Been playing in a band for the last 2 years and things just don't seem to be working, love the guys, well, except for the drummer, but he is nice enough, and is the first band I have been in with a girl singer, always wanted to be in a band with a girl singer (love ya Patrice!) But the problem is that the sorta leader has never been in a band or what I would call a successful bar band, and cannot or will not see that the band simply isn't working well, not gelling, not getting gigs because the set list is really kinda weak and filled with "jammy" tunes that some of us, myself included, don't play well. And when we do get a gig, it's almost playing to the crickets. I should also note that I just don't play well with the drummer, he has chops, but no timing or touch, just loud, fast and hitting every item on his kit, crash bang boom! After the gig, I sent out an email to the leader that basically told him there was a better way to go, might not be what you want to do, but rereading it I came off as a pompous, know-it-all ass! Damn email! At any rate, I don't think things are really going to change much and the drummer issue will never resolve, a leopard can't change his spots, and I offered up the suggestion that they find a bass player who is a better fit for the drummer. As I said, really like these mates but musically it is very hard not to be disappointed with lack of progress, now and in the future. Should I try to square it, or take my earned lumps and move on?
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should I quit?
- Thread starter Randy Warren
- Start date
Sounds like you've already quit, or at the very least, mentally checked out.
Why would you want to keep trying to play with a drummer that you have no chemistry with anyway?
Move on, you're supposed to be having fun.
Why would you want to keep trying to play with a drummer that you have no chemistry with anyway?
Move on, you're supposed to be having fun.
I would let them know how you feel and get out. If your drummer is lacking then it won't ever get any better anyways.
If you and the drummer cant work it out, work as a unit laying down a foundation for the band its hopeless..bail.
- May 12, 2007
- 481
- 43
- Disclosures
- Endorsing Artist for Low End bass guitars, DNA Amplification
No. Recognize that you are a perfectionist, and the band needs someone to be that perfectionist. If everyone was a perfectionist, there would be no fun, and you'd never be ready to play out. Instead of quitting, let them know that you are a perfectionist (or maybe, you've got a musical ear), and that you think the band has room to improve in these areas.
It depends. I was on the verge of quitting my band about a month or two back, found a lead with a new band that looked good at first -- then saw the setlist and just thought, no, this isn't going to be an improvement. It made me appreciate the group I was in more. How will you feel if you quit and are floating for a while without a better band to play with? Is there any chance that you can nudge the setlist along gradually; "song X got no response last time, what if we drop it and add song Y?" One song at a time and morph the list into something that gets better audience reaction. Who knows, maybe you can even get the drummer to lighten up if you talk to him about it. A lot of the time it goes over better if you talk about how "we" can improve "our" sound rather than "him" needing to improve "his." But do it in person rather than by email.
Two years is a long time to play in a band that sucks so you must be getting something out of it otherwise I suspect you would have quit a long time ago. So I can't answer for you but I can tell you that if it was me, I'd be long gone if after all that time, the band still wasn't gelling.
You can fix a lot of things about a band with "issues," but it's almost impossible to "fix" a bad drummer. You've given it two years and things haven't improved? Cut your losses. Move on.
I also think that you should leave the band, and continue your search for other opportunities that will challenge you and be more satisfying. Your dissatisfaction does not make you a perfectionist; it is a sign that you have progressed further in music that your band-mates. There's nothing wrong with playing in different groups; "paying your dues" is part of musical growth. You've paid your dues for two years with this band, now move on to other opportunities. While you're looking, keep up with your practice and learn songs that you really enjoy. Life is short, you've been patient with your band, and it's okay to want to leave and look elsewhere. Do it and don't look back!
Good luck,
JE
Good luck,
JE
It doesn't matter who the band is, if you and the drummer do NOT blend, move on!!! Bands will come and go, don't sour your experience.
Hmmmm..............drummer sounds like our band's drummer! Dude is angry at the world and is playing for himself! Your situation ain't gonna get better. Time to move on.
How did this "sorta leader" get this position?
Maybe you can take some initiative, state what you've expressed here and sorta take charge yourself?
Best option is to exit, I think.
But if you're not quite there yet, you could take the guys you wanna keep playing with and form a different band with different musicians.
Doesn't mean that you or they would have to quit the first band. But if/when the second band started going places, it might clarify why you need to ditch the first band.
But if you're not quite there yet, you could take the guys you wanna keep playing with and form a different band with different musicians.
Doesn't mean that you or they would have to quit the first band. But if/when the second band started going places, it might clarify why you need to ditch the first band.
When I setup auditions it is the drummer I want to talk to on the phone the most. The way I see it is if we hit it off on the phone and feel a good connection there is a much better chance of having good stage chemistry. I don't want to play with people that I don't like or get along well with. Of course just because two people can have a good conversation doesn't mean that either can actually play but it is a good indicator if I'm going to gel with him while playing, be able to discuss things that can be improved, etc.
