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Uncompromising band

I

Ironderby

Jul 16, 2011
235
0
East Midlands, UK.
#1
This thread is just to vent some anger i have atm, im not necessarily asking for answers.

ok so my band practices just 3 hours a week on fridays, but i have school and band practice is 6 miles away so i have to get 2 buses after school, and i can't find the time. So i'm cutting an hour off practice, this means i have just 2 hours of practice a week. With gigs and managing writing, this is poor. So i suggested changing to a sunday where we could practice all day (say 11am-5pm) and get so much more done. But they won't budge which is P-ing me off. Its like just because im the bassist my views aren't answered nowhere near as much as the drummer or lead guitarist. :mad:

Secondly, i think in order to come up with better songs and ideas we need to write/brainstorm at home and bring our ideas to practice, increasing producivity by 10. Instead of just showing up and carrying on where we left off, again they won't budge on this, insisting they don't have time.

Not a happy bassist atm tb :(
 
#2
Did anyone give a reason why Sunday isn't doable?

Though if the other band members don't want to write or practice on their own during the week, that'd be a sign for me to start looking for an another group. I've put up with too many people who used the "don't have time" excuse...it's just too frustrating putting up with elementary mistakes during rehearsals and gigs. Never played with anyone talented enough to not need to practice on their own.
 
#3
I think you are spot on with the writing thing. In my band we rarely come up with an amazing piece while were all standing there at rehearsal. It usually takes someone dedicating time at home to noodle around with all the different possibilities before bringing it to the group. IMO, bands need to be democratic in order to function properly. If one member has say over any other there are usually issues that get buried and members aren't happy, eventually leading to more frustration and break-up. I'd question there level of commitment, and if you think you are more prepared then they are to take it to the next level then I would start searching for another group...
 
#7
Just my point of view, but the Sunday from 11am-5pm idea is a huge chunk of time. I would never be able to give up that much time of my weekend for band practice.

When I was 16 me & my drummer would jam every chance we got, and it would usually be an all day or night affair multiple times a week.
 
#8
Who schedules rehearsal during Football?
I wouldn't want to do practice then, either.



But seriously, don't play the "I'm the bassist, people won't listen to me" card. Trust me on this, it well never garner you one ounce of respect. People have preferences, and they may be different from yours. They are free to choose and adjust, just as you are. If the preferences don't match, you can find another band and still stay friends.
 
#15
Even if Sunday 11-5 isn't the best answer, it is frustrating that your band members are unwilling to compromise. You're entirely in the clear, IMO - you have a reasonable complaint, and you offered an alternative solution.

That doesn't mean that everyone has to accept your solution, but you're doing more than merely complaining, and your complaint is well founded.

Good luck.
 
#16
It seems like this is less about not compromising than the rest of the band not doing what you want to do. Compromise is give and take. What are you giving? I'm another one who thinks it has nothing to do with you being the bass player. I wouldn't do six-hour practices any day or time. It just seems like a bad idea to me.
 
#17
When I join a band I make it clear I will not practice on the weekend. Gigs yes. Band weekends, sure. And I have broken the rule for extenuating circumstances. But a regularly scheduled practice is right out.
 
#18
Munjibunga said:
It seems like this is less about not compromising than the rest of the band not doing what you want to do. Compromise is give and take. What are you giving? I'm another one who thinks it has nothing to do with you being the bass player. I wouldn't do six-hour practices any day or time. It just seems like a bad idea to me.
Click to expand...

in fairness im giving my friday evenings up, and the time and money to get 2 buses every friday, which sometimes means i can't get my gear over, meaning i have to use a little 1x12 combo. So up to now its all been give.

and hahaha yes guys i meant an outbuilding :D
 
#19
Munjibunga said:
It seems like this is less about not compromising than the rest of the band not doing what you want to do. Compromise is give and take. What are you giving? I'm another one who thinks it has nothing to do with you being the bass player. I wouldn't do six-hour practices any day or time. It just seems like a bad idea to me.
Click to expand...

+1 to all. And generally... It's less about the instrument you play and more about the person playing it.
 
#20
I had a similar problem in my last band... guitarist only wanted to write at practice. We only practiced once a week for two hours a practice. By the time we got done playing our other songs we got almost nothing done. In our new band, we write at home (well mostly the one guitarist) and put songs together at practice. Things move so much faster!

Being in a band is about having fun. If you're not having fun, it's time to look around.

I have done the "all day" practice thing and it sucks. 2-3hrs at a time, max.
 

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