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Craigslist and the art of finding band mates - DRUMMERWORLD OFFICIAL DISCUSSION FORUM
Well, I'm back to the drawing board, trying to find some new folks to play with now that my guitarist friend left town.
I thought it'd be fun to start a thread and get some insights on how others have looked for band mates and what worked best for them.
Here's my ad:
http://boise.craigslist.org/muc/793964268.html
So far I've had one (of very many) local classic rock cover band contact me, asking if I'd like to learn the set list and gig w/ them (did they read the ad?) I've had a couple other strange encounters...but not a lot of other luck so far.
I'm a busy guy, so I don't get out into the local music scene enough to pick up band mates that way...and I've had nothing but good luck w/ Craigslist so far.
What are everyone else's experiences doing it this way?
Share some crazy stories, too, if ya have 'em.
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My experieneces have been a lot of talk but no action lol
Ive found jazz trumpeters, pianist, guitar players ect ect ect but they always fall thru.
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Quote: : My experieneces have been a lot of talk but no action lol
Ive found jazz trumpeters, pianist, guitar players ect ect ect but they always fall thru.
Wow, that sounds like my situation.
Actually I've had more luck with bandmix.com.
I put down my interests and what I like to play, and I've received a lot of responses.
The year's almost over and I haven't had a gig yet.
But at least I've met some talented people on there.
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Quote: :
So far I've had one (of very many) local classic rock cover band contact me, asking if I'd like to learn the set list and gig w/ them (did they read the ad?) ....
Strange encounters...but not a lot of other luck so far.
Read?
They probably didn't and most won't.
They see "drummer looking...." and that's about it.
You have a rehearsal space....they'll ask you to drive 45 miles to jam with them.
You give them your influences, they'll tell you they want to start a "Robin Trower Tribute band".
Prepare to meet 100 flakes for every 1 cat you might be able to work with.
But you will walk away with some killer stories one of the craziest I went through.
Cat talked me into jammin' at his place.
Said he had an e-kit.
OK, cool. I just bring stix.
He didn't tell me it was homemade.
So his pads keep not triggering.
All of them, randomly.
Him, his bass player and myself have to wear headphones.
His parents live in the house next door....can't we just play quiet?
No....ok except the headphones, amp, mixer, everything bites.
1 1/2 hours into this and 1 1/2 liters of water into me....I ask "dude, can I use your restroom?"....No!
"What!!!" I don't let people use my bathroom.
And with that, I just grab my stix and say "See ya".
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Quote: : Read? They probably didn't and most won't.
They see "drummer looking...." and that's about it.
You have a rehearsal space....they'll ask you to drive 45 miles to jam with them.
You give them your influences, they'll tell you they want to start a "Robin Trower Tribute band".
Prepare to meet 100 flakes for every 1 cat you might be able to work with.
But you will walk away with some killer stories one of the craziest I went through.
Cat talked me into jammin' at his place.
Said he had an e-kit.
OK, cool. I just bring stix.
He didn't tell me it was homemade.
So his pads keep not triggering.
All of them, randomly.
Him, his bass player and myself have to wear headphones.
His parents live in the house next door....can't we just play quiet?
No....ok except the headphones, amp, mixer, everything bites.
1 1/2 hours into this and 1 1/2 liters of water into me....I ask "dude, can I use your restroom?"....No!
"What!!!" I don't let people use my bathroom.
And with that, I just grab my stix and say "See ya".
Right on. I have similar experiences with craigslist.
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Quote: : Read? They probably didn't and most won't.
They see "drummer looking...." and that's about it.
You have a rehearsal space....they'll ask you to drive 45 miles to jam with them.
You give them your influences, they'll tell you they want to start a "Robin Trower Tribute band".
Prepare to meet 100 flakes for every 1 cat you might be able to work with.
But you will walk away with some killer stories one of the craziest I went through.
Cat talked me into jammin' at his place.
Said he had an e-kit.
OK, cool. I just bring stix.
He didn't tell me it was homemade.
So his pads keep not triggering.
All of them, randomly.
Him, his bass player and myself have to wear headphones.
His parents live in the house next door....can't we just play quiet?
No....ok except the headphones, amp, mixer, everything bites.
1 1/2 hours into this and 1 1/2 liters of water into me....I ask "dude, can I use your restroom?"....No!
