Wants to be payed for practices

[Hand slap]

And that mentality is why pros don't want to waste time with certain people. The drummer doesn't sound like he's a weekend warrior.

As far as being sure there a lots of good drummers... based on what? In my experience drummers who actually come in prepared to play actual songs aren't a dime a dozen.

Well alrighty then

 

[Torrente Cro]

There it goes again. How bad might he be?

I was just implying that he being a pro doesn't necessarily mean that he is a great player.

 

[Brad Johnson]

I was just implying that he being a pro doesn't necessarily mean that he is a great player.

And what did the OP imply? Seemed like the opposite. Seemed like this pro is not only good, he took the job seriously and came prepared. Which is not the norm IME.


He's not good because he's a pro... he's good because he's good. Amateurs could do the same thing.

 

[Brad Johnson]

I agree with those saying it’s not unreasonable. Why do you need rehearsals. He already showed you he can walk in and play the songs with you unrehearsed. If you need him there for you to practice along with because you can’t do the same then you need to make it worth his time.

Maybe see if he will agree to rehearse for free one time every time the killers drop a new album? As far as having his own minimum pay demands, I’ve seen this before as well from many musicians and I’ve seen situations where not everyone is paid the same. Any idea what a pro level fiddle player can make? It’s quite a bit.

And he's not really asking for the moon.

 

[Brad Johnson]

Well alrighty then

Yeppers.

 

[lordradish]

Not unusual at all, if you have pros in your local scene. I play in a local gospel band, as one example. I enjoy it, but a)I'm a hardcore atheist, so I don't have any sort of spiritual connection to this music like many who play it do b) it involves learning difficult music in a short period of time - so I get paid 35 for each rehearsal. The choir leader wants pros, so that's what he does.

 

[Bodeanly]

Didn't read entire thread, but if you're a tribute, why do you need to rehearse? If the dude is as good as you claim, pay him his 150 per gig or keep looking.

Edit: Okay, I read the thread. If this is a tribute, playing covers from only one band, do you really need to rehearse? If he showed up and nailed everything at the audition, I would rehearse with the rest of the band as needed, with either recordings of the drums or a drum machine, then get together with the drummer for gigs or very rarely for rehearsal (all while keeping your eyes peeled for another drummer that would be better suited for your situation (which will be easier to find if you are gigging with a "pro" drummer)).

 

[Brad Johnson]

Dude, I get good gigs all the time, I consider myself a weekend warrior, as well, because I’m not a full time musician. I’ve done many festivals, many nice venues, no stadiums though, most of us probably haven’t. All I’m saying, I play with professional players, and I’m not even close to the top of the food chain, the best musicians in my area, which I know personally, some have played pro venues, if those gigs run dry, and they are back to playing the local scene, no one gets paid to practice. How about you, are you a Rock Star?

You probably mean no one there. BTW this isn't about practice, it's about rehearsal... which are two different things. And some do get paid to rehearse.

Some have this mindset that there are two levels... Rock Stars and everything else. In the meantime many working musicians make better than apparently imagined money working locally. Are people really unaware of this?

 

[Frenchy-Lefty]

If he is that great he should play with national acts that pays all those things...but he is obviously not

 

[Brad Johnson]

If he is that great he should play with national acts that pays all those things...but he is obviously not

Exhibit A. Two levels. That was quick.


And most national acts aren't paying $150/gig. Funny stuff.

 

[LBS-bass]

And that mentality is why pros don't want to waste time with certain people. The drummer doesn't sound like he's a weekend warrior.

As far as being sure there a lots of good drummers... based on what? In my experience drummers who actually come in prepared to play actual songs aren't a dime a dozen.

I've learned that most people's definition of a good drummer isn't my own. It all really depends on a variety of factors. We're not all in the same place in terms of where we set the bar.

 

[Brad Johnson]

I get that everyone doesn't want to do this for a living but what the heck is this disdain for someone who does about? I really don't get it.

Who wouldn't like to show up and play well? Who would rather practice with a band until they had a comfort level with the music? Even though you'd be (surprise) wasting others time? Why would you rather not get up to speed on your own time?

It explains alot about many of the complaints about low pay on gigs. If you're not willing to go the extra mile and the guy who does bugs you, why are you even worth $100/gig? People want to play what they want, wear what they want and have someone else pay them for it. Like most jobs.

That's a hoot.

