General Music Chat

Me personally, I never thought of it in terms of having 'enough skills" . To prove my point, would you turn down Wynton Marsales right now, if he called you and asked you to fill in for a song, (your specialized instrument) . I'm gonna take a gamble here and say that you prolly would not pass that up... regardless of your skills.

Other musicians might not be as credible, as Wynton... But if they invited you in, the skills will take care of itself...

All professional experience is good but I'm going to disagree with you there. It would be fun to take a detour if you're a musician, but not if you're "the leader". For example, I would absolutely turn that down. Nothing happened in my career until I committed to a singular vision and refused to go to the right or the left of that.

Sometimes what is "really good" isn't what is "best". Again, if you're a side man musician just looking for a job that would be a great opportunity and completely within your own personal vision....BUT....if you're a songwriter that would be end of your career until you were fired or decided to leave. Then, you'd be starting over to regain any momentum you might have had previously.

It might fit in your overall vision if you need Wynton's contacts for your music...but your music would be on the back burner until you were finished there.

Thus delaying your trip to where you ultimately want to go.

If Any of my Musical heroes call me fro a session... First, I will scream like a girl... Then after I calm down..., I will , without reservation, agree to play as requested...

I bet you have a lot of musical heros though..

(As in a lot of artists fill that bill for you, right?)

When I hear Winston Marcalis I think of the guy from Pulp Fiction. lol

(no not Zed)

As the whale watched the escaping sailors he urged his companion to eat the fleeing sailors.
At that point his his female companion whale fluked him with a fin and said...

I agreed to the ..........


Just an attempt to see if It was possible to hijack 4 threads at once.

Me personally, I never thought of it in terms of having 'enough skills" . To prove my point, would you turn down Wynton Marsales right now, if he called you and asked you to fill in for a song, (your specialized instrument) . I'm gonna take a gamble here and say that you prolly would not pass that up... regardless of your skills.

Other musicians might not be as credible, as Wynton... But if they invited you in, the skills will take care of itself...

I was reminded of a concert (DVD) I saw, where in the beginning, Steve Winwood was playing guitar with Eric Clapton. Of course, Clapton was running circles around Winwood, but they were jamming and having a good time. (Later on, Winwood went to his piano/organ, and it was all good). It made me wonder if I would try to play a duet with Marsalis or Herbie Hancock or whoever. I'm pretty sure I would if I was invited, it'd be too hard to say no, regardless of how I'd look up there with them.

One of the themes in this thread seems to hinge on the personality more than the skills, when it comes to starting a band/ensemble. Maybe what I'd prefer is finding someone with the same vision as me, and letting him run the group. That would technically be his/her band then, I guess.

Maybe what I'd prefer is finding someone with the same vision as me, and letting him run the group. That would technically be his/her band then, I guess.

BINGO!...Except...its usually becomes an "Our" band proposition... That's the real deal right there... That's a partnership...

Some one must lead.

In our band that would be me as I am the senior founding member.
I gladly delegate to others in the band based on their perceived strengths or special skills.

That's what leaders do.

That does not make it "my band" however.
It is "our band" and "our mission".
If I had to have it any other way I'd sell all this crap and go fishing.