Genre Shift - Grin and Bear It?

I play for fun and not money..so personally no, I won't play in a band where I don't like the material

 

What are the tunes? Nothing wrong with some funky R&B covers IMO.

 

What is your goal with this band?

If your plan was to play some tunes, make some dough, and just have fun, then it sounds to me like you're already tired of the tunes, and kinda tired of rehearsals. Maybe? I don't know. Is the aggravation worth the money? That's usually what I ask myself when I'm in this kind of situation.

But if your goal was to network, and maybe use this band as a stepping stone to get in a better one, or one that you like more, then maybe you could tough it out?

Again, I don't know. My gut feeling is if I'm tired of a band after 2 rehearsals, I'm probably not sticking around for long.

 

Sounds like "musical differences".

 

DB jazz man here too, converted to electric and I ran into a similar situation. Answered a CL add for pianist looking to play "jazz." I get to his place and he's litterally reading out of a Beatles book and wants to play jazzy Beatles covers. He didn't even have a Real Book.

Sounds like it's just not a lot of fun for you, just not your scene. If you can afford it, maybe see if you can't find a bass player to replace you. If you don't know any other bass cats around town that could hack it, you could sort of pre-audition some bassists for a seemless gig swap. I hate to leave people hanging, especially with up coming work, but don't feel obligated if the music dones't move you. If it's not exciting to you, hard to imagine putting out a very exciting performance.

You SHOULD play Sir Duke by Stevie Wonder though, my only caveat.

 

Based on what you've written, this is becoming a chore more than anything else, so I would simply do what I think is the right thing: talk to the band about your concerns and the misunderstanding regarding the repertoire.
If there is no compromise, just quit. Possibly stay until they find and ramp up another player, so they're not left in the s**t with the upcoming gigs, and then shake hands and amicably say goodbye.

 

Sounds a bit on the smooth jazzy side..which i am not very much down with either. I say drop it if it ain't working out.

I went to jam with a guy(kid?) that wanted to start a jazz group. I didnt know what to expect, but he said he wanted to play Aint Misbehavin' to start off, so it sounded up my alley. I get there, and its probably a 20 year old, playing a Gibson SG though a starter practice amp. Tone was overdriven, and he was fiddling with a wah pedal. Sounded like he had never played a note of jazz in his life, just totally misguided.

Some people just totally fail when it comes to describing their music in the right context.

 

Yeah if you don't need the money, part ways before you get too far in. But tell them why. Not in an ugly way. Just give them the information you used to move on. It may serve them well with the next guy.

 

I'd bail just because of the physical overexertion regardless of your other points. No sense messing yourself up .

 

i have left bands for less. the only way i'd stay is if the guys were my good friends. it does not seem to be your case. another reason is, if the pay is good. you also did not mention that.

i think you already know what to do

 

Sounds like you now what to do already

 

Remyd, keep this in mind: you do not owe them anything.

I spent 18 months of my life playing in a genre I do not like, convincing myself I was having fun and getting guilt-tripped into a 3 month exit period. Never again.

- You do not like the music.
- You do not have the required chops.
- You do not seem to get along with these people all TOO well either*

You do not owe them anything. I'm tired of reading all that "don't leave them hanging" crap - from what I read, it does not sound like they are very considerate of your wants, needs or abilities so why would you be considerate of theirs?

But you're Space Pickle and the OP is Remyd. YMMV and all that jazz (no pun intended).

*From what I read in your OP

 

Seems obvious that you don't wanna play what they wanna play, so the real real question is, "Do you need the money?"

 

2 huge areas of concern, apart from your forearm problem that would warrant dropping out anyway.

1. They are going to be months (and possibly years) before they consider themselves good enough to start gigging so hanging in for the upcoming dough is rather optimistic.

2. If they reject or defer your suggestions without even giving them a try I would bail immediately (been there, done that). It just shows that they don't view your opinions as valid.

 

You already got all the right advice here from others. I just wanted thank you for "slaptastics".

 

The medical issues alone should be a reason to consider bailing. Unless:

1 you are doing this purely for the $$$ and
2 there are no otherjazz gigs out there

Bail now, but explain to them why (never burn a bridge).

Every minute spent on this project could be spent looking for a better one.