I Gotta Stop Leading Bands

Each year at my church we have a harvest festival, this year it is October 7. For the last four years I have put together a side group to play radio type christian music.

Four weeks ago I get a six song setlist together, burn CD's, purchase all the music, and ask people to play. For the people who want to be in the band I give them CD & music. I touch base a couple times to make sure we're all still on and plan a couple nights to rehearse.

Last night we have our first rehearsal and yup, you guessed it.... Oh I haven't listened to the CD, ohh I think I know how that goes, I'm not sure about the music but I'm really good a playing by ear.

If this wasn't my church band I'd say WT*. So we got through two songs and will rehearse two more times before the festival. But I just have to stop punishing myself with leading bands. I have two bands right now that I don't do anything but prepare myself and this was a good reminder why.

I gave up expecting people to listen to songs ahead of practices ages ago...lovely when it happens but for folks with days jobs, kids, yadda yadda yadda...

So true...

I don't lose my temper over it, but I am pretty rigid in the band I run that rehearsal time is never wasted on something which somebody can deal with on their own time.

You can say that it's pretty easy to have that attitude when you've got a band full of musicians who already understand that "practice" is what you do between rehearsals... but part of being a band leader is facilitating a culture of professionalism.

But they showed up... the interest is there. You have a couple more practices before the show, so hopefully they will have all heard the tunes and be prepared. The most stressful thing about band life for me is people not showing up (hasn't happened with my current band). Keep your head up for this next practice and if they show up unprepared again, lay down the law.

Don't let 'em take away your passion.

If this wasn't my church band I'd say WT*. :lol:

Leading a band, even one in which everyone is on the same page and willing, at least in principle, to invest a proper amount of personal time, is just plain hard work. Worth the effort if you've got a vision of what the band ought to be. And a lot of patience.

Each year at my church we have a harvest festival, this year it is October 7. For the last four years I have put together a side group to play radio type christian music.

Four weeks ago I get a six song setlist together, burn CD's, purchase all the music, and ask people to play. For the people who want to be in the band I give them CD & music. I touch base a couple times to make sure we're all still on and plan a couple nights to rehearse.

Last night we have our first rehearsal and yup, you guessed it.... Oh I haven't listened to the CD, ohh I think I know how that goes, I'm not sure about the music but I'm really good a playing by ear.

If this wasn't my church band I'd say WT*. So we got through two songs and will rehearse two more times before the festival. But I just have to stop punishing myself with leading bands. I have two bands right now that I don't do anything but prepare myself and this was a good reminder why.

I would have a rehearsal one week after passing out the CDs and music,with 2 specific songs to learn.Those who didn't do their homework,well,flunk the course...simple as that.This gives you time to get a replacement.