The problem that I am dealing with is finding a Band in need of a Bassist. The previous band that I was a member of was together for 10 years & 389 gigs. At the nine year mark the first of the starting core of 4 players left for health reasons and his replacement upset the band to the point of disbanding less than a year later. Since then it's been very frustrating in finding dependable, easy going, and skilled enough players to put another group together. If the current lineup of players don't come together in the next 2 weeks, I am going in the direction of looking for a band in need of a Bassist/vocals. I welcome any advice as that direction is new territory for me.
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I love bass. Bands? Not so much.
- Thread starter darwin-bass
- Start date
I feel the way you do. I've always believed that you learn your parts at home. Rehearsals are for putting it all together. Any band that wastes my time doesn't keep me. These days I play along with iTunes at home and enjoy sight reading charts in the two big bands in which I share the bass seats. Big bands = discipline = fun
I voted love bass but bands never live up to my ideal.
And that's because not many things live up to my ideal. I'm an extremely detailed person that's on time and tries to never leave anything to chance. Not many people take things quite that seriously. Someone is always late, forgets a cable, forgets a stand, possibly has one too many beverages, whatever it is.
But all of that is necessary to get to the best part of band life, a fun crowd. There aren't many feelings better than playing a song and seeing the crowd, dancing, clapping, singing along, just enjoying what you're doing. That's the bottom line for me. It's probably the same rush an athlete feels when they make a great play, or score a critical point. It's intstant gratification for your hard work.
And that's because not many things live up to my ideal. I'm an extremely detailed person that's on time and tries to never leave anything to chance. Not many people take things quite that seriously. Someone is always late, forgets a cable, forgets a stand, possibly has one too many beverages, whatever it is.
But all of that is necessary to get to the best part of band life, a fun crowd. There aren't many feelings better than playing a song and seeing the crowd, dancing, clapping, singing along, just enjoying what you're doing. That's the bottom line for me. It's probably the same rush an athlete feels when they make a great play, or score a critical point. It's intstant gratification for your hard work.
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Last saturday I was talking with a band's friend about being comfortable being without a band.
I like to play...and this is a thing which I can do at home playing over my favourite songs without acting with people ...
I'm very picky about this. Now I'm in a band which is an almost perfect fit for me (it's the band I've been for the last 8 years).. I like the music we play and the vibe...sometimes there are some minor arguments but nothing we can't handle. They're my musical brothers..
I don't NEED to be in a band to enjoy playing music... if being in a band causes me stress or gets too uncomfortable for me , I quit. Problem solved.
I was 4 years doing subs and recording sessions (and I do it sometimes) just for the enjoyment of playing..but I never joined a band as a full time member if the band wasn't a fit for me.
I like to play...and this is a thing which I can do at home playing over my favourite songs without acting with people ...
I'm very picky about this. Now I'm in a band which is an almost perfect fit for me (it's the band I've been for the last 8 years).. I like the music we play and the vibe...sometimes there are some minor arguments but nothing we can't handle. They're my musical brothers..
I don't NEED to be in a band to enjoy playing music... if being in a band causes me stress or gets too uncomfortable for me , I quit. Problem solved.
I was 4 years doing subs and recording sessions (and I do it sometimes) just for the enjoyment of playing..but I never joined a band as a full time member if the band wasn't a fit for me.
I voted "it Varies". I've been lucky in that all but one band I've been in since my forties have been with adults. People showed up prepared and ready to go because there wasn't time to just hang out party and act like you think you're a rock star. We all had careers, kids, lawns that needed to be mowed and wives or husbands that need attention. You be amazed at how much you can get done in a 2 1/2 hour practice with motivated band members.
I've been the leader of my own project now for almost 5 years. Again, with adults who want to get things done, no messing around because things outside the band, which are more important in the big picture of things need doing. Having said all that I'm tired of being a band leader. Especially a big band like mine, 9 total including the sound guy. That's a lot of schedules to keep track of and booking dates around vacations, work trips, family gatherings that must be attended. Luckily I have a list of three or four people for each instrument in the horn section I can call to sub. They're all sight readers and can just show up to the gig and knock it out of the park. But the one thing that bothers me the most as a band leader is the feeling of having 9 people in the boat and I'm the only one with my paddle in the water.
Back in the old days to promote a gig at a local bar you made flyers and posted them all over the neighborhood and in the bar and word of mouth and a bunch of other stuff. These days I can't even get my guys to "Like" "Share" and "Invite" their friends on Facebook. Seriously? Three or four mouse clicks is too much? OK, fine, whatever. I guess there's no perfect situation. We have 5 more gigs till the end of the year and I think I'm gonna end it and take a little break from the band thing then maybe look for something where I can just show up for rehearsals and gigs.
You've nailed my feelings on the matter. I love playing to my CDs / mp3s but struggle to find people that know the parts / arrangements, use appropriate sounds or play to tempo in these local cover bands. Only a few times have I been fortunate enough to find people with whom I could "lock" into a feel. More often than not, it's watching others speed up or slow down or omit the original phrasing.
Just left a band I had just joined. Was involved approximately 10 days, learned 32 songs, acquired extra gear that would be needed...figured the details in the band sound would smooth out in rehearsals. Then, at first rehearsal, they broke out the party materials. Got through it and the next day had to bow out, citing the booze and drugs. I specify "sober, professionally-minded situations only" when I advertise. But I keep ending up with these scenarios that will never improve.
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Quoting myself, LOL. I'm on the verge of ending this project for the reason highlighted above. I love to be in my band, I just don't want to be a band leader anymore.
There's always something wrong with every band. Always. Whether you can tolerate it is a personal thing.
I recently quit a band with some of the best players around my parts because there were too many things that I couldn't take...
all the usual stuff:
Unpreparedness, stranger than normal behaviour quirks, insane volume, no input for song selection, playing too many benefit gigs,
jealousy, lack of communication, no practice, etc. ad nauseum.
BUT, if I'm not playing in a band, my days just don't go as well. I'm not me.
Unfortunately, my wife will just LOATHE it if I say I might join a new band. I'm not in a good place, now.
I recently quit a band with some of the best players around my parts because there were too many things that I couldn't take...
all the usual stuff:
Unpreparedness, stranger than normal behaviour quirks, insane volume, no input for song selection, playing too many benefit gigs,
jealousy, lack of communication, no practice, etc. ad nauseum.
BUT, if I'm not playing in a band, my days just don't go as well. I'm not me.
Unfortunately, my wife will just LOATHE it if I say I might join a new band. I'm not in a good place, now.
