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Stuck in the middle... dysfunctional trio
- Thread starter Russhhh
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Just say no and let him figure out what he should do -- i.e. stay as is or quit. I don't have a very favorable opinion of interchangeable drummer/guitarist scenarios. The only person that ever seemed to make it work for him was Dave Grohl.
This was my first thought as well. If he's hurting, that will take the fun out of playing.
As far as it being an ultimatum, I think the drummer is being a pretty good guy about it. He recognized that he is not enjoying it any more and let the band know before it affects his playing. Either way, he's not going to play the drums much longer. Neither you nor the guitar player can force him to.
I vote for getting another drummer and seeing how he does, as long as it is made clear up front that if it doesn't work out, he gets the boot.
If the drummer is certain he is (at least currently) done with drums then if you try to stay the current course his playing may not be as good if he doesn't really want to do it or he'll quit so you really only have two options.... both of which involve getting a new drummer.
1. Get a new drummer and let current drummer play guitar and hopefully enjoy the extra guitar in the mix.
2. Let him walk and get a new drummer continuing as a trio.
If he's a decent guitarist, even in just a rhythm mode, number one would probably be the best bet to keep his friendship with the guitarist. If he's a crap guitarist then number two would probably be best.
Side with the guitar player and replace the drummer.
Edit: So far, without the drummer's vocals or rhythm guitar, you have developed a band style/sound that you like and that is well enough received to get you paying gigs. Doing what the drummer wants would change the entire vision that you set out to achieve and did achieve. If the drummer no longer shares that vision, it's time for him to move on.
Edit: So far, without the drummer's vocals or rhythm guitar, you have developed a band style/sound that you like and that is well enough received to get you paying gigs. Doing what the drummer wants would change the entire vision that you set out to achieve and did achieve. If the drummer no longer shares that vision, it's time for him to move on.
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Maybe the knee surgery left the drummer with some lingering issues and it hurts to play the drums? It hurts when I play. Not me, the people listening.
So, the drummer had knee surgery, and now drumming is no fun for him, so he wants to find a way to make it work for him. He's probably still having pain and part of why drumming is no fun is that it's painful.
Gosh, I wish people could just talk about what's really going on.
Seems to me that these two have been friends for a long time, and they're going to have to find a way to work this out, or not. If the drummer really is not enjoying himself at the kit, it's pointless to expect him to continue. That's not really an ultimatum. You can't force him to continue doing something he hates. He's just saying how it is.
So it seems to me your choices as a band are to try it his way, or not. You can't force him to play if he's in pain.
Gosh, I wish people could just talk about what's really going on.
Seems to me that these two have been friends for a long time, and they're going to have to find a way to work this out, or not. If the drummer really is not enjoying himself at the kit, it's pointless to expect him to continue. That's not really an ultimatum. You can't force him to continue doing something he hates. He's just saying how it is.
So it seems to me your choices as a band are to try it his way, or not. You can't force him to play if he's in pain.
Even if it's not, I don't think any of us would want to be forced to continue doing something we didn't want to do
I agree.Even if it's not, I don't think any of us would want to be forced to continue doing something we didn't want to do
Usually I read all of the responses before commenting but really to me this is easy..you are all middle aged, playing music that normally is not played by a trio.
The drummer is not happy playing drums anymore..so really the choice becomes simple..get a drummer, let the other drummer sing and strum..the other choice is basically no band at all, how many drummer are going to want to be in a country trio.? Might be harder to fill that slot than you think.
The guitar player is the problem, unwilling to adjust or compromise..Take away from the clean sound?. Hardly..it only adds in my view. When you are just one guitar player that almost always leaves parts that could be critical to a song out. The Eagles with just one guitar part?..I don't know, but I would guarantee that it would sound much better with two..the band as a whole would benefit from another member. this is just my opinion..but I don't think its an ultimatum either, you want the guys in your band to be happy and liking what they are doing otherwise it becomes work and the music will suffer.
Tell the guitar player to get over himself and embrace the change and be happy that he can start learning new and interesting nuances in the music since he doesn't have to cover different parts by himself..and the 25% pay cut? raise your fee 25%...done..
I guess you could also inform the drummer that wants to change that if it isn't working out, or he sucks on guitar and singing..then he is first out. However I would give the change a shot..nothing to be lost really he is already out on drums.
The drummer is not happy playing drums anymore..so really the choice becomes simple..get a drummer, let the other drummer sing and strum..the other choice is basically no band at all, how many drummer are going to want to be in a country trio.? Might be harder to fill that slot than you think.
The guitar player is the problem, unwilling to adjust or compromise..Take away from the clean sound?. Hardly..it only adds in my view. When you are just one guitar player that almost always leaves parts that could be critical to a song out. The Eagles with just one guitar part?..I don't know, but I would guarantee that it would sound much better with two..the band as a whole would benefit from another member. this is just my opinion..but I don't think its an ultimatum either, you want the guys in your band to be happy and liking what they are doing otherwise it becomes work and the music will suffer.
Tell the guitar player to get over himself and embrace the change and be happy that he can start learning new and interesting nuances in the music since he doesn't have to cover different parts by himself..and the 25% pay cut? raise your fee 25%...done..
I guess you could also inform the drummer that wants to change that if it isn't working out, or he sucks on guitar and singing..then he is first out. However I would give the change a shot..nothing to be lost really he is already out on drums.
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You're assuming that the drummer can sing and play guitar well enough actually to add something beneficial to the existing sound, whereas it sounds like the lead singer/guitar player IS the sound that got them this far. You're also assuming that the booking price can be increased. That's not the case where I live. Most of the regular gigs available for that genre (not including private functions) pay a flat amount no matter who or how many are in the band.
that is correct...I did assume those things. It is quite a quandary. I also am assuming that playing rhythm guitar in a country band can't be that difficult. Cowboy chords right? I also assumed that getting another drummer that wants to play in a country trio would be hard and I am betting that it won't be easy because he also needs to be able to keep time and won't step all over the clean sound...I don't know..whatever, I think throwing him to curb is a dick move and he should be given a shot...if it don't work out then..you can fire a drummer and still have a drummer..lol
So you get paid $100. 3 way split, $33.33. 4 way split, $25.
The guit player is going to breakup the band over $8.33?
What's really going on?
The guit player is going to breakup the band over $8.33?
What's really going on?
I dunno. The OP didn't mention whether he or the drummer are currently doing the BG vocals.
How difficult it is to play rhythm guitar depends on the musical style and arrangements, doesn't it. If he's just going to "strum Cowboy chords", he had better be one hell of a gifted and charismatic singer to justify his pay
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