Can you be to picky when looking for a band?

[DirtDog]

There's the music, the hang, and the gig.
try to get any two of the three.

That's kind of the Stage 1 filter for me….except its "music, hang, money".

Then it's: "musicianship, bandsmanship and showmanship"* for any band that intends to gig.

* I haven't figured out a gender-neutral wording that rolls off the tongue and is reasonably well defined, so don't beat me up on that!

 

[wazzel]

I'm curious why you went to the audition in the first place if you're not into classic rock? Or did things only become apparent at the audition? If it's the same tunes every other band plays I would walk.

Became apparent after the audition. The audition material was ok. When discussing the plans to add to the set list it was going to be mostly all the same classic rock stuff every other bar band plays.

 

[Sushi Box FX]

The band I've been in since I moved to the area broke up recently and I've been trying to find another one to get back into. I don't care about the money, I just really want to play, so my only requirements have been, in order:

1. People I can get along with
2. Music I don't hate
3. 30 minutes away or less for rehearsal
4. No more than once a week rehearsal

I have a family, a full-time job, and a part time job so I don't want a band to consume my life (per 3 and 4), just want to play with other humans again (per 1 and 2). Fortunately I had a virtual audition with a new project last week and we're jamming for the first time tonight

 

[jdh3000]

I'd rather be picky than end up in a band looking for an exit.

Sometimes one cannot be too picky if money is an issue, but apart from that, it's fine to be look around, especially if there are a lot of groups in your area.

There were times I've been wanting to play so bad that I'd grab the first thing that came along, then a month later saying " what have I done?"...

There are no guarantees but go with your gut and wait for the band that fits you.

 

[wazzel]

Why don't you start your own band?

Think about it for a sec. Most other people are disagreeable. Therefore, the odds of you being the one who isn't nuts are in your favor. And of you start your own thing you can choose the direction you wish to take.

In my adds I have included the option to start something from the ground up.

 

[wazzel]

The band I've been in since I moved to the area broke up recently and I've been trying to find another one to get back into. I don't care about the money, I just really want to play, so my only requirements have been, in order:

1. People I can get along with
2. Music I don't hate
3. 30 minutes away or less for rehearsal
4. No more than once a week rehearsal

I have a family, a full-time job, and a part time job so I don't want a band to consume my life (per 3 and 4), just want to play with other humans again (per 1 and 2). Fortunately I had a virtual audition with a new project last week and we're jamming for the first time tonight

I have the same 4 requirements for mostly the same reasons. I don't have a part time job, but my full time job consumes way more than 40 hours a week.

 

[Medicine Man]

I try to be picky about the quality of people i play with, but not the genre of music.

 

[mrcbass]

Depends on your goals.

If gigging is important, you need to adjust your style "needs" to accept a genre that gigs in your market. I don't know how big your market is, but that very well mean needing to "deal" with classic rock or country or some sort of hybrid.

If your priority is to play the music you want, then start your own band. Maybe there are other like minded musicians looking for the same thing and can't find it.

 

[wazzel]

Depends on your goals.

If gigging is important, you need to adjust your style "needs" to accept a genre that gigs in your market. I don't know how big your market is, but that very well mean needing to "deal" with classic rock or country or some sort of hybrid.

If your priority is to play the music you want, then start your own band. Maybe there are other like minded musicians looking for the same thing and can't find it.

I am in the greater Houston area. Lots of different styles in the musical acts around here. There are bands that do other that classic rock and country that stay busy.

 

[Geddaric]

Think of it as a chance to possibly learn new material for your repertoire, until you find the gig that`s right for you.
Selfish? Yes.
On a side note (as quoted by another TB`er) I will not label all classic rock bands "lazy", because many, like the one I`m in, are old and have their careers/jobs/family obligations that severely limit the time that can be used to learn 30 or more newer songs.

 

[Paul New]

Too, dammit, too!

 

[wazzel]

Think of it as a chance to possibly learn new material for your repertoire, until you find the gig that`s right for you.
Selfish? Yes.
On a side note (as quoted by another TB`er) I will not label all classic rock bands "lazy", because many, like the one I`m in, are old and have their careers/jobs/family obligations that severely limit the time that can be used to learn 30 or more newer songs.

