Leading a band

[40Hz]

The earlier advice to assemble a group of like minded musicians who are all on the same page about what they want out of the band, and what they are willing to put in to make it happen, is the key.

As long as you have close agreement on commitment and goals 90% of the internal management issues take care of themselves. After that, whoever is willing to do the most work (and being the BL is a lot of work) usually becomes the BL by common consent. Because anybody with a brain would probably rather not get stuck with the duty unless it were absolutely necessary it be them who does it. I've been BL a few times over the years. And I was actually pretty good at it. But I can't say I ever wanted the position. And I'd gladly relinquish the role as long as there was somebody else able and willing o take it on. I'm a reluctant leader at the best of times. But that's me and my personality. You may feel differently about it. Or possibly even relish it. To which I can only say 'more fool you.' But that's me. (And I am kidding. If leadership is your thing - go for it.)

Most of what I've learned over the 40 years about being (or being put) in charge boils down to the old adage that the best way to lead is to say "follow me" rather than "go on!" The most successful leaders do so by being the guy or gal who sets the example and provides the inspiration. Don't bother trying to motivate people. If they can't find the necessary motivation withing themselves, cut your losses - and those people from the band - as soon as you realize their heart isn't in it as much as the rest of the band's is. It may take you longer to assemble your team. But it's time well spent. Like the sculptors say: "Measure twice, because you only get to cut stone once."

Luck!

 

[jaymelewis]

I'd say listen. Listen listen listen. And then listen some more - and always ask what does this song need? Not what can I play to make it better? Thinking of it that way helps to observe all of the players, instruments and sounds at your disposal, and the "right" thing to do may be to remain silent while someone else takes the spotlight. Just my thoughts

 

[DavC]

realize your own personal band pet-peeves ..! mine were ' being on time , learn your parts , never show up drunk/high '
i can put up a lot of various crap ( on wife #3 ) ... but wasting my time just won't fly ..!

let folks know what you expect ...!! be clear and concise ... and Yes , some things will be ' my way or the hi-way '

that was easy for me ... i played several instruments and sang , so i could easily go play by myself ..! and i owned the PA , truck , etc ...

 

[BassGtrMic]

As you spend more time on this site, I think you will find that many bassist have been just as forward thinking as you. As to your question, there are a number of things to consider. Many will be contained in those threads listed above. Here would be the top few in my head:

• I consider band leadership a "benevolent dictatorship". I will let other band mates express opinions, but I make the final call, and my call isn't up for debate once made.
• Be prepared to do....ALL....of the work. Promotion, booking, logistics, PA and sound reinforcement. Thats on you now. A leader can't doll out all of the real work, but think he can make all of the decisions.
• Have a direction, a plan, and a backup plan. "I want to front a band" isn't a plan. What genre will you play? What songs in that genre? With those songs, what clubs will we play? Do I want this band to travel, or just stay local? If we're going to travel, how will be finance those travels? Where will we rehearse, and will I have to pay musicians for rehearsals to get the quality I need.
• Be prepared to shell out your own money for marketing and promotion. Web design, FB ad promotion, banners, merch, promo recordings, videos.
• Have a plan to pay yourself back for everything above.
• Be prepared to get zero praise from your band mates.
• If you're trying to wrest power from an existing band, be prepared to lose friends and find new band mates.

Good luck. It's never as easy as new band leaders think it will be.

I meant the bassists I’ve met locally. I’m very certain it takes a lot of time and effort. I agree about the benevolent dictatorship thought. Thank you for these points. I’m grateful for your input.

 

[BassGtrMic]

The number one attribute of any leader is competence.

Just like musicianship, you don’t get to just because you want to. You have to demonstrate competency to be taken seriously as a leader.

There are two types of band leaders, so I’m not sure which kind you mean. Type 1 is the business leader, and does booking, marketing, and distribution. Type 2 is a musical leader, and makes decisions about parts, arrangements, keys, and vocals.

Agreed. I think initially you are both.

 

[Stumbo]

BL story: Hostile Take Over Attempted - They forgot I have all the gigs

 

[BassGtrMic]

Is this an existing project? If so, you won't be able to "take over" musical direction. People are not going to suddenly cede to your ideas on direction of the band after the project has been in motion for awhile. What you can do is facilitate discussion of everyone's individual ideas on the subject and then work to try to find a direction all can work with (might not be yours). Also, as said above, if you want to be seen as a leader then take the lead on the crappy jobs as well - everyone wants to choose the direction of the band - very few actually want to do the work involved to make it a success.

It’s a new project. I see it very possible that I will have to establish leadership because I have my strong ideas. The guitarist and I will hopefully co-lead for some amount of time but I am not interested in staying as just the bass player. I am interested in multi instrumental expression and that will take time. I guess I will have to see how it all progresses.