"What!!!" I don't let people use my bathroom.
And with that, I just grab my stix and say "See ya".
Wow, Harry that's a riot!
"No? Do you allow people to tinkle on the floor?
'Cause that's what I'm gonna do if I can't use your toilet!"
You're exactly right about the cover band...not my thing at all, anyhow.
Geeze.
I guess I've been lucky, I never had to look for very long but it's especially quiet these past couple of weeks.
I had one guy sending me emails a few times a day for a couple of days...but I quickly realized he wasn't worried about it being a 2-way conversation.
It was eerie...he just kept telling me (with great passion and a very serious tone) exactly what type of music he intends to play.
I still don't know what, if any instrument this guy plays.
Freakshow contestants...
Another is a bass player that seems like a nice guy...but it felt like a job interview (for about 20 min.
Straight!) I wonder what part of "FUN first" these guys don't understand?
Oh well, there's always tomorrow!
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I get the feeling people who answer these ads do not have many teeth.
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Quote: : I get the feeling people who answer these ads do not have many teeth.
And/or they're replying from prison...
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Just tonight I had my first experience with Craigslist.
My friend and I have been jamming, writing songs for the past few weeks and we need more people.
So my friend posted a craigslist ad looking for a bass player and got a response.
Turns out the guy actually has a rehearsal room in the same complex as us.
We jammed with him tonight for the first time and not only was a pretty cool guy, he was a good musician, too.
I had very low expectations going into it because of the horror stories I've heard about craigslist.
I guess we just got lucky with him.
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Before the "internet", the Recycler was the place to find musicians/place adds.
But all my most successful meetings of "similar minds" has come from networking and personal referrals.
It's purely a numbers game.
Unless you get really lucky right off the bat, the more cats you meet and jam with, the better your chances.
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A real big plus for you is that you have your own space, at home.
That means you can call the shots more or less and it's different when you are the one looking rather than offering.
My first add in Craigs List and in Kiijjii got a tremendous response but alas no one clearly read my add which states that I was only interested in something casual, I received quite a few emails from existing bands wanting to record, become famous etc.
Your add is quite precise so perhaps it's just a numbers game like my sales job, I update it every so often so that it's fresh.
I did end up playing with a band of sorts for awhile, they simply replied back to me "lots of stuff going on here";
How could I resist, but you really are in a good situation in my opinion, rehearsal space here in Toronto can be a hassle.
My new add is not doing so well, but I really am limiting my chances.
http://toronto.en.craigslist.ca/tor/muc/756214307.html
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I got pretty lucky with my Craiglist posting early last 2007.
The first band that got back to me, I auditioned for, and have been with ever since.
They are all around the same age and we all love the same hobbies, have interests in the same TV shows/movies/etc and love joking around.
A bonus was that the one guitarist (we practice at his home too) has a full Protools rig and drumset right in the basement.
Less for me to bring every week!
Most importantly, we ALL share a HUGE desire and ambition to becoming a successful music group and making good original music.
As weeks and months go by, we feel more and more like family, not just "coworkers" for lack of a better word.
I am incredibly blessed and grateful.
Some of it is luck, and some of it is timing!
If I had delayed my posting, who knows where I'd be!
So I say, good luck and timing to you :)
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Here are my tips for writing musician wanted ads:
1.
Use the space to posture in front of the people who kicked you out of your previous band.
Talk about your gear a lot.
2.
Specify that you need people who actually have instruments and a way to move them around.
3.
Mention the most obscure influences possible.
Make names up even, since no one will have heard of these bands anyway.
Bands with numbers in their names are preferred: Banghammer 7, Spunkmuffin 5, Satan's Chum, Necrofascistnanalhunger, etc.
4.
Ask for a cellist.
It will make you seem avant-garde and there are never any around so you won't have to worry about having to play with one.
5.
Say you need people who are professional, but give a contact name like Spooky or Biff.
6.
Say you need people with the right look and attitude, nose-to-anus chain piercings, tattooed faces, etc.
Any other tips?
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Spunkmuffin! I like that.
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Quote: : Here are my tips for writing musician wanted ads:
1.
Use the space to posture in front of the people who kicked you out of your previous band.
Talk about your gear a lot.
2.
