It's fun being in a casual band... at first

[Fuzzbass]

... then it's clear that no progress will be made, mistakes are ignored and repeated. We hack through the songs and get lucky occasionally, but often it is a somewhat embarrassing trainwreck. I guess it's common to have different expectations arise... some care, some don't. I'm no perfectionist, but I like at least some desire to improve, and present myself with integrity. Retired Grandpa bands... is that my sad future?

Ouch. As long as the hang is OK then my opinion would be "a bad granddad band is better than no band". I'd keep an eye out for something else and move on at the first opportunity.

However I acknowledge that not everyone lives in a densely populated area as I do, so there might be no other opportunities.

Condolences, regardless.

 

[Heiwa]

Retired Grandpa bands... is that my EXTREMELY COOL future?

 

[Ralph Manak]

Some people, regardless of age, like the idea of playing music better than playing music.

 

[Pdaddy1978]

For me...casual band means no real money.
I did my " closest to pro " thing for 30 years. I miss the music, but NOT the band stuff.
Its all casual now.
Surrender to the void.

 

[Michedelic]

... then it's clear that no progress will be made, mistakes are ignored and repeated. We hack through the songs and get lucky occasionally, but often it is a somewhat embarrassing trainwreck. I guess it's common to have different expectations arise... some care, some don't. I'm no perfectionist, but I like at least some desire to improve, and present myself with integrity. Retired Grandpa bands... is that my sad future.

I’m having flashbacks of this…

 

[bassbrad]

It comes down to finding the right balance between casually fun while still holding an acceptable level of shall we say professionalism. It's a tough find but worth the search.

 

[KevInDaBassment]

For me, "Casual Bands" are right up there with perpetually "Casual Dating" or renting/leasing a home. You have to ask yourself if you're fine coming out even or in the red when things cease. I dont have much time for activities to begin with, so anything "casual" seems like a waste for me. If I wanted to jam a bunch of cover songs in a basement, I'll buy a PA and Spotify subscription.

To each their own...but I'm on the same frequency as the OP. I've been the laid-back guy and non-judgmental one in too many bands that turned out to be a massive waste. A good litmus test is setting goals or deadlines for the group, you find out real quick who actually wants progress and who's just showing up....or not even showing up lol

 

[Geddaric]

Currently jamming with a couple friends with the intention of playing out about once a quarter. Its been fun so far and it scratches my itch to get out. We`ve all agreed that if the fun aspect ever leaves, we`ll do something else. I suppose this is about as casual as it gets.

 

[Kansas]

We bass players, being the glue between instruments and drums, rhythm and melody, are in a position to see the sloppiness on either side... like shaky tempo and wrong chords. In the jam room with a couple beers is sorta ok, but getting in front of an audience, like at a party or event is not a place to present yourself as unrehearsed if you care. Asking the drummer not to speed up or the guitar guy to use his tuner etc. I would hate for friends to think "We like Kansas but he should have practiced more".
Dylan said "I will know my song well before I start singing".
My Dad said "Lower your expectations for others and you'll be happier".
The hang with the guys is fun so that's some cool.

 

[tiktok@sprintma]

For me, if I don't feel more energized at the end of playing with someone than I did before we started playing, I move on. Life's too short for the painful or unnecessary.

 

[jimmydean]

Not a fan of the casual thing , but that's what I have been doing for the last Decade . Stopped practicing 6 years ago and gig 30 plus times a year and actually make decent money .........not really happy .

 

[pepj]

No gigs, no point....and not just any gig for gigs sake.

 

[EricOnTheBass]

After being in a few casual bands, or bands with poor musicians, I made a rule for myself that I won’t play in a group that makes me feel embarrassed on stage. Casual is fine if everyone plays well, and the “casual” part is that they don’t rehearse or book gigs if they don’t feel like it. But casual like “we don’t care if we screw up, we’re just having fun”? No thanks!