Playing this often you shouldn't need to rehearse existing material. That said.... I would tell the BL to save new material for organised rehearsals. If he wants new tunes, jam them first.
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Being in a band that never rehearses..
- Thread starter bassplayer1494
- Start date
Playing this often you shouldn't need to rehearse existing material. That said.... I would tell the BL to save new material for organised rehearsals. If he wants new tunes, jam them first.
I've only played with one BL that did that.
In the end I quit playing with him.
Bottom line, he knew the songs that he called out so the only ones that appeared incompetent (to the audience) was the rest of the band. He appeared to be the only one that knew what he was doing. I think he liked that.
In the end I quit playing with him.
Bottom line, he knew the songs that he called out so the only ones that appeared incompetent (to the audience) was the rest of the band. He appeared to be the only one that knew what he was doing. I think he liked that.
Every jazz band I have played with rarely rehearses and every single gig they throw out tunes that I have never played or heard of.
The new band I'm with spent 2 1/2 hours last week rehearsing just one tune; different keys, different time signatures, different everything for all of the parts. It was never tedious and probably the best & most productive rehearsal session I have ever had.
Unless you are a top tier touring professional, you are only kidding yourself thinking rehearsals don't matter and that nobody in the audience notices....
The new band I'm with spent 2 1/2 hours last week rehearsing just one tune; different keys, different time signatures, different everything for all of the parts. It was never tedious and probably the best & most productive rehearsal session I have ever had.
Unless you are a top tier touring professional, you are only kidding yourself thinking rehearsals don't matter and that nobody in the audience notices....
You don't need rehearsals. You just need to know what songs you need to learn. The BL doesn't need to call songs you don't know. End of story.
If he's the kind of unaware ... "person'...... who would do such an idiotic thing, he'll continue to do it even if you rehearse from time to time.
The hang
The money
The music
The rule is Pick 2. Having all 3 is unobtainium... only came close to happening once in the history of rock... Rush... and it could be argued that they'd have made much more money if they dumbed their music down. You got the hang and the money and it sounds like getting the music isn't gonna happen. And it seems like it works for everyone else. So... while you might be right, it looks like it's not going to change. One of the definitions of insanity is worrying about things you can't change.
The money
The music
The rule is Pick 2. Having all 3 is unobtainium... only came close to happening once in the history of rock... Rush... and it could be argued that they'd have made much more money if they dumbed their music down. You got the hang and the money and it sounds like getting the music isn't gonna happen. And it seems like it works for everyone else. So... while you might be right, it looks like it's not going to change. One of the definitions of insanity is worrying about things you can't change.
I play a lot of un-rehearsed gigs, typically jazz. Within the jazz scene, bands can play from a repertoire of "standards" that everybody knows, or provide written arrangements and hire good readers. Also, the bandleaders have typically worked as sidemen themselves, and have some leadership experience as well.
I will say that bands can be unprepared in new and unexpected ways that nobody ever dreamt were possible. Often, the bandleader has never worked as a sideman, and has always played low profile gigs that are half boring and half train wreck. Or they get a bassist who believes that the audience deserves better, and simply takes charge. Been there.
I believe that bands benefit from rehearsal. Sure, practicality dictates that it won't always happen. And if people have been playing around for a while, the continuity of gigs and repertoire played with the same or similar cast of characters over the years counts as "rehearsal" in a sense. If a band is working enough, they can use the last set of a low profile gig to work out new material on the bandstand.
I will say that bands can be unprepared in new and unexpected ways that nobody ever dreamt were possible. Often, the bandleader has never worked as a sideman, and has always played low profile gigs that are half boring and half train wreck. Or they get a bassist who believes that the audience deserves better, and simply takes charge. Been there.
I believe that bands benefit from rehearsal. Sure, practicality dictates that it won't always happen. And if people have been playing around for a while, the continuity of gigs and repertoire played with the same or similar cast of characters over the years counts as "rehearsal" in a sense. If a band is working enough, they can use the last set of a low profile gig to work out new material on the bandstand.