Specify that you need people who actually have instruments and a way to move them around.
3.
Mention the most obscure influences possible.
Make names up even, since no one will have heard of these bands anyway.
Bands with numbers in their names are preferred: Banghammer 7, Spunkmuffin 5, Satan's Chum, Necrofascistnanalhunger, etc.
4.
Ask for a cellist.
It will make you seem avant-garde and there are never any around so you won't have to worry about having to play with one.
5.
Say you need people who are professional, but give a contact name like Spooky or Biff.
6.
Say you need people with the right look and attitude, nose-to-anus chain piercings, tattooed faces, etc.
Any other tips?
Bwuaha! Okay, I have a few:
7.
Lots of ego...profess to be the best in your respective instrument (e.g.
"I'm perhaps the best singer in the area....my biggest hero being Bon Scott").
8.
Don't read the ad, just blindly respond...and make sure you're plenty drunk after a night of tying one on.
Send 3 or 4 successive emails to nail down points you forgot to mention in the previous email.
9.
Don't take "no" for an answer...to hell w/ those pointless restraining orders, too.
10.
Mention that you're cool with a "chick" being in the band...as long as she's "hot".
11.
Make it clear that the terms of your parole don't allow you to gig out of state.
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Quote: : My experieneces have been a lot of talk but no action lol
Ive found jazz trumpeters, pianist, guitar players ect ect ect but they always fall thru.
I'm looking to jam too so I'd be interested to know how this works out for people.
I'm an intermediate level.
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Craigslist sucks.
Maybe 1 in 10,000 is a real band or artist looking and they will hide who they are.
Say you want to hear mp3's and see their MS page with dates.
No tunes or dates there's no reason to check it out.
Gas is too expensive.
The last and final CL jam I went to I took my bass because he said he had gigs.
I get there and we go upstairs to the jam room there's 2 guinea pigs in a huge cage that smells like they haven't cleaned it in months.
Wth. He couldn't get a drummer to show up.
Wth.
The guitarists had tiny little PV backstage solid state amps just as whiny and non musical as it gets.
He hooks me in to a backstage bass amp, oh the full lowend.
The lead guitarist played lead from start to finish and the "leader" was trying to show me roots rock songs in real time with tricky non repeating chord changes.
I stopped after 2 1/2 songs and said I'm not into it.
The guitarist got kinda confrontational and said ok so show me what your in to.
I just kept packing up and shaking my head.
I tried to be nice but they sucked.
Drove 40 minutes there, played 5 minutes and then drove home = BUST.
Turns out he was trying to play a 420 gig in 3 days and he was desparate so he was lying and leaving out key facts like I'd be jamming in an amonia laiden Guinea pig cage.
I said 420? I'm in the music ministry.
No mp3s or dates, no go.
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I posted a "guitarist wanted" ad on Craigslist about six months ago, and it worked out very nicely.
I ended up booting my old guitarist because he had too much crap going on, and I got one hit on the ad from a guy that also goes to my school.
So me and my bassist tried him out, and since he needed a rhythm section, we ended up being pulled into his band, which has worked out pretty well so far.
Strange how some things work out.
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My first shot at craigslist a little over a year ago turned out great.
Had one audition with a band and got the gig.
The other three guys were very good players and nice, easy-going sorts.
I stayed with the band until just recently when I quit cuz the "theme" of the band was feeling a bit limiting: we only played songs about drinking, drinks and drunks.
So I'm just now starting to look again.
In fact, I just replied to an ad yesterday: classic rock cover band.
So we'll see what happens.
Otherwise for buying and selling stuff, I think craigslist is awesome.
I've sold tons of stuff, and bought a 6-piece '70s Vistalite kit with all the hardware for only $900.
Can't beat it.
And if you want some weird kind of entertainment, just list some old junk on there for free.
The kind of deadbeat oddballs who turn up to take any kind of crap you have, (as long as it's free) will amaze you.
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Quote: : Banghammer 7, Spunkmuffin 5, Satan's Chum, Necrofascistnanalhunger, etc.
6.
Say you need people with the right look and attitude, nose-to-anus chain piercings, tattooed faces, etc.
Any other tips?
LMAO! DMC, I like your sense of humour.
