Penny Can
Home Entertainment Center => Music => Topic started by: Mac on October 17, 2014, 09:13:14 am
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Nod to Chip's idea about this thread (http://www.freesmileys.org/smileys/smiley-music021.gif)
So as some of you know, the band I was practicing hard with… suddenly evaporated. I have not quit practicing by any means and more determined than ever to get back into one. Creating a band or joining one.
So far, all I’ve done is talk to misc. people and subscribe to Bandmix (http://www.bandmix.com/). Bandmix is problem. The only way to correspond with groups and people is join the premium subscription at $10/month. So I can’t currently talk to anyone. They just see me and I see them.
But recently a group, that obviously paid, contacted me. As typical, here’s the rub… in the short paragraph to me, they practice in the middle of nowhere. The practice drive could be 45+ minutes.
So my self debate is do I really want to drive that far, to little, probably hole in the wall bars? I do not. But I need to find out what they are talking about.
The other self debate is the type of music. “We are a cover band, however we try not to do those same songs every cover band does guess you could say we are a Blues/Funk kind a band.” Funk I like, but Blues for the most part bore me.
I know what I should do… is call. I’m still sorting out driving that far just for practice.
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Yay for this thread!! Been waiting for this for a while. Glad to see that it's finally up. As for paying a subscription fee to a site, personally I wouldn't do it. They are like dating sites. You pay, but no reward follows. There are better ways to get your services/name out there and you should start at your local music dealers/repairs shops. Talk to the people that work there. They are going to have the hookups and knowledge of who is looking for a drummer, etc....Also, you can put up a flyer detailing your services there as well and it's always free. Well, it is here anyway. But as I said before, talking to those that work there is the absolute best way of networking and the perks of it all (besides getting your name out there) is that when you become friends with these guys, you will most likely get discounts on equipment on all future purchases. I always did. Hope this helps.
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As for paying a subscription fee to a site, personally I wouldn't do it. They are like dating sites. You pay, but no reward follows. There are better ways to get your services/name out there and you should start at your local music dealers/repairs shops. Talk to the people that work there. They are going to have the hookups and knowledge of who is looking for a drummer, etc....Also, you can put up a flyer detailing your services there as well and it's always free. Well, it is here anyway. But as I said before, talking to those that work there is the absolute best way of networking and the perks of it all (besides getting your name out there) is that when you become friends with these guys, you will most likely get discounts on equipment on all future purchases. I always did. Hope this helps.
I'm on the fence about bandmix. Even if the site leads to one good band, it's paid for itself. On the other hand, it might not do a thing. I do have my number and email secretively in my listing. Hehehe. Not secret to onlookers. Secretive to Bandmix coding and censorship of posting that info. Hehehe.
Taking your advice, I have been talking to the drum guys at Guitar Center and one of the local Music Shops. So far, none of those shops have a display board. I find that odd.
And talking to anybody that listens. I do need to talk to my neighbors son. He and I are good friends and he plays out regularly with his 3 piece band.
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Definitely see about jamming with your neighbors. If anything, it will keep you fresh and on point with your playing and people will eventually gravitate to you guys which can lead to something bigger and better.
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So I talked to the guy who contacted me.
Day late and dollar short. They found a drummer this morning.
Anyway, it was a great talk. I love talking music. Sounds like they will do well. Male and Female singer doing 2nd tier hits for their cover material. I might of had regrets with the long drives.
In the end, I gotta keep putting myself out there.
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Just stay the course and things will all fall into place the way they are meant to.
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Yep and maybe one day you'll see me on Behind the Music
wait
what?
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Yep and maybe one day you'll see me on Behind the Music
Drugged out, pimped out and played out. Yep, I'm definitely buying your first album. ;D
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It will shoot to Number 1 by Noon.
Be in the cut out bin by Two
And become a collectible by Six
George Carlin
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OK, so I put my ad out on Craigslist (http://stlouis.craigslist.org/muc/4764101112.html). Let's see what happens.
Subscribing to Bandmix might be next. :-\
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OK, so I put my ad out on Craigslist (http://stlouis.craigslist.org/muc/4764101112.html). Let's see what happens.
