 sj |
||
|
||
Help: How did you find your band?
|
|
|
Subject: How did you find your band? From: Bagpuss Date: 17 Jul 00 - 07:58 AM I am a singer who is not that good at the guitar, so I am looking for instrumentalists to perform with. My problem is that I can never seem to find anyone "unattached". Everyone I meet always seems to belong to a band, or have someone else they play with, and aren't looking for an extra person to join them. Maybe I'm just not good enough and they are being tactful? How did you find your fellow musicians? Bagpuss |
|
Subject: RE: Help: How did you find your band? From: Skipjack K8 Date: 17 Jul 00 - 08:07 AM Fairly painful to listen to, Bagpuss! I've been in four bands, or loose musical collectives recently, and they've all sprung from session playing, so that's where I'd say to expend your efforts. Also, contrary to myth, you don't go to folk prison if you are musicallty bigamous . Indeed, the majority of musos I know are in more than one ensemble, so ask people that you like the sound of to get together, preferably at another location, to have an exploration. Good luck Skipjack |
|
Subject: RE: Help: How did you find your band? From: Bagpuss Date: 17 Jul 00 - 08:22 AM My other problem (hopefully temporary) is that I am suffering from depression, so I dont have as much confidence as I used to, and find it very difficult to talk to people I dont know very well. My doc says I should try to keep doing stuff I enjoy to help me get better, but its hard to go out and sing if your confidence is so low. Maybe I should just wait till I'm better before I think about performing again. Bagpuss |
|
Subject: RE: Help: How did you find your band? From: sophocleese Date: 17 Jul 00 - 08:41 AM No Bagpuss, don't stop singing if you're depressed. The physical act of singing helps with the depression. Depression itself leads to an inaccurate assessment of your own abilities. Keep looking for a band if you want to sing with one, you'll find a group eventually and you might actually have fun singing with different people until you do. You could ask to sit in with a band that already has a singer and sing harmony. |
|
Subject: RE: Help: How did you find your band? From: Skipjack K8 Date: 17 Jul 00 - 08:42 AM Sorry to hear your news. The present Mrs Skipjack is a fellow sufferer, and so I list myself as a 'carer'. I understand well the feelings you speak of, of social agoraphobia, and low self esteem, as I see them so large in my partner. It also made me wince when I remembered that rasping Brendy gave you, but the poor fella weren't to know. I don't have any inspired suggestions, other than don't give in to it, try and make yourself go out, just play in the background rather than sing up front, and choose just one musician to approach, one who seems moved by the same style or tradition as you. It's a real bastard, and the dope the witchdoctors push is IMO a dangerous mask, but I can fairly say that making music is my release from the cares of caring. Skipjack |
|
Subject: RE: Help: How did you find your band? From: Bagpuss Date: 17 Jul 00 - 09:27 AM Thanks for your kind words Skipjack. When you say "and the dope the witchdoctors push is IMO a dangerous mask" - I presume you mean that you don't believe that anti-depressant drugs are the answer. I have to disagree there - they have saved my life enough times. I'll have to stick to singing to myself for the moment, as leaving the house once a day is about all I can manage at the moment. Bagpuss |
|
Subject: RE: Help: How did you find your band? From: Ed Pellow Date: 17 Jul 00 - 09:31 AM Bagpuss, I hope this doesn't sound intrusive, but if you let us know where you live, we might better be able to help you. All the very best Ed |
|
Subject: RE: Help: How did you find your band? From: Bagpuss Date: 17 Jul 00 - 09:43 AM Leeds UK Bagpuss |
|
Subject: RE: Help: How did you find your band? From: Willie-O Date: 17 Jul 00 - 09:46 AM Sessions is a good idea. You need them to know you're there! Another consideration is: lots of talented musicians want gigs but practically nobody likes hunting for them, publicizing and all that kind of stuff. This is true of me. When I'm looking for someone to gig with, there are several considerations, but a certain amount of business savvy, and willingness to undertake those chores, is definitely one of them. Look at it this way: assume people suss you out with a mental checklist; some of the items are likely to be:
Finally, don't take it personally when people aren't interested in getting something going with you. A singer who doesn't play an instrument needs to be twice as good a singer to get these invites, depending how they check out on the list above. Do an honest assessment of where your level of musical development is at and talk to people who are around the same or (ideally) a notch better than you--that way you'll be challenged and grow. Best of luck
|
|
Subject: RE: Help: How did you find your band? From: Sorcha Date: 17 Jul 00 - 10:40 AM If you were here in Wyoming, US we would love to have you play with us. We are a non profit GROUP, not a paid band. As a club, we take all comers. Some like us and stay, some don't. In the 14 or so years I have been playing with this group, we have only had 2 "problem people" and ony one of those was serious. We just dealt with him until he finally died. Could you put up an advert somewhere, inviting people to come and play with you? Find a nice large park with a gazebo or something and start playing/singing alone. Bet someone would come along and say, "hey, I have a ____ in the car, may I join you?" |
|
Subject: RE: Help: How did you find your band? From: wysiwyg Date: 17 Jul 00 - 10:49 AM Hey! You posted MY CURRENT HOT BURNING QUESTION! Thanks!!!!!!! ~Susan |
|
Subject: RE: Help: How did you find your band? From: GUEST,emily Date: 17 Jul 00 - 10:51 AM |
|
