Being in a band that never rehearses..

[bassplayer1494]

Not sure if any of my fellow keepers of the low-end experience this.

Last August, I filled in for a band, ended up becoming the permanent bassist.

Great group of guys. Easy-going, good pay, most songs aren't that complex.

However, the BL (Guitarist/singer) throws us all curveballs each and every show. Songs we never played before. No setlists, he just calls them out.

It can be challenging because since I've been with these guys, we have never rehearsed. Just show up and play.

It's exciting to a certain degree, but I also feel that we can be more cohesive if we rehearsed even 2 times a month.

Honestly, I don't know how our BL does it. He plays solo gigs most of the week, works 60 hours as a mechanic, has a family.

So it's tough to suggest the idea now because of how busy he is. I'm thinking during the winter months it could be beneficial to rehearse.

The rest of us work normal 9-5 jobs, with the exception of the keyboard/harmonica player.(Happens to be the BLs father)

I'm not complaining as this is the most playing I have ever done in my life. Probably played about 40 shows since I joined, and we have 23 more on the books this year. I truly am grateful, just hope that the guys and I can convince him to at least entertain the idea on a weekend where we aren't playing.

 

[Marko 1]

"However, the BL (Guitarist/singer) throws us all curveballs each and every show. Songs we never played before..."

I've heard of bands that never rehearse, but at least they have a list of songs that they're gonna play, and informed of new material so they can prepare at home.

I can't imagine (at least me) playing songs I haven't learned, or at least get a basic grip on the bass lines.

I'd ask to have that, just the name of the songs I'm expected to play.

 

[Oddly]

It seems to me, from this thread and several others like it, that maybe this is a peculiarity of the bass-player psyche.
We tend to be the organised ones, the ones that get lumbered with the logistics, 'cos we're good at that stuff.
We come prepared and ready, we aim to give a professional result and we don't like surprises.

We also have to deal with the whole 'It's just bass, just play the damn root' mindset.

Frustrating as hell, I know, and I really wish I had a solution to offer, but just know you're not alone.

 

[pmatz2]

How about asking for at least a list of songs he might toss out during a gig if he doesn’t have the time to rehearse

 

[sean_on_bass]

He just needs to provide a song list to the band, preferably with key of song indicated. Then you all can learn them in your free time to not be caught off guard on the stage. No rehearsal required.

 

[And I]

Rehearsals or no -- the BL owes you a list of songs you're expected to know how to play. Learn them on your own, come to the gig ready to play them all. If the BL deviates from that list they should do so with the understanding that there will be no bass on that song.

 

[LBS-bass]

This is not a band that never rehearses, it's a band that never prepares.

If you have a list of new songs, you can all prepare without spending a lot of extra time in rehearsal, but it sounds like the BL here expects you to know the songs he's tossing out without much preparation. This can be done, I've been in bands that do it, but it requires the right people. Not everyone is good at flying by the seat of their pants. Your BL is, you are probably not.

So I'd talk with him about his expectations and let him know that you're willing to prepare more songs if you have a list of likely songs that he's going to call. He has a list, but it's in his head. If you want to work with him, you'll have to start working on learning more of what he knows, or else convince him to not play songs he hasn't played with you before.

Good luck with it!

 

[Joe Nerve]

My band rehearses only about 3 times a year, and that's mostly for vocal harmonies on challenging tunes. I've played in many other bands that don't rehearse, and its not only become my preference - unless its a REALLY GREAT gig, I doubt I'll ever join another band that insists on rehearsals.

That being said, throwing songs at you that you've never played is pure ridiculousness. I'd make it crystal clear that you need to know what songs you'll be playing in advance, or it's not happening. Throwing those kinds of curve balls makes both you and the band look bad. If he refused to do that and the band wasn't a super high paying gig - I'd be out. Closing one door really does open up much better ones, so long as one has faith that that's true. That's been my experience.

