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Should Have Fired The Drummer

Egg250

Egg250

Jan 10, 2022
951
1,671
#1
This is kind of a rant. We were a 5 piece band, 3 guitars, bass and drums. We used to practice at one of the guitarist's house. Air conditioned space, kind of cramped but it was available.

We brought a drummer on board a few months ago. He had some history with the band, played with them on and off over the years. He and another guitarist convince the band to let the practice space guitar guy go. He is in his 70's, had health issues, lacked stage presence (couldn't stand for a set) and really wasn't up to playing. The drummer offers up his place to practice, so we let the guitarist go.

We practice 1 time at the drummer's place, and he quits the band. Now we're looking for a drummer and practice space.
 
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#2
RE: Not standing to play

I've been sitting while playing for over 20 years and for many years before that I played while standing but always had a stool available for when I felt like sitting. A bit over 20 years ago I switched to sitting full time when the singer/guitarist I played with sat in a folding chair and he didn't want me looming over him. First it was on my stool but soon it was a folding chair. My current duo is with a jazz guitarist/singer and he stands but I still sit in the folding chair. The puts the focus more on him and we're both fine with that.
 
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#6
mongo2 said:
RE: Not standing to play

I've been sitting while playing for over 20 years and for many years before that I played while standing but always had a stool available for when I felt like sitting. A bit over 20 years ago I switched to sitting full time when the singer/guitarist I played with sat in a folding chair and he didn't want me looming over him. First it was on my stool but soon it was a folding chair. My current duo is with a jazz guitarist/singer and he stands but I still sit in the folding chair. The puts the focus more on him and we're both fine with that.
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I think the genre matters. In a jazz quartet setting, acoustic duo/trio, etc I think sitting is great. It fits the show, so to speak. A rock/country band, I think, is supposed to be energetic. Sitting while playing doesn't really convey that.
 
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#10
Egg250 said:
He and another guitarist convince the band to let the practice space guitar guy go. He is in his 70's, had health issues, lacked stage presence (couldn't stand for a set) and really wasn't up to playing. The drummer offers up his place to practice, so we let the guitarist go.

We practice 1 time at the drummer's place, and he quits the band. Now we're looking for a drummer and practice space.
Click to expand...

This really requires embellishment but I think I get it. We had a drummer who, despite sitting down, didn't have the stamina to make it through a 60" set not to mention a 4 hour gig...he stepped down voluntarily. God love these guys for the desire to play and I hope they find outlets which better accommodate their limitations.

Riis
 
#11
Egg250 said:
I think the genre matters. In a jazz quartet setting, acoustic duo/trio, etc I think sitting is great. It fits the show, so to speak. A rock/country band, I think, is supposed to be energetic. Sitting while playing doesn't really convey that.
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Sure, I see what you mean. I played rock, country and other genres for decades and I always appreciated the availablity of my stool but I mostly stood back then.
 
#13
I saw George Melly at a show in Glasgow many years ago. The guy had to sit down between songs and was visibly struggling to keep on his feet at times, wheezing like a bellows at the end of longer numbers. Despite that he had enormous stage presence and charisma and that was one of the best shows I ever attended. It helped that I was dragged along by friends and had no idea who he was beforehand.

Don't need to stand to engage an audience and put on a top notch show.
 
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#16
aprod said:
I am an entertainer. No one is entertained by someone sitting.
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You can entertain while sitting, after you reach "Legend" status.
44100.jpg
 

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#19
gln1955 said:
Stuff happens. So, find a drummer. They tend to have practice spaces where noise isn't an issue.

Three guitars in a band can be a mess if everyone isn't good about staying in their lane.
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Stuff sure does happen. This guy screwed us over. If he was thinking of quitting, why encourage us to fire somebody? Why make drastic changes and then leave? I know musicians aren't the most stable people in the world...

Anyway, it smarts just a bit. We're driving on, looking for that drummer...
 
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#20
aprod said:
I am an entertainer. No one is entertained by someone sitting.
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I don't personally sit, but I would consider myself a musician first. Lots of musicians (and entertainers) sit. Liberace and Elton John sit. But it's not just gay piano players, it's also most drummers not in the velvet underground or jellyfish. And most piano players. And lots of other people. And they can be entertaining too.
 
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