You sure you want to add Serial Killers into your band? If you do, you should name it that and be ironic about it all. :P
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First audition... (from a letter I wrote to my friend and bassist).
Hey Bango,
I thought I would relate to you a funny story that happened to me over the weekend. It wasn’t funny at the time… but it is now.
I went to audition for a band this past Sunday. It was out in Union. That wasn’t really too bad of a long drive. So I’m coming up on the destination and I see very little. A huge concrete silo and at first I didn’t even notice the mobile home. So I drove on and nothing. So I drove back and past the mobile home. Nah, that can’t be the place. So I stopped and asked someone outside and sure enough, the mobile home was the place. Gahhhhhhh. It’s a **** hole. Crap laying everywhere. Couch and chair on the deck, old trucks and cars, sans wheels everywhere. Oh, this is gonna be good. Totally Redneck
As I pull up close I do hear music, but it’s coming from across the drive out of this little storage unit. Sure enough, the band was inside this 10 X 12 metal shack that he just put up. It did have insulation stuffed in the ceiling. If you recall, Sunday was the day it started off at 70 and dropped like a rock through the day. By the time the audition ended, I was froze. I ended the audition. I could only imagine what it would be like in the middle of winter. Ya NO!!!!
Like Colorblind Chameleon, I’m relying on the band’s PA system. (Thanks Tony for setting the bar high… LOL). I was horrified to find they had only few very old speakers. None could handle my kit properly. They fiddled with the settings and best they could get was a thud on kick, a hallow snare and little else. No high end. Once the guitarist’s started… I couldn’t hear a damn thing out of my kit. They said they could and were happy. I think they were lying. I couldn’t hear dick. I played everything by memory or how I thought the song went.
They played some good old songs, but not much I wanted to pursue. They played decent. Needed work.
Then one of the guys broke out a cigarette. Oh crap. Thankfully the shack doors were wide open. Then the other guys started to smoke. It got to me. An hour later, they asked if I cared about them smoking. I said no. They asked if I smoked. I said no. They asked if smoking bothers me. I said yes. But told them to smoke away. The door is open and there is no way in hell, I’ll be playing with you guys any further. I didn’t say that out loud. They then proceeded to tell me how out in the county, there is not anti-smoking laws. Everywhere they play will be a smoke filled bar. That nailed that coffin shut. Shortly after I called it a day and left.
I was honest with the guy and told him I had to decline because the idea playing in a smoke filled bar was not going to happen.
So I learned lessons.
Anyway, thought you’d appreciate a goofy story of my first attempt into auditioning for a band.
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Ha. This has sitcom written all over it. If they ever make this a TV series, I am soooooooooo watching this. Better luck next time Mac. Par for the course.
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It is sitcom material, isn't it.
I have to laugh, because I was so bummed from the second I drove up to the mobile home. :'(
Seriously, for a nanosecond, I considered... keep on driving.
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Two of the band guys (guitarist & bass), called to jam recently. It was fun. Tony the guitarist sakes if we would consider continuing working on his material. I didn't answer. I was tired.
This weekend I found an ad for a band needing to replace their drummer. My age I believe. A female singer. Some really great songs in their list. Negotiating a time to audition. Cross fingers.
I'm still trying to convince my wife I need to get a PA. I can't depend on the band to have the right equipment.
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Good luck with the audition. :) At least this one isn't out in the middle of nowhere.
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Crossing my fingers... I have tow differnt auditions coming up. A 4-5 piece band with female singer, doing classic rock tomorrow night. I have yet to talk to anybody. Only emails. So weird.
Another audition with a female lead doing classic rock and pop and dre cording some original music. The guy I tlaked to was cool and I like his ideas of gigs and venues, and time schedule.
Any of this could go any which way. I worry mostly about how my kit will sound.
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Dude, you're gonna f*cking kill it at your audition! I have faith in you bro!
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Thanks.
I just retread what I wrote and have major finger issues. Typing on the iPad sucks.
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Well, i finally got to audition. It was ok. I definitely fretted over it too much. Threshold band was a nice group of folks. Guitarist was super quiet. Bass player had an extremely dry humor about him. The woman singer was nice and sang well.
