Probationary period?

[TNCreature]

You could do that... but keep it in your head. As soon as you say it you will sound like a Richard Cranium.
Just offer the membership when it feels right.

 

[Crazy_Jake]

I've used this approach before - usually a 90 day probation. It's all disclosed at the band meeting. We had to implement something as we ran into musicians who could play thier instrument but turned into idiots when it came to actually playing a live show - ie yelling at bar owner , excessive drinking etc not behaviours that professional bands want to exhibit.
the 90 days is also a 2 way street - its a trail period for them and the rest of the band. I think professional players ie players who play for money appreciate this approach at least in my experience.

 

[Nev375]

You are being silly.

It's a band, not a corporation with lawyers, human resources and accounting departments and stock options.

Crack open a few beers and get to know the guy.

 

[Cave Puppy]

Not a good idea, IMO. Who would want to woodshed their butt off just to hear they're being fired after 90 days. I wouldn't. Being in a band is not an accounting or factory job. People (mostly) put their hearts and souls into their art. A non-band job is - a job. Work. A person is mostly trained in 90 days to perform a "job" and personal relationships shouldn't matter. That's all different in a band setting. A band is just starting to gel at ninety days. Think about it - what if you had to keep firing folks at ninety days? You'd NEVER get going.

 

[wmhill]

If you threw that at me coming into your group, I'd turn around and go home. Obviously, anyone can be let go at anytime the band decides. More often it's been me quitting early on because the band isn't holding up their end and I won't waste my time. I've walked away from more auditions that the band didn't make my cut than vice versa.

 

[joelns]

When you join a new band, you're on a trial period whether you think so, like it, or not. You are joining their band. They are judging your every move. For X amount of time.

That's true. And if they decide to fire me, so be it. Calling it a "probationary period" just shows (at least in my mind) a lack of commitment.

 

[gln1955]

If it takes 90 days to figure out if someone is going to fit in, you're doing something wrong.

 

[hrodbert696]

So if they aren't on probation you can't get rid of them?

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well, do you make a contract for the band members? like describing that for what and how they can be fired?
if no, a probation period makes no sense, as probation period is corporate thing like 'usually we fire people like this, but if this happens in first months, we can do it faster'

if your band relations are non-contract, nearly everyone is on eternal probation period though, as they can be dumped without a grace period.

+1 to both of these. Unless the band is a company and people are signing contracts, a "probationary period" is meaningless. A "band" is just a group of people playing music together because they want to. If you don't want to play with someone, or don't want to continue doing so, then don't. That's all there is to it.

 

[SAlcott]

FWIW, most orchestras have a one year probationary period before the audition winner is given tenure.

 

[Lesfunk]

IME everybody's on probation forever and can be fired at any time. Everybody's also free to quit.

Exactly! I was just scrolling down to type the same thing

 

[JeezyMcNuggles]

That's true. And if they decide to fire me, so be it. Calling it a "probationary period" just shows (at least in my mind) a lack of commitment.

Well yeah, I've never heard anyone actually say it. It's just an implied kind of thing.

If someone actually told me, straight up, that I was on a "set time probation period" I'd be like' okay...have fun with that.

 

[BtaylorTheRogue]

 

[And I]

unless you're signing a contract with this person guaranteeing their "employment" in your band, you can fire them any time. just clearly set expectations up front and then it's no surprise if someone gets let go for not meeting them.

 

[yodedude2]

i will add: it doesn't seem like having a probationary period will help you with the stated issue, i.e., band members are hired that turn out to not be good fits.

having a probationary period does add one more issue to deal with, however.

(you'd be making it worse!)

 

[MotorCityMinion]

I'm the guy that usually doesn't make it. You could be the guy that quits on day 89. Unless your trying to maintain a professional reputation, have fun with it either way.

I refuse to join any club that would have me as a member. Invalid Link Removed'

Most auditions, I know right away whether or not it's going to work. Sometimes, I'll push it to 3 tries.

 

[BlackVincent52]

I have no problem with the concept, but for god's sake, don't call it a probationary period and don't make it exactly 90 days. Everyone knows what a hired gun is, just make it clear that they are not an equal member yet and don't give them any responsibility within the band other than showing up and playing.

 

[mrcbass]

I have no issue with this in principle. I set a probationary period for myself when I join a new band. IF after 30 days things aren't as expected, I move on. If the situation is particularly sketchy I even tell them about my probationary approach.

Having it as a rule for others is a bit problematic though:
1. The person may work hard for the 90 days and then revert to being a slacker after they have served their time, figuring they are now a member. Once you're married, it's easy to feel that you need to keep putting in the effort.
2. As @lfmn16 stated, you really don't need a formal reason to let someone go. If they're not working out and not responding to your prodding, why wait for the 90 days?
3. Some people might feel that you're not investing in them if they envision a 90 day merry go round.

To me it would be better to just tell your prospect that they are expected to do their homework for the duration of their stay in the band. failure to do so, may result in dismissal. This shouldn't need to be said, but it's better to be clear about your expectations right up front. It's been my experience that you can generally tell how prepared a person is and will be by their audition, so look for that trait at that time.

 

[Loring]

After having issues over the years with new bandmates, I've been considering having a 90 day probationary period before someone is in the band permanently. Past problems were stuff like the new guy wanting to take over and run everything, basically just being an ******* once he was hired. Or the guy just wasn't as good as you first thought, playing the same solo on every damn song, terrible feel or no feel at all for what the band is playing. Different goals become apparent soon after joining. Has anyone done this before?

They are always on probation lol. If I’m not B/L then it’s whether I stay or not.

seriously if someone isn’t working out - it’s time for a talk whether it’s 3 months or 3 years. Likewise if the situation changes and you aren’t happy. In any case if the talk isn’t working- someone is using the door…

 

[lfmn16]

It's been my experience that you can generally tell how prepared a person is and will be by their audition, so look for that trait at that time.

+1

Most bands have a woefully inadequate discussion with new band members. You should be reviewing expectations before they even audition. I can get through my whole spiel in about 5 minutes. Before you audition for my band you know exactly what will be expected of you. No sense in wasting each other's time.

 

[C Stone]

To a degree isn't everyone on a probationary period? Including the band?

Partially yep! Some band members are thick as thieves, they will endure/thrive/fail whatever comes thier way and that's totally fine.

I audition bands NOT the other way around, they are the ones on "probation".
Perspective!