General Music Chat

Personally I have never paid any player to rehearse. I think it just gets weird really fast when you set a double standard in a tight band. A band made up of pro studio musicians is a very different story. We prefer to play with keys players and occasionally I brought in a consummate pro for a high paying gig. The core band members will rehearse to develop a groove and the keys player adds color. Give them a song list and lead sheets in the keys you use and they can run with it.

We had a lead singer who came in one night and explained that he WAS the band so we would have to pay him to rehearse and he would take a double cut from every gig. We looked at each other and collectively said: " You are free to leave now." Last I heard he was still in prison.

I might considering the situation.

Being as I'm rolling change for gas money it's really hard to even consider at the present.

Personally I would NEVER pay someone to rehearse. After all they are going to get paid when we play (an equal cut). Having said that I don't expect them to rehearse more than 3 or 4 times. If they are not willing to invest their time in the project they can join another band. Keyboards ad a different dynamic to the sound of a band. It doesn't make the band better just different. Sure they open up the possibility of playing cover songs you can't play with a guitar band but you have to ask yourself is it worth it to add another person and their baggage and deal with having to pay them more and treat them with preference. Our band Mission Imposter play songs with keys and there are ways around hiring another person. We use some samples. For instance Too Much Time On My Hands (Styx) Our drummer sampled that keyboard intro and I play the power chords in the intro but come in on guitar as the guitar is doubling that part anyway. Lots of bands are using samples. Jimmy you are capable of doing that as it involves someone technical enough with computers. If I were you I would be a little selective in your song selection and try it. Besides who needs another member that acts and treats the other guys like a lead singer would treat you.

Jeff, its really down to core participation isnt it?. If yo gott 4 piece band, then: Rev/ 4 = Pmt per member.

If you invite a guest musician to step up one night, then it should be Rev/5 ...or am I wrong.

Personally I have never paid any player to rehearse. I think it just gets weird really fast when you set a double standard in a tight band. A band made up of pro studio musicians is a very different story. We prefer to play with keys players and occasionally I brought in a consummate pro for a high paying gig. The core band members will rehearse to develop a groove and the keys player adds color. Give them a song list and lead sheets in the keys you use and they can run with it.

We had a lead singer who came in one night and explained that he WAS the band so we would have to pay him to rehearse and he would take a double cut from every gig. We looked at each other and collectively said: " You are free to leave now." Last I heard he was still in prison.

Ha ha That's crazy audacious of that guy...

Jimmy if you think the band has the potential to make more than the average bar band and the keys make that big of a difference then it might be worth it to pay for a couple of rehearsals.

But if you are going to wind up making the normal $500 with or without the keys it wouldnt be worth it to me.

I shared I recently played with a key board player and I know what your talking about adding to the overall sound, if anything in my case it allowed me to go way out of my comfort zone as a guitarist and do things that I normally cant do, simply because I have to fill up so much space. There are players out there that can do these things with a minumum of practice. Ive shared that in my band we really havent practiced in years, when we wanted to add a song, we all learned it on our own and then would just try it at a gig.

I hope it works out for you, but playing devils advocate, although I love the songs you talk about this band playing, if it was in my area I dont see how I could sell if for any more money than what Im already doing.

Just my 2 cents

Well we ended up offering him a guaranteed $100 a night plus $20 gas money for when he was able to come to rehearsal. My wife does not agree, she feels everyone in the band should be treated equally, but that's just not the way the world works. He's already in another band and his wife doesn't want him in another band unless he's making money. We are doing what's right for the band, and hoping it will pay off in the long run.