The audition was way unbalanced in sound. Guitarist got loud at times. I really didn't hear much of the bass player. He was sitting in front of his own speaker. The singer was a little too quiet. She should have turned up. I plugged directly into their mixing board. My levels were ok. In hind sight I should have brought in Tony's PA.
I played well. I did fret before hand and practiced what I could. I was prepared. I delivered, I think.
Funny thing. The first song was Gel. I'm going to nail this. Half way into the song, I lose the snare. No sound. Come to find out, I didn't have the connector all the way in. D'oh!!!
I played without a snare dammit.
The rest of the songs go well, but as I said, I thought the kit sounded lame.
They told me "good job". And we know that could mean nice little pat on the head... Or they liked me. I couldn't tell. As I was packing up, the next audition guy was a huge, huge man. Kinda looked like Paul Sr. from American Chopper. His breath smelled of heavy smoke. Kinda wished I stayed and heard. Not sure that's a good idea.
The band is going through heavy changes. They lost their keyboard player to bad, bad health. The guitarist just lost his job. And their drummer was done.
That's all I got. I'm glad I experienced it. I don't think they are what I'm looking for. The song selection was fun, but unfocused. They are all over the place, chaotic, and not seeing the overall entertainment direction. I might be to harsh I judgement. I just didn't get a warm fuzzy feeling. Then again I might not be even considered... Too much ego?
I might have another audition Sunday. We'll see.
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I love getting to read about your music endeavors. The more you get out there and audition or just playing with other players for the sake of playing, you are going to find that it becomes easier and easier and you will 'fret' less and less with each one. When that happens, I think your outlook will change, especially your playing. I don't know if you're playing tight and how would I. But I do know that when I've gone out and been in the same situation, my playing was handcuffed. But as soon as it became second nature, I just felt more at ease which only helped my playing.
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You're right. I've discovered, doing anything with 'confidence' makes my life easier and fun.
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I find Benny Greb's ideas on Musicality great advice. I've been kind of thinking what he says out loud... I just didn't know it.
Benny Greb on Improvising & Musicality
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Pa3rRdDAWpc
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I've got some good news. It's official. I'm part of a band. After about a month of auditioning and waiting, the band informed me I'm with them. I didn't want to say anything until I found out for sure.
I'm pretty excited. I like all the folks. I like the music, but I especially like the direction. The band is called Sunset Park and that does sound like it reflects the sound of the band. It's classic rock and pop. Lot's of dancing music to get the people out.
I think some bar work is in the plan but it's gonna be more outdoor venues, maybe weddings, and special engagements.
It's a guy and his female friend starting the band. She wants to sing lead about half the time and back up. We have a bass player about my age that's been doing this for awhile. A younger guitarist with interest in altenative and jazz material. He seems to be good with the material we have. A sax player who I have worked next to at Boeing. Nice guy and like what he can bring to the band. And just introduced the other guitarist who will mostly do rhythm and he sings (high) as well.
I might be jumping the gun about my enthusiasm, but I excited and hoping for the best.
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That's awesome Mac! Very happy for you!! Hey, if you guys videotape your performances (live gigs or rehearsals) and upload them to YouTube, please send them my way or better yet, post 'em here.
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Absolutely
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So the new band is starting off very slowly. Vacations, illness's, death (singer's father passed), and auditioning musicians. It's coming along. Just auditioned a keyboard player. We threw 12 songs at him and he did fantastic. Great personality too. He currently has a band and looking to do something else. Not sure we are what he wants. By the way, the songs, we finally did them front to back, with the keyboards and I have to say it sounded good. Real good.
Anyway, discussion on the drum forums and I've been thinking about getting some new equipment. The Alesis Sample Pad Pro. Watching this video, most of ad is not what I would use it for. I'm looking for loops, some sample tracks, etc. The price is not bad ($299), far less than Roland's SPD-SX ($799). I'm just not sure how much I need it or will use it. I guess if I have some extra dough, I might get it.
