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Stuck in the middle... dysfunctional trio
- Thread starter Russhhh
- Start date
It looks like both guitarist and drummer feel justified in their desires. I don't see how this is going to end well. I don't see how you have any leverage, since whatever you decide, one of them will be angry with you. Fifteen months of work isn't nothing, but it may be time to take a walk anyway.
from the drummer's perspective, if he says he's bored, or done with the drums, it may be a challenge for him to stay sharp and/or motivated behind the kit. AKA: Sounds like he's checking out from the rhythm section.
i was sort of in the same situation as a drummer, and was really itching to pick up the bass as a way to expand my musical experience, and more properly develop my original material. So, now i'm in a new band, playing bass and doing the BL thing, and haven't played drums in a while.
maybe a good compromise is to:
A) keep the trio going to not lose momentum on "tightness" and income.
B) challenge the drummer to find a replacement so that he can work on his plans to switch to rhythm guitar and more vocals. maybe even try to fit in a few rehearsals with the new configuration on the side.
Drummer can gain a lot of traction in his spare time, so that if/when the time comes to switch to a quartet, it will be more seamless, and should (hopefully) only build off the momentum of the trio project.
i was sort of in the same situation as a drummer, and was really itching to pick up the bass as a way to expand my musical experience, and more properly develop my original material. So, now i'm in a new band, playing bass and doing the BL thing, and haven't played drums in a while.
maybe a good compromise is to:
A) keep the trio going to not lose momentum on "tightness" and income.
B) challenge the drummer to find a replacement so that he can work on his plans to switch to rhythm guitar and more vocals. maybe even try to fit in a few rehearsals with the new configuration on the side.
Drummer can gain a lot of traction in his spare time, so that if/when the time comes to switch to a quartet, it will be more seamless, and should (hopefully) only build off the momentum of the trio project.
Hmm - country rock, eh? Tell him rhythm guitar is not an option as you want to take it more country if you're going four piece - he can choose either mandolin or pedal steel. Ultimatums work both ways.
Not when the guy joined the band as the drummer.
If he wants to play guitar, more power to him - let him go play guitar someplace.
But you don't have to just 'respect his choice' to make a major change to his role in the band - it's a group endeavor and he signed on as the drummer of that group.
So Anyway, sounds like your drummer is finished being a drummer with this setup.
So you're going to need a new drummer. Then you can determine whether to go with the 2 guitar lineup or keep the trio.
Is the drummer 'front-man' material? If so, you might end up busier and getting bigger $$ gigs.
With a new drummer, you can continue to play your trio gigs, or you can even try the 2-guitar & bass on the winery/acoustic circuit that someone suggested.
I think you've got some options that can keep everyone working.
So you're going to need a new drummer. Then you can determine whether to go with the 2 guitar lineup or keep the trio.
Is the drummer 'front-man' material? If so, you might end up busier and getting bigger $$ gigs.
With a new drummer, you can continue to play your trio gigs, or you can even try the 2-guitar & bass on the winery/acoustic circuit that someone suggested.
I think you've got some options that can keep everyone working.
Well, you’ll have to rearrange the songs adding RG, and find a new drummer. Def gonna set you back some time. For me, it would depend on what the final product sounds like. Is it a good add, or is it just stroking his ego....?
Not necessarily. Maybe the drummer just caught a mood.
I once quit an ongoing workshop for 6 months because I decided I wanted to play keys. Then I got sick of keys and realized bass was what I really enjoyed best. Went back to playing bass for the workshop.
Then again, a workshop is one thing - messing up a working band for 6 months or a year is something else. It's called a cluster-f---k.
I don't know if anyone has said it or not, but he just had knee surgery...I'd think that might factor in his wishes.
I know it kinda puts everyone out, but i'd say lets hear it first, and if it sounds good, and he can sing, then I'd go for the four piece, if not, weigh other options as someone else stated above.
I know it kinda puts everyone out, but i'd say lets hear it first, and if it sounds good, and he can sing, then I'd go for the four piece, if not, weigh other options as someone else stated above.
And how do the other two feel about that?
If the drummer wants to be a guitarist/singer as opposed to being “just the Drummer”, that his call and his consequence. Consequences being that the other two say no, and he is onto his next project, and you are on to the next drummer. But make no mistake, it’s his call.
Got to admit, I come from the "more is less" camp, and when my band talked about adding more people I balked. Just getting us together and on the same page with the setlist is hard enough, adding another schedule/ego/wants/needs is not something Im interested in (sounds like the OPs guitarist position). But, as others have said here already, wait to see if the dude can sing/play guitar first before even making a decision.
What you need to remember anytime you lose it is that after you’ve had your little mood swing, it’s not necessarily your exclusive prerogative to decide it’s now over and everything goes back to the way it was before.
Because while you were having a temporary mood swing, everybody else who was involved went through it for real. And while you can always apologize, nobody is under any obligation to accept your apology.
So while there may be some small chance an ultimatum will blow over, I’ve never net anyone an ultimatum sits well with. Because it destroys trust and you’re left with the question: And what comes next? And when?
My response anytime I’m handed a “take it or leave it” proposition, is: Nice working with you. Bye!
But that’s me.
I play well enough that I dont worry when people hand me ultimatums. When i was gigging, i could be in a new band the next week gigging out. Good musicians hang together and usually dont hand out crap except when drugs or wimmin or ego are involved.
If you dont want a life of musical crap, master your instruments core competencies and avoid whiney co-enabling
If you dont want a life of musical crap, master your instruments core competencies and avoid whiney co-enabling
I'd tell them I want to stay out of it and let them hash it out. My gut tells me the drummer is leaving. He's unlikely to stick around if his job is to keep doing something he no longer likes.
A possible nice way this ends is the trio gets a new drummer and the drummer forms his own band which the two of you may or may not be interested in joining.
A possible nice way this ends is the trio gets a new drummer and the drummer forms his own band which the two of you may or may not be interested in joining.