I just glazed my screen with the spray of iced-t, reminds me of when my last band would cover "Stinkfist" from Tool, singer would intro it with the Quote: "This is a song about a missing wristwatch".
But as already said, Bandmix is a little better, you can narrow down your prospective applicants if even by a little.
And to contact you, they do have to pay, unless you post your e-mail or #, which I would always strongly advise to not do.
But you can create your page for free, which includes photos, sounds, and alot more than you would expect for being free, to start out with.
And they have a forum, which is strongly moderated, but in a different way, from here.
How about the publication "Trader's Times"?
We have it around here, its kind of like "Auto Trader" but with EVERYTHING, and I really mean E V E R Y T H I N G!
"Want a 27' above ground pool with no liner, fence included?
You come and take it!" LOL.
I have found 2 pretty successful but short-lived bands here.
Check it out.
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Quote: : Here are my tips for writing musician wanted ads:
1.
Use the space to posture in front of the people who kicked you out of your previous band.
Talk about your gear a lot.
2.
Specify that you need people who actually have instruments and a way to move them around.
3.
Mention the most obscure influences possible.
Make names up even, since no one will have heard of these bands anyway.
Bands with numbers in their names are preferred: Banghammer 7, Spunkmuffin 5, Satan's Chum, Necrofascistnanalhunger, etc.
4.
Ask for a cellist.
It will make you seem avant-garde and there are never any around so you won't have to worry about having to play with one.
5.
Say you need people who are professional, but give a contact name like Spooky or Biff.
6.
Say you need people with the right look and attitude, nose-to-anus chain piercings, tattooed faces, etc.
Any other tips?
I love the bands that will advertise for a drummer and say something like, we are having a hard time with drummers or our last drummer was a jerk or say something else derogatory about their last drummer.
Makes me think that maybe they have a bad attitude towards their drummers.
They're saying, "You can be the asshole mentioned in this ad in two months after we kick you out of the band.
"
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Hey Vinnie,
I have had great luck with Craigslist.
No problems or complaints.
I found the singer and bassist for Band A in craigslist in less than 2 weeks.
As a matter of fact, they were both so good and nice that I didn't need to auditiona anyone else.
I was in another band that I found in craigslist for about 2 months.
Nice guys, just very limited in abilities and the music was a bit mellow for me.
I learned alot, and all in all, was a good experience.
I landed in band 3 now and so far so good.
One of the guys is a bit forceful and wants things his way.
But me and the others are slowly putting him in his place.
It has been fun so far.
It might be that because there is no electicity in Idaho that you are having problems finding musicians.
Most guitar players need some electricity!
Actually it might be due to your location.
I am in the suburbs of Los Angeles, so we might have more musicians around than anywhere else in the country!
One funny experience I had was me inviting a guitar player over to jam.
He was a horrible player, I think he was tweaking, and he brough a mic stand built out of a car steering wheel and a broom duck taped together.
Just seeing him try to sing out of that contraption made the experience worth it!
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Quote: : One of the guys is a bit forceful and wants things his way.
But me and the others are slowly putting him in his place.
It has been fun so far.
One funny experience I had was me inviting a guitar player over to jam.
He was a horrible player, I think he was tweaking, and he brough a mic stand built out of a car steering wheel and a broom duck taped together.
Just seeing him try to sing out of that contraption made the experience worth it!
Cool, Mikei. I guess it all comes down to who responds and who is really serious..
So this guy that wants everything his own way...I m guessing its not the bassist.
: P
As for the "tweaker" with the steering-wheel/broom/duct-tape contraption for a mic stand...
HILARIOUS!! I would ve loved to have seen that goin down!
LOL I have this mental image and its just crackin me up right now.
Gotta love it all, as musicians, you gotta admit...we do meet some interesting folk, dont we?
I have a few stories that I d love to recount, but just wouldnt be proper here at DW.
Good stuff man.
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Quote: : Hey Vinnie,
I have had great luck with Craigslist.
No problems or complaints.
I found the singer and bassist for Band A in craigslist in less than 2 weeks.
As a matter of fact, they were both so good and nice that I didn't need to auditiona anyone else.
I was in another band that I found in craigslist for about 2 months.
Nice guys, just very limited in abilities and the music was a bit mellow for me.
I learned alot, and all in all, was a good experience.
I landed in band 3 now and so far so good.
