https://guitarnoise.forum/opinions-and-polls/hardest-thing-about-starting-a-band/ Guitar Noise Discussion Board en-US Thu, 04 Jun 2026 19:50:44 +0000 wpForo 60 https://guitarnoise.forum/opinions-and-polls/hardest-thing-about-starting-a-band/paged/4/#post-304034 Fri, 08 Aug 2008 00:35:42 +0000
How to pick bandmates: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MW2yG8Y2oGg
How to replace a bandmate: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=s2VjsH9bm_o&NR=1
How to set goals- this one is very good: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zEzOHWY4wd4&feature=related
How to deal with creative differences: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9mkoSNrwG8s&feature=related

Those are pretty helpful videos. I would add one more word of advice that is very important, but seems to be a problem over and over again.

NEVER, NEVER, NEVER, GET BORED WITH YOUR MUSIC!

I have been in quite a few bands. Most were OK, a few were very good. The difference?? The good bands have serious musicians who take their music seriously and are willing to put in the necessary practice to perform well. This means you can never allow yourself to become bored with any song. I cannot tell you how many times I've run into this problem... You play a song and make mistakes. It is obvious you need to practice more. But somebody will always say they are bored and can't play the song over and over again. Well, that person does not have a professional attitude and will never get far.

Think about it. How many times do you think the Rolling Stones have played the song Satisfaction in the last 45 years? I am willing to bet they have played it many, many, thousands of times. Do you think Keith Richards says, "Hey Mick, can we play something else? I'm tired of that Satisfaction song." Yeah, right. :roll:

And for everytime they've performed that song, you can bet they've practiced it many, many more times.

You just cannot allow yourself to get bored with a song. A song can never be good enough, it can always be better.

I saw Sting from the Police on TV recently. The reporter interviewing him asked if he ever got bored playing their old songs like Roxanne. Sting said, "Never. We always perform a song as if we just wrote it fifteen minutes ago."

That is why the pros are pros.]]> Opinions and Polls Wes Inman https://guitarnoise.forum/opinions-and-polls/hardest-thing-about-starting-a-band/paged/4/#post-304034 https://guitarnoise.forum/opinions-and-polls/hardest-thing-about-starting-a-band/paged/4/#post-304028 Fri, 08 Aug 2008 00:01:49 +0000
Like I said, you have to do the work for them. Almost every band I've ever been in has at least one member like this. This doesn't mean they can't play well, many times they can, but they just have a carefree attitude. They are not highly motivated players.

But you can make these players work. Print out songsheets for these guys with the lyrics and chord changes, even the drummer. It's very important that each player knows the words to the songs, your changes will be much tighter.

Just tell the guys they need to practice. A couple of practices ago, we worked on a new song we had introduced the week before. I knew the song, they didn't. I asked, "Don't you guys practice during the week?". And trust me, I had a little attitude, but not too much. But I think I shamed them into practicing, because the next week they were better and even told me they practiced.

If you are the motivated and organized member of the band, you are always going to do the most work. That's just the way it is, and it isn't going to change. Be friendly, but push them, they will come around. When the band starts to get really good, then they will be motivated. :D

But somebody has to lead. I remember reading an article about Bruce Springsteen many years ago. They don't call him "The Boss" for nothing. The article said Bruce would fine his players $200 for each mistake they made during a show. Now that will make you practice. :shock:]]> Opinions and Polls Wes Inman https://guitarnoise.forum/opinions-and-polls/hardest-thing-about-starting-a-band/paged/4/#post-304028 https://guitarnoise.forum/opinions-and-polls/hardest-thing-about-starting-a-band/paged/4/#post-303948 Thu, 07 Aug 2008 18:08:12 +0000 Opinions and Polls markthechuck https://guitarnoise.forum/opinions-and-polls/hardest-thing-about-starting-a-band/paged/4/#post-303948 https://guitarnoise.forum/opinions-and-polls/hardest-thing-about-starting-a-band/paged/4/#post-303898 Thu, 07 Aug 2008 09:52:21 +0000 Opinions and Polls TRGuitar https://guitarnoise.forum/opinions-and-polls/hardest-thing-about-starting-a-band/paged/4/#post-303898 https://guitarnoise.forum/opinions-and-polls/hardest-thing-about-starting-a-band/paged/4/#post-303841 Thu, 07 Aug 2008 01:52:40 +0000
Correct as usual. I really hoped the other guitar player would kind of step up into that role but he really hasn't. He's done some of it but not all. He's a very good player, been playing for years and takes his music seriously. What used to be Friday night jam sessions are now Friday night practice which I actually enjoy. I really don't mind playing songs several times in fact soemtimes I actually enjoy especially if I really like playing the song.

