Playing in multiple bands

[lustersilk]

If you are in a band where the other members are all in other bands be prepared for your band to be put at the bottom of their prioroty list because let's face it, they dont really care about music, they care about $$. Even if they have day jobs too.

Hmmmm, I care about music, play in two groups, sing in another and the money I make is insignificant. I don't think this comment applies to anyone I know either.

You're not in my band.....

Your statement wasn't about your band. It was a very broad statement about musicians in general, and very incorrect. I lament for you and your current situation. It sounds to me like it is time for you to start spreading your wings a little. I know it stinks after you've devoted time and money to a project, but this happens. I've tried to get out of the whole music thing a few times over bad situations, but it's in my blood and I can't stay away.

Maybe some new blood is in order for you.

 

[shadven]

Good luck

I've always enjoyed learning Beatles material. Sir Paul is one of the best.

Blue

+1 Me too. I love playing the Beatles!! This past November my band was hired by a local radio station to play the entire "Rubber Soul" and "Revolver" albums, back to back with intermission. It was a sold out show at our local performing arts center with full production and 700 seats. Last year we did George Harrison's "All Things Must Pass", we did all 3 LP's... that was a feat for sure. And in previous years we've played the entire Abbey Road and White Album. Sir Paul has taken me to school!

 

[bluewine]

+1 Me too. I love playing the Beatles!! This past November my band was hired by a local radio station to play the entire "Rubber Soul" and "Revolver" albums, back to back with intermission. It was a sold out show at our local performing arts center with full production and 700 seats. Last year we did George Harrison's "All Things Must Pass", we did all 3 LP's... that was a feat for sure. And in previous years we've played the entire Abbey Road and White Album. Sir Paul has taken me to school!

That is major cool.

Blue

 

[Jeb]

Yeah, obviously some guys are in situations where they can fall neatly into a workable multi- band model and manage it.

Like anything it's for some but not all.

Blue

The "multi-band model" is anything but neat (my experience anyway). But it is manageable. If you can manage.

 

[shadven]

Here in my mid-size southern city I am in a incestuous little music scene. I play in 2 or 3 bands at any given moment. We all know each other, and there is always something breaking up and something forming. I have my A band which takes precedence, and then there are a B and C bands that may include someone from my A band. In my circle of 15 - 20 players I am often the "go to" bass player and often have my pick of projects. In this circle there are some very talented and accomplished players, writers, and connected people. Sometimes feelings get hurt, but mostly it works pretty well. I am always very open about who I am playing with and I share my calendar and schedule with all that are involved.

 

[bluewine]

This would all make more sense to me if some of you would qualify a little more, like;

" I'm playing in 6 actively gigging bands" or

" I play in 4 bands but only 1 is really actively gigging"

Some of you have done this, but there are still many "I play in 5 bands" with no information on gigging activity.

Blue

 

[jive1]

This would all make more sense to me if some of you would qualify a little more, like;

" I'm playing in 6 actively gigging bands" or

" I play in 4 bands but only 1 is really actively gigging"

Some of you have done this, but there are still many "I play in 5 bands" with no information on gigging activity.

Blue

It's only been explained mutiple times. Sorry, if it doesn't make sense to you yet. The OP is looking for some insight into the logistics of playing in multiple bands, not looking for justification for being in multiple bands. People play in more than one band and make it work all the time.

What would be more helpful to the OP is if people who actually played in multiple bands shared some insight on how to make it work, than a person who doesn't believe in it casting doubts. It's like a person asking someone for help grilling meat, and getting responses from a vegetarian.

 

[bluewine]

It's only been explained mutiple times. Sorry, if it doesn't make sense to you yet. The OP is looking for some insight into the logistics of playing in multiple bands, not looking for justification for being in multiple bands. People play in more than one band and make it work all the time.

What would be more helpful to the OP is if people who actually played in multiple bands shared some insight on how to make it work, than a person who doesn't believe in it casting doubts. It's like a person asking someone for help grilling meat, and getting responses from a vegetarian.

I see your point.

I think playing in multiple bands works but only in certain circumstances. And when I say "it works" I mean it works for a specific individules band needs and wants.

If the OP is looking to play in multiple gigging bands there are certain things you would want to consider and other things to consider if he's looking to mix it up with gigging and non-gigging bands.

blue

 

[jive1]

Like most things in life, playing in multiple bands takes practice. You don't work 2 jobs as your first job, and you don't usually start 2 businesses at the same time if you've never ran a business before.

But, as you get more comfortable on your instrument, you'll find it easier to manage a band's repertoire. As you play with more bands, you'll figure out your system for covering your material. It can be a little bit of a struggle in the beginning, but after a while, playing in 4 or 5 bands won't be much more work than 2 or 3. It really helps to have access to recordings of the bands material, and the ability to take notes of their material. Right now, I have the material for 8 different bands on my iPad, so I can jump in with any of those bands or bands with similar material in a moment's notice without having to do too much rehearsal (if any).