One of the guys is a bit forceful and wants things his way.
But me and the others are slowly putting him in his place.
It has been fun so far.
It might be that because there is no electicity in Idaho that you are having problems finding musicians.
Most guitar players need some electricity!
Actually it might be due to your location.
I am in the suburbs of Los Angeles, so we might have more musicians around than anywhere else in the country!
One funny experience I had was me inviting a guitar player over to jam.
He was a horrible player, I think he was tweaking, and he brough a mic stand built out of a car steering wheel and a broom duck taped together.
Just seeing him try to sing out of that contraption made the experience worth it!
Holy hell, what was this dude on?
I wonder at what point during his acid trip he decided that he was a singer...what a riot!
Yeah, the electricity thing has been a barrier...that and we all live in caves so the acoustics are terrible.
It's hard carving ideas for drum parts into the walls of the cave, too - we're still waiting on something better to be invented.
;)
Maybe I can convince my third-generation Idahoan wife to move to LA?
I'm a gypsy...her...not so much.
OH, and an update;
3 weeks and nothing but duds and flakes.
I had one of the three bass players who initially contacted me, call me back last night....at 11pm.
I was in bed early so I missed it.
:|
I've had great experiences and have found everyone I've played w/ so far through CL.
It just seems especially slow these days, for whatever reason.
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Quote: : I love the bands that will advertise for a drummer and say something like, we are having a hard time with drummers or our last drummer was a jerk or say something else derogatory about their last drummer.
Makes me think that maybe they have a bad attitude towards their drummers.
They're saying, "You can be the asshole mentioned in this ad in two months after we kick you out of the band.
" That happened to me.
I joined a band that totally bad mouthed the previous two drummers (mainly the space cadet guitarist..hmmm...imagine that) anyway i too found myself the object of scorn and exited.
Turns out, the guitarist didn't know how to count off tunes and did not like me trying to teach him.
Direct Quote: : "we all should just "feel" when to start the tune....if we count, it's not soulful." LOL
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I've found Craig's List to be a good source for information.
Word of mouth, not so sure.
I'm just now getting back into drumming after a long layoff and have been doing it AGAIN for about a 1 1/2 years now and am trying to get good equipment.
I practice. I study.
Occasionally I ask my ex who is a public school choral teacher about melodies and harmonies.
You get the picture....
Through a friend I heard of a local church looking for a drummer.
It was about 10 minutes away from me and I thought I'd give it a shot.
I do want to start gigging again so I thought this would be a good start for me to begin playing in a contemporary praise band.
I'm not a holy roller, but need religion just like the next guy.
To make a long story short I contacted the staff minister putting the band together and was asked several questions, like who my influences were, what type of music I listen to, etc.
I answered I like classic rock, jazz, early jazz, latin and african rythems, and c & w, classical music and formal church hymns and chorals.
The jerk told me to forget it, I wasn't "right" for his project!
What pissed me off a lot was the fact I wasn't even allowed to audition!!
The door was not only shut but slammed in my face!
Has anyone else had a BAD experience like this??
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Quote: : I've found Craig's List to be a good source for information.
Word of mouth, not so sure.
I'm just now getting back into drumming after a long layoff and have been doing it AGAIN for about a 1 1/2 years now and am trying to get good equipment.
I practice. I study.
Occasionally I ask my ex who is a public school choral teacher about melodies and harmonies.
You get the picture....
Through a friend I heard of a local church looking for a drummer.
It was about 10 minutes away from me and I thought I'd give it a shot.
I do want to start gigging again so I thought this would be a good start for me to begin playing in a contemporary praise band.
I'm not a holy roller, but need religion just like the next guy.
To make a long story short I contacted the staff minister putting the band together and was asked several questions, like who my influences were, what type of music I listen to, etc.
I answered I like classic rock, jazz, early jazz, latin and african rythems, and c & w, classical music and formal church hymns and chorals.
The jerk told me to forget it, I wasn't "right" for his project!
What pissed me off a lot was the fact I wasn't even allowed to audition!!
The door was not only shut but slammed in my face!
Has anyone else had a BAD experience like this??
Yeah, not cool at all.
Either he has something very specific in mind or you sent up a red flag when you mentioned your influences...maybe "classic rock" made him think "devil music"?
