General Music Chat

Prevost makes a good point and he really is reaching for that level beyond.

I get the impression that his concept is really maybe a little more complete.

In that terminology, I really have no desire to go the extra distance.

To play out a little, to have fun, to do something one loves, that's all I aspire to.

I don't want to know 10K songs.
I do NOT aspire to play more than the genre I truly love.
Learn and chart 30 tunes in 1-2 days>? (eeee gads no!)

BUT

The last 2 items-- The knowing and listening parts are a given.
If you can't do that, your band isn't going anywhere in a hurry as you couldn't possibly sound good without that knowledge.

I can't tell you how many people I have heard playing on top of each other, instead of playing with each other. (Thanks Prevost, that really was top notch)

"A SUM OF IT'S PARTS"

I do NOT aspire to play more than the genre I truly love.

I know, man, there's nothing like playing Itsy Bitsy Spider...

lol Is that an acoustic thing you do, AnnDragon?

I am unfamiliar..I was lost at "Mary Had a Little Lamb"..

Every night... every night.

I love how we all make words and phrases that actually have a meaning into what we want them to be....

Being "A" professional means that is what you do as a profession, it can be primary or secondary but does have conitations of being payed or at a level of compentancy.

Acting professionally is more of the things that Z described, not being a professional but acting in the manner of a professional.

The meanings are the same no matter what your talking about... if they are looking for professional musicians or if they are wanting people who conduct themselves like professionals....

Tons of musicians play music as a profession, but dont act professional.. Actually its really common as you all know... most of these ads totally use that word incorrectly, they should say they are looking for musicians that are reliable and commited... not professional...

Wooohoo! I used the word professional 10 times!!

X!

^^^^ Yea, I'm down wit dat, dawg.

Tons of musicians play music as a profession, but dont act professional.. Actually its really common as you all know... most of these ads totally use that word incorrectly, they should say they are looking for musicians that are reliable and commited... not professional...

X!

Besides - if you want a "professional" for your band, then you're trying to find someone who already has a paying gig. You better be damn good if you're going to have any chance of peeling them away from a job that already pays.


What I find interesting about a discussion like this is - what do people really value in band mates?

Like, I could give a rip if you've been paid before or if you "make a lving" playing music. That doesn't mean squat to me. You might be nothing more than a hack with absolutely no talent, a bad attitude and a giant ego, but because you were in the right place at the right time, you got a paying gig for a while. Yippee.

I'd say these are the things I value:

1. Reliability. I need you to be where you say you're going to be when you say you're going to be there.

2. Accountability. I need you to actually learn the material when I give it to you. I need you to play it correctly. Get your part right so I all I have to worry about is my own end of things. If you don't have a work ethic then I don't need the headache of you being in the band and slowing everyone else down.

3. Easy to get along with. If you're abrasive, a jerk, a PITA, a drama queen, a diva, I don't need that. I don't need your drama. I don't need your hangups. It's hard enough to get four/five people together to share a goal, learn their own parts and work for the rewards. I don't need the additional baggage that comes with people who are generally difficult to get along with.

4. Free of drugs, alcohol or gambling habits. I don't need vices that get in the way of the band being successful.

5. Positive attitude. There's never been a problem that was solved by being a pessimist/sourpuss/downer. If you've got a positive attitude, then whatever problems come our way as a band (and they will come, despite whatever precautions we take) then we can solve them. With a positive attitude we can accomplish things and overcome hurdles. With a negative attitude, you'll just bring everyone down.

Loved this Colors.
I think it's someone you can trust, someone who will not sell you out and someone who deals with you/the band/the music on a personal level.

There are bands and elastic bands. I prefer just a group of people who get on, have a laugh and get the numbers done. This is one of my top questions posed about bands these days. I know some wonderful people locally and I know it works if circumstances allow.

What I find interesting about a discussion like this is - what do people really value in band mates?

I voted "pro" 'cause i think we got paid 5 bucks once for a gig.. that's $5 EACH!

I voted "pro" 'cause i think we got paid 5 bucks once for a gig.. that's $5 EACH!

Loan me a dollar 'til my brother straightens up...he's a hunchback!

At this point, I'd just like a few people that were on time, played with feeling and were not stuck so far up someone's ass they couldn't see the light of day.

I am trolling for a new situation and I just hit another odd bunch. I mean, they were reallllly odd/off. I am odd and off, but not like they were.

I even settle for 1 lone bassist that was decent, so I could spoon feed him a little material and not regret it altogether.

I am an amateur and I like to have fun, but I refuse to sound like sh*t live. I'd rather just not play out and spend more time practicing.

Loan me a dollar 'til my brother straightens up...he's a hunchback!

Sorry dude, I spent it all on salted/ roasted in the shell peanuts and
beer. .. I hope he gets better..

I am trolling for a new situation and I just hit another odd bunch. I mean, they were reallllly odd/off. I am odd and off, but not like they were.

I even settle for 1 lone bassist that was decent, so I could spoon feed him a little material

Hey Capn , when are you going to post some of your songs up rather than that 222 song that you've had up like forever? You got a myspace or live tunes or something that we can listen to?

If ya aint payin' income tax on yo gig bread, odds are ya ain't no pro.

HJ the amateur

I have another erm "tune" that is up on myspace..called Perpetual Groove.

The worst part is that My Friend 222 isn't even complete. (head hung low)
It's 1 verse and the chorus of a 4 verse tune. (ugghhhhhhhhhhh)

I had a friend helping with the mastering/engineering and I think he kind of got upset when I told him I had no intention of playing ANY hardcore, ever. (Go away Slipknot people, far away) Next thing I know, it got short-sheeted, badly mastered and is incomplete. (friend or fiend, I ask you)

I have other music, but it's old and I am unsure of whether to post it.

I have some stuff I was working on, but it's not a quality recording.
(note: being able to create and layer is NOT the same thing as being able to record live and get good copy)

So I am stuck trying vainly to get a reasonable copy of what we were using (cakewalk sonar 6, PE) and trying to pick up on all the nuances of live recording, while trying to teach competent sound board management.
(What is it with people and vu meters? Is it bringing out the dyslexia in us all?)

I guess the meat and potatoes of it is that even the extra tune you will find on my space is just a sample and not complete. You can find us jamming around, but good luck trying to get a decent copy of anything played. (And if there was one, someone send ME a copy.)

Yep, I am not quitting my day job..lol