RE the rehearsing, I've come to believe that at some point in a musicians life, rehearsals are essential. It takes a lot of practice to be able to play well with other musicians. Once someone has paid their dues however, and has lots of stage experience, all that's necessary is that the band can depend upon each other to do their homework. If communication is clear and everyone is learning songs from the same files - experienced musicians do NOT have to rehearse in order to play tightly, and perfectly together.

Original bands are a different story.

 

[nick4bass]

I have to say "it depends". I fill in quite a bit in a classic rock band, they're friends now & I almost feel like an unofficial member. BL does this to me occasionally, (although everyone else knows the songs; they have been added since I last gigged with them). But they're songs I've heard a million times, so I land on my feet. I know, not the same thing. Sounds like they have faith in you, keep going and have fun! But tell him to give you some heads up, even if you listen to the song on break before the next set.

 

[Marko 1]

How many pieces is this band? What instruments? If there are two guitars and keys, I can probably handle it, but if it's guitar/bass/drums... I'd have a hard time enjoying it, at least on songs that are totally new.

 

[Hummergeist]

How do the other people in the band feel about it? if they're happy as-is, then probably not much you can do about it.

 

[bigdaddybass12]

I see the exciting point. Our lead singer occasionally does that. Just tell what key the song is in & I'll go with it! Maybe you need to mention to him that you would like to know these in advance. Even just before the gig starts.. During the break I have went outside & listened to a song on youtube a couple of times to get my part right, (or close to right!!)

 

[Stinsok]

I know exactly what you are experiencing.

 

[jellymax]

drop by his solo gig and jot down some song titles.
'if you can't beat 'em, join 'em'

 

[Cave Puppy]

We have practiced probably 10-20 times total since 1995. Played literally hundreds of shows with those guys. That is that band. I've been in others where we rehearse at least once a week with no shows on the horizon.

 

[wilberthenry]

I am in a similar band, but the BL will send a youtube clip to everyone with a "let's try this one next gig". We would be tighter and dynamics would be better if we rehearsed occasionally, but that isn't my call. It is the busiest band I have played with in a while, so I don't worry too much about it.

 

[5andFretless]

I'm in a Wedding/Cooperate Party band. We have never "rehearsed." We get together to audition new members, but that hasn't been necessary in years. I'm the only musician in the band that doesn't do this for a living - Everyone else either plays in the pit on Broadway, teaches voice a local university, or teaches full time at School of Rock. We have a list of about 300 songs we play, and we will accept requests at booking. Music is on a tablet and new song arrangements are discussed on Zoom -key, deviation from the recording, things like that.

I get away with being in the band because I played upright in the college jazz band, can read music, understand basic theory, and I get along with everyone very well (I'm not too damn bad on the bass either).

This isn't to say that we haven't had our moments on stage, because we have, but everyone just goes with the flow and recovers. The people in the audience never notice.

I'm also in an originals band who's members seem to only practice when we get together. They are about a factor of 10 below the big band in musicianship, but it is also less stress and more fun

 

[Ben Esparza]

I have to say "it depends".

There's no need to bring Grandma's underwear into this discussion! LOL!

 

[silky smoove]

My GB group rehearses MAYBE twice a year, and only in cases where we've added a large block of new material which is likely in transposed keys as we have both male and female singers. Outside of that the songs for a given gig are provided with a note describing the key in which we'll be playing each tune or other changes such as omitting a long intro or doubling the last chorus. At that point we recognize that we're all professionals and take it upon ourselves to learn the material on our own time and be 100% show-ready ahead of the downbeat for set 1. This setup works with no rehearsals. Getting thrown unexpected and unknown tunes does not. It might work if they were in a traditional form such as a 1 4 5 blues, or a straight ahead 2 5 1 jazz tune, but even that gets a little loose as everyone playing is constantly looking back and forth nervously for cues from the band leader indicating dynamic changes, breaks, punches, or the all-important end of the song.

 

[badinage]

Give me the right drummer and it works just fine with or without any other prep. I'd prefer a list, better yet dropbox some charts so I know the more-or-less intended arrangement. The excitement of discovery and everybody being on their toes can have an exciting sound all it's own, and "rehearsed" turning to "stale" has a sound too.