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I actually have an update, too.
I've had my ad up on CL for weeks now and got a few replies, one guy actually showed up.
The dude that came by the other night was a bassist...he wasn't bad but I'll have to see what he's up to, maybe a couple more times.
I've got a bassist and guitarist lined up for tonight, both of whom I've never met.
The bassist has got to be older than I am, based on our phone conversations.
The guitarist is 19, which might be strange (I'm 30) - but you don't know until you try, eh?
He might come in there and drop some Steve Vai licks that melt everyone's eyebrows off...ya never know!
Good advice for this fellow you talked to, rogue!
;)
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I actually think I may have given him too much information about my influences.
I debated on listing Classic Rock for the very reason you mentioned, but I was trying to be honest as I could.
I've heard a lot of contemporary praise bands use the classic rock beat: 4/4 time signature, eighth notes on the ride or hat, snare beats on 2 nad 4 and the bass drum on 1 and 3.
Sort of boring really, but I was trying to imply I was more interested in the rhythms of the music more than anything else.
He may have read something more into that, though.
He may have had something very specific in mind, like you suggested.
I'm a firm believer that a drummer has got to listen to all styles of music and be exposed to as many rhythms as s/he can be.
To not do that you are limiting yourself.
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Quote: : I'm a firm believer that a drummer has got to listen to all styles of music and be exposed to as many rhythms as s/he can be.
To not do that you are limiting yourself.
I *absolutely* agree.
All of it adds to your vocabulary which defines who you are, as a drummer.
I have a story on that from my experience last night...going to do a follow-up post on it.
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I have found that craigslist is for the people not readily going out to shows themselves.
No offense to anyone on this thread, but where I live, the musicians "community" on craigslist is not for people actively seeking members for a group.
It's more of a, "well, I guess I'll give it a shot." mentality with little follow through and even less commitment.
I've tried a couple of craigslist bands, and I left because they weren't going anywhere (for lack of trying--or even wanting to try).
It's easy to type up a free ad on the internet looking for musicians.
The people I play with now actually go to local concerts, support the music scene, network with musicians and audience members, etc.
They're actually out there working the system and making it work for them.
Oh, and guess how I met them.
:P
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So...last night was a trip.
My experience w/ bassists thus far is helping to form a stereotype in my head, which is probably unfair...but I can only make assessments based on my experiences.
I'm not saying *all* bassists are overbearing, control-freaks, I'm just saying that every one of them *I* have played with so far, has been.
I never go wrong w/ guitarists, horns, keys, etc...not yet.
So, last night I finally meet up with a bassist that I've been chatting with on the phone on-and-off for about a week.
Last night he showed up (an hour early, so I didn't get to warm up at all) and brought a guitar player w/ him.
I figured it'd be cool, I had invited a guitarist, too.
These guys setup while I tried to get at least 5 min.
Of warmup on the snare, w/ the snares off.
Thirty seconds into my warmup the bassist "shooshes" me because he needs to tune up...fine, understandable.
The guitarist was a rather strange cat who didn't introduce himself, shake my hand, or even say "hi".
The first thing this bassist says, once they're all setup is;
"Let's warm up with a blues tune!".
So, I fire off with a little mid-tempo shuffle w/ 4-on-the-floor...they dig it, and we dig in for a little jam.
The guitarist liked what I was doing and was all smiles...the bassist just kept giving me this sour look, like he might be working out a wicked-stubborn fart.
These guys were L-O-U-D.
I couldn't hear *any* of my drums, save for the snare...which was only because I was whipping out rim-shots.
The crashes were barely audible over the amps (and I play fairly big cymbals).
When we finish a few minutes later...the bassist tells me "that was great...but try to do more with the cymbals".
I had no idea what he meant, I'm not sure he did either.
He senses as much and before I can ask he says;
"Try to use the hi-hats more and during the changes, try to use all of your cymbals more".
I'm puzzled...and a little tense at that point because I can get a sense of where this is going.
The guitar player says "nah, that was great, I liked that, just let him play." So, we run through the tune again but I do a swingy groove where I did two-handed 16ths on the hats, with a little slosh for volume.
I throw in accents here-and-there to comp the guitarist, he's happy and laughs a little as we play off of each other.
