Band Additions

[kgiles]

Hey Gang !

I pretty new to posting around these parts but read the forum quite often.
I'm in a band that has been rehearsing for about a year. We booked our first gig last week and played #1 of the gig series Friday night. It was a rough set. We stopped rehearsals after we got some gigs and paid the price. After the gig we decided to schedule a rehearsal for the next day so brush up on some of our errors. The guitar player didn't want to rehearse and ended up canceling the rehearsal. We have our next gig on Wednesday and the bass player wants to add another sax player to the band who plays sax and keyboards. During the gig he also mentioned that he would like me to play sax and keys. But I'm really not a keyboard player and have no desire to do double duties. It's also a low paying gig so a new member cuts into the pay for the band. Thoughts ?

[Gary622]

I should maybe sit on my hands; I have little experience in band management and small combos, but...

it sounds like you have some group dynamics issues.

Is the bass player the leader of the band, or is it a situation where everyone sort of tries to make group decisions by consensus? If it's the latter, or if the "leader" is providing weak leadership, rehearsals are going to flounder. You didn't say WHY the rehearsals ended once you got a job, but I'm going to hazard a guess that one or more members of the band said "we've got a job, why rehearse? -or- "We'll stay sharp playing the sets."

I would suggest that rehearsals take place on an agreed schedule and if someone can't make it, rehearse without them. Over time, if someone never can make rehearsals, they probably need to be replaced.

On the question of the sax/keyboard player, unless you're in a position to say no, it sounds like you may be in a ticklish position. I know this isn't what you want to hear, but if the bass player is the leader or otherwise in a position to dictate this, is he trying to tell you they want to replace you in favor of the sax/keyboard player? If so, and if you want to stay in the band, you're going to have to make a case that you're a much better sax player and it would be worth it. If not, and they just want to bring another player on, I don't see how you have much choice... either accept that the money is being divided up further or leave the band.

[kgiles]

Funny thing happened, the new guy doesn't play clubs. He's a minister and naturally doesn't go out to clubs.

[JL]

Oh man, well forget about the new guy! And that may be a blessing in disguise. If the band is still not a tight unit, adding another player will not help. In most cases, it will make matters worse.

I've been in the same band for just over 3 years now and we still rehearse (not as much as we used to, but we still have a semi-regular rehearsal schedule). We play lots of gigs and that helps keep us sharp, but we also usually discover some rough spots on the gigs. We take note and then work out any problems at the next rehearsal. I think this approach has worked very well. If you've only played one gig so far, you'll definitiely need to continue rehearsals if you want to get better. Another reason to continue rehearsing is to bring in fresh material so you aren't playing the same tunes over and over.

On the keyboard issue, there is nothing better than a great keyboard player and nothing worse than a mediocre keyboard player. The mediocre player will not add anything to your sound and will muddy up the overall sound. Not what you want! I'd suggest you get the band very tight before adding keys or anyone else. Then when you do audition someone, you'll know right away whether they improve your sound or not. We've tried keys several times and always went back to the 4-piece (sax, guitar, bass, drums). I'd rather add in a trumpet, if anything. But that's another issue.

[Dr G]

On the keyboard issue, there is nothing better than a great keyboard player and nothing worse than a mediocre keyboard player.

Really? How 'bout a mediocre sax player? At least a mediocre keyboard player can play in tune. ;)

[Morry]

Rehearsals are essential unless the level of musicianship is just phenomenal. Thankfully, my band is just getting to the point where we're gigging enough that we won't have to rehearse, except to add new tunes.

BTW, you won't get any sympathy from me over the pay issue. We have 11 members, so you figure what the cuts are like for us. :-)

[JL]

Really? How 'bout a mediocre sax player? At least a mediocre keyboard player can play in tune. ;)

Very good point. I agree. An out of tune, in-your-face horn player might be even worse.