I would say that, in your case, "if it ain't broke don't fix it" certainly applies. Just hang on for the ride and don't rock the boat by suggesting rehearsals. Just my opinion! Sounds like a cool gig to have
OP's situation is almost exactly the same as one of my bands, with the exception that BL our is a professional musician. The band formed through BL's weekly local open mic night, where the rest of us became a loosely formed house band. Of course, jumping up with other musicians to have a go at stuff with them became the norm, so jamming along to tunes wasn't something we weren't worried about.
Side note: Personally, I have only a rudimentary grasp of music theory but due to being an ex-DJ, I'm familiar with a lot of songs, so if I can hear it in my head, I can generally pick up the main bits pretty quickly.
We found cohesion as a four-piece playing dad rock crowd pleasers and started playing out under the name Doomsville (loads of videos on TB). One of the things we agreed on was no rehearsals. If BL had an idea for a new song, he'd text it to us with a key and we'd try it out next gig. Not every song worked right away and if it wasn't better by the third performance, it got dropped.
Even though, BL drop ones on us on the night. Like at the last gig where someone asked for "Venus" in the break, which he had in his song book, so he comes back and asks if we fancy it. I've figured out the bass riff before he's finished explaining it to the drummer and then off we go. And it actually worked. Audience loved it because how many rock bands drop (what to them is) a Bananarama song?
It's something the band has become well known for in the area. The audience know when we start a new song that it could go badly wrong (BL at this point will tend to build up introducing it around just how badly it could go), so cock ups actually end up becoming part of the entertainment. And then there's the times we deliberately play it wrong to try and put the rest off for a laugh.
That said, we do land the majority of tunes and have developed a pretty slick set, so it can work without rehearsals for cover bands.
Originals bands are a different story, mind.
Side note: Personally, I have only a rudimentary grasp of music theory but due to being an ex-DJ, I'm familiar with a lot of songs, so if I can hear it in my head, I can generally pick up the main bits pretty quickly.
We found cohesion as a four-piece playing dad rock crowd pleasers and started playing out under the name Doomsville (loads of videos on TB). One of the things we agreed on was no rehearsals. If BL had an idea for a new song, he'd text it to us with a key and we'd try it out next gig. Not every song worked right away and if it wasn't better by the third performance, it got dropped.
Even though, BL drop ones on us on the night. Like at the last gig where someone asked for "Venus" in the break, which he had in his song book, so he comes back and asks if we fancy it. I've figured out the bass riff before he's finished explaining it to the drummer and then off we go. And it actually worked. Audience loved it because how many rock bands drop (what to them is) a Bananarama song?
It's something the band has become well known for in the area. The audience know when we start a new song that it could go badly wrong (BL at this point will tend to build up introducing it around just how badly it could go), so cock ups actually end up becoming part of the entertainment. And then there's the times we deliberately play it wrong to try and put the rest off for a laugh.
That said, we do land the majority of tunes and have developed a pretty slick set, so it can work without rehearsals for cover bands.
Originals bands are a different story, mind.
Back in the day when I stayed current on most popular music genres, so I heard everything, I kind of enjoyed this kind of thing. It's a badge of honor as a pro to be in a band that can do that. And in a resort oriented area, as you are, it can work, because most audiences aren't worried about note for note covers. They just want to party.
No way could I do that now, as I haven't kept up with the hits of the day.
No way could I do that now, as I haven't kept up with the hits of the day.
My band rehearses 2-3 times per month to learn new songs, work out vocal harmonies and just to hang out. The lead singer, my wife, and I have been performing together for over 37 years. My main guitarist, 3rd vocal harmony, has been performing with us for 25 years. My newest guitarist has been performing with us for the past 3 years...but we started playing together (and off and on) since 1974.
We don't have to rehearse, but rather choose to. I've never been in a band that doesn't rehearse....and "throwing curve ball songs" is something I wouldn't be comfortable with...but that's just me!