When we're done, again the bassist says "that was good, I like that, but use cymbals wherever you can...on all of our tunes you can't go wrong w/ cymbals".
Ok, sure thing.
On the next tune, he attempts to dictate, note-for-note what he wants me to play.
It's obvious he's not a drummer and what he wants me to do doesn't make any sense to me.
I'm fairly irritated at that point but keep my cool.
I tell him; "Well, alright...but why don't you just play and I'll see if I can do something that fits?" He humors me but throws in the "cymbals" comment again.
Then we worked on an original of theirs.
The guitarist shows me his intro which he insists is in 4/4, which leads into the main verse, which is in 6/8.
He tries to explain what he hears in his head for drum parts (lots of cymbals...lots, and lots, and LOTS of cymbals - very orchestral and dramatic).
Well, the intro was in 6/8 too...and I spend the next 10 minutes explaining why.
He insists I'm wrong and says "well, I can't be the drummer too...I can only do so much here." Wow, alright.
I awkwardly force a 4/4 feel into an *obvious* 6/8 blues intro...and eventually he sees the light and concedes that he was counting it wrong.
Eventually the younger guitarist showed up and we collectively made a loud, nasty mess.
The bassist suggested we "warm up with some blues" of course.
It becomes obvious that this is all he can play and wants to play.
After a while the first two guys took off.
We shake hands and the older guitarist paid me some really nice comments, which made me feel better about the whole thing.
The younger guitarist and I jam for another hour or so...and it went swimmingly.
He plays well and we clicked instantly.
He'll be back next week and we're going to look for another bassist to round it all out.
So, there was a happy ending after all...
However, I'm beginning to get bassophobia.
Between the 3 bands I've played in I've gotten along instantly with everyone but the bass player.
Is it just me? I can "lock in" well with them...that's never been an issue.
I'm just not sure what to make of it.
Sorry for the lengthy post - I thought everyone could relate though.
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Unusual with bass players, it's usually the guitarists who are the overbearing control freaks.
I play the bass and the guitar and I tend to find that it works best with people who also play other instruments - there's more of an understanding.
I played with a guy recently who plays the drums, guitar and bass as well as piano - we had a piano and drums jam, both of us playing both, we had guitar and drum jams, again, both of us on both, bass, etc.
We were really getting on with each other and neither of us was telling the other what to play.
Try to find musicians rather than instrumentalists;
A sure sign is that they play more than one instrument, however badly.
Trust me - what musicians say is much more valid and you'll get on better with them.
Those fixed on specific instruments are usually impossible to play with because they're narrow-minded.
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I had a similar experience, zambizzi.
I was playing guitar for a cover band, and I showed up to every rehearsal knowing my parts inside and out.
The bassist was stuck in a rut, trying to figure out his parts during rehearsal (he obviously hadn't practiced the assigned material), and when he "figured them out", he argued that what I learned was wrong.
I proved to him time and time again that I was right (even playing the recordings during practice--what a waste of everyone's time!).
He grimaced at me when we played, and kept on scrutinizing my playing, but his part was way way way shakier than mine.
Eventually, he "kicked" me out of the band.
I had had enough and was about to leave anyways, but the way he confronted me about, very specifically, "booting" me, it just set me over the edge.
I laid into him and his playing and his professionalism (quite hypocritical at this point) and how he conducted himself and how he was a total _
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Wow! That does suck.
It just amazes me the egos some people have!
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In any ad, always mention that you will meet prospective new bandmates at the crossroads at midnight.
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Quote: : In any ad, always mention that you will meet prospective new bandmates at the crossroads at midnight.
"Come alone, un-armed, it'll be a blast!"
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Quote: : So...last night was a trip.
My experience w/ bassists thus far is helping to form a stereotype in my head, which is probably unfair...but I can only make assessments based on my experiences.
I'm not saying *all* bassists are overbearing, control-freaks, I'm just saying that every one of them *I* have played with so far, has been.
I never go wrong w/ guitarists, horns, keys, etc...not yet.
.
SOunds like you could have done better booting the bassist and playing with the two guitarists!
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Quote: : SOunds like you could have done better booting the bassist and playing with the two guitarists!
I am sticking with the younger guy.
I think the older one came with the bassist - a full package...not worth it at all.
All of a sudden I have people answering me left and right.
When it rains it pours!
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