Subject: RE: Help: How did you find your band? From: InOBU Date: 17 Jul 00 - 10:56 AM Putting a band together and keeping it together is in no way easy. Small colectives are really difficult, as our flute player, in Sorcha Dorcha describes it, it is like a marriege. In our band we have gone through a large number of folks this year, and the process goes on. FIrst of all, you have to have similar musical vissions, then you have to tolerate each other. I would endorce the view that waiting to get better to do anything also puts off getting better. Hard work is a great way to deal with a lot of problems, and puting a band together is in deed hard work. You have to go into it expecting disapointment, and remembering that life is not about not haveing disapointments and failures, but it is about how we deal with those disapointments and failures. Keep the old head to the grindstone and the band will come about one way or another. Having worked with a singer on anti depressants, I would warn that one of the side effects of her treatment was a reduction in motivation. Set concrete goals for yourself in getting the band together and push like hell. Best of luck Larry |
|
Subject: RE: Help: How did you find your band? From: AllisonA(Animaterra) Date: 17 Jul 00 - 10:57 AM Bagpuss: First, I just want to acknowledge your courage in coming "out" with your depression. Like Skipjack, I am married to someone who suffers from depression; like you, I am a firm believer in a "better life thru chemistry!" He is a writer, and his worst times are when he can't even bring himself to journal, and the rest of the family suffers as a result! Secondly, I'm also a singer just beginning to seek a band. I live in a small region, far from big cities, where there are plenty of folkies but few venues other than kitchens or contra dances! So, I have just barely begun to spread the word of mouth that I'm interested. There are no sessions here that I know of, but there must be some in Leeds, and I think that's great advice! Last of all, just put it out there that you want this, tell others, keep practicing and building your repertoire of songs and tunes that interest you, and if you keep at it, it will happen. Best of luck and blessings on the way! |
|
Subject: RE: Help: How did you find your band? From: GUEST,emily b Date: 17 Jul 00 - 10:58 AM Oops, I got over-eager with the enter key there... Bagpuss, have you considered putting together an a cappella group? Maybe there are other singers in the area who are similarly frustrated. I met the members of my band through singing, not sessions. Just happens that one plays guitar and one plays flute. We do some a cappella stuff that audiences seem to enjoy. With just 3 singers you can make some beautiful sounds. And it's fun to take songs that everyone else has instrumentation on and make them your own. Maybe you could start a singing circle and see if anything grows out of that. Good luck, and certainly don't stop singing. Emily |
|
Subject: RE: Help: How did you find your band? From: Wesley S Date: 17 Jul 00 - 12:14 PM I got a job for the group I'm in now. I had seen them perform and enjoyed their music one Sunday. A few days later I was at a board meeting for a charitable event I'm involved in { Cropwalk }. When someone mentioned that it would be nice if they could find some folk singers to perform before the function I quickly said that I would take care of it. When I called the group to set it up I kept dropping subtile hints like " Say - you sing that song in C - I've always done it in D" and " I like your Gibson J-45 - I have a Martin D-18". I think I even mentioned that I played the mandolin. Eventually they got the hint and invited me to audition. That was two years ago. And I just found out yesterday that we get to open for Livingston Taylor in September. I'm stoked about it. Good Luck getting some folks to play with. It really helps. |
|
Subject: RE: Help: How did you find your band? From: wysiwyg Date: 17 Jul 00 - 12:25 PM WS-- Well, wow!!!!!!!!!! Congrats! ~S~ |
|
Subject: RE: Help: How did you find your band? From: Jed at Work Date: 17 Jul 00 - 04:46 PM "How did you find your band?" - here at Mudcat! |
|
Subject: RE: Help: How did you find your band? From: Jed at Work Date: 17 Jul 00 - 04:50 PM I think there are some good points above. Go to sessions, different ones, if they are available. You'll meet new folks, gain 'exposure' among the musician community, hone your skills, and be in the right place at the righttime when things open up and a band member is needed. Also; don't give up on improving your guitar playing skills - everyone can improve with time and effort. Find a teacher, or use the sessions to watch, listen and learn - then the time between sessions to practice. Good things'll happen! |
|
Subject: RE: Help: How did you find your band? From: Alice Date: 17 Jul 00 - 09:15 PM Bagpuss, you've been given alot of good advice already in this thread, so I'll just chime in here to back up what others have said. As you keep singing for yourself at home and learning repertoire that you can envision performing, keep going to sessions as much as possible. Sing your best pieces when you can at the sessions, and people will notice, even if they don't say anything to you. Besides connecting with people who have a talent that is compatible with yours, it's important to connect on the level of having compatible personalities. Two years ago I asked a woman at our session who plays fiddle and piano to start practicing with me on songs. She has lots of kids and not much time, but we have performed together, me singing and she accompanying. I'm working on building this up slowly, but we are getting to where I envision. I met the next member of our "band" when I was performing as a singer and he was at the same event performing in a string band. As a classical guitarist, he understood what I was doing with my voice and I asked him to work with myself and the fiddle player. The fourth person I invited to work with me is a retired man who joined our session playing a conscientious bodhran. He suddenly opened up one night and sang Down By The Sally Gardens in a beautiful trained voice. I called and asked him if he would be interested in joining my group and doing some songs as well as playing bodhran and bones. He is delighted.