I'm still flip flopping with getting a bigger and better Electronic kit or going acoustic. Man, this is such a hard decision. I need to sit behind both to get a better perspective on what I need and want.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oFyhlXb7uCE
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Don't you have any music stores that offer rentals? We have them here and you can rent the equipments (PA Systems, Guitars and most importantly Kits). I think this would be a great way to demo either options and use them in a real world environment and see what each has to offer. This way you will get a better idea of what they can and can't do before shelling out the bucks. It's one thing to try them out in a store, but it's another thing to actually try them out with a band under your own terms and for the duration of the rental. Nothing worse than trying them out in a store and only having a few minutes to play before you start getting the evil eye from one of the employees that wishes you just just buy the f*cking thing already. Just food for thought.
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I'll check it out. I know we have just one real drum store, and it's just a small, but crammed to the rafters place. I don't recall any kits set up to try. We have guitar center too.
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Things are still progressing at a snails pace. Still trying to find another singer (male).
We are tentatively penciled in for a private part June 27th. Small informal set we can get a kick off and figure out some sound concerns.
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Are you guys still a 3 piece and looking for a singer or did you lose a singer recently?
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5 piece w female singer looking for a male singer to expand and fill out the sound
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June 27, 2015 – I had my first gig with a band in 25+ years. I didn’t tell you guys because I have one superstition. I don’t talk about something until I know for sure it will happen or it does happen. I think I’ll jinx it otherwise.
It was simple gig for the band to get its toes wet and work things through. The bass player’s cousin has a fairly large family reunion/golf tournament/BBQ. We have enough material for 1 set of 45-50 minutes. To stretch out the set, 4 of the songs we added at the last minute and never played together. The only train-wreck happened at the end. The guy who was having the private party really enjoyed us being there. When we finished and said thank you’s, he yells out “Encore. Play some more.”
Oh good gawd. So we fumble around and then play one of the previous songs again. As a band we’ve only been together for a few months and haven’t played other songs confidently.
“Encore… more! Freebird!!!”
All of sudden the keyboard player starts to play Freebird. Then the bass player joins in. I’m looking all around with WTF! My guitarist is looking real nervous. So I did my best impression of knowing how to play this song. I’ve heard it a million times, but never played it. Through help with the keyboardist and bass, we did a decent job of getting through the change ups and performed a 7 minute version of 12 minute song.
My only nervousness of the gig was the sound of my kit. When we rehearse in the basement, it sounds good. Out in the open on a patio on 3 acres… I was concerned. While the 15” Mackie works well for practice (and weighs a ton), I brought my JBL PRX15, hooked up through the Allen + Heath Mixer. I placed that behind me on a stand, so I can hear me and the band and audience can hear. That all went well. My concern was the right sound level compared to the rest of the band. My kit got the thumbs up. We got there 2 hours early to work out the kinks. Thought we had it, but some folks notice there was an imbalance from the patio and the deck above. Not a big deal. Lesson #1. Another issue we had was a lot of feedback. I let the sound guy and band members figure that out, while I watched and tried to learn… Lesson #2. I had difficult time hearing the singers. The other monitor for me was not turned up. I could barely hear the keyboardist… Lesson #3. All things we need to work out. If I had a go back, I would have stepped away from kit and out where the audience would be to hear the mix and levels to judge for myself. Oh well. I hope to do that next time... Lesson #4. I seriously need to dedicate more time with the PA, mixer and module and work on getting a better sound. While I was satisfied… I think the sound of kit could be better. Lesson #5.
I am sorry there is no video. I tossed that idea out the band a few days ahead of time, but no one has the video equipment yet. I’ve got pics, but they are not very good.
I got one comment about the kit and that was from the guy throwing the party. He just said while looking at my kit… “Drum kits have made some significant changes.” I just smiled.
One of the big take aways from this first gig, besides the ones I mentioned above, actually came from our keyboardist who regular gigs for 25+ years. Most of a gig consists of prepping for the gig. Setting up the equipment… waiting… and breakdown of the equipment. Playing the music, which we all love to do… happens. It’s not work like the set up and breakdown.
So there it is. I feel a success playing an E-kit live.
