Why didn't you talk this through at the rehearsal? Or, as it's not your gig, why didn't you resign?
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Honest opinions please... A rant.. Kinda...
- Thread starter DrayMiles
- Start date
We did, and I was diplomatic... He didn’t hear a word. And everyone else was a lemming. The guy is seriously selfish and self centered. I felt responsible for ensuring the gig succeeded.
Ever have people look at you hoping you take over? That’s the way the others looked at me...
We did ok, but it was work..
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Yes, I think a bit over sensitive.
I've been told when I haven't been cutting it a couple of times, and I think that they were right to tell me.
I took the criticism of me, as an indication of what areas I need to focus on. I didn't take it personally.
If you play out of time/tune, don't learn the material, speed up/down, play over the rest of the group, don't be shocked if you get called out.
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Is this your gig or are you a hired gun for the night? If it’s your gig then you must face the reality that the ‘I am great, you are crap’ attitude is why you don’t have a stable of musicians ready to cover this gig. If you’re a hired gun and don’t think it’s up to your level either take the paycheck or stay home and stoke your ego.
I totally understand why you were upset. What I don't agree with is how you handled it. I'm one of those guys that is always prepared and I have very little patience. So, I understand why you snapped. You've spent your time and paid your dues... you only expect the same of others. But, how you focus that irritation and anger is the most important thing. Your reply reflects on you... not the person you're attacking.
Luckily, I've removed myself from working with someone that makes me want to snap his neck... I really don't have patience for BS relating to music. Be prepared.. and don't do stuff half *****... We won't EVER work together again, in fact, I'm working on my own record with seasoned vets...
well, I guess I just live differently than you. I have had my time and successes, mostly as a drummer. When my nephew came to me and asked me to teach him drums, I went through a complete paradigm shift. I still love the feel of playing a large venue with full light show and professionals on every instrument, (I still don't sing, lol)but teaching has changed me. I passed on not only mastery of all the rudiments, I taught him to be a musician rather than just a drummer. As I watched him playing for chairs with his high school band, and he played his solo by building on the rhythm of the song and playing well planned transitions into and out of his solo... even though this was no where near the caliber of what I had known, but I was as proud of his mastery at that level as I ever was of my own at any level. He was the first sophomore to ever earn first chair in the drum line at his school.
Now I am in that position, being relatively new to bass guitar. I have already had some successes on bass, but they don't define me, and they never will.
Now I am in that position, being relatively new to bass guitar. I have already had some successes on bass, but they don't define me, and they never will.
But you were teaching someone whose demeanor was that of a eager student... Not someone who has success in one field, but the ego carried over into another field they weren’t as good at. The guy is super selfish, and I don’t believe you can reach musical nirvana if you’re focused only only yourself.
So Anyway, nothing to add to the OP. Have never been in that situation since I'm usually the weak link in any band.
I would be interested in hearing a good Chuck Berry story. I heard he could be both completely charming and 'A Handful' at times.
Chuck said...
"When I pat my foot once... That means start. When I pat my foot twice... That means stop..."
I said "Mr. Berry sir... What are we going to play?"
Chuck: "We're playing Chuck Berry music boy..."
Me: "Okay... Yes sir!"
from my own personal experience, he got that chair because he mastered the rudiments...that is the key to learning drums, if those aren't the first things you learn then you already lost in my opinion..that's coming from a guy that almost made first chair as a freshman but got beat out because the band director put a senior in that chair although I was better. The next year it couldn't be ignored and I got first chair..
Bands can be frustrating at times, you have to be able to take constructive criticism it can only make you better, however sometimes it is not constructive..like the time the guitarist in my band was watching me play and insisted I was playing the wrong note based on what he saw..(me playing a note on a B string) He was thinking I was playing a 4 string..lol..I blew up, I said to him I am playing a 5 string pay attention to your own parts and if you tell me I'm playing the wrong note one more time I am going to shove this bass down your throat..lol...
I’ve had 2 guitar players ask me why I was playing a B while they were playing 2 G Major bar chords?!?
I especially love pianists that are so used to playing solo, that they always play root notes.
Ya know, a lotta folks are resentful when you recognize the fact they’re weak at basic theory, or lacking basic arranging skills.
I especially love pianists that are so used to playing solo, that they always play root notes.
Ya know, a lotta folks are resentful when you recognize the fact they’re weak at basic theory, or lacking basic arranging skills.
You are correct, but the maturity to understand that drums are part of a band and not something that merely co-exists was a very important part. by the time they are playing professionally, drummers nearly always realize this, but the fact that he did so as a sophomore in HS was what made him stand out. the other drummers also knew the rudiments well, but they couldn't make them fit seamlessly into an improvised solo.
Hey bro here with some further thought on this subject and what piqued my interest this time was the mention of your lazy guy's company. I have played many a 'corporate gig' over the years and they can be fun and also pay very well with incredible food and drinks. My experience sitting in with bands made up of tech guys has often been that even though they have the best gear on the planet they are usually not great players and they approach the music like its a math problem! The notes are correct and its all in the proper context but the music itself would have little in the way of 'feel' or groove. And these gigs tend to be a split between Motown R&B or 60's classic rock and its all about the GROOVE right? So I can sympathize a little more with your dilemma take careI wonder...
Musicians imo... Already have a delicate psyche... This isolation can’t be good for that...
It was laziness and the guy treating other peoples time with little care. After all, the event was under his company.. So, him playing it was just an ego trip really.
Regarding my being a ....
I have enough ego to walk into any musical situation and not worry based on experience... No more and no less...
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You didn’t have to tell me... but you did, but you did, but you did...Hey bro here with some further thought on this subject and what piqued my interest this time was the mention of your lazy guy's company. I have played many a 'corporate gig' over the years and they can be fun and also pay very well with incredible food and drinks. My experience sitting in with bands made up of tech guys has often been that even though they have the best gear on the planet they are usually not great players and they approach the music like its a math problem! The notes are correct and its all in the proper context but the music itself would have little in the way of 'feel' or groove. And these gigs tend to be a split between Motown R&B or 60's classic rock and its all about the GROOVE right? So I can sympathize a little more with your dilemma take care
And I thank you!
That reminds me of my ex-wife who happens to be a tremendous keyboard player. She had always played solo piano her whole life Gershwin to Elton and more and when she first joined the band her hands were busy as hell especially the left hand LOL! I said, 'honey you're not leaving me any notes to play!' It didn't occur to her where the bass fit in but we got it straightened out it was a great band but not such a good marriage
Maybe we should start a thread on divorced low end musicians!That reminds me of my ex-wife who happens to be a tremendous keyboard player. She had always played solo piano her whole life Gershwin to Elton and more and when she first joined the band her hands were busy as hell especially the left hand LOL! I said, 'honey you're not leaving me any notes to play!' It didn't occur to her where the bass fit in but we got it straightened out it was a great band but not such a good marriage
That's a great idea haha! And it seems the music business and marriage seldom go well together with the exception in the jazz world where many 'couples that play together stay together'