 

[BassGtrMic]

I mostly need to collaborate with the guitarist outside of band practice. I've known him way before we played together. So getting him to open up to co-writing is the main thing now. Thank you all for the wisdom. This is a great community.

 

[MojoPenguin]

I'd say someone who can make a decision and take a stance. Otherwise everyone is going in all directions in terms of ideas, plans and whatnot. Also also also, being able to make people come at the same time at the same place lol.
When we all have jobs, families, etc., deciding on gigs, rehearsals, etc is a pain and we need a final say.

 

[DirtDog]

I’m guessing that you’ve played in bands with leaders before? If so, what were things that those leaders did that seemed to work? What did they do that failed?

Model yourself after someone who has been successful, but also be yourself. Nothing worse than a new leader who tries to be something they are not.

 

[Plutonium244]

One other rule about being a leader is that you lead from the front, not the rear. Your dedication effort, and willingness to go above and beyond sets the tone. Don't go in thinking you'll get to tell everyone what to do. You need to convince them that you're right, too. And you'll need to lead by example. If you're right often enough, then soon no one will bother to question your choices because they'll be confident in them, and the convincing-others-to-follow-you part gets easier.

 

[Slough Feg Bass]

I’m guessing that you’ve played in bands with leaders before? If so, what were things that those leaders did that seemed to work? What did they do that failed?
Model yourself after someone who has been successful

This is great advice! I became BL because of what I learned from folks I've worked for in the past.
Think about what gigs you were on that were the most fun, the ones you couldn't sleep when you got home because you were so hopped up! what did THOSE people do that made the gig awesome?

This is why I bring my own drums to most of the gigs where I am BL. because many years ago, I played for a guy who brought his own P-bass to every gig, and made me play it. Was it an amazing bass? No. it was just regular. but it worked for his band. He knew it. So I bring drums and tell the drummers just to bring sticks and cymbals. That way I know how the drums will sound. MY WAY.

 

[pwhalen]

It’s a new project. I see it very possible that I will have to establish leadership because I have my strong ideas. The guitarist and I will hopefully co-lead for some amount of time but I am not interested in staying as just the bass player. I am interested in multi instrumental expression and that will take time. I guess I will have to see how it all progresses.

Just be aware that everyone else involved will also have strong ideas, so you need to figure out what you need to give them in order for them to allow you to lead. Could be money, steady work, etc - but they will need something tangible relatively early in the process or you will lose them.

 

[Skybone]

At the end of the day, being in a band is like being in a Sports Team, and the Band Leader is the Team Captain.

They have to listen to their team members, and motivate the team to perform at their best, but be prepared to be open & honest about things. If a band doesn't work as a team, the results for the audience will be mixed at best.

 

[honeyiscool]

It’s hard to have effective band leadership if it’s a democracy, IMO. Bands need creative leaders and administrative leaders. From my experience, it seems that bands work best when the creative and administrative duties belong to the same person or split across people who do a share of both. I think the reason for this is that a band with an administrative leader who does not get creative input often loses steam, whether it be the fault of the administrator who can’t get excited anymore about the band that follows someone else’s direction, or the creator who doesn’t understand and appreciate the thankless nature of band administration. The best model, of course, is where every member can contribute some to administrative and creative band processes. But it’s more realistic to expect good leadership to come from one or two people. If it’s a duopoly, members need to respect that. And that means you can’t pretend to be a democracy if it’s not.

 

[Tom Bonzo]

I started writing a little and couldn’t stop.....sorry. This is what I’ve gained over the past 7 years of running my own band. Most of this I’ve never actually put down in words so it was kind of like an autobiography of sorts. Of course this is just my humble opinion.

1st of all I don’t trust anyone except for my wife. We’ve exchanged vows! Bands are live in girlfriends to me. A week in time is really a year.

Gigs are Gold! Be the connect at venues, own the website, photos, videos, YouTube channnel, FB page, PA, practice space, band name/LLC, logo art/trademark and recordings. Do everything and learn everything.

Pick your target audience, pick the best songs for your target audience, get a PA that can be controlled with remote devices and you can multitrack record with (Presonus RM32AI) for example. Make sure your live sound is controlled from the audience perspective and not the stage. If you don’t have a dedicated sound guy then have musician or singer who is wireless to check the levels in the 1st set out in the crowd. 2nd set should be hands off the PA. Always try to get people who also sing or at least can do harmonies. Practice your harmonies so everyone knows their parts. Create song melodies (depends on your target audience and product). Dress well and coordinate some stage moves to create a show. Research everything and go check out your competition online and at live gigs. Have a good band name.
Design a good logo. Get business cards. Create an LLC in your name. Get your business service marked in the state of your country - $50 (cheaper than trademark). Trademark can be $375 and take a year but do this if you plan to promote out of state often.