(http://i4.photobucket.com/albums/y138/Macarina/Sunset%20Park/photo_zpsio3wdget.jpg) (http://s4.photobucket.com/user/Macarina/media/Sunset%20Park/photo_zpsio3wdget.jpg.html)
(http://i4.photobucket.com/albums/y138/Macarina/Sunset%20Park/photo1_zpsinvqx4wd.jpg) (http://s4.photobucket.com/user/Macarina/media/Sunset%20Park/photo1_zpsinvqx4wd.jpg.html)
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Best post all month. Congrats dude!!!!
FREEBIRD!!!! ;D
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FREEBIRD!!!! ;D
Grrrrrrrrr >:(
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Someone at the gig videotaped some, if not all of the show using an iPhone. Hunt them down, shake 'em up and get me some video!!!! ;)
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Honestly no one gave a sh*t about us, except the guy throwing the party and he was very busy drinking.
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Want......no, I NEED some updates about your band. Everything working out for ya?
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Bad day to ask. Yesterday I would have said, yea, chugging along.
Today, I have no idea what happened at rehearsal. 3 new guys showed up. Our two new singers have gone missing. We just dicked around today. Pissed me off. I need to have a talk with our leads. Communication sucks.
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Man, that sucks. Sorry to hear that. Was hopeful this would be the band that went somewhere for ya.
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I'm not trying to portray hopeless. I'm still hopeful, but we do need better communication, a schedule and goal.
Simple, right
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How often are you guys able to perform live for an audience?
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The agreement was 2 weekends a month. If something great should pop up, we can do additional work.
But gigs are not even on our discussions. That's frustrating me. I think they are planning for us to have a full 3 gigs worth of material (45-60 songs) and a show type presentation. We know Propably 20... Maybe. We keep f*cking around with song structure and song choices. I proposed a more structured approach. Forgo getting fancy with stretching songs out, transitions, but most importantly, quit trying to get the studio sound. If we get 90% of the song tackled, we would be doing good.
We just need to move quicker on songs. A couple of us have said our concerns about being a basement band.
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Yo Mac, here's something you might want to consider that could get you some extra cash in your pocket. As you know, I currently watch Twitch (http://pennycan.createaforum.com/video-games/live-video-game-streamers-(twitch-ustream-livestream-and-more-)/msg30687/#msg30687) as I follow a handful of artist and musicians on there. There are a couple of Drummers that I watch as well and they are constantly getting donations just for playing their kits. This might be something that you can benefit from as well beyond the money you are certain to make because you would A) be able to play to audience whenever you want and B) won't have to rely on having a band there to play alongside you. The drummers I watch just drum along to whatever songs they have on their playlist and they sound great. If you can somehow rope your band into playing live through Twitch, even better. I watch a few bands live every Friday and Saturday and they have their own followings and are constantly getting donations. Just something to think about.
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Thanks Chip. I need to check this out.
Internet is slow down here. I can read some sites and post sometimes, but videos are impossible. I'll check into it when I get back
Last practice, our male singer let us know there will be a 3 month absence sometime in 2016. WTF dude.
The previous week, our lead wised up and laid out our goals. Each of the singers learn 15 songs, then we start getting short gigs.
Well this just sucks. I just wrote him with a suggestion of singers on Bandmix are in line with our philosophy. Marcus is a good singer, but his immaturity, not fully learning songs for practice and this 3 month absence is NOT helping the band move forward.
It's a very obvious hint. He runs the show with Kim, but I have to let him know how I feel
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Things are not going as expected. I’m realizing we have been together over a year and only 21 songs fully learned. No chance of gigging anytime soon.
I’m seriously thinking of calling it.
I’ve started conversations that we need to set a date and get our butts in gear. I’m not doing Basement Hell this summer.
I’ve also given a heads up with the guitarist. He’s interested too in bailing and maybe we can start something.
I’m just thoroughly frustrated with the bands, progress, lack of progress. The leaders are focused on getting a keyboard player. This is not going well and stagnating the band.
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From what I've heard from you over the course of a year, most of your band-mates are just procrastinator's. This is how I'm reading it. If they are not even willing to make an actual effort to get out their and gig, it's never going to go anywhere. Also, 21 songs over a year is pretty light on a Set List. If your Guitar Player is serious, I would definitely break ranks, start recruiting and do this sh*t right. I understand that you came into this "band" and are not going to be able to call the shots as you see fit. Start another band and you will be able to steer this in the direction you want to go and see results a lot faster. The fact that they are "focusing on a keyboard player" is just another way of procrastinating IMO. Just my 2 cents.
