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Losing my mojo............
- Thread starter DWBass
- Start date
Drummer friend and I have already tried. No keyboardists to be found! Taking a break from that as well!
Exactly. Was at rehearsal last night and it was a total waste of my time. Cats still learning songs while I'm sitting there twiddling my thumbs. Neither read music so you can't tell them the right chords or notes to play. They have to 'hear' it and 'find' it! Drummer/BL continually changing and adding things to song forms. He plays everything really fast which takes away from the funk feel. The gigs are next Thursday and Friday. I expect train wrecks all night. Guitarist expressed his frustration to me but he's part of the problem too. No funk chops at all. His sense of groove and timing are horrible. So between the drummer, 2 sorry @$$ keyboard players and the guitarist, I ask (in my head) WHAT THE HELL?!?!?I completely gave up on the band thing a year or so ago for the exact same reason as the OP. To much bullish*t to deal with. I just play at home for fun now. I get to pick the songs and be as OCD about playing them note for note as I want
One of the songs is "Somebody Else's Guy", a funky, soul/disco tune. Original bpm is around 103. This guy is running it at 110bpm, which just sucks the funk outta the song! Can't wait for these gigs to be done with!
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I doubt you will be disappointed.
No wonder you are fed up.
I myself would have bailed on some B.S. like that long ago.
That, or go to prison.
Nope. That is my backyard/BBQ and small venue rig.WEll be sure to sell your kustom PA.
Been there...... and walked away from a heavy gigging corporate band that I was also the BL for. For a few months I managed them and also would sub when needed, but after 6 months I turned it completely over and have not looked back. I have been gigging since before I was old enough to get a drivers license. It was time for a break and I have grown so much more musically now than in all the years of playing gigs. I can focus on whatever tickles my fancy for the day and not stress practices, gigs, finding adequate talent, or any of the other band issues. I still do one offs on occasion if I really like who is asking, but just love to go out and enjoy live music and fun from the spectator point of view. Enjoy your life!!!
That's pretty much the kind of thing that drove me to finally listen to my friends and take up DJing.
I feel ya bro.......I've learn from Great, Good, mediorce and less than desirable players over the years and I've always have to remind myself that I'm having fun,because if I'm not then I have to change what I'm doing and if I ain't feeling it then I just won't do it until I get the urge again,and if the urge isn't there after awhile, then I'm cool with that too. My Father was a Professional Musician for over 60 yrs and I can remember telling somewhat of the same things you've shared and after he listen to my rant his quote was "Sometimes it ain't always the player with the most skill, but it's the player with a higher set of skills who can "humble him or herself to bring the others in the band to thier level. My Brother I think You can do that if you're willing..
Been there, done that. Some folks just won't get any better. And some folks just won't change their ways. At this stage in my game, I don't want to play with "beginners". Why should I constantly dumb down my playing or carry other musicians? Mediocre is fine if they know what they're doing and make an concerted effort! Must also have and know how to balance sound. Everyone cannot be on 10 and playing all the damn time. Turn down and give the music some space. These and many others I have crossed paths with just don't get it and I'm pretty fed up with it. Don't get me wrong. I'm far from being the 'best' musician or virtuoso! But I strive to play with good musicians that will challenge me to be better.
I hear what you saying, however you don't have to dumb down your playing, you may have to present it to them a little slower. I do agree that some cats are at a certain level and may or may not have the intangibles to get better.
I think the main thing that's help me is taking up other intrest because I'm just a couple of years younger than you. Also I've been playing Urban Gospel and Mass Choir for the last 12 years and if trust me it can be challenging in a myrad of ways but It help me to become a better musician because you've got some cats in that genre of music that has some 'serious theory Knowledge, so you can't help but get better musically, but like everything else it has it's moments.
Right now DW I'm playing in a 3 piece Classic Rock- Contemporary folk band ( at least that's what I call it ) Drums ,Bass, and a Banjo ( we will do some real early bela fleck...before Victor was in the band). The vocals are covered because all 3 of us sing.Before that it was Me, a keyboard player, and cat playing the drum box and every now and then we still will get together,however we don't do it all of the time because all of us have other interest besides music, whatever it is. Just do different stuff and it doesn't have to be music,you can always come back to it. Be Blessed.
How I got my Mojo back ...
By making the decision to only play what I want to play, and playing with who I want to play with.
One band is straight ahead blues fronted by a young guy who is making real progress and gaining
lots of respect along the way, it's fun to watch him grow and to push him.
The other is a band of VERY seasoned pros and they push me ... and at 60 sometimes we need that!
By making the decision to only play what I want to play, and playing with who I want to play with.
One band is straight ahead blues fronted by a young guy who is making real progress and gaining
lots of respect along the way, it's fun to watch him grow and to push him.
The other is a band of VERY seasoned pros and they push me ... and at 60 sometimes we need that!
When my DB was stolen in 2008, I swore off music forever. Insurance didn't cover it, so why would I spend that $5k again? Music is for dummies, obviously.
Five years later, 2 rehearsals, a weekly jam sessions, and a few gigs here and there. Turns out, maybe half of my available free time is taken up with bass stuff. Know what? Couldn't be happier about it. Music is really just for dummies that don't mind teeny paychecks and band drama.
Five years later, 2 rehearsals, a weekly jam sessions, and a few gigs here and there. Turns out, maybe half of my available free time is taken up with bass stuff. Know what? Couldn't be happier about it. Music is really just for dummies that don't mind teeny paychecks and band drama.
Yup that would sure put a wet blanket on your mojo, but even worse in my mind would be the confirmation that humanity sucks.
I could be wrong here {but I doubt it}, I bet NOBODY saw the thief "stealing away" with something as inconspicuous as a DB.
That's a good point. At a certain point you shouldn't have to play babysitter and hope some "gets it." A pro would come in with material prepared, his gear figured out, not under the influence so much that their playing and attitude is affecting the rest etc. I walked out of a "pro" touring band a couple of months ago because the BL would not replace a drummer that was clearly over his head and refused to practice and a drunken bum with mental problems that made everyone lives miserable. I simply grew tired of behavior and performances that weren't up to MY personal standards among other issues and split.
Also if you don't play for a living or just do it part time the band might be 4th or 5th on the list of priorities in your life. Nothing wrong with that but it is frustrating when you worked hard to get a part down or get your new pedals sussed out on your time then come to rehearsal and someone doesn't know the parts or is drunk and noodling around.
This is pretty much what I’ve been dealing with, I have two band mates that don’t have their gear squared away, aren’t prepared with the material, and at least one of them is hammered before the rehearsal is finished. I’ve had enough. None of us plays for a living, we all have priorities that come before music, but in the end if you can’t find the time to figure things out before rehearsal and treat rehearsal like a party then it’s wasting everyone else’s time. And I don’t like having my time wasted.