So from that point of view he has brought a better focus and the new drummer is very much into it also. Mike's Mike and even though he always says he's into it etc., at the end of th eday he still needs prodding. don't get me wrong he's getting better but we are slowing shaming him into actually playing more than root notes for all the songs. That's alittle untrue it's not quite that bad.

I'm moving to the house in New Britain October 1st and the first order of business is to clean out the room where we practice and set it up just as a music room. Maybe even do some recording.]]> Opinions and Polls cnev https://guitarnoise.forum/opinions-and-polls/hardest-thing-about-starting-a-band/paged/4/#post-303841 https://guitarnoise.forum/opinions-and-polls/hardest-thing-about-starting-a-band/paged/4/#post-303833 Thu, 07 Aug 2008 01:21:27 +0000
Every band has leaders and followers. I know you, you are a leader. You will practice one song for hours trying to get it right. That is a good thing, you need someone like that in every band.

And Mike is a wonderful person, but he is a follower. To get the most out of Mike you have to do all the work for him. Print out a songsheet for him that is simple and easy to read. Make lots of copies, because if he takes it home, he will never bring it back. That's just how people are. You are going to have to push him along at first.

Don't feel bad because you are more dedicated than the others. Nobody likes to be pushy, but if you are going to get anywhere, somebody has to be the boss and push the thing along.

I have played with David Hodge several times, and he is the boss. He has all the music, he makes the set-list, he decides who will play and who will sing a song. It doesn't bother me, it is his show. You need someone in charge like this. :D

Chris, you need to be the boss, or at least co-boss with the other guitarist. Nothing to feel guilty or bad about, it is necessary.]]> Opinions and Polls Wes Inman https://guitarnoise.forum/opinions-and-polls/hardest-thing-about-starting-a-band/paged/4/#post-303833 https://guitarnoise.forum/opinions-and-polls/hardest-thing-about-starting-a-band/paged/4/#post-303828 Thu, 07 Aug 2008 00:56:03 +0000 Opinions and Polls Ness K https://guitarnoise.forum/opinions-and-polls/hardest-thing-about-starting-a-band/paged/4/#post-303828 https://guitarnoise.forum/opinions-and-polls/hardest-thing-about-starting-a-band/paged/4/#post-303821 Thu, 07 Aug 2008 00:07:10 +0000
But we do have a new drummer and lead guitarist that you've never met and the guitar player is very good so he kind of is the solidifies the band but I actually feel I'm beginning to add value in a significant way..basically I don't feel like I sux as bad as I used to and I think we play some of the songs really well we just need a singer.]]> Opinions and Polls cnev https://guitarnoise.forum/opinions-and-polls/hardest-thing-about-starting-a-band/paged/4/#post-303821 https://guitarnoise.forum/opinions-and-polls/hardest-thing-about-starting-a-band/paged/4/#post-303819 Wed, 06 Aug 2008 23:51:07 +0000 Opinions and Polls rparker https://guitarnoise.forum/opinions-and-polls/hardest-thing-about-starting-a-band/paged/4/#post-303819 https://guitarnoise.forum/opinions-and-polls/hardest-thing-about-starting-a-band/paged/3/#post-303814 Wed, 06 Aug 2008 23:20:09 +0000
I don't know if they are intimidated by new songs, or just lazy. Either way, I will make a songsheet for each player showing the chords and lyrics. And then I'll usually say something like, "C'mon guys, humor me for one minute and please just try to play the song one time."

If you can get them to try it one time you usually got them. More often than not, the song comes out great and they are thrilled. All of the objections disappear. I have introduced dozens of songs to my band this way. :D

But you've got to write that songsheet out well so that it is very simple and easy to follow.

And if anybody in the band complains that you are picking all the songs, remind them you are the only one actually printing out songsheets, burning CDs of the songs for each player.... Hey, if they want to introduce some songs, tell them to get off their lazy duff. :roll:]]> Opinions and Polls Wes Inman https://guitarnoise.forum/opinions-and-polls/hardest-thing-about-starting-a-band/paged/3/#post-303814