Post by TWFmelne on May 30, 2016 23:36:21 GMT
That's a mighty broad question.
For me, the • #1 thing is chemistry with the fellow bandmates. I have to like them, and vice versa. After all, you'll be spending a LOT of time with these people. Sounds like you're already on the right track there with "three good friends."
• Everyone has the same goals in the band--that each member wants to achieve a group-defined level of "success," (do you want to do clubs/corporate or festivals/hit the big time). It's also important for me that each member and the band as a whole commits to aiming for a high level of quality for the music--that they do their "homework" and come prepared to rehearsal.
• Everyone agrees to contribute in the way most fits their skillset to the "grunt work" of being in a band. If someone is a manager at their job, maybe they'll be good with booking gigs and doing phone stuff. I have graphic skills, so I always contribute website building, flyers, promotion, printing, merch, etc. Someone will need to handle money and/or act as the point-person at gigs. Etc. There's SOOOO much work to being in a band besides the music. Also, that everyone must be willing to share equally in the costs of running the band. It's not a cheap endeavour, and you'll likely NEVER earn enough playing to offset the costs of promo, merch, recording, rehearsal, gas to gigs, transportation, equipment.
• Everyone does their job at gigs--is (very close to being) ON TIME for rehearsals and gigs, everyone acts professional before, during and after the show, such as when interacting with club managers and soundpeople and adheres strictly to the club's scheduled timetable. Also, no "altered states" until after a gig is over--a drink at a gig is OK, but being drunk (or chemically-impaired) is not.
• Everyone helps each other before and after a gig. (set up of equipment, load-in, load-out). Learn to help your drummer, they have a lot of stuff to set up and tear down, and he or she will be glad to teach you how to help them!
• Care for each other out there. After the show, ensure that every member has all their gear, and that their car starts and they are on their way home.
• Learn to compassionately criticize, and to take criticism. It isn't (or shouldn't be) personal. It's for the betterment of the group and the music.
• Record your rehearsals and review the tape. The recording doesn't lie! You'll hear things that need work that flew by or were forgotten by the time the song ended.
• HAVE FUN! That's what we do it for! If you're not having fun, you're doing it wrong. (Yes, there will be frustration, disappointment, hard times--but there will also be great soul-feeding challenge and joy.
I could go on, and on, and on! ha ha. Hope some of this is helpful, or maybe you can be more specific in your inquiry.
-melne, guitarist
For me, the • #1 thing is chemistry with the fellow bandmates. I have to like them, and vice versa. After all, you'll be spending a LOT of time with these people. Sounds like you're already on the right track there with "three good friends."
• Everyone has the same goals in the band--that each member wants to achieve a group-defined level of "success," (do you want to do clubs/corporate or festivals/hit the big time). It's also important for me that each member and the band as a whole commits to aiming for a high level of quality for the music--that they do their "homework" and come prepared to rehearsal.
• Everyone agrees to contribute in the way most fits their skillset to the "grunt work" of being in a band. If someone is a manager at their job, maybe they'll be good with booking gigs and doing phone stuff. I have graphic skills, so I always contribute website building, flyers, promotion, printing, merch, etc. Someone will need to handle money and/or act as the point-person at gigs. Etc. There's SOOOO much work to being in a band besides the music. Also, that everyone must be willing to share equally in the costs of running the band. It's not a cheap endeavour, and you'll likely NEVER earn enough playing to offset the costs of promo, merch, recording, rehearsal, gas to gigs, transportation, equipment.
• Everyone does their job at gigs--is (very close to being) ON TIME for rehearsals and gigs, everyone acts professional before, during and after the show, such as when interacting with club managers and soundpeople and adheres strictly to the club's scheduled timetable. Also, no "altered states" until after a gig is over--a drink at a gig is OK, but being drunk (or chemically-impaired) is not.
• Everyone helps each other before and after a gig. (set up of equipment, load-in, load-out). Learn to help your drummer, they have a lot of stuff to set up and tear down, and he or she will be glad to teach you how to help them!
• Care for each other out there. After the show, ensure that every member has all their gear, and that their car starts and they are on their way home.
• Learn to compassionately criticize, and to take criticism. It isn't (or shouldn't be) personal. It's for the betterment of the group and the music.
• Record your rehearsals and review the tape. The recording doesn't lie! You'll hear things that need work that flew by or were forgotten by the time the song ended.
• HAVE FUN! That's what we do it for! If you're not having fun, you're doing it wrong. (Yes, there will be frustration, disappointment, hard times--but there will also be great soul-feeding challenge and joy.
I could go on, and on, and on! ha ha. Hope some of this is helpful, or maybe you can be more specific in your inquiry.
-melne, guitarist
