General Music Chat

An interesting situation has cropped up for me... I'm curious what other people's opinions are and what they might do.

As some here know, I've been working on a contemporary rock cover band for almost two years. In that time, to my great disappointment, we've played out once.

We've had people come and go, and every time someone leaves and someone new comes in you have to effectively start over with the song learning process, and getting the band tight again. In addition, we've had various members of the band cancel rehearsals for a wide variety of reasons. Our practice schedule is often inconsistent, which I find maddening. It has prevented us from learning the material we need to learn, and from getting as tight as we need to be to play out.


All in all, I've been disappointed with the progress of this band, even though I like the people in it and consider the vocalist a close friend.



Recently, a new opportunity presented itself.



A band that I was not familiar with in the local area has asked me to join their group. They are an all original band, and they play a style of music that is near and dear to my heart. They are more progressive, and progressive rock is my favorite genre.

I have listened to their music and I really like it; I think they have some great material. They are asking me to come in and be a 2nd guitarist and contribute some leads here or there. I've met them and they seem like a great bunch; they take their music seriously, they practice on a schedule that fits my lifestyle quite well, and they have the same attitudes about music and commitment that I do. They also have gigged in a regular fashion in the past, and favor a gigging schedule that suits my life well.


Now, where the dilemma comes in is this: I simply cannot, and will not, commit time to two bands. My family life would suffer. So I am going to have to choose one over the other.


I'm curious what people would do in a similar circumstance? Would most of you jump out of a cover band to join an original music band that was playing the kind of music you really liked?


I am somewhat torn; I think a lot has to do with my loyalty to my vocalist and the fact that I am the only remaining founding member of the band. This has been my blood, sweat and tears for almost two years.

The other issue for me is gigging. The cover band simply hasn't gigged at a pace that I would prefer. I started taking music seriously a couple years ago because I wanted to play out - I wanted to chase that adrenaline rush. I wanted to have fun. Being in a band that has a inconsistent practice schedule and rarely gigs was not my idea of what I wanted from my efforts.


Anyway, I am curious what other people's opinions are, and what other considerations you might taken into account if it was you, and maybe just getting extra perspective on the whole thing. I am at a crossroads. I either will be joining a new and potentially exciting band and saying goodbye to some people I like, or I will be turning down an opportunity and trying to make something work that hasn't worked well in 22 months..

If you made it this far, thanks.

Looks to me like your decision has been made, rather easilly, as well, but you are feeling cold feet over leaving the cover band.

CF, it's obvious that you're beating a dead horse there, to me, out here. If I'm wrong on that, then perhaps you should conitnue to work with them.

Your preferred genre makes more demands on the performers, to keep things tight. That's been a constant issue for you in the cover band. Now you have an opportunity to work with ppl who may have the same work ethic as you.

Yeah, you're tight with your cover band's singer, but the band isn't going anywhere. Loyalty can only go so far before your friends become an albatross around your neck. A single performance in 2 years' worth of effort? I think you've given them all the chances they're entitled to, & yeah, it's time to move on to other things.

If the cover band has issues with your decision, you could offer to help them find a replacement for you, but cut back your practices with them to, say, once a month, until they find someone new. (I wouldn't even waste that much time myself, but it would prolly help you to feel a lil less guilty about the seperation process.) This would put the onus of learning the material on them, in their own time, since you already know it all. It would free you to pursue your dream of being in a good performing band, too.

If you want be get anywhere in music you have to be a slut. The more people you play with the better your skills will improve and the more ppl will know about you and that will lead to more opportunities.

I wouldn't even quit the band your in (classic rock) just don't practise with them as much. The more ppl you play with the better.

I'd go with whomever puts in the most work. It's not worth working with deadbeats...

Cover bands are mostly for musicians who are older, unable to create their own music and have ulterior motives for playing music (side cash, girls, partying, etc). If you have a chance to do original music grab it. You can always do the cover band later on.

An interesting situation has cropped up for me... I'm curious what other people's opinions are and what they might do.

As some here know, I've been working on a contemporary rock cover band for almost two years. In that time, to my great disappointment, we've played out once.

We've had people come and go, and every time someone leaves and someone new comes in you have to effectively start over with the song learning process, and getting the band tight again. In addition, we've had various members of the band cancel rehearsals for a wide variety of reasons. Our practice schedule is often inconsistent, which I find maddening. It has prevented us from learning the material we need to learn, and from getting as tight as we need to be to play out.


All in all, I've been disappointed with the progress of this band, even though I like the people in it and consider the vocalist a close friend.



Recently, a new opportunity presented itself.



A band that I was not familiar with in the local area has asked me to join their group. They are an all original band, and they play a style of music that is near and dear to my heart. They are more progressive, and progressive rock is my favorite genre.

I have listened to their music and I really like it; I think they have some great material. They are asking me to come in and be a 2nd guitarist and contribute some leads here or there. I've met them and they seem like a great bunch; they take their music seriously, they practice on a schedule that fits my lifestyle quite well, and they have the same attitudes about music and commitment that I do. They also have gigged in a regular fashion in the past, and favor a gigging schedule that suits my life well.


