The Mudcat Café TM
Thread #28799   Message #360548
Posted By: RichM
20-Dec-00 - 03:39 PM
Thread Name: RE-Starting a Band. What a pain!
Subject: RE: RE-Starting a Band. What a pain!
It's up to you to decide what aspects are important.

Like you, I prize punctuality and social skills. And compatability IS important--but you have to decide how little or how much you need.
I don't require all people I play with to have the same philosophy as me, but I will not play with people who are unkind, or who ridicule others.
Punctuality at gigs is important too. I like to set up in plenty of time and be ready to start at the prearranged time.
I also like to present a polished rehearsed set. I quit one band that had potential because no one other than myself and one other could remember arrangements from one practice to the next.

Other questions that band members should be in agreement on; or at least, discuss:

Where is the band going?
How often should we play?
What kind of gigs?
What does each member expect from the band, and from the others?

Currently I am in a band that presents old time bluegrass and country, and gospel music. We couldn't seem to get everyone together for regular practices, so 3 of us who are the singers practice each week. We find that if the three of us know the songs and arrangements, its just that much easier to get the total band sounding right when the banjo and fiddle are able to join us.
It probably helps that the three of us are retired or work part time.

We like to feature all the instrumentalists generously in every performance. We have a good time, the audience has a good time, and we get asked to come back. As to drinking on the job, its not a problem for us. We are either very moderate drinkers or abstainers.

Rich McCarthy