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Post by jmuscara on Apr 15, 2015 7:02:54 GMT -5
This whole recent episode has actually nicely refocused me. Or rather, it has caused me to be a little more disciplined in what I do and don't do. I'm tired of trying, so I'm just going to do what I want. I mean, I think I had started doing things that I didn't really want to do because I had hoped it would get me work. Screw that. I'd go to shows because I wanted to get a gig, but I don't go to enough shows of bands I do want to see. I'd spend time practicing but I wasn't having fun. So I'm seeing what is fun to practice, yet giving myself time because it's not fun to practice stuff you're not good at, but you gotta get through that to get to where it is fun. That's really the trick. Not everything will be fun, but is it leading to something fun and is it worth the trouble? I have a different light on that now.
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Post by bscott on May 10, 2015 18:39:59 GMT -5
Ya know, reading this thread again, I think what James has said about becoming the band leader and hiring side men could be your best bet. Side musicians can still contribute to the creative process but, as a hired hand if they become a pain in the ass or obstructionist to your vision, pow your gone. Not as personal as trying to be a collective with each person having equal say. And when your "soul brother" and writing foil is not into it any more, for whatever reason, the hired hand gets replaced. Everyone else has said the same thing. It's your dream. You become the leader and prime motivator. And if someone gets distracted from "the prize" ya gotta. Nothing personal but noone is going to hold you back from achieving your dream.
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Post by jmuscara on May 11, 2015 6:55:06 GMT -5
Thanks, bscott. Actually, that's a path I've been on inadvertently. I'm trying to put an R&B band together for a singer (though it may be her band. We still need to talk about who is in charge of what) and I'm talking to the same drummer about playing some jazz together. Then I realized, hey, I'm starting my own projects! I'm kinda done waiting on other people to hire me. That's a quick path to burnout in my experience. If it happens, great, if it doesn't, I need to keep moving.
Meanwhile, I finally had another piano lesson and that was indicative. There was a moment where I was just really disappointed about what he wanted me to work on. I just felt like it wasn't right for me anymore. It's really a bummer. We've been friends for years while I've studied with him, and I remember early days of studying with him I used to come out of there feeling great. Now, not so much. It's probably me. I agree with what he sees as my weaknesses, but right now there are other things I want to focus on (my other weaknesses). This is like leaving a job that's not right for you but also leaving behind friends there. It's hard and I've not quite decided how to tell him. I will miss the hang and the camaraderie. But it's also hindering me musically, so I guess it has to go.
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Post by voodoo on May 12, 2015 6:08:40 GMT -5
Jmuscara, IMO every band must have a leader but what defines a leader?
I remember playing with The Pretenders after James Honeywell Scott Od,d and that band was a mess, ego,s drugs and everybody trying to out do the other caused so many problems with them I was just seton in while they found there next guitarist n what I saw was a women Chrissy Hynde who either got her way or threw a shit fit , she wanted NO input from the band members, refused to allow anyone else to sing, n when an interview was asked it was HER n HER alone.... That eventually killed The Pretenders
I think after she married Ray Davies he must have calmed her down or something or gave her the insight of what it's like to be a professional musician and have ONE person put themselves ona pedestal above the rest of the band.
When my record company took notice of how many friends I would play with as a guest n. That I put myself into the eyes n ears of those at the clubs so they knew me. Sadly the company we were signed with changed the name of the bands n the second Lp was ST JAMES n The Blues Disciples.... By putting my name above the rest of my mates drove a spike between us all
IMO a GOOD bandleader should be one who writes the majority of the lyrics but also gives his mates there time in the light, He or she must be a motivator, and MEVER make the mistake of denying your mates to voice there input as to how a song is being played. Ya have to be Humble but also have that TYPE A personality, a motivator one who makes it fun to play with.
ONLY A FOOL would NOT listen to another professional musician who also spent years perfecting his craft, each person Ina band must feel as an equal part to be happy n it takes only ONE UNHAPPY member to fuck everything up.
I remember once we had a song that IMO sounded ducking PERFECT n I made the MISTAKE of blowing off the drummer bass players input of putting In a stop at a certain point.....when we recorded the song Todd Rundgrend was the producer na fine one at that and out of themBlue he said IT WOULD SOUND GREAT. We put a stop in for two seconds n then Went into the chorus. paso we taped it that way, and the drummer n bass player were right it sounded 100 times better. I apologized profusely but it was not until we had a gig and I was talking to the audience n said this is a song I wrote about my life alone as a child, and I thought it was a good song and since it was about my life I wanted it my way, but it wasn't u til I took the advice of my drummer n bass player that this song went fro a Good song to a GREAT SONG, so,I'd like to thank both of them for making a song that meant so much to me even better... that statement BOUND us together....
I led the band because I wrote all the lyrics n a lot of the melodies, but I quickly learned for it to be a BAND as in 5 minds thinking as one everyone must be allowed there input and there time in the light.
What U have been dealing with everyone has thought about, it's th HARDEST JOB YOU,LL EVER HAVE, we al, questioned ourselves wether we were good enough, is this what I really want, does everyone have the same BRASS RING in sight ?
This is normal and once worked out you,ll feel even more of a professional, U must have some mad talents t be able to jump into another band, so use them to help u.
IMO a Band or a group,of people working together someone must take the lead but NEVER put yourself,above them, once the tension gets to be to much YPU have got to do something about it. Being the Frontmann lead guitarist tend to make others feel left out so be sure to let all members give there input n let very big decision be decided by a vote. I learned the hard way, n after zi did learn I always grabbed someone from them and when asked to do an interview , I ALWAYS introduced the band as we did Pipeline or Rumble letting each have 30 seconds to do there own thing , aim would walk,off stage when there was no need for me onstage n let the, get there time In the light
Well. Guess I may be rambling but I think U know what I'm saying.....
I know one thing MUSIC is your life n if it wasn't this would,not be such a large decision for u to make.... Whatever u decide stick to it , but personally Imwould rather have less money n do what I love doing then have some. Desk or construction job that pays well but gives no personal pride or happiness from what u r doing,
Sadly we live in a MONEY driven society, the first 5 years of struggling were some of the happiest times of my life, it takes WAY MORE than knowing how to,plays a instrument to be I a successful band, u have to have people skills n realize without the band u will look like an idiot up there alone......
Keep your band mates happy n u will be happy.... Carry on J I know u will make the decision that's right for u. James
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Post by jmuscara on May 12, 2015 6:52:04 GMT -5
"a Band or a group,of people working together someone must take the lead but NEVER put yourself,above them" Exactly. I've often heard people say a band has to be a "benevolent dictatorship." In other words, it needs a strong leader, but one that cares about the others and what they think. Besides, collaboration beings SO MUCH more to the whole act of creation than doing it alone. I've done it. With my old band, I wrote some songs. They made them sound so much better than I could alone. I'd throw out ideas, and if they didn't work, that was fine. "I know u will make the decision that's right for u." Thanks, James. I'll be alright. Some days, it's just hard to tell.
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