with it, the pianist stands up, gives out hugs to everyone and says "we're never gonna play that one again, it can only go downhill from here". Kind of funny.

 

[interp]

How much are they being paid? $500 per week? $200 per week? $50 per gig which happens three times per year? You have to align expectations with what the gig is paying. There are a ton of other things happening in life so a band that pays effectively nothing becomes a lower priority. Chose songs that are easy crowd pleasers.

This is consistent with a philosophy that the amount of effort you put into any endeavor should be directly dependent on how much you are being paid. In other words, you only need to do your best if you’re getting paid as much as you think you should be. If not, it’s fine to make a halfassed effort.

 

[MultiScaleMale]

This is consistent with a philosophy that the amount of effort you put into any endeavor should be directly dependent on how much you are being paid. In other words, you only need to do your best if you’re getting paid as much as you think you should be. If not, it’s fine to make a halfassed effort.

Nah, I think you should put up a pro level effort for everything, be paid nothing and then complain about the pay on TB. Personally I’m in a situation now where my kids are older and don’t require continual attention. I have time to dedicate. But if I’m running a band and expect everyone to practice ten hours a week outside of rehearsal and we’re making $50 per the rare gig, I think my expectations are out of line. If you’re doing high paying gigs you’ll be able to draw in the better musicians. Don’t expect everything for peanuts.