Not tolerated as a musician

[lfmn16]

I got dressed down tonight for suggesting the drummer withfrain from a 4/4 rock beat over the top of a "yacht rock" ballad. Got downright hateful about it.

Unless I'm egregiously out of line, I wouldn't tolerate this behavior - period. There is no excuse for being a Richard Cranium (unless it's your screen name ).

There are too many positions for bass players available to allow yourself to be disrespected.

 

[Papz]

Try a drum machine.
It plays what you ask it to play, it's on time for rehearsals, it keeps the tempo, it leaves more beers to the musicians, it's easy to carry and set up and it doesn't try to seduce your gf when drunk after (or even before) the gig.

 

[LowDownHawkeye]

We play "yacht klezmer" occasionally. (No really.)

Christopher Cross on a clarinet?

 

[EastCoastThump]

Top 100 Yacht Rock Songs.

The short version: sounds like slightly jaded 1970s-80s pop-rock, and smells like a cocaine binge

 

[pigpen1]

We were rehearsing some songs specifically requested for a wedding, the song in question fell under this category in my mind.

"Yacht rock (originally known as the West Coast Sound or adult-oriented rock) is a broad music style and aesthetic identified with soft rock. Yacht rock was one of the commercially successful genres of its era, existing between the late 1970s and early 1980s."

So if the song is in 4/4 and the drum part is 4/4 backbeat, why shouldn't he play it. No one, and I mean no one at a weddings is going to enjoy a unique twist on anything they have specifically requested.

 

[madbass6]

This is strictly a rhetorical question, but what do you do with yourself when involved with musicians who aren't interested in stretching their abilities? I got dressed down tonight for suggesting the drummer withfrain from a 4/4 rock beat over the top of a "yacht rock" ballad. Got downright hateful about it. Of course theres more to the story, and I don't feel like vomiting it all out here tonight...

The only question for me is do I stick to it and play the gigs (they stay booked regularly), or do I go out and have fun playing with guys who work less often but play with passion and spontenaity and have some real fun?

Like I said, rhetorical, but wondering if others hold their nose and collect the steady work?

if not happy just move on.

 

[Hurricane Jimmie]

Sounds like you might want a project band.
BTW, the band has steady work because they do play it straight IMHO.
Good Luck!

 

[Kipp Harrington]

Unless I'm egregiously out of line, I wouldn't tolerate this behavior - period. There is no excuse for being a Richard Cranium (unless it's your screen name ).

There are too many positions for bass players available to allow yourself to be disrespected.

BOOYAH!!!

 

[bassliner50]

Christopher Cross on a clarinet?

No, authentic ethnic w/clarinet. Don't get me wrong, not a steady diet of this stuff. But when appropriate, we will roll it out.

 

[oldrocker]

What are you talking about? What is withfrain and yacht rock? And was the song not in 4/4?

Exactly - sounds to me like the drummer was playing a cover song the right way and the OP suggested he play something different so the OP can "play with passion and 'spontenaity' and have some real fun".

The OP was surprised the drummer didn't feel the same way. And somehow this is seen as a problem with the drummer.

 

[klejst]

Don't like it, find something else/new you will like?

 

[Manticore]

It'd be in your contract under exclusivity clause. And I'd expect a retainer. No contract and no retainer? no exclusivity...

Everybody wants you to dedicate 100% of your effort to their Magnificent Vision - and gig once a year for $50.

You are actually quite correct in the former for a professional touring act. The pay is reflective of the exclusivity clause. That said, if you haven't a written contract with an exclusivity clause, it is actully your duty to play in as many bands and/or projects as humanly possible. Doing so is the surest way of improving as rapidly as possible, no matter what your current level.

 

[onamission]

Playing with musically adventurous bohemians can be just as frustrating. Most of the time they don't show up and when they do it's all attitude.

 

[Bass Man Dan]

For me, if it's not enjoyable, it's over.

 

[chaosMK]

Good luck getting gigs in the US if you play those odd time signatures.

Never had issues getting gigs, packing the house, or winning music awards. Experience '99-present.

 

[SactoBass]

Everybody wants you to dedicate 100% of your effort to their Magnificent Vision - and gig once a year for $50.

That statement is FREAKING HILARIOUS!!! Especially the "Magnificent Vision" part.

 

[buldog5151bass]

I'm not sure why you can't have both. I've looked just about everywhere, and I've had a lot of time to do it, and yet I've never found a formalized rule requiring the bass player to be in only one band at a time.

If they are booking enough gigs where they don't want to lose gigs because you are busy with other bands, it is a reasonable request. And it is your choice whether you want to be bound to that.

 

[higain617]

My dad was a big yacht rocker. He loved Christopher Cross and what not.

 

[TuneSalad666]

Surfer Girl

Don't know the song, does it has anything to do with Skater Boy?

Also wouldn't that be surf rock then.

 

[SactoBass]

For me, if it's not enjoyable, it's over.

^^^THIS!!!

I realize there are some TB'ers who play music because they need the money. That's cool. I wish them success. For me however, I do not care *AT ALL* about making money playing music. I play music for the sheer joy of it. Always have, always will. So, as Bass Man Dee so appropriately put it, if it's not enjoyable (for me anyway), then it's time to make a change.

But if a musician is relying on band money to put food on the table, then that's a different scenario that calls for a different decision making process.