A job is a commitment that involves other people too… But for some reason, event thought they get money for doing it, people still treat band as different than a job.
Last edited:
Enjoy the benefits of a premium membership!
Upgrade Account
-
TalkBass has been independent since 1998. Add your voice.
Create a free account to reply to discussions, view embedded media, and browse with fewer display ads.
Join free Log in
Want zero display ads or expanded classifieds tools? Compare plans.
Quitting / Firing via Text Message Acceptable Now?
- Thread starter fu22ba55
- Start date
I think somehow the thread went somewhere aside from the question.
I think the question was is it ok to quit a band by text.
NOT is it ok to quit a band by text and leave them all hanging with commitments and gigs with no notice.
That’s wrong no matter how you did it.
But there are bands that don’t gig often. Or bands putting it together and not gigging yet. Or bands where the commitment is casual. And as long as your not leaving them hanging with commitments and no time to get someone to replace you I just think texting is just another form of communication. I would make the call. But I can see where it would be fine. I’m also old. So there’s that…..
I think the question was is it ok to quit a band by text.
NOT is it ok to quit a band by text and leave them all hanging with commitments and gigs with no notice.
That’s wrong no matter how you did it.
But there are bands that don’t gig often. Or bands putting it together and not gigging yet. Or bands where the commitment is casual. And as long as your not leaving them hanging with commitments and no time to get someone to replace you I just think texting is just another form of communication. I would make the call. But I can see where it would be fine. I’m also old. So there’s that…..
First off, quitting and firing are different.
For quitting, phone is always fine. Text might be ok but consider how that might affect your reputation in the future. If you've decided to leave it's up to you how you inform people and how much you want to reveal about your reasons. A conversation is preferable, but email works too.
When firing someone a text is almost always insufficient. At least pay them the respect of a conversation. That said, in person firing is only preferable when it doesn't inconvenience the individual and you are relatively sure it wouldn't unduly embarrass them.
Put another way, when quitting, first look out for your own best interests as far as what is comfortable and what best preserves your reputation. When firing look out for the best interests and feelings of the one being fired.
For quitting, phone is always fine. Text might be ok but consider how that might affect your reputation in the future. If you've decided to leave it's up to you how you inform people and how much you want to reveal about your reasons. A conversation is preferable, but email works too.
When firing someone a text is almost always insufficient. At least pay them the respect of a conversation. That said, in person firing is only preferable when it doesn't inconvenience the individual and you are relatively sure it wouldn't unduly embarrass them.
Put another way, when quitting, first look out for your own best interests as far as what is comfortable and what best preserves your reputation. When firing look out for the best interests and feelings of the one being fired.
Last edited:
For declining an offer with someone you only auditioned for, then I'd say a text is fine. If you accepted the offer, and become part of the ensemble, then no it's not acceptable. Font is emotionless, and in firing/quitting, tone of voice, and body language can make all the difference between a peaceful and friendly separation, compared to a disasterous one.
I think it depends on the situation. If you hire a guy for a show a two, all communication is done through text, and then let them know it’s not working out via text that’s fine.
If you’ve been together a year and played a dozen shows and it’s mostly a side project, well maybe a phone call is warranted. If you’ve been together for 10 years, well that should be done in person. If the guy showed up too drunk to play at rehearsal, and every text conversation leading up to rehearsal was a four hour marathon of non stop rant of phone blowing up babble - block the number and move on.
If you’ve been together a year and played a dozen shows and it’s mostly a side project, well maybe a phone call is warranted. If you’ve been together for 10 years, well that should be done in person. If the guy showed up too drunk to play at rehearsal, and every text conversation leading up to rehearsal was a four hour marathon of non stop rant of phone blowing up babble - block the number and move on.
I guess. I got a good day job so music is a hobby for me, even if I make a few buck on it.
Oh I laughed out loud. Watching a Giants game right now so I needed something to laugh about.
I was subbing with a band last week and their regular bass player texted the BL during the gig to quit via text. These are high level players in their twenties... they were all bummed but no one really seemed that upset. So maybe it's a generational thing. All of my interactions with them that were not face to face (booking, gig info, etc...) were handled by text, so it's probably their norm.
Once I thought it appropriate to send telegrams to announce my grand departures, but I was informed that they are too impersonal for the conveying of such delicate information, and as such are a means employed only by cowards and scoundrels. Having been so enlightened, I now proceed by sending my introductory letters, and will then saddle up my horse, ride over for an in-person chat, and announce my presence to the lady of the house, enjoying tea in the parlor while the gentleman prepares in his study for the formalities of such discourse.
Recently an acquaintance of mine used his newfangled "auto mobile" to transport his person over to the preferred venue for announcing his departure, but it seemed rudely impersonal and dismissive to arrive in such a cloud of gasoline fumes and dust as unbefitting a gentleman; henceforth the consensus amongst all bandmen has been to disapprove of his presence at any musical performance.
Good day to all; yea, may the fruits of your musical endeavors be plentiful, and your communications exquisitely crafted.
Recently an acquaintance of mine used his newfangled "auto mobile" to transport his person over to the preferred venue for announcing his departure, but it seemed rudely impersonal and dismissive to arrive in such a cloud of gasoline fumes and dust as unbefitting a gentleman; henceforth the consensus amongst all bandmen has been to disapprove of his presence at any musical performance.
Good day to all; yea, may the fruits of your musical endeavors be plentiful, and your communications exquisitely crafted.
Last edited:
That's funny. And on point. At 60 and with 24 year old twin son's I'm willing to admit I'm old school. And I'm an early adopter. They come to me to fix their tech issues. They think things should just work. Period. They can't be bothered to fix things. I embrace tech and always have. But young people see the world differently and that's the way it is suppose to be. I have no issues with texting as some of us old people do. My only issue would be don't leave people hanging with obligations on the calendar and quit that's just wrong whatever mode you pick. But If theirs no gigs coming up soon and you want to quit by text or call have at it.
I think this a horses for courses situation. I personally would much rather be told by text than have to drive somewhere to rehersal and find out (I'd much rather have kept that commuting/rehearsing time if I wasn't continuing).
There is also a generational thing that some people find it much more rude to call than text. Where as older generations seem to find it more polite to call.
Common feeling among younger people is: calling is a rude interuption making a loud buzzer go off in my home which just interrupted my relaxation/work flow/woke my baby etc. If you are phoning you better be sure it's an emergency.
Common feeling among older people is: calling is more personal therefore more polite.
Basically it depends on who is getting fired.
There is also a generational thing that some people find it much more rude to call than text. Where as older generations seem to find it more polite to call.
Common feeling among younger people is: calling is a rude interuption making a loud buzzer go off in my home which just interrupted my relaxation/work flow/woke my baby etc. If you are phoning you better be sure it's an emergency.
Common feeling among older people is: calling is more personal therefore more polite.
Basically it depends on who is getting fired.
The last band I quit, I did it right after the show. To their faces. The last time I got fired, it was under the guise of a "band call to discuss the coming year" - that felt like I was being made to lean into the punch.
I'd rather the BL had just sent me an email
I'd rather the BL had just sent me an email
What is common and what people typically do are two different things. If you want to be treated as, and considered, a professional, act that way.
Who decides what’s professional? You? Is there a band etiquette committee somewhere? Again I think this is a generational conversation we’re having. Young people may think it’s perfectly “professional” to notify their band mates they are leaving by text. Are young people not able to be professional because of the way they communicate? The older you are the less likely your going to think that’s ok. It’s directly correlated. I think the important thing is not the mode of communication it’s the idea that you live up to whatever commitments or obligations you have made regardless of how that’s communicated.