One fine day comes along with the WWIII argument over who got that extra $5 or I never get to play my favorite song. Two people quit who started the whole thing that never really helped and became unbearable. They leave with nothing but their deflated ego and say your a dick. Their opinion doesn’t matter as much as they think it does.

Age differences can be tricky especially with millennials. A little bit more to it than I thought. Good reference video -

You can always get good people to play with you when you have decent gigs. Pick more of the mainstream songs that most people know.

There are sadly less live music gigs then ever before and plenty of musicians to choose from if you are a band manager. Many musicians and bands don’t really understand how replaceable they are and don’t want to know. On the flip side many people don’t complain and are happy to play for okay money until good money comes. Just like the venue you have more options than you realize.

Don’t talk, act! Actions are impressive!

Never ask someone to join your band! It’s the kiss of death IMHO.. Just say do you wanna do some gigs? After 10 gigs who cares and you know it’s a good fit.

Be on time as a band. Get rid of the late person immediately! They will cause you and everyone else more stress than it’s ever worth. Musicians talk about that $50 they think they got shorted but if someone is late coming back from a break that could cost the band a $3000 wedding or a steady gig at a new club. One guy can screw up the groups reputation.

Every gig is an audition! Period!

If you don’t know live sound.... learn it!

Running a business is like honing your craft on your instrument. It takes practice and tons of homework.

You are going to have to put up with more crap then you ever thought humanly possible. Don’t worry and let everyone see you have patience. It helps to keep players around.

Talk to people on the side about heavy stuff. Band members get weird in front of other people so they might not tell you how they really feel. The more information the better.

Treat good people great! Give the hard workers extra cash on gigs. Don’t wait to long to boot the bad apple. The good people are more sick of them then you know.

People dislike authority so you are automatically an outsider.

Try to negotiate free food and drinks on all the gigs. That’s goes a long way with musicians.

Keep the constant complainers around only if they help provide a good show. Once you get to the next level make a move and get the better guy/girl.

After the band is around for 5 to 7 years you should get higher paying gigs at $300 to $400 per person. Then you can get the best players. The goal is to hold out until then.

 

[Stumbo]

I started writing a little and couldn’t stop.....sorry. This is what I’ve gained over the past 7 years of running my own band. Most of this I’ve never actually put down in words so it was kind of like an autobiography of sorts. Of course this is just my humble opinion.

1st of all I don’t trust anyone except for my wife. We’ve exchanged vows! Bands are live in girlfriends to me. A week in time is really a year.

Gigs are Gold! Be the connect at venues, own the website, photos, videos, YouTube channnel, FB page, PA, practice space, band name/LLC, logo art/trademark and recordings. Do everything and learn everything.

Pick your target audience, pick the best songs for your target audience, get a PA that can be controlled with remote devices and you can multitrack record with (Presonus RM32AI) for example. Make sure your live sound is controlled from the audience perspective and not the stage. If you don’t have a dedicated sound guy then have musician or singer who is wireless to check the levels in the 1st set out in the crowd. 2nd set should be hands off the PA. Always try to get people who also sing or at least can do harmonies. Practice your harmonies so everyone knows their parts. Create song melodies (depends on your target audience and product). Dress well and coordinate some stage moves to create a show. Research everything and go check out your competition online and at live gigs. Have a good band name.
Design a good logo. Get business cards. Create an LLC in your name. Get your business service marked in the state of your country - $50 (cheaper than trademark). Trademark can be $375 and take a year but do this if you plan to promote out of state often.

One fine day comes along with the WWIII argument over who got that extra $5 or I never get to play my favorite song. Two people quit who started the whole thing that never really helped and became unbearable. They leave with nothing but their deflated ego and say your a dick. Their opinion doesn’t matter as much as they think it does.

Age differences can be tricky especially with millennials. A little bit more to it than I thought. Good reference video -

You can always get good people to play with you when you have decent gigs. Pick more of the mainstream songs that most people know.

There are sadly less live music gigs then ever before and plenty of musicians to choose from if you are a band manager. Many musicians and bands don’t really understand how replaceable they are and don’t want to know. On the flip side many people don’t complain and are happy to play for okay money until good money comes. Just like the venue you have more options than you realize.

Don’t talk, act! Actions are impressive!

Never ask someone to join your band! It’s the kiss of death IMHO.. Just say do you wanna do some gigs? After 10 gigs who cares and you know it’s a good fit.

Be on time as a band. Get rid of the late person immediately! They will cause you and everyone else more stress than it’s ever worth. Musicians talk about that $50 they think they got shorted but if someone is late coming back from a break that could cost the band a $3000 wedding or a steady gig at a new club. One guy can screw up the groups reputation.

Every gig is an audition! Period!

If you don’t know live sound.... learn it!

