: Bandology 101

Subject: : Bandology 101
From: azfiddle
Date: 08 Jun 09 - 01:59 PM

Hi mudcatters-
I'd love to get some input on the workshop outlined below. Would this be useful to you? Anything you'd add? Your level of experience with playing in a band?

Bandology 101 is a practical workshop for new and established bands that covers the basics skills needed to be a success. The workshop presenters will address the specific interests of the participants including the following topics: Creating a distinctive band sound/identity, arranging songs and tune sets, roles of melody, harmony, rhythm, dynamics and chordal accompaniment, musical communication, organizing sets for flow and to showcase individual strengths, nuts and bolts of band business, basic amplification/sound equipment

We (Round the House) are going to be presenting this workshop in the very near future (Friday, June 12, at Acoustic Outfitters Music Shop in Stratham, NH).   Of course, you're invited if you're in the area.

Thanks! Sharon

Subject: RE: : Bandology 101
From: jeffp
Date: 08 Jun 09 - 02:40 PM

You might include something about interpersonal relationships. That can make or break a band.

Subject: RE: : Bandology 101
From: wysiwyg
Date: 08 Jun 09 - 04:32 PM

The only stuff I could add is either from a workshop I attended, and therr SUPERB handout, which is their intellectual property, or our own band policy (which is a doc of last resort that summarizes our most important shared understandings). The former's handout is lost in space, and the latter has been adapted since posting but is around here at the Cat somedamnwhar.... in its earliest form.

~S~

Subject: RE: : Bandology 101
From: azfiddle
Date: 08 Jun 09 - 06:07 PM

Thanks- good thought about the interpersonal relationships component.

We have done this workshop just once before, and there was a question that was brought up by a participant related to band communication.

Of course, there is more here than could be covered in the time available.

Subject: RE: : Bandology 101
From: wysiwyg
Date: 08 Jun 09 - 06:57 PM

That's why the handouts the one presenters gave us were so valuable. It was all in bullet points.

~S~

Subject: RE: : Bandology 101
From: Leadfingers
Date: 08 Jun 09 - 07:09 PM

Inter Personal Relationships is a MudCat strong point !!! NOT !!!!!

Subject: RE: : Bandology 101
From: azfiddle
Date: 09 Jun 09 - 06:05 PM

We do have a handout.

Interpersonal relationships on Mudcat- LOL- that is kind of a universal issue as far as I can see- I'm sure we'll touch on it at some point!

Subject: RE: : Bandology 101
From: GUEST,leeneia
Date: 09 Jun 09 - 06:38 PM

You asked for input. A workshop on being a band sounds like a good idea, but it seems to me you have too much to cover in a short time.

Subject: RE: : Bandology 101
From: azfiddle
Date: 09 Jun 09 - 07:36 PM

Absolutely!!

We are prepared to discuss all of those topics, knowing that we couldn't possibly cover all of them in one session. So that's why the description reads:

The workshop presenters will address the specific interests of the participants.

Subject: RE: : Bandology 101
From: wysiwyg
Date: 09 Jun 09 - 07:43 PM

What may sound like over-preparing and too much for one session, to some folks, sounds like good contingency planning, to me. Have fun, is the most important advice I can add.

~S~

Subject: RE: : Bandology 101
From: wysiwyg
Date: 17 Apr 12 - 12:49 PM

Since it was referenced above, I thought this would be the best thread in which to post our next band policy draft, where MudSearch still makes it so easily found all this time later. We have a new associate member and Bishop who need a copy this week. My late mom is probably cackling over this from heaven!

~Susan

======================

THE GOOD NEWS-GOODTIME BAND

DRAFT BAND POLICY
April 26, 2006
Revised April 17, 2012 for senior and core members’ comment (SH)



Core members are Susan & Greg Hinton and Ed Vetter. Why are these people considered the "core members"? Because these are the people who carry the freight, in whatever form the freight lands on the band, every time. These are the people who can and do "do it all;" maybe not all are blessed with the greatest ability as musicians but they do demonstrate the greatest commitment to following through so that:

<> the people who sing along with THE GOOD NEWS-GOODTIME BAND can have a good time
<> the people who book THE GOOD NEWS-GOODTIME BAND have a good experience
<> anyone else who wants to play with THE GOOD NEWS-GOODTIME BAND has a good opportunity, materials to get the job done, and guidance as needed.

We also have been the primary song finders. (Occasionally individuals' favorite songs have been mentioned at worship and/or appearances, and are credited in our print materials.)

