This article made me think of a personal experience. When I was much younger, and in need of more funds to support my growing family, I joined a gospel quartet group as the bass player. I did not need a lot of rehearsal as I was familiar with most of the music. After the first gig where we took in a few hundred dollars , the band went out for food. I didn't order anything because I did not hve money with me, I was just waiting for the split of the collection. Finally I asked when we would be splitting the offering. I was told that all of the money was used to buy meals and outfits and a new bus they were saving for. This did not sound like what I had in mind. I quit and started a work for pay band with some old friends.
Damn, that would suck. I always paid my bandmates right after the gig.
But this one time I had a drummer sit in who had a drinking problem and I had to babysit him all day to be sure he was sober for the gig.
We made about $400 each that night and I paid everyone right in front of each member but when I got to him and was just about to hand him his money, I pulled back my hand and said, "Wait a minute, I have to charge you for babysitting services."
He looked at me surprised as I tallied up the fees, adding 30% because I charge more to babysit adults. The total came out to his entire $400 cut.
Without missing a beat he said, "You want to buy some boots?", as he took them off his feet and showed them off. They were pretty cool boots and in my size to boot.
"How much?", I asked.
"$200.", he said.
I bought the boots and eventually his pants, belt, shirt, and everything he had on him save his underwear.
He walked out of the club with a case of cold beer a handful of cash and wearing only his underwear. Funny as hell.
I'm happy to say he is clean and sober now for many years and still is rocking the drums.
The process to deal the decisions in a variety group of people is aways hard. I had a friend that says "To have a band you need to master people and not music". I think that have the tasks distributed along the musicians (when you don't have a producer) is the best way to do. I think this turns the process more inparcial.
"To have a band you need to master people and not music"
Your friend is very wise indeed.
The whole process involves people, even those not in the band. Each has their own motivations for being involved. The venue, the crowd, the publicist, the radio stations, have distinct reasons for working with you.
The whole experience taught me so many lessons about dealing with people that serve me well to this day. Better than a degree in psychology at the university would have.
Working with people is the key to having a working band.
Great post,very interesting what you had to say about achieving things and all co-operating together in the band. I have no experience in the music industry but i can relate to the advice given on working things out and interacting with people,thanks for sharing.
The cool thing about being able to work with creative people is creative people can do anything. The same principles work in any creative process across any field because we are still working with creative people.
Years ago I managed a regional band and the one thing I found out was that musicians NEVER think they are ready to perform live. If left to their own devices, they will tweak and fine tune in the garage forever. I booked gigs for them, they complained, they played, and we never looked back.
Some musicians feel that way unless they have been playing for years already. Just keep the gigs coming and before you know it they are too busy to worry about it. As long as they're getting laid and paid they're happy.
True. It helped to have 100% commitment. When I started the original band the guys were in other bands and quit them to join mine. That is an interesting story. Thanks for reminding me of another great idea for a post.
In my band, which is not quite a collective nor led by a single band leader, we had a major level-up when we started delegating specific tasks, naming our goals specifically and having a single person take responsibility for each step of the way.
Seems obvious in hindsight, but it took us a while to get there, especially given that we are a passion project, and none of us is set on trying to make a living playing.
This article made me think of a personal experience. When I was much younger, and in need of more funds to support my growing family, I joined a gospel quartet group as the bass player. I did not need a lot of rehearsal as I was familiar with most of the music. After the first gig where we took in a few hundred dollars , the band went out for food. I didn't order anything because I did not hve money with me, I was just waiting for the split of the collection. Finally I asked when we would be splitting the offering. I was told that all of the money was used to buy meals and outfits and a new bus they were saving for. This did not sound like what I had in mind. I quit and started a work for pay band with some old friends.
Damn, that would suck. I always paid my bandmates right after the gig.
But this one time I had a drummer sit in who had a drinking problem and I had to babysit him all day to be sure he was sober for the gig.
We made about $400 each that night and I paid everyone right in front of each member but when I got to him and was just about to hand him his money, I pulled back my hand and said, "Wait a minute, I have to charge you for babysitting services."
He looked at me surprised as I tallied up the fees, adding 30% because I charge more to babysit adults. The total came out to his entire $400 cut.
Without missing a beat he said, "You want to buy some boots?", as he took them off his feet and showed them off. They were pretty cool boots and in my size to boot.
"How much?", I asked.
"$200.", he said.
I bought the boots and eventually his pants, belt, shirt, and everything he had on him save his underwear.
He walked out of the club with a case of cold beer a handful of cash and wearing only his underwear. Funny as hell.
I'm happy to say he is clean and sober now for many years and still is rocking the drums.
The process to deal the decisions in a variety group of people is aways hard. I had a friend that says "To have a band you need to master people and not music". I think that have the tasks distributed along the musicians (when you don't have a producer) is the best way to do. I think this turns the process more inparcial.
Your friend is very wise indeed.
The whole process involves people, even those not in the band. Each has their own motivations for being involved. The venue, the crowd, the publicist, the radio stations, have distinct reasons for working with you.
Finding the right buttons to push for each actor and orchestrating the whole play is a great idea for a post and I do go into that more in How I Booked 300 Shows Per Year For My Rock Band - Growing Your Music Into A Business.
The whole experience taught me so many lessons about dealing with people that serve me well to this day. Better than a degree in psychology at the university would have.
Working with people is the key to having a working band.
Great post,very interesting what you had to say about achieving things and all co-operating together in the band. I have no experience in the music industry but i can relate to the advice given on working things out and interacting with people,thanks for sharing.
The cool thing about being able to work with creative people is creative people can do anything. The same principles work in any creative process across any field because we are still working with creative people.
Years ago I managed a regional band and the one thing I found out was that musicians NEVER think they are ready to perform live. If left to their own devices, they will tweak and fine tune in the garage forever. I booked gigs for them, they complained, they played, and we never looked back.
Some musicians feel that way unless they have been playing for years already. Just keep the gigs coming and before you know it they are too busy to worry about it. As long as they're getting laid and paid they're happy.
@luzcypher chord progression often cures the ills of poor lyrics. Band members need to understand this.
Could you elaborate so we can understand this?
The problem I've run in to is that the other 2 members of our band are in other bands. Kinda hard to keep gigs around the other schedules!
True. It helped to have 100% commitment. When I started the original band the guys were in other bands and quit them to join mine. That is an interesting story. Thanks for reminding me of another great idea for a post.
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STOPI've done 4 posts in one day many times.
Useful tips for sure. Thanks.
In my band, which is not quite a collective nor led by a single band leader, we had a major level-up when we started delegating specific tasks, naming our goals specifically and having a single person take responsibility for each step of the way.
Seems obvious in hindsight, but it took us a while to get there, especially given that we are a passion project, and none of us is set on trying to make a living playing.
I'm no where near music but this advice covers so many areas in business and personal relationships. ReSteemed. Thanks!
Thanks for the resteem