Running a business is like honing your craft on your instrument. It takes practice and tons of homework.

You are going to have to put up with more crap then you ever thought humanly possible. Don’t worry and let everyone see you have patience. It helps to keep players around.

Talk to people on the side about heavy stuff. Bands members get weird in front of other people so they might not tell you how they really feel.

Treat good people great! Give the hard workers extra cash on gigs. Don’t wait to long to boot the bad apple. The good people are more sick of them then you.

Try to negotiate free food and drinks on all the gigs. That’s goes a long way with musicians.

Keep the constant complainers around only if they help provide a good show. Once you get to the next level make a move and get the better guy/girl.

After the band is around for 5 to 7 years you should get higher paying gigs at $300 to $400 per person. Then you can get the best players. The goal is to hold out until then.

This^^^

 

[BassGtrMic]

I started writing a little and couldn’t stop.....sorry. This is what I’ve gained over the past 7 years of running my own band. Most of this I’ve never actually put down in words so it was kind of like an autobiography of sorts. Of course this is just my humble opinion.

1st of all I don’t trust anyone except for my wife. We’ve exchanged vows! Bands are live in girlfriends to me. A week in time is really a year.

Gigs are Gold! Be the connect at venues, own the website, photos, videos, YouTube channnel, FB page, PA, practice space, band name/LLC, logo art/trademark and recordings. Do everything and learn everything.

Pick your target audience, pick the best songs for your target audience, get a PA that can be controlled with remote devices and you can multitrack record with (Presonus RM32AI) for example. Make sure your live sound is controlled from the audience perspective and not the stage. If you don’t have a dedicated sound guy then have musician or singer who is wireless to check the levels in the 1st set out in the crowd. 2nd set should be hands off the PA. Always try to get people who also sing or at least can do harmonies. Practice your harmonies so everyone knows their parts. Create song melodies (depends on your target audience and product). Dress well and coordinate some stage moves to create a show. Research everything and go check out your competition online and at live gigs. Have a good band name.
Design a good logo. Get business cards. Create an LLC in your name. Get your business service marked in the state of your country - $50 (cheaper than trademark). Trademark can be $375 and take a year but do this if you plan to promote out of state often.

One fine day comes along with the WWIII argument over who got that extra $5 or I never get to play my favorite song. Two people quit who started the whole thing that never really helped and became unbearable. They leave with nothing but their deflated ego and say your a dick. Their opinion doesn’t matter as much as they think it does.

Age differences can be tricky especially with millennials. A little bit more to it than I thought. Good reference video -

You can always get good people to play with you when you have decent gigs. Pick more of the mainstream songs that most people know.

There are sadly less live music gigs then ever before and plenty of musicians to choose from if you are a band manager. Many musicians and bands don’t really understand how replaceable they are and don’t want to know. On the flip side many people don’t complain and are happy to play for okay money until good money comes. Just like the venue you have more options than you realize.

Don’t talk, act! Actions are impressive!

Never ask someone to join your band! It’s the kiss of death IMHO.. Just say do you wanna do some gigs? After 10 gigs who cares and you know it’s a good fit.

Be on time as a band. Get rid of the late person immediately! They will cause you and everyone else more stress than it’s ever worth. Musicians talk about that $50 they think they got shorted but if someone is late coming back from a break that could cost the band a $3000 wedding or a steady gig at a new club. One guy can screw up the groups reputation.

Every gig is an audition! Period!

If you don’t know live sound.... learn it!

Running a business is like honing your craft on your instrument. It takes practice and tons of homework.

You are going to have to put up with more crap then you ever thought humanly possible. Don’t worry and let everyone see you have patience. It helps to keep players around.

Talk to people on the side about heavy stuff. Band members get weird in front of other people so they might not tell you how they really feel. The more information the better.

Treat good people great! Give the hard workers extra cash on gigs. Don’t wait to long to boot the bad apple. The good people are more sick of them then you know.

People dislike authority so you are automatically an outsider.

Try to negotiate free food and drinks on all the gigs. That’s goes a long way with musicians.

Keep the constant complainers around only if they help provide a good show. Once you get to the next level make a move and get the better guy/girl.

After the band is around for 5 to 7 years you should get higher paying gigs at $300 to $400 per person. Then you can get the best players. The goal is to hold out until then.

Thank you for your honesty. This may be the most truth I’ve ever received from another musician. I understand it takes all of who we are and more. It’s never easy and why should it be? Anything worth having takes considerable effort and time. Thank you again. You’ve been beyond helpful.

 

[Tom Bonzo]

Thank you for your honesty. This may be the most truth I’ve ever received from another musician. I understand it takes all of who we are and more. It’s never easy and why should it be? Anything worth having takes considerable effort and time. Thank you again. You’ve been beyond helpful.

Any questions I'm here! Cheers!