So I play in one of "those" bands...and its kind of bumming me out.

[glocke1]

the ones everyone talks about recently on here thats sloppy, seems unprepared etc.

My band doesn't rehearse, setlist is sent out a week or so before the gig.

Some of the songs are easy and can be played without much thought, others not so much and we basically end up rehearsing them on stage in front of our audience, often times struggling through the more difficult passages to get to the other side of a hard part.

Others are in uncommon (relatively) time signatures or have grooves that we struggle with for a few measures before things lock in.

there's other stuff too, all somewhat minor but things that could be corrected in a dedicated, focused rehearsal (which will never happen as people are just too busy with other side projects).

Whats really bad is that this past weekend we went to play a tune that we've played before, that people knew or should have known we were going to play and one band member was like "how's it start again", another band member started playing it but incorrectly...B/L stopped that and had us start it over..

Not in the end of world, but not great to have happen in any case.

 

[lfmn16]

Whats really bad is that this past weekend we went to play a tune that we've played before, that people knew or should have known we were going to play and one band member was like "how's it start again", another band member started playing it but incorrectly...B/L stopped that and had us start it over..

Sorry to say, but you already know, that's just amateur hour.

One time in 48 years of playing has any band I've been in actually had to stop playing a song. The drummer screwed up the intro so bad it was not fixable. It was the low moment of my career. He was fired shortly after that.

If people don't have enough professional pride to have a rehearsal when they need it, there's not much you can do.

 

[MynameisMe]

If it's not changing by now, it's probably not going to change. Plan your exit strategy when you get tired of it.

 

[gln1955]

As long as the band keeps getting gigs, nothing will change.

 

[Kevan Campbell]

Whats really bad is that this past weekend we went to play a tune that we've played before, that people knew or should have known we were going to play and one band member was like "how's it start again", another band member started playing it but incorrectly...B/L stopped that and had us start it over.

That’s the surest sign of a band that doesn’t take itself, it’s music or it’s business seriously. If it’s just a fun outlet for you and you’re not expecting anything to happen then stay with it. Otherwise, look for another band ASAP.

 

[Michedelic]

What I’d like to know is, how do you guys keep getting booked? Also, side projects? It seems like this band is the side project. Where do the priorities lie with everyone involved?

 

[glocke1]

As long as the band keeps getting gigs, nothing will change.

Exactly. I briefly thought about stirring the pot by pointing out the deficiencies I mentioned in mu O.P. but than reflected on the fact that nothing will change and opted to not create any drama around this.

What I’d like to know is, how do you guys keep getting booked?

Overall we aren't horrible and each individual has enough talent and played the material enough to pull off unrehearsed shows, that doesn't mean everyone knows the tunes well, it just means they know the tunes good enough and like I said, we push through the more difficult passages to get to the other side.
Add in a forgiving audience and I think that's how we get away with it. Also, we are one of about a half dozen bands in this area that plays this genre, we're actually one of the better ones I think.

Also, side projects? It seems like this band is the side project. Where do the priorities lie with everyone involved?

Honestly the lines are really blurred. A couple of the guys play in 3-4 other bands so it gets hard to tell whats a side project and what is not.

Where do the priorities lie with everyone involved?

dunno....My own personal priority is to play as best I can...others? I think it's a toss up between wanting to play out and wanting to do some attention wh#&#ing, meaning they want to be on stage no matter what. A couple of the guys really do rely on playing music as an income source, so they are pretty busy running around doing all kinds of gigs.

 

[Jazz Ad]

It feels very pro to play without rehearsal but let's face it, we're not all perfect players.

 

[glocke1]

It feels very pro to play without rehearsal but let's face it, we're not all perfect players.

Even pros rehearse.

 

[-Asdfgh-]

Sorry to say, but you already know, that's just amateur hour.

One time in 48 years of playing has any band I've been in actually had to stop playing a song. The drummer screwed up the intro so bad it was not fixable. It was the low moment of my career. He was fired shortly after that.

If people don't have enough professional pride to have a rehearsal when they need it, there's not much you can do.

I've been in bands where we've had to start again, even with practice. Occasionally it happens. Once it was because an amp caught fire, but mostly not. Once the drummer screwed up, but it was a drum machine that night, or rather a four track as the drum machine had already died. It was like a technology-led Spinal Tap...

 

[40Hz]

Whats really bad is that this past weekend we went to play a tune that we've played before, that people knew or should have known we were going to play and one band member was like "how's it start again", another band member started playing it but incorrectly...B/L stopped that and had us start it over..

Not in the end of world, but not great to have happen in any case.

Maybe not the end of the world. But seriously, your BL calling a restart?

No further comment.

Good luck.

 

[matthewbrown]

If rehearsals don't produce improved results, I prefer to find other things to do. Some people are in it for a social life; I'm in it to play my best. The main thing is: How does it make you feel? Does it "spark joy" as the self-help gurus say? If not, you know what to do.

 

[One_Dude]

The BL in my most recent band does not like to rehearse and sometimes doesn't even provide a set list. There are times where she doesn't even want to rehearse new songs; just gives us the key and says "here's where I'm going so just hang on". We are generally professional enough to "hang on", but I really don't like that whole process. I think you never get really "tight" without sufficient practice and rehearsal.

The songs that we have played enough times are "tight" and I think the audience can tell the difference. At this point it probably doesn't matter for this band anymore, since the BL has told us that she is moving on to other projects. I have been in this band for about 5 years and in the span of two months we went from 3 and 4 jobs a month to essentially disbanding. There were several times when we were even booked for two jobs in the same day. So now it's time to move on and find a new project; hopefully one where folks want to rehearse.

Thump on,

One_Dude

 

[easyj]

Sorry to say, but you already know, that's just amateur hour.

One time in 48 years of playing has any band I've been in actually had to stop playing a song. The drummer screwed up the intro so bad it was not fixable. It was the low moment of my career. He was fired shortly after that.

If people don't have enough professional pride to have a rehearsal when they need it, there's not much you can do.

Ahhh....the classic TRAINWRECK. Been there, my friend. The worst.

The reality is as long as a band can fill a local bar with heavily drinking followers (even if it’s just friends and family of the band), most owners will book you to make money. That’s what it is all about. You can get up there and just fart into a microphone, but if you always draw a big crowd, you will most likely be asked to come back.

 

[Turbo Sparky]

Eiore.
It's always raining somewhere.

 

[WaldoNova]

I don't think there are any blurred lines. The main gig gets rehearsals, side gigs?, not so much.

 

[thebreakman]

I was in one of those. Wanted to hurry up and play out while we didn't sound all that good. Played a couple parties and I promptly said see ya. If I don't feel good and confident of my band playing out, I don't need to play in that band.

 

[micguy]

Even pros rehearse.

Amateurs rehearse until they get it right: pros rehearse until they can’t get it wrong.

 

[lfmn16]

Ahhh....the classic TRAINWRECK. Been there, my friend. The worst.

The reality is as long as a band can fill a local bar with heavily drinking followers (even if it’s just friends and family of the band), most owners will book you to make money. That’s what it is all about. You can get up there and just fart into a microphone, but always draw a big crowd, you will most likely be asked to come back.

There is no arguing with that!

I play what the audience wants to hear, but I play to my own standards. I don't need the money any more so I stopped playing with people that just don't care.

 

[glocke1]

Amateurs rehearse until they get it right: pros rehearse until they can’t get it wrong.

Lol. That’s obtuse.

Rehearsing is rehearsing. No matter how you want to characterize it at the end of the day you’re still spending time off stage making sure things are right.