Managing bandmates and communicating takes practice as well. The human aspect of multiple bands tends to be the harder part, IMO. IME, if you play in multiple bands, the personnel tends to be more fluid and you need to be able to cope with that. But, as you replace folks, quit bands, fire people, call in subs, talk to people about their performance, etc. it will get easier. It's never easy to fire someone or quit a band, but it's much easier for me now than it was 20 years ago. It also much easier for me to communicate the tough messages now than it was long ago. You will figure out your communication style and system so that it works for you.

Scheduling is another issue, and my advice is to flush out your schedule in advance as much as possible. Tell people your blackout dates sooner than later. Keep your cards on the table, not under them. If you keep things out in the open, you're less likely to have hard feelings or suspicion. And if you or another member can't make a gig, have a list of competent subs handy. Using subs is a good thing, IMO. It keeps more musicians working, and most folks appreciate getting a sub gig for some extra cash. They can return the favor for you.

Being in multiple bands is also a good way to network, as well as increase your musical breadth. Personally, I think it's a positive thing, and most guys who are doing music serious tend to be involved in multiple projects.

 

[keiththebassist]

It's only been explained mutiple times. Sorry, if it doesn't make sense to you yet. The OP is looking for some insight into the logistics of playing in multiple bands, not looking for justification for being in multiple bands. People play in more than one band and make it work all the time.

What would be more helpful to the OP is if people who actually played in multiple bands shared some insight on how to make it work, than a person who doesn't believe in it casting doubts. It's like a person asking someone for help grilling meat, and getting responses from a vegetarian.

Jive's got it right...

 

[jaywa]

Jive's got it right...

He usually does.

 

[jive1]

You're not in my band...............

Sorry about your situation, but like another said, it might be time to spread out a little.

The thing I noticed about guys who do the multiple band thing is that they tend to take their musical bliss into their own hands. Whether it's more money, more gigs, a chance to write, a chance to play another instrument, etc. they tend search that out and will play in multiple projects, or hop from one to another to meet those needs. A common example is one that makes money and another that is a creative outlet.

It's certainly a challenge dealing with folks with multiple priorities, but that's a part of dealing with adults with responsibilities. If it's not another band, it's a job, business, kids, another hobby, etc. Of course it's great to have a solid player who commits to your band, and makes it your priority, but in reality, lots of bands want those great players and they have other opportunities to pick from to fill their calendar.

On the flip side, there's lots of positives to it as well. Because you work with multi-band guys, they shouldn't have a problem with you finding other work to fill your calendar. If they can't make a gig, they have a better chance of finding a sub for them. Since they are playing out, you can tap into their network for gigs. If your band isn't their priority, there's no reason you can't make it yours. The others may be relieved for you to take the reigns. And if you need to replace folks, so be it. One of the nice things about the multi-band guys is that they tend to handle being replaced a whole lot better. I prefer to work with multi-band guys for these reasons, and because I'm not solely responsible for their musical satisfaction and keeping their calendar filled. A whole lot less pressure for me. Money grubbers could be difficult to work with, but the positive is that it is easy to motivate them because you know what it is and it's tangible. "Creativity" and "musical expression" and much harder to quantify and motivate, IMO.

There's certainly some negatives in the situation, but there are positives as well. You just have to find them and exploit them.

 

[jive1]

He usually does.

Not according to my wife...............

 

[Russell L]

Logistically speaking, playing in multiple bands means you must always immediately let the other bands know when one band books anything. Or, you must tell the one that you must check with the others first before committing (although some folks will get buggered by that sometimes). I made the mistake of not notifying everyone about one date, and then another band called to say they booked the same date because it looked like I was free, according to what I had previously told them. Oops! I promised I'd NEVER let that happen again. It could be easy to get a reputaion for being hard to book with if you don't keep up with everybody. I feel bad that that happened.

 

[toomas72]

If i didn't have a fulltime job I would be playing in multiple bands all the time! but i have limited time to play and a wife to keep happy! lol

 

[bluewine]

I have read many threads and posts on "playing in multiple bands". From a sub, hired gun or free lance it makes perfect sense.

However what I'm seeing from guys that say they're members of 4, 5 or 6 bands comes down to this. " I play in multiple bands but only one of the bands is actively gigging and getting paid ".

Blue

 

[Fiset]

I have read many threads and posts on "playing in multiple bands". From a sub, hired gun or free lance it makes perfect sense.

However what I'm seeing from guys that say they're members of 4, 5 or 6 bands comes down to this. " I play in multiple bands but only one of the bands is actively gigging and getting paid ".

Blue

As usual Blue, you see what you want to see....especially so you can make things fit into your very narrow world-view. Every band I play in (and have played in in the past) gets paid. Every band I play in (and have played in in the past) gigs. But no worries, I understand that since the bands I play in don't "gig every weekend" then they don't really gig, in the Bluewine definition of gigging bands.

Really Blue, please consider not posting in the multiple band threads....you don't do it, you have no experience doing it and you add nothing relevant to threads asking for advice about doing it.

 

[Violen]

Setting yourself up for a make or break year is a recipe for failure.

 

[drpepper]

Setting yourself up for a make or break year is a recipe for failure.

...or great success

 

[drpepper]

Really Blue, please consider not posting in the multiple band threads....you don't do it, you have no experience doing it and you add nothing relevant to threads asking for advice about doing it.

Haha, good luck with that...at 43 out of 140 on this one...so far