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21 songs is ridiculous. Thinking about it now, a minimum of one new song a rehersal. That's 50 songs. We should have 100 songs ready to go and perform what's appropriate for the audience.
Ya, it could be procrastination. IMO, they are thinking linearly. The grand plan has to come together, then look for gigs. Well, ya, the 100% will always be out of reach.
What I’m also getting upset about too is the players are not coming to practice prepared. It’s not at rehearsal where you first perform the song. Practice at home, then come and do it right. Like one of the other drummers said. They’re covers. The plan is laid out already. Practice and be ready to perform.
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To put the 21 into perspective, I've already got 50 songs in my back pocket after just a couple of months on Rocksmith. Maybe they should be using that as motivation or something. I know everyone is sick of me talking about Rocksmith, but hear me out. I talk with a lot of other guitar and bass players that are currently in their own bands and they actually use Rocksmith to learn the parts at greater speed and then go live with their bands. Just something to chew on for a bit. Rather than learning the old and tired way, this is taking it a step further. I wish I had this when I first started out.
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Sounds like a real reasonable alternative to learning the song.
Now the vocals need to step up to the plate too. Out of last nights rehearsal, the male singer completed 3. The others he was stumbling through. I would think of all the band members, singing ya could anywhere and often.
Jeez
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It's done. I resigned last weekend. I'm not proud of it, but it is quite the weight off my shoulders. I was losing sleep on making a decision. it was talking to the guitarist and Bass player that solidified my thinking.
I like everyone in the band, so getting together with them was nice. It was the 'business' part that was not making sense and I just saw this infinite void. Getting to actually gig, type of performance, perfectionism and song choices all eating at me. My wife and I often go out and see local bands at the restaurants and it's a blast. These other bands can simply entertain. Why is my band so complex? Believe me, I worked hard with that band. I knew my stuff for each rehearsal, first there, last to leave. But all the business and lack of business was a deal breaker. Just playing for fun endlessly was not what I wanted.
So, it was going on 3 years now, with 2 different bands, nothing but rehearsals. Admittedly I was new (after 25+ Years) with the first band. More comfortable with the second. So it didn't take as long (well, as you all now know, way to long) to figure out going nowhere fast.
My take away is first, not to repeat my past mistakes and float in rehearsal hell. 2nd, understand or make a plan and make sure those I connect with are on the same page.
The guitarist and I have started preliminary talks about other ventures. He's interested in working with me and we both agree we need to have a heart to heart on our goals, expectations, etc.
Regardless if it works with him, or others, I'm willing to roll up my sleeves and make things happen.
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Before coming into this thread, I suspected this was going to have the outcome you just outlined. Sorry it didn't work out for you here. But take comfort that you held up your end. I see great things in the future for you and I think this will be looked back on as a stepping stone to something even better. The fact that your guitar player is open to continuing onward is a good sign that you guys are on the same page. Sh*t man, if I lived in your neck of the woods, I'd jump in and join your band. Stay strong dude, you're gonna find the band you were meant to carry on with.
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Yea, I haven't lost the drive. Haven't thrown my hands in the air.
The guitar player hasn't replied back in a few days. Hope I didn't scare him off.
Anyway, I'll pick up the search in a while.
Thanks for the support.
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Still in limbo. I still practice quite a bit. The guitarist did reply back saying the band is still going nowhere.
I'm hesitant to go through craiglslist. There is a ton of crap out there. And word from the drummer forums, is hit and miss at best for craigslist. You really need to turn on the BS radar and try to find like minded individuals.
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I'm still confident everything will come together for you. It just may take a bit longer to get there and that's okay. Better to be sure of your band-mates than rush in only to find out the hard way they suck.
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Amen brother
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I ran into the Sax Player (Will) the other day. He mentioned some time back, the band had a gig scheduled in June. So I asked if it was possible for me to catch it?