We don't have to rehearse, but rather choose to. I've never been in a band that doesn't rehearse....and "throwing curve ball songs" is something I wouldn't be comfortable with...but that's just me!
I'm in the same situation. We are a 7 piece and we never practice as a band, we just show up and play. We do have a song list, which really helps, but still, once a month practice would be great. I have to admit we are really good, and our audience let's us know, but I would really like to work on songs that I feel we are weak on. We are all "seasoned" musicians with our ages ranging from 33 to 76 years. My biggest suggestion would be to take the lead on creating a song/set list, and give everyone a copy. Good luck and hold down the bottom end, brother!
If it is jazz or a reading gig sure and if everyone is good enough. But even in Jazz, many folks are stuck in the 50's or 60's -- no one plays modern material, let's say from Joshua Redman's 90's or Brad Mehldau
And when you record these winging it gigs, they sound bad, specially if they are covers or anything outside of the jam format.
BL should give you a list of all possible songs he/she will call out and what keys
And when you record these winging it gigs, they sound bad, specially if they are covers or anything outside of the jam format.
BL should give you a list of all possible songs he/she will call out and what keys
and when you do just play the roots the BL complains after that there was no groove going on!
ha… this has been my life for 56 years. I've been the "sub" pretty much forever. Walk into the gig and just play. Jazz, rock, funk, country…whatever. Yes it's a challenge, yes it CAN shag up, but you adapt and learn. After a while you realize that most songs are of several patterns, even/especially jazz tunes, and once you can hear where they are going you can just figure them out on the fly. On occasion a bridge will throw a curve ball, but after the first round you should have it. For me, as long as I can hear the vocal/melody and basic accompaniment, I can follow along well.
I do have my own 6 piece horn band that plays concerts. We do a mix of my originals and classic tunes that everybody knows, but done up differently. The originals are charted and we run through starts and stops at sound checks. The others are jams that can go in any direction, at any time. I'm fortunate that these are the best players in my area who know how to listen and embrace change.
I suggest you do the same. You have been graced with a wonderful opportunity. Savor and be open to it and you will get better. I promise…
"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.
I quit a band earlier this year for exactly that reason. The GP/Lead singer would either just call out the song or just count it off. All the songs were "them good-ole country songs" he played for decades in his "old" band. He eventually sent me a list of 147 songs followed by another list of 30 or so a week later. He expected me to be able to recall the style, bass lines, and chord progressions of all of them.
The worst problem was that he had a very limited singing ability and so many of the songs were not played in the original, or at least most popular, keys. I did about four shows then packed up after the fifth and told the BL I was done and wished them the best. Never looked back.
It's somethng I've stuggled with in many bands over the years. These days, I'll just get a list of titles without any links, as in "Go find them yourself on YouTube" only to later learn (on stage) that not only is the key different, the arrangement is different and in some cases whole parts of the song are skipped over. As if I would know this by some form of Vulcan mind-meld.
Some you may be familiar with:
"No, we solo over the verse, not the bridge like on the record" Translation: "I don't understand the bridge chord progression."
"I'm going to call the solos whenever I feel like it, same for whether I'll sing the bridge after the solo or another verse." Translation: "I am going to make it sound like you made a mistake after every transition."
"No, we don't do the James Brown version, we do a cover version by an obscure garage band from Muncie, Indiana." Translation: "What made you think we could play a James Brown song like he did it? That's too hard."
"I always thought that Good Loving was a song by the Grateful Dead." Translation: "I've never heard of the Young Rascals."
"I had no idea there was more than one song out there titled Heartbreaker." Translation: "I have never heard of Led Zeppelin, Grand Funk, Pat Benatar or Gene Pitney."
"We expected you would sing it." Translation: "It was the only song the bass player in that band ever sang."
I'm in one now. It definitely takes a different mindset, but I find it a lot of fun. Things could be a tad tighter if we rehearsed, but it works well and we get plenty of gig opportunities.
We play classic rock, some blues, and some jam band stuff. I don't think it would work as well with every type of music.
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