This band thing is tough!

Lance · August 29th, 2004, 07:56 AM

Well...our newly form "um-band" (as it's hard to really call us a band)...is proceeding - but slowly.

Songs: I printed out songs lyrics/chords and put together a binder for each member to help learn the tunes. Having only one music stand was a limitation last night as we tried to get more of the tunes down. Hopefully, everyone will attempt to learn the tunes (including the suggestions from you folks). I also insisted we get down a few "standards" (e.g., Mustang Sally) I used my mp3 player to play the songs through my amp - the guests really got into them - it's obvious we'll need to do these.

Sound: Well - We've got a sound problem. Without real monitors, it's impossible for our singer. Backup vocals and lead singer couldn't even hear each other and insisted the others mike must be off. Still working on that - the bass player is looking to get an amp for the speakers...plus some monitors.

Attitude: Some issues here. I'll play non-stop - same with the bass player & drummer. The singer bags it often (related to monitors?) I got the music for a few girl singer tunes (Sherly Crow, etc) that I knew she'd like but she became frustrated when she couldn't sing along - monitors again?

Other: Wife POed that I came in at 1am and didn't call.

kaibu49 · August 29th, 2004, 09:59 AM

I enjoy the 'band' posts because for me they are a sanity check and it's good to know you're not alone in your feelings sometimes.

The band I'm in does Mustang Sally (probably too much, in thinking of a thread a few months ago about whether this song is worthy) - we do a bunch of other songs that at the right time and place can be a downright embarassment! I'm hanging in for the time being...

I'm not sure what Mackie board we use as I don't own it, but I can conveniently use my old POS peavey solid state amp (my first amp...sigh...) as a monitor so that works out pretty good. I now would like to make a cheap amp stand for this thing so I can angle it up at me.....I've read references to simple, homemade amp stands here - anyone?

Good luck Lance! keep us posted!

kaibu49 · August 29th, 2004, 09:59 AM

I enjoy the 'band' posts because for me they are a sanity check and it's good to know you're not alone in your feelings sometimes.

The band I'm in does Mustang Sally (probably too much, in thinking of a thread a few months ago about whether this song is worthy) - we do a bunch of other songs that at the right time and place can be a downright embarassment! I'm hanging in for the time being...

I'm not sure what Mackie board we use as I don't own it, but I can conveniently use my old POS peavey solid state amp (my first amp...sigh...) as a monitor so that works out pretty good. I now would like to make a cheap amp stand for this thing so I can angle it up at me.....I've read references to simple, homemade amp stands here - anyone?

Good luck Lance! keep us posted!

trag-o-caster · August 29th, 2004, 10:22 AM

Wife P.O.'d because you came in at 1 AM without calling? Better tell her to get used to it! Better tell her to get ready for 4:00 AM with no calling!

I remember early in our relationship, calling home after a gig to tell the Mrs. that I was going to be late because I was going to hang out with the boys afterwords (something that I rarely do). She was FURIOUS! Much screaming, wailing, and gnashing of teeth. She was mad because I called and woke her up!

From then on, every time I decided to hang after a gig, I NEVER called home again. If she made an issue of me not calling, I just remind her of the aforementioned occasion, and that brought instant peace (well, temporarily).

Frankie · August 29th, 2004, 11:15 AM

Here are some things I have done over the years, Right or Wrong..

Quote:

Songs: I printed out songs lyrics/chords and put together a binder for each member to help learn the tunes.

Somehow everyone needs a copy of the tune's your working on. Cass's, CD, it don't matter but they need to be worked on during non-band times. And with tab nowdays, though not always perfect, it will get you in the ball park pretty quick. ( Where was tab in 1972 ? )
As far as standard tunes, sometimes we changed them around just a bit and we always worked on them forever until we played Mustang Sally better then any band in the area. If its good, people