Ugh. I just quit a project I was involved with. Was a recording project where the guy said he wanted to do simple Americana; I showed up the first day and played flawlessly over two songs, added some background vocals, and then he wanted a third song which had a funk rhythm, so I played some funky stuff and it was "too many notes." Then he kind of sang what he wanted, which was exactly what I had played, so I just moved down to a lower register to play it, but it still wasn't right for him. So I thought, well, maybe he wants some more traditional type blues stuff, which I tried to do, but I could just never connect with that song in a way that worked for him. It left me feeling flustered and guilty for taking his money, and self-conscious about the next session. Then he asked me if I could slap (?) and i'm like (to myself), that is not really what I came out here expecting to be asked for an Americana / blues roots kind of thing.
I ended up trying to rework the lines in my home studio, he's still not happy, so I decided today to text him that he needs to find someone else. What that song actually needed was a strong drummer to really bring up the funkiness of the rhythm, which would have allowed the funky bassline to find a home in the pocket. I told him that, and I know the right guy to do it. But I could see nothing I did after that was going to make him happy.
I hate failing. He graciously offered to let me keep the payments but I'm going to send them back; it will feel better that way. I don't care if he uses any of the other work or not. I'm just happy to have this off my back.
