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How to make someone... Come to practice...

It sounds to me it's all about "him". I suggest - sit him down and tell him what you guys want and need to happen. Whether he started this band or not, doesn't give him the right not to respect you guys. He needs to give the band respect of the situation. If it continues, take your mates and move on. Feel confident about you and your band mates. Someone will come along and it will be true to your souls. Life is to short. "Magic In Believing". IMO
 
So, I have a very unique issue. My band's Singer/Rhythm guitard seems to always have something better to do. He always acts pumped to practice, has high (sometimes) insane goals that I like in a person. He is a halfway decent guitarist, and can write radio-friendly crap (not necessarily a bad thing around here) like there is no tomorrow. But, even when me and the other 2 members show up on a moments notice, we have to plan practices with him days, sometimes weeks in advance. I would make him leave, but there are a few interesting curveballs to throw in to this story. He is a founding member, pretty much the guy to made the band. He accounts for 2 spots (vox, guitar), and brings a lot to the table in terms of songwriting, industry contacts, things of that nature. So he is useful, but WILL NOT SHOW UP!! Is there anyone with any idea of how to go about telling him to actually be a part of the band? I would rather not leave, as I like these guys and all, and have no connection to another band.

Sorry for the long post, but I need help bad guys.

Well it seems like the rest of the band is good to go. I'd sit the singer/guitarist down and put it bluntly: 'You need to arrange your schedule better so that you can make rehearsals, or me and the other guys are going to carry on and replace you'. Be nice about it, but let him know that your band will never go anywhere if youre not rehearsing your material. I understand people have other commitments, but 1 night a week (at least) is not hard to do.

What I find with people who dont want to rehearse is that theyre generally just not that into the band. If youre band means anything to the guy at all, he would fit in some time to really make something of it.
 
It's like a having a fancy sportscar in your driveway that you're excited to drive one day, except you don't know where the keys to the ignition are. You'll be dazzled for a while with the idea of having the sportscar, until you realize without the keys it's just taking up space while you're paying for insurance on it. And then this car becomes a burden, but without the keys it's hard to get rid of without taking a loss. But, you're tired of looking at this useless hunk of metal, and just get rid of it to make room for the beater-mobile that you can actually drive.
 
I dont think its really been explained if these are last minute requests for rehearsels that are missed or scheduled ones...

If one of my bands had called me up at the last minute to practice Id make it if I had nothing else going on, but if I had other plans (plans that involved more than hanging out with friends playing xbox or whatever) I wouldnt go.

I should admit though, that I was once kicked out of a band for missing practices. These guys insisted on practicing every friday night, and only friday night, there was no flexibility. At first I didnt mind because things were productive. After awhile though, the "practices" turned into 4-5 hour long events that consisted of 3-4 hours of partying and maybe an hour of actual playing...Usually the long partying sessions would occur when they had friends down, which turned out to be almost every other week.

Since I wasnt interested in spending 2-3 hours gettnig drunk and stoned and than trying to practice, I started staying home the nights their friends were down since absolutely nothing productive would come from my being there...

Eventually I was told that I didnt seem to be into the band was asked not to come around anymore...

To this day, almost like clockwork I see these same guys advertising for new members every six months. from what I hear they get people in who get tired of the non-productiveness and than these people leave..

Anyway, back to the OP, if the guy isnt doing anything at all when you try to line something up and still doesnt come out, he really isnt your band.

You've gotten to the crux of the issue, although I'd simply add that people who don't show up for practices should be taken out and shot.
 
I dont think its really been explained if these are last minute requests for rehearsels that are missed or scheduled ones...

It has. In post #4:

He doesn't show up to planned practices. Sorry if I worded that funny. The difference is everyone else shows up whenever, where ever, for however long, and he doesn't show up ever. At all. Yet says he is dedicated to the band. The nutcase wanted to play Warped Tour this year, and we haven't even been able to gig yet, mostly because of his lack of being there to write songs!
 
I dealt with a similar problem. "Hey bro, we're practicing Saturday"

"Oh sorry, I'm hanging with my girlfriend" or "can't, I'm. Going to a friend's"

But then on a moment's notice wants to practice and then refuses to believe me when I'm actually doing something.

It doesn't matter what he can bring to the table if he doesn't show up to the table at all.
 
Bottom line, you're not in a band.:atoz:

Time to move on. Nothing to see here. :rolleyes:

Reality can suck sometimes. Sometimes it ruins your dreams. :bawl:

I suggest getting another dream. :)
More great advice from Stumbo. I have 3 jobs! 3! And I can still practice 0nce to twice a week, I dont know many people that are as busy as I am, so its hard to impress me about one "being too busy". If you want it bad enough (like me) you'll fit it. Think of all the time you're wasting on this dude.
 
Just to clear things up...

... he won't show up to practise even when you PLAN in ADVANCE? or just the last minute practises???

... if he shows up for the planned practises in advance, then he's not in the wrong.

... It'd be nice to do last minute call-togethers, but if you can't deal with planning ahead... you should tell him, and move on.


He doesn't show up to practices planned in advance. I was using the drop everything and come just as an example of the dedication of the other members. I wouldn't expect him to drop everything to come, although it would be nice if we all could.
 
I like a weekly planned practice with a pre-arranged Plan B. Like "we practice Tuesday evening but if something comes up it's Thursday". Gotta look at everyone's schedules to come up with both times, & that Plan B is quick & easy to implement plus makes missing a practice much less likely.

Lots of good stuff above. I'd say keep practicing regularly. When you all realize your singer really isn't in the band you will be a well-practiced unit & that will let you bring a better singer into the group than you could if you weren't a tight unit.
 
I'm in the same situation.

Our singer started seconds but he could still make it to practice if he wanted.

Instead he's got a new girlfriend and when he's not working; he so far up her ass we don't see him anymore. Which is ironic because he always talked so much **** about not letting a girl get between him and music.

Hard to be in a cover band when the singer isn't there to practice the covers. The band gets together at least once a week to try and practice the songs but with out vocal cues we tend to meander along. Although we've been having some seriously righteous jams.

So much so our lead guitarist who was the main founder and all around "we have to be a cover band guy" is starting to say hey lets do some originals. So on the same token practices have been a lot more fun for me. I hate learning covers but I love playing with a band so....
 
The band gets together at least once a week to try and practice the songs but with out vocal cues we tend to meander along.

[ot]

I suggest you and your band mates do the vocals the best you can. Even if you have to read the lyrics off of a music stand. You'll get better and at least you can get through rehearsal on your own.

Maybe one of you even has a decent voice.:) Good practice for doing backup harmonies. Move on w/o the vocalist until you find another one, if necessary.

I also suggest you practice vocals between rehearsals. Maybe even have a vocal practice with acoustic guitars. Don't worry that it doesn't come out perfectly. Think how much you'll improve over the next 5 years if you start today. No time to waste! Have fun with it. You'll do better than you think. :bassist:

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