He said, they were supposed to play last weekend, but it got cancelled. But they do have another gig coming up in a couple of weeks at a winery... In Hannibal, MO!!!!
Holy crap, that's 2-1/2 hour drive (one way).
I'm glad I made my decision.
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Cancelled?
Why is it they constantly have issues that keeps them from performing? You did the right thing in bailing when you did because it's clear nothing has changed with them. For all intents and purposes, this is a garage band, not U2 with booking snafu's. They should be chomping at the bit to play live wherever they can and as much as they can. I'm still waiting on the Mac Attack to hit my town though.
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Thanks for the support... I will make an effort to play out there during our whirlwind international tour.
Yea, saw the writing on the wall.
Once I get past my heart follow up discussion with my cardiologist, I intend to put myself out there again. Start or Join a band.
There was an ad about 3 weeks ago for a band desperately needing a drummer. After reviewing it, I realized it was one of the first bands I auditioned for. They were OK... and they didn't choose me. I also notice, they have revolving drummers in the band. Threshold Band (http://stlmusic.com/ads/musicians_wanted/879868131_experienced_drummer_needed_asap). Band site (http://www.thresholdrockband.com/#!music/c10tw)
I decided not to follow up because of the inability to hold onto a drummer or kicking them out, or whatever their issue is.
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And last week, this ad appeared (http://stlouis.craigslist.org/muc/5610527191.html).
Didn't contact him because his ad rambles on. Also, he doesn't want to play current music. To me that's a flag of caution. Why not? Some great stuff out there.
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I have full confidence in you. I already know how serious you take your music and the fact that you're willing to walk away from one band to start another says A LOT about your desire and dedication. Most people would have just stayed the course and resigned themselves to a band that would not progress because that would be the easy route to take. You're taking steps to get closer to what you want and that's all I need to know about you and your commitment.
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Yeah, if someone is already putting a limit on what they want to play, I know I'd get bored super fast being put into such a tiny box like that.
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I have full confidence in you. I already know how serious you take your music and the fact that you're willing to walk away from one band to start another says A LOT about your desire and dedication. Most people would have just stayed the course and resigned themselves to a band that would not progress because that would be the easy route to take. You're taking steps to get closer to what you want and that's all I need to know about you and your commitment.
I'm going to take another stab at approaching the guitarist and Bass player before I step out. I know them and how they and what they like. Would save some time. I like them both. Not sure they liked each other?
Yeah, if someone is already putting a limit on what they want to play, I know I'd get bored super fast being put into such a tiny box like that.
My thoughts too. Friends are saying "Give it a go. What do you have to lose?" I get what they are saying. I just need to have a little discretion.
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Had an audition yesterday. Had to decline afterwards.
I was corresponding with one of the guitar players all week. Song list was hit and miss. All classic rock, but there was some pretty heavy stuff from Judas Priest and Black Sabbath, while I don't mind listening too, I just don't see women liking very much. Those songs alone would exclude us from a a lot of places like wineries and some restaurants.
The two main reasons I declined was it was almost an hour drive one way to the house to practice. Second and even worse, I walk into the basement and it's cloudy with smoke. In one millisecond I knew this was not going to work. All the guys were nice. The sound was really unbalanced. I played, for the first time, someone else's kit. But I bore through the songs. Some I had played before. Some brand new. I did ok to good.
I was in a long list of candidates. Someone there when I got there. Someone waiting when I left.
Oh well. I learned a new lesson. Need to bring up the smoke issue for the next potential band. Not waste my time.
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You're a better man than I am Charlie Brown. I wouldn't have even played one lick if I walked into a situation with smoke involved. Can't stand the smell and furthermore, my health is more important to subject myself to that kind of toxic environment. So, you did the right thing. Keep plugging away and stay firm on what it is you're looking for. It will happen.
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Man, I had some minor breathing issues after the audition. And my clothes and sticks bag smelled. Had to leave them out in the garage to air out. Man, I can't make that mistake again.
Here in the city and suburbs, it's been smoke free for some time. I assumed it was state wide. Wrong. Apparently there are plenty of bars were smoking heavily still exists. >:(
So now, this refines my venues to gig. Which is ok. I know what I know... Now.