I have done the classic rock bar band thing already. When I jam with my family it is about 50% classic rock. Classic rock is low on my list because I want to learn new material and do something different. I have been given three steps so many times I could probably make a lap around the equator.

 

[G On Bass]

I used to join bands just to play. That was the wrong approach. There is no shortage of Classic Rock/Dive Bar bands needing players to play the same 45 songs everyone else plays, and I would invariably get sick of the material or the usually low caliber/work ethic of most of the players. Note-for-note, dress-up Tribute wig bands are not my thing either. Nowadays I am super picky about projects as I want to enjoy what I do and want to look forward to each rehearsal. I'm happier not being in a band than being in a band I am either embarrassed to be in or one where it feels more like an obligation than an enjoyable outlet that scratches my creative itch.

You have to do get what you are looking for out of a band, whatever that may be.

Note: I don't do this for a living. If I did, I imagine I would have a few wigs and bell bottoms in the closet..

 

[wazzel]

Too, dammit, too!

I are a engineer.

 

[groooooove]

of course you can..

if you are billy sheehan, you can pick whatever you like.

if you are a regular guy who can kinda play but forgets details of songs all the time, it'll be few choices - but the choice is still yours.

it's a free market type of thing, you would only be invited to work with a band and accept if both parties benefit from it.

nothing wrong with deciding these opportunities are not worth the effort for you. it's also fine if you think playing something is better than playing nothing. your choice!!

 

[sean_on_bass]

Definitely don't play music you don't like. Hold out for the right group.

 

[Geddaric]

I have done the classic rock bar band thing already. When I jam with my family it is about 50% classic rock. Classic rock is low on my list because I want to learn new material and do something different. I have been given three steps so many times I could probably make a lap around the equator.

Totally agree.
Several songs I refuse to include in a set list. If patrons wanna throw some extra cash out, then I`ll consider playing Cocaine, 3 Steps, Hands to Yourself, Sweet Home, and the likes.

 

[Nedmundo]

I wouldn't stay in a crappy band to get noticed. But if it were the first step in getting out there, it could be a stepping stone. I was lucky enough that the first band I ended up in when I got back into music was a good band and I got a fair amount of attention from that. But if that hadn't been the first thing that happened, I probably could have done a more traditional route of building things from from something more resembling ground level.

Similar experience here. After not so much as touching a bass for nine years, I was asked to join an original band playing songs written by a friend's son, with my friend as the drummer. The material was very strong and provided excellent training, and even though we didn't play huge gigs we got some attention. It was a great first step for my return to playing, and I consider myself lucky to have had that opportunity.

I don't play for a living, but for fun, so I'm fairly picky. If I'm going to spend one evening a week lugging gear to a rehearsal spot 40 minutes away, it needs to be worthwhile both musically and personally. My last original band didn't play huge numbers of gigs, but we had some great shows, the music was cool, and it became a true brotherhood. (Saw a Phish show with the lead guitarist last night.) That was totally worth it, even though the lack of gigs was frustrating at times.

Just this week, I played with a group assembled by a local dude wanting to form a band, and I'm not going to continue with the project. It's a bummer because they're all extremely nice people, the music is somewhat interesting, and the lead guitarist is very good. But they want me to cover some lead vocals, which isn't my strength, and the rhythm guitarist and drummer are really beginners. I could work with the drummer, but I seriously doubt it would ever reach a satisfying level. Gotta make that awkward phone call...ugh.

 

[mrjim123]

Too picky?

 

[LBS-bass]

Just this week, I played with a group assembled by a local dude wanting to form a band, and I'm not going to continue with the project. It's a bummer because they're all extremely nice people, the music is somewhat interesting, and the lead guitarist is very good. But they want me to cover some lead vocals, which isn't my strength, and the rhythm guitarist and drummer are really beginners. I could work with the drummer, but I seriously doubt it would ever reach a satisfying level.

The only time that's ever worth it for me is when I'm doing it to help support less experienced players who need a little help. People were there for me when I first started out, and I feel like it's ok to be there for others at this stage of my life. It can be challenging to keep expectations realistic in those situations, but if you genuinely like the people, it can be worthwhile.