General Music Chat

George - something going bad with the band?

Yes, you do influence your own luck - for example, if you don't get out and play your music, you're not going to go anywhere, but at the same time - these days - there's a million others all trying to do the same thing.

George - something going bad with the band?

Yes, you do influence your own luck - for example, if you don't get out and play your music, you're not going to go anywhere, but at the same time - these days - there's a million others all trying to do the same thing.

Let us just say at this juncture I am "concerned" with some issues of possible conflicting interests that are interfering with our ability to accept and respond to playing opportunities.
Perhaps it is an issue of perspective on my part ?
Certainly some "face time" and open candid discussion amongst all evolved is due.

One thing is for certain, all of us are having some difficulty in the current economic atmosphere. It can easily test the resolve of those in a "mission".

Conflicting priorities can be a killer. After Instant Karma broke up, I found out the drummer was playing in 1 other Beatles tribute band and another oldies band, too. I knew about the oldies band, but not the conflicting tribute band.
And the replacement singer we found (who didn't want to commit to weekly practices) cancelled out one of our scheduled practices to practice with his once-a-year Beatles tribute act.
I understand that these days guys who are making their living playing have to have multiple gigs going - BUT if you are working a regular job, and the band is an 'extra' thing, make sure everyone else involved knows what other things are on your plate.

It is difficult when it seems like you're the most dedicated member, but I always remember that I'm dealing with people, and people are fallible and far from perfect. I used to be much more demanding; these days I let a lot slide (the last minute practice cancel is the worst). As long as it's just a hobby you can't get too worried about it.

Understanding each other is very important.
My "thing" is much more than a hobby. Perhaps even more difficult to understand it is also "more" than making a living.
If we believe in something ( even outside the "religious" aspect ) we must be willing to make the sacrifices necessary.
I and my wife have made some drastic changes in our lifestyle in order to make me available at a moments notice to be in pursuit of our musical mission. I expect some level of the same commitment from others involved.
Not because it's a right vs wrong thing. But because if those sacrifices are not made one is simply not compatible with the project.

As an example . . . how many of you would attempt to build a cover band with members whom are not available to gig on any Friday or Saturday ?
Would that not be truly pointless?

how many of you would attempt to build a cover band with members whom are not available to gig on any Friday or Saturday ?
Would that not be truly pointless?

That sucks ....
Dont let someone else stop you from your goals - even friends have to get the axe sometimes
Good Luck

i just got back from an 11 day road trip out west playing gigs in New Mexico, Arizona, and Colorado.

most disappointing. the gigs themselves (venues) were ok and the hang w the other two guys was good enough, but man.....the music was most disappointing. we were playing jazz, bluegrass, and cajun.

me (mostly) on bass and mando for a few tunes (and one whole gig where there are no "electric" instruments allowed), and a very talented 5 string banjo player. he plays fine bluegrass but prefers to play more modern jazz stuff in the style of bela fleck... and a gtrst i've worked w before who just needs to smoke some dope or take some tranquilizers. he's constantly up on the balls of his feet rushing and pushing EVERYTHING. a million notes a second (about 75 % them correct) and w/o a drummer there i am totally working my a$$ off trying to hold things together. i never worked so hard in my life.

then it'd come around for my solos and it'd completely fall apart. either totally thick and incomprehensible mud to try to swim thru, a bunch of no groove syncopated stuff, or nothing at all.

and this.... AFTER i asked for a better dance floor to work on.

yikes. so, i'll soon be hearing from them about the next gigs that are being booked and i'll be handing in my resignation from this deal.

we got home friday...and i played a solo gtr gig saturday afternoon for a garden party, then went out to my regular truck stop deal that night. that gig was just what the dr. ordered. wow...whatta pleasure working w people who can hit a groove and MAINTAIN a groove.

ok....i'm done bitching. thanks for letting me vent.

Like most of life ...
... when it's good, it's great!
... when it's bad, it sucks.

Well starting out 35 years ago is a LOT different than starting out today. I'm just making a point about starters today, kinda going off topic, but who cares

Not to say that you can't make it today, but it's harder than it's ever been, AND the job market is the toughest it's ever been, so falling on your face and missing out on the starting gun of the rat race will harm someones chances even further of recovering from failed music career. There's plenty of people out there right now with MBA's, MS Certs, and other degrees who can't even find a good wait position, and end up at some crappy chain making crap for wages.

I'd never encourage someone to chase a dream in this market, whereas 30 years ago I most certainly would have. Times changed.

In response to the original question... Music, like very other vocation has tiers of opportunity. The better you are, the higher the tiers will be.

Beatles, Stones, and all other acts were Circus acts. Freak shows, delivered by the most creative song & dance folks ever. They were an exception and not the rule. People overlook that salient fact.

Today a good band is as good as a good serving of cotton candy. Its lovely, but it cant last.

The paying audiences dictate the kings and queens of the music world. Who would have thought that so many clever philosophies, as spun out by clever songs would actually be lost on today's young people. They want Kraft Macaroni & Cheese. Nobody cares what you or I have to say about that.

how many of you would attempt to build a cover band with members whom are not available to gig on any Friday or Saturday ?
Would that not be truly pointless?

That sucks ....
Dont let someone else stop you from your goals - even friends have to get the axe sometimes
Good Luck

Stop ? Oh no . . . I,m not like that.
Scrap the whole project and start over ? Hope not, but if need be, it's done.

"I show up on time, sober. drug-free, follow instructions to the letter..."

Whew...And you'll probably live to be 100. Or at least it will seem like it!

Talbot