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Something I noticed about the band
Posted: Sun May 07, 2023 7:38 pm
by Bonano
I play bass in a band and I'm loving it! But something has been bugging me recently. During practice, after almost every song we play, the other guys often say we sounded great, when sometimes I know we fumbled a song enough. I guess I'm wanting more precision and perfection in an otherwise really laid back environment. I guess it's just me because the lead guitarist who has the most musicianship in the band doesn't seem to mind.
Re: Something I noticed about the band
Posted: Sun May 07, 2023 7:50 pm
by Diddlybo
I know the feeling.
I occasionally do gigs with a guy who is a good songwriter and guitarist but he just can't seem to tell when he's doing something wrong. Sometimes when he is trainwrecking I'll show him how a part should be played but he'll just continue to do it wrong and it doesn't seem to bother him at all. Its maddening. We'll sound like complete goat ass and he'll be like, "Yeah, that rocked!"
Re: Something I noticed about the band
Posted: Sun May 07, 2023 8:47 pm
by RaceU4her
Story of my life with bands. I’d say record the practices, listen back and tell them what you think. It’s not good for anyone to not be sounding good
Re: Something I noticed about the band
Posted: Sun May 07, 2023 8:54 pm
by GuitarBilly
Yeah that's aggravating. Recording the practices is definitely a good idea.
Re: Something I noticed about the band
Posted: Tue May 09, 2023 8:40 am
by ke2
Depending on the ambition level of the band, some might just use it as a social outlet?
i.e get away from the daily duties, and just enjoy playing music for a few hours. I like tight metal, but play in a band that's more "jammy". They're good guys, and it's not that easy to find a band where live (and the ambition level also plays a role. I'd love to play in a tight metal band, even a cover band, that sounds "pro", in the lack of a better word. But still be happy about doing the odd gig once a month)
Did you join an existing band, or were you there from the start? If the latter, it sometimes pays to be a little critical to the skill level when auditioning new members.
Re: Something I noticed about the band
Posted: Tue May 09, 2023 8:41 am
by ke2
ke2 wrote:Depending on the ambition level of the band, some might just use it as a social outlet?
i.e get away from the daily duties, and just enjoy playing music for a few hours. I like tight metal, but play in a rock-ish band that's more "jammy". They're good guys, and it's not that easy to find a band where live (and the ambition level also plays a role. I'd love to play in a tight metal band, even a cover band, that sounds "pro", in the lack of a better word. But still be happy about doing the odd gig once a month)
Did you join an existing band, or were you there from the start? If the latter, it sometimes pays to be a little critical to the skill level when auditioning new members.
Re: Something I noticed about the band
Posted: Tue May 09, 2023 8:44 am
by ke2
BTW, there's nothing wrong with being a little critical in practice either. Maybe, like others said, record it, and suggest nitpicking on difficult passages, and point out if someone's dragging, or speeding. Constructive criticism is usually good
Re: Something I noticed about the band
Posted: Tue May 09, 2023 9:50 am
by ajaxlepinski
Sometimes, during practice, we'll experiment while we're running through the set and of course, it doesn't sound good.
Other times, we announce, "OK, let's do it for real".
Try suggesting, "Let's run through the songs like we're at a gig" and see what happens.
Hopefully, everyone will pull up their pants and get to work.
Re: Something I noticed about the band
Posted: Thu May 11, 2023 7:05 am
by greatmutah
ajaxlepinski wrote:Sometimes, during practice, we'll experiment while we're running through the set and of course, it doesn't sound good.
Other times, we announce, "OK, let's do it for real".
Try suggesting, "Let's run through the songs like we're at a gig" and see what happens.
Hopefully, everyone will pull up their pants and get to work.
That’s how my last band did it. If we were writing or constructing shit and just working stuff out we’d be a bit more loose. Once we got everything locked in and it was time to do it for a gig, we’d play it “for real” and practice “for real.” Tighten up our playing, minimize fuckups and play it like we meant it. Once the gig came, we’d be firing on all cylinders.
Re: Something I noticed about the band
Posted: Thu May 11, 2023 12:01 pm
by EndTime
It sounds like you aren’t saying anything critical?.. I mean, if they are blowing off your feedback on how it sounds then yeah. They are kinda lame. But if you ain’t saying anything and you are just put off by them not noticing, then make em notice! I have no problem saying sumthin sounded like shit. Like zero inhibitions. Lol. It’s not a personal knock. It’s either a bad take or simply a song that isn’t up to snuff yet. Only way to get better is be your own harshest critic in rehearsal.
But yeah, there are plenty of weekend warriors who simply don’t want to work that hard at what’s no more than a hobby to them. Either you are fine with that or aren’t. But definitely be the guy to crack the whip if necessary and see what happens