 

[SLO Surfer]

Hey all. I have been playing steady in the PHX area since ‘98, so it’s saying something when I say that this is a new one for me. I joined this “ Killers “ tribute band and we have been auditioning drummers for the last month or so. Had a drummer audition last Sunday, dude came prepared and pretty much nailed everything. Had a great conversation with him afterwords and he really liked what we were doing and wanted to be part of it. Sent him on his way and we all agreed that we should continue on with him, BL said he would call him the next day to offer him the position. Got a call from the BL the next day after he talked to this guy and he said the drummer had some “ conditions “. Come to find out, playing drums is all he does for making money and his “ conditions “ are, he wants a minimum of $150 a gig and expects to be payed $75 per practice for gas money. Like stated earlier, I have doing this a loooong time, been in many high/low profile bands and I have never heard of or expected to be payed for practicing! Many of my projects required a travel time of 45-60min and I never once felt like I should be payed to travel for practice, The $150 a gig is another thing that annoyed me, if we do not make $150 per member at a gig, tough titty dude, we all take the time and effort per gig, and we all deserve an equal share. I expressed my concerns with BL and after a long conversation, he kind of agreed. The BL thinks that drummer is just trying to see what he can get out of us and is going to call him and express our concerns over his “ conditions “, basically calling his bluff. I think that drummer was good, but not that good. Have any of you guys/gals heard or experience this??

He's coming from a different perspective on music and music business than you. It doesn't sound like your band and him belong together unless you meet halfway. Not a good start to any relationship when you have to be "calling his bluff." What happens after that? You end up working with him with an underlying resentment? I'd avoid calling his bluff and just move on.

 

[LBS-bass]

If he is that great he should play with national acts that pays all those things...but he is obviously not

Because the number of excellent musicians and the number of national acts who need them are exactly the same.

I work with two drummers who have both played with national (international, really) acts. I'm sure if they could continue to do that, they would. Last I checked, though, those jobs are not common.

That doesn't mean the guys I work with are not good drummers, only that someone else got there first, or that the grind of competition got old for them, or whatever it was. Why a person isn't on a stage in some arena isn't really important. There are good players out there. This guy sounds like he came in doing everything I'd expect either of my guys to have done. He knew the material and he played it well. I'm not sorry that he wanted to make some money; I'm sorry that we live in a world where that level of skill isn't valued.

 

[Brad Johnson]

I've learned that most people's definition of a good drummer isn't my own. It all really depends on a variety of factors. We're not all in the same place in terms of where we set the bar.

It's actually pretty simple. Most people know when they're dealing with a bad drummer.

Not that.

 

[okcrum]

Dude, I get good gigs all the time, I consider myself a weekend warrior, as well, because I’m not a full time musician. I’ve done many festivals, many nice venues, no stadiums though, most of us probably haven’t. All I’m saying, I play with professional players, and I’m not even close to the top of the food chain, the best musicians in my area, which I know personally, some have played pro venues, if those gigs run dry, and they are back to playing the local scene, no one gets paid to practice. How about you, are you a Rock Star?

No, but I get paid to rehearse, not to practice.

 

[DrayMiles]

I guess by definition, he is a Pro because this is his PROfession. I consider a " Pro " being somone who is touring with major acts, not someone who just doesn't want to work a normal 8 to 5 job LOL. You speak as though you have experience with this, are you a " Pro " or " Amateur ".

I call myself a pro... and his expectations are standard stuff...
But, if I really like a project, I’m willing to work with them.
The problem is being realistic about where you currently are on the food chain.
BUT
A professional drummer with good time and gear is worth it considering the quality of what I’ve seen lately.

 

[Brad Johnson]

Because the number of excellent musicians and the number of national acts who need them are exactly the same.

I work with two drummers who have both played with national (international, really) acts. I'm sure if they could continue to do that, they would. Last I checked, though, those jobs are not common.

That doesn't mean the guys I work with are not good drummers, only that someone else got there first, or that the grind of competition got old for them, or whatever it was. Why a person isn't on a stage in some arena isn't really important. There are good players out there. This guy sounds like he came in doing everything I'd expect either of my guys to have done. He knew the material and he played it well. I'm not sorry that he wanted to make some money; I'm sorry that we live in a world where that level of skill isn't valued.

Exactly. And the worst thing is that it isn't valued by some other musicians.

 

[LBS-bass]

It's actually pretty simple. Most people know when they're dealing with a bad drummer.

Not that.

Maybe a bad drummer. But many people don't know the difference between mediocre and excellent.

 

[Brad Johnson]

Maybe a bad drummer. But many people don't know the difference between mediocre and excellent.

Musicians? I doubt it. Mediocre sounds that way.

Then again, my definition of excellent is not chops based. It's ensemble based. Doing great things that contribute positively to the gig. That could be Brian Blade or Charlie Watts.

There's stuff that you do away from the kit that's as important as playing.