Leading rehearsals

[Slade N]

I had a drummer that couldnt restrain himself from bashing away before starting and in between songs, I just kept yelling for him to stop (because I had to be heard as he was bashing away)…his argument about bashing was that he didn’t get to play at home so he had to get it out of his system while he could ar practice, which I fully understood but pointed out that we can’t get things done while he’s busy bashing away, and that it was highly unprofessional, especially on stage because he was guilty of bashing in between songs at gigs and I pointed out that no one came to hear drum solos… he finally stopped

 

[bigjames]

I'm currently leading 2 bands and a joined a 3rd for a short term project. My previous experience in bands as a member were both run by fairly rigid BLs who set expectations that we were there to rehearse and noodling between songs was to be limited as we would often discuss modifications or improvements between takes. I've carried this forward somewhat in my rehearsals though with more flexibility. Especially as 1 of my 2 bands we are writing our own material which sometimes materializes out of some noodling.

This temporary project I joined though is the complete opposite. The drummer has the practice space so when we show up he is already going full Bonham on that poor kit. After pausing for some catching up, and with no regard for anyone's hearing protection he starts running through grooves and fills from the set. The lead guitar player kicks on his amp and starts warming up full volume. My routine is typically to plugin, mute my bass and run through some warmups quietly. The BL, who is the singer and friend of the drummer and lead guitarist, seems annoyed but waits for a gap in the noise to kick things off.

The same craziness ensues between songs as well. We are learning new material (or at least playing it together for the first time) and between songs we'll discuss. I'll pop my ear plugs out and chat with the singer or guitarist and out of nowhere the drummer will launch into a relentless attach of tom fills while the BL tries to just talk over it.

I get it, I played drums for 13 years before learning bass...and the kit doesn't have a volume knob (though that is no excuse for the lead guitar player)...but I'm curious what other people's experiences are and / or what your expectations are in a rehearsal environment. When I played drums in a band setting I would pull out a pad during rehearsal while others were talking if I felt I needed to warm up or work on some sticking between songs, and would always be aware of other people's ear protection. On bass I also try to be a courteous band member, but am I just getting to that "get off my lawn" phase of life? Is this type of rehearsal environment the norm? It makes me weary of committing to any additional projects to avoid this sort of environment, yet I enjoy the experience of playing and meeting new people.

What you are describing would make me mental. I would express my frustration with the current madness and if they insisted on continuing with it, I would be done. It is a waste of my time to listen to nonsense like that when there is work to be done. It just isnt fun to me.

 

[SAlcott]

Drums do have a volume control-it's called "technique".

 

[LowendG]

The drummer has the practice space.....

That's the problem (aside from him obviously being amateur-hour). If you were paying to rehearse somewhere this nonsense simply could not fly.

 

[KenD]

Some people are neurologically miswired and never perceive the "social signals" that the rest of us learned while groing up (and maturing). They won't/can't change because they don't perceive any problem.

 

[kbarboza4]

I'm currently leading 2 bands and a joined a 3rd for a short term project. My previous experience in bands as a member were both run by fairly rigid BLs who set expectations that we were there to rehearse and noodling between songs was to be limited as we would often discuss modifications or improvements between takes. I've carried this forward somewhat in my rehearsals though with more flexibility. Especially as 1 of my 2 bands we are writing our own material which sometimes materializes out of some noodling.

This temporary project I joined though is the complete opposite. The drummer has the practice space so when we show up he is already going full Bonham on that poor kit. After pausing for some catching up, and with no regard for anyone's hearing protection he starts running through grooves and fills from the set. The lead guitar player kicks on his amp and starts warming up full volume. My routine is typically to plugin, mute my bass and run through some warmups quietly. The BL, who is the singer and friend of the drummer and lead guitarist, seems annoyed but waits for a gap in the noise to kick things off.

The same craziness ensues between songs as well. We are learning new material (or at least playing it together for the first time) and between songs we'll discuss. I'll pop my ear plugs out and chat with the singer or guitarist and out of nowhere the drummer will launch into a relentless attach of tom fills while the BL tries to just talk over it.

I get it, I played drums for 13 years before learning bass...and the kit doesn't have a volume knob (though that is no excuse for the lead guitar player)...but I'm curious what other people's experiences are and / or what your expectations are in a rehearsal environment. When I played drums in a band setting I would pull out a pad during rehearsal while others were talking if I felt I needed to warm up or work on some sticking between songs, and would always be aware of other people's ear protection. On bass I also try to be a courteous band member, but am I just getting to that "get off my lawn" phase of life? Is this type of rehearsal environment the norm? It makes me weary of committing to any additional projects to avoid this sort of environment, yet I enjoy the experience of playing and meeting new people.