We've been working together among ourselves and with other current senior members (Mike Vetter, Steve Brown) and associate members to establish and move toward new policies. As a result of these talks-- sometimes hilarious venting occasions-- these are now in draft form (with blank numbers for our thoughts), as follows:

1.Although our most frequent "gig" is a weekly church service, the THE GOOD NEWS-GOODTIME BAND existed before that service as a separate entity with a distinct focus. It is neither a church band nor made up exclusively of members of the parish where we most often play. Its role is not to cater to members, but to lead music for other people. The mission and activites of THE GOOD NEWS-GOODTIME BAND are determined by THE GOOD NEWS-GOODTIME BAND, not by the parish. Most expenses of THE GOOD NEWS-GOODTIME BAND are paid by the members, not by the parish.
2.
3.All members are expected to contribute to the effort required for THE GOOD NEWS-GOODTIME BAND to exist, each according to their talents, resources, and abilities.
4.
5.New folks wanting to play with THE GOOD NEWS-GOODTIME BAND are welcome at any rehearsal. From time to time visitors are asked to solo, when they clearly have the necessary performance experience. Weekly rehearsals are partly jams where improvisation is welcomed, and partly opportunities for members to teach others new material and arrangements to be played as taught. Time is a factor in this regard.
6.
7.New folks can be asked to join THE GOOD NEWS-GOODTIME BAND by majority vote of members for a trial period, sitting in as side players and following existing arrangements. From time to time visitors are asked to solo, when they clearly have the necessary performance experience, as associate members.
8.
9.New folks invited to join THE GOOD NEWS-GOODTIME BAND for a trial period are expected to prepare and present instrumental communion music for St. Paul’s/Wellsboro’s weekly Saturday evening worship service at which our band provides the music. (A month's commitment to this is normative, or a season of the church year.) The commitment is to prepare and present all of that period’s Saturday communion music, and to make an arrangement with another member to cover for them in the event they must miss a week Since, from time to time, a member may ask another member to fill in on short notice, so it is a good idea to have one ready at all times. It is assumed that the person will play solo; they are welcome to ask senior members to join in and, if so, they are expected to work with them on the material on their own time.
10.
11.The next level of increased involvement is that the new person takes a place in the monthly or seasonal rotation of offertory music for St. Paul’s/Wellsboro’s weekly Saturday evening worship service, at which our band provides the music, taking the lead in presenting them. (A month's commitment to this is normative, or a season of the church year.) The commitment is to prepare and present all of that period’s Saturday offertories, and to make an arrangement with another member to cover for them in the event they must miss a week. Since, from time to time, a member may ask another member to fill in on short notice, it is a good idea to have one ready at all times. If the person needs help from a senior band member, they are expected to ask for it and to make appropriate arrangements.
12.
13.A copy of any sung offertory material needs to be given to the band for consideration for inclusion in later songbooks. Copies must be clear, camera-ready photocopies and/or a text file via disk or email of the lyric, including all copyright details. A source recording is helpful if available.
14.
15.At the request or option of the band's leadership, offertories presented may be transposed, rearranged, edited, augmented, and/or rewritten so that the material is appropriate for congregational singing. (Guidelines can be found in ECUSA canon law.)
16.
17.The band's leadership owns all sound systems and some related equipment which are available as needed for band-agreed gigs and/or the Saturday worship service. New members are expected to furnish their own mics, pickups and cords to feed into the mix. Vocal mics must be Shure SM-58 or similar quality. Use of pickups, mics, and amps are always at the discretion of core members.
18.
19.Members furnish own music stands and, if they require them, lights, stand-lights and extension cords.
20.
21.Arrangement books and sample songbooks are lent to members and may not be copied, distributed, or altered in any way without permission. New transpositions and arrangements are welcomed, but this policy ensures that new material will be included in ALL copies of the books. This maintains standard resources for all members and/or visitors.
22.
23.Associate members receive a copy of all GNGTB songbooks and songbooklets in print at the time they become associate members, as well as a copy of this policy in its current draft form. From time to time these may also be given to sitting Bishops for their information. Members able to play on a regular basis are expected to furnish a copy of an authorized arrangement book for each season in which they expect to play. Core members can assist with this process, and will direct the member to authorized copying assistance/resources.
24.
25.Recordings of proposed new material are welcomed for band consideration.
26.
27.Participation of senior, associate, and new members in gigs is at the discretion of the band’s core leaders. Any member not playing at a scheduled appearance is encouraged to participate by helping at rehearsal and at the gig, including tech tasks, setup, breakdown, and audience management.
28.
29.Rehearsals for gigs, as occasionally required, are essential to maintain membership. Every effort is made to ensure scheduling that will work for all. People are expected to be timely, attentive, and ready to play.
30.
31.Everyone shares the task of moving all instruments and equipment for gigs, and setup/breakdown of all gear, each according to their physical abilities (not only according to gear ownership).
32.
33.The "Fairfield Four Rules" for band comportment are in effect from rehearsal time through departure. A copy of Fairfield Four bass veteran Isaac Freeman's description is available from senior members or at: http://prairiehome.publicradio.org/programs/19971101/index
(at 47:20).


~Susan Oldberg Hinton
archivist and copyright steward for all materials