Now, where the dilemma comes in is this: I simply cannot, and will not, commit time to two bands. My family life would suffer. So I am going to have to choose one over the other.


I'm curious what people would do in a similar circumstance? Would most of you jump out of a cover band to join an original music band that was playing the kind of music you really liked?


I am somewhat torn; I think a lot has to do with my loyalty to my vocalist and the fact that I am the only remaining founding member of the band. This has been my blood, sweat and tears for almost two years.

The other issue for me is gigging. The cover band simply hasn't gigged at a pace that I would prefer. I started taking music seriously a couple years ago because I wanted to play out - I wanted to chase that adrenaline rush. I wanted to have fun. Being in a band that has a inconsistent practice schedule and rarely gigs was not my idea of what I wanted from my efforts.


Anyway, I am curious what other people's opinions are, and what other considerations you might taken into account if it was you, and maybe just getting extra perspective on the whole thing. I am at a crossroads. I either will be joining a new and potentially exciting band and saying goodbye to some people I like, or I will be turning down an opportunity and trying to make something work that hasn't worked well in 22 months..

If you made it this far, thanks.

look at it this way dude, what's more meaningful contributing to something new that no ones heard before or playing someone else songs. granted you may love those songs but theyve been done before theyve been heard before. and after two yrs getting the run around with obviously the main goal or a predominant one at least being the live show then id say its time to move on. just explain it to them that way i guess and hope for the best. good luck.

Go with the band that is the most promising. The band that is playing, rehearsing regularly. I have discovered that cancelling rehearsals may happen but it should be rare...You shouldn't have to worry about rather or not a rehearsal is going to get cancelled or not. A band that not only is playing your musical styles but also has other originals. Go with the band that is going to use your talents.

All good advice above.

To help you out...

Do not consider that you are "betraying" anything. The last 2 years were NOT wasted. You developed a strong work ethic, honed your skills, and have become a more viable and desirable entity as a result.

We all understand band loyalty, but you have to be loyal to YOURSELF too. Music is not supposed to be punishment. If you aren't satisfied in your current project, and nothing is going to improve it in the forseeable future, you have a RIGHT, to find happiness in music, and to be in a project you believe in.

It's not selfishness, it is having a plan, and pursuing something YOU believe in.

Stop punishing yourself.

Pursue your dreams!

.

I love doing original music. I have not done many covers nor have I ever been in a gigging cover band but my gut instict tells me my creative needs are better met doing original music.
It would be a no brainer for me Colors.

They say if you can't get your project off the ground in 6 weeks, it's time to make a change.

Six weeks? Wow. That's fast.

I appreciate all the comments. Just trying to get a lot of different perspectives here...

I went to my first practice session with this other band last night. I was really impressed. They have a really full, tight sound. I mean, really, I was blown away how good it all sounded just in a basement.

I only had a couple days to learn some material, so I spent my time learning one song fully. I was impressed with how it all sounded; it just sounded tight, and we'd just met, so that got me even more excited. Then they asked me to improvise some leads on the other songs I didn't know, and that was fun. They asked me back and it sounds like they really want me in the band.

I had a lot of "fun" for the first time in a good while; practice didn't seem like "work". I had a real appreciation for how much these guys work on their craft on their own, and how well prepared they were when they came to rehearsal. It was a real pleasure, because that's how I prefer to work as well.

Then I get a call from my drummer today, and it sounds like he's got a gig lined up for early December... and I'm like... "Okay..."

I don't really want to try and be in two bands at one time... It's just going to be way too much work. Ugh. What an ordeal.

Pffft! Two bands is EASY! Try 4!

Glad to see it's starting to work out for you, CF!

C F,
You only live long enough to play so many gigs.
You have little to lose and much yo gain by embarking on a solid workable band situation. I love a creative original band myself, but if it comes down to giging in a good cover band as opposed to spending another year beating your head against the wall, the choice is obvious.

Howlin'

Ive played in multiple things many times. Ussually something will win out. If your cover band is just basic stuff then stay in it for those gigs, and really focus on the original thing.

Cover bands will generally get you some extra change, or money. If you play the right material you will have dancers and people really into what you are doing. The music is easier and will take a lot less practice. If I was adding people to my group I would give them a cd and of about 20 songs and say youve got a couple of weeks to learn them and we will get together and see where you are. If someone is sluffing off and cant learn basic rock that quick I would look for someone else. Also 4 hours is a general gig, with the time change this past weekend we wound up playing close to 5 hours

Original acts, ussually no pay. Ussually only play a set or two. Rewarding muscially if your doing soemthing you really love.

If the cover band istn happening I would try the original thing for a bit. You can always get back into cover stuff.

Play sloppy with the 1st band. It's sounds as if they are pretty sloppy to begin with.

INVEST your time and energy with the 2nd one, as they sound like they have the best chance to actually break the surface.