Things Amateurs Don't Get

[Bass Viking]

There are issues I've noticed over the years when playing with others in band or jam situations. Here's a list of things that sadly a lot of players don't understand. There is some overlap between them. This is just a get-it-off-my-chest rant. Feel free to add your own pet peeves!

LISTEN TO THE OTHER PLAYERS: So many musicians are in their own world. They play stuff that doesn't fit into the context of the music.

WATCH WHAT'S GOING ON: Don't stare at your fingers or feet, a bandmate may be trying to get your attention.

IT'S ALL ABOUT THE SONG: What you play should serve the music, not show off your chops. Play what fits.

YOU ARE A TEAM PLAYER: Playing in a group is different from playing solo. e.g. Attention keyboardists! Ease up on that left hand!

LOUD DOES NOT EQUAL GOOD: It equals hearing damage.

DON'T BE AFRAID TO PLAY SOMETHING SIMPLE: This is great advice I got years ago. I often read about drummers who can't play a fill without losing the beat and throwing off the rest of the band. Leave out the fill and focus on a simple steady beat.

There, I feel better already!

 

[burgerdj]

Experience is the only teacher. In these situations, I already try to be encouraging and not overly critical with new players.

 

[ole Jason]

Also don't be afraid to play something hip/complicated if you can execute it well. It's okay to have chops and use them at the appropriate time.

 

[monsterthompson]

As a passionate amateur/hobbyist player, I’ve watched my playing change over the years. As I’ve moved away from being bass-focused to working on full tracks with synths and drum machines, and DAW instruments I’ve realized how amateur-y I was/am.

I’ve seen these rants before, so I’m familiar with common talking points, but I’m curious what will get added here.

 

[fretno]

You got the bread’n butter rules right there. Also some never learn.

 

[smeet]

As a passionate amateur/hobbyist player, I’ve watched my playing change over the years. As I’ve moved away from being bass-focused to working on full tracks with synths and drum machines, and DAW instruments I’ve realized how amateur-y I was/am.

I’ve seen these rants before, so I’m familiar with common talking points, but I’m curious what will get added here.

I've had the same experience several times. We're always learning, never getting there. I guess there is no there there.

I'll add one:

DON'T PLAY BETWEEN SONGS: Noodling between/before songs at rehearsals or even at gigs is shockingly common. At full volume. All the time. Unconsciously. A lot of players don't realize just how loud and distracting they are when they do it.

 

[bass12]

The title of your thread could just as easily be "Things a lot of professionals don't get".

 

[Micha84]

Pros break those rules as well as amateurs, and on top of it they are being arrogant about it.

 

[JimmyO]

I don’t really like jazz, but I am grateful I came up as a kid playing jazz with really good teachers and some really good peers, several of whom are all now legit pros. I am not a legit pro, but I have a solid foundation in many of these things, especially paying attention to everything happening around you.

I surprised a guitarist a little bit once when I said I demand very little, but I always insist my spot on stage be to the drummers’ left (assuming a righty drummer). I need to see two things clearly: 1.) The drummer’s eyes, and that’s the direction they tend to face, and 2.) the drummer’s right leg operating the kick, and that’s usually the most unobstructed view.

Of course plenty of great bass players stand stage right, but for me, that’s where I need to be to facilitate the musical conversation.

 

[Smallmouth_Bass]

COME PREPARED: Rehearsal is not the place to be learning the songs. It's where you coordinate starts, endings and transitions and maybe work on vocal harmonies. Do your homework.

 

[2saddleslab]

Paid.

 

[Altitude]

COME PREPARED: Rehearsal is not the place to be learning the songs. It's where you coordinate starts, endings and transitions and maybe work on vocal harmonies. Do your homework.

Yes. Rehearsal and practice/woodshed are different things.

 

[Bruce Calin]

As a contractor, manager, and bandleader over many years I can only agree with the statement that this is not unique to amateurs. When professional egos, disagreements, and pay disputes get involved, the fun can really start.

 

[dbflats]

Back around 2000 I was playing in a good r&b band, albeit all covers. We did I Can't Go For That by Hall n Oates. Our drummer, skilled as he was on the skins, just couldn't mentally handle playing the bum dum dum beat of that song, so simple is it. Yet absolutely key to that tune's slinky groove.

I always say, if you want to make money and hang with normal folks, sell insurance policies. If you want to spend money plus get to hang with a lot of trippy people, be a practicing musician!

 

[Bass Viking]

Experience is the only teacher. In these situations, I already try to be encouraging and not overly critical with new players.

I totally agree, my beef is with players who never learn and remain amateur.

 

[Bass Viking]

COME PREPARED: Rehearsal is not the place to be learning the songs. It's where you coordinate starts, endings and transitions and maybe work on vocal harmonies. Do your homework.

Yup, and this comes up pretty often on TB.

 

[Bass Viking]

DON'T PLAY BETWEEN SONGS: Noodling between/before songs at rehearsals or even at gigs is shockingly common. At full volume. All the time. Unconsciously. A lot of players don't realize just how loud and distracting they are when they do it.

I’ll take it even further and add: don’t noodle on riffs of the next song during a show!

 

[darwin-bass]

Mute your bass when not playing to prevent it from droning on.

 

[SOUTH PAW]

Not caring enough and mostly ignoring the need for knowing sound 101. It is usually led by stubbornly wanting to hear themselves above the stage mix, and not properly in the mix. Volume war begins, more in the monitor requests, then act surprised when feedback occurs after mostly ignoring any guidance from me or the sound guy

 

[gtmalone]

This from Chick Corea:

Chick Corea (RIP) Offers 16 Pieces of “Cheap But Good Advice for Playing Music in a Group” (1985)

Jazz instrumentalists who “play the changes” have learned to make improvisation look easy.

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