So, it can take time, but gradually you can meet people to invite one on one to work with you. If you have a specific goal in mind, that helps. Locally, we have alot of people performing traditional tunes, but not too many people who focus on performing traditional songs, which is what I do. With the fiddle player to lead tunes and with songs that no one else here is performing, I think we have a unique appeal.
Even if you are quaking in your boots, LOOK confident, and no one will know. Step up and ask people if they want to practice with you on performing. Set yourself a goal and deadline - like a Christmas performance, or Robert Burns night, or something like that. You'll find the ones that "click" with you. Don't wait for them to find you. Alice |
|
Subject: RE: Help: How did you find your band? From: GUEST,Rich(stupidbodhranplayerwhodoesn'tknowbetter Date: 17 Jul 00 - 10:08 PM First, I agree with hitting different sessions. Even if you can only go to the "scrubs" sessions at first, you'll find other unattached musicians, or people willing to play in a second ensemble. I had a nice trio going for awhile with 2 other "pathetic losers" like myself that weren't playing with anyone else at the time. Now, more importantly, on the subject of medication brought up here. I've seen friends take unqualified medical advice, concerning medication with disastrous results. We're musicians, not doctors. People have been known to commit suicide after being advised to dump their medication down the drain. Sorry if that sounds preachy but it's the truth. Good luck with your search for a band, and remember a lot of the best people in any field are their own worst critics. Rich |
|
Subject: RE: Help: How did you find your band? From: Callie Date: 18 Jul 00 - 12:47 AM Bagpuss: if you are in Leeds, you will have easy access to the Leeds People's Choir? A good start, if my experience is anything to go by. Just over two years ago, I joined a large lefty choir in Sydney - pretty much just to see what it was like. I didn't intend to stay in it, because I had other musical goals to achieve. However, it ended up changing my life. Not only did I meet people who are now my closest friends, I also got together with three of them to form a quartet (mainly vocal with some instruments). We rehearse at least weekly now, and perform whenever we can. And my depressive illness sometimes stops me going to ALL the rehearsals, but I find the music - especially the small group - helps rather than hinders. Good luck! Callie |
|
Subject: RE: Help: How did you find your band? From: GUEST,Brandon Date: 18 Jul 00 - 05:39 AM Hey, Bagpuss I'm in the same boat. In my case, I think it probably is true that depression causes people to underestimate our own abilities. The most important thing for me is to just keep working at it, learning new songs and techniques. Learning a new instrument actually makes me feel a lot better; lately I've been hitting it hard on the accordion. I had a similar experience to that of Larry's friend: antidepressants seriously reduce my motivation -- there was a point a couple years ago when I had been taking Zoloft and one day I realized I hadn't touched an instrument in over a week! I found I had to work extra hard at being concientious. But it's different for everybody, I'm sure ... my advice is that you should not take advice from any of us -- just stay on the medication as long as you need to! (BTW anybody interested in chatting with a motivated accordionist in Salt Lake City?) -Brandon |
|
Subject: RE: Help: How did you find your band? From: Bagpuss Date: 18 Jul 00 - 05:45 AM Its hard to tell whether anti-depressant medication lowers your motivation, since depression lowers your motivation too. I find that the ones that make you drowsy also have more of an effect on motivation, but if you are having trouble sleeping, the drowsiness side effect can be a good thing. Anyways, I didn't really intend for this to be a discussion about depression and its treatment, so I'll shut up now. Bagpuss |
|
Subject: RE: Help: How did you find your band? From: Lox Date: 18 Jul 00 - 06:16 AM If you live in Leeds, you're bound to know of a few Irish pubs. Get on the phone and ask about sessions that already exist. Force yourself to go, buy a pint, sweat a bit, and try to pluck up the courage to sing a song. If that doesn't work, get into a conversation with some of the musicians, tell them that you sing and they'll coerce you into singing. Enjoy yourself. Kick all the shyness and depression in your head into the middle of next week. (hopefully there will be another session going on so you won't have time to get depressed until the following week etc.) If it's a "clicky" session and they have a problem with newcomers, f**k 'em. Find another one. If you're having fun i.e. feeling relaxed with people whose company you like (I hope you're not too polite to walk away from the ones you don't) You'll sing like a nightingale ... well O.K. I wouldn't want to sing like a nightingale either, (Something dangerous would have to be done to my genitals) but I think you get the Idea. Don't take it too seriously, Music wasn't invented by psychologists, it's there to be enjoyed. Enjoy it. |
| Share Thread: |