There's a certain balance of respect and freedom that is *supposed* to be unspoken between adults. It's like talking through a movie in a theater. Some people don't see it as a big deal, but *it ain't always about you.* Honestly, a little discipline and "decorum" in rehearsal makes things more fun if you're serious about sounding good...which..why wouldn't you want to?!

You aren't shouting at kids to get off your lawn. I'd be annoyed too. It doesn't have to be the military, but you're not hoping for something outrageous. I teach middle schoolers, and I always tell the drummers "It's ok to be fidgety, but you can practice in between takes without making any noise." Some people honestly just don't realize it.

Maybe if you asked him not to make noise in between so that everyone can talk? I'm best friends with my drummer so we could be like "duuuude. Cut it between takes!" But maybe a polite approach with someone new would be in order lol. You're not in the wrong man! Hahaha

 

[pbassnut]

I'm currently leading 2 bands and a joined a 3rd for a short term project. My previous experience in bands as a member were both run by fairly rigid BLs who set expectations that we were there to rehearse and noodling between songs was to be limited as we would often discuss modifications or improvements between takes. I've carried this forward somewhat in my rehearsals though with more flexibility. Especially as 1 of my 2 bands we are writing our own material which sometimes materializes out of some noodling.

This temporary project I joined though is the complete opposite. The drummer has the practice space so when we show up he is already going full Bonham on that poor kit. After pausing for some catching up, and with no regard for anyone's hearing protection he starts running through grooves and fills from the set. The lead guitar player kicks on his amp and starts warming up full volume. My routine is typically to plugin, mute my bass and run through some warmups quietly. The BL, who is the singer and friend of the drummer and lead guitarist, seems annoyed but waits for a gap in the noise to kick things off.

The same craziness ensues between songs as well. We are learning new material (or at least playing it together for the first time) and between songs we'll discuss. I'll pop my ear plugs out and chat with the singer or guitarist and out of nowhere the drummer will launch into a relentless attach of tom fills while the BL tries to just talk over it.

I get it, I played drums for 13 years before learning bass...and the kit doesn't have a volume knob (though that is no excuse for the lead guitar player)...but I'm curious what other people's experiences are and / or what your expectations are in a rehearsal environment. When I played drums in a band setting I would pull out a pad during rehearsal while others were talking if I felt I needed to warm up or work on some sticking between songs, and would always be aware of other people's ear protection. On bass I also try to be a courteous band member, but am I just getting to that "get off my lawn" phase of life? Is this type of rehearsal environment the norm? It makes me weary of committing to any additional projects to avoid this sort of environment, yet I enjoy the experience of playing and meeting new people.

Sounds like a whole lotta unprofessionalism is going on with that band. Rehearsals should ideally have an agenda. Everybody should be prepared to advance that agenda as soon as everybody is tuned up/warmed up. There should be little to no playing between songs ... just talking about the music. Everybody has busy lives ... why needlessly waste time? Also ... there's no reason that a rehearsal has to be super loud. I would quit that band.

 

[DirtDog]

I wouldn’t last long in a band like that. I like to have fun but I’m more “let’s get’er done” in rehearsals.

Have a plan or an objective for each session and do what you need to do to achieve that. I’ve stepped into that role a couple of times. It can be like herding cats.

If this is just an outlet for a couple of the guys to make noise and if you’re into that, great. If not, move on.

 

[Jimmy4string]

I think i could take that for 35 minutes -36 Im right out.
This band is looking for a pack leader to pull them out of the chaos. perhaps you or the lead singer.
Organized, volume approximated mix is what the goal should be.
Anyway herding the cats is one of the reasons i wanted out of the BL position. I understand it isnt always fun.

 

[Jefenator]

Paid rehearsals are always the gold standard IME. Something about having that meter running gets everyone a little more motivated - and the leader a LOT more motivated.
The classical guys actually map out how much time they're going to spend on each piece, and change the order so sections who don't need to be there can go home sooner!
The opposite of that would be the process for a certain blues band, which is like a whiskey tasting with an occasional tune played.
I'm down for an occasional hang like that (believe it or not, the blues band is actually pretty good). But I try to make it clear to any prospective new client: I am NOT down for unlimited free rehearsals! If you want to spend two years working up your set, getting together week after week after week to argue about a bunch of $#!& no one's going to remember, you definitely need to find some other cat to play bass.

 

[51PRI]

Paid rehearsals are always the gold standard IME. Something about having that meter running gets everyone a little more motivated - and the leader a LOT more motivated......

Maybe so, but who can afford that?

 

[Beej]

That sounds... intolerable. Unless they were incredible musicians, I'd move on. But something tells me with that level of lack of awareness and professionalism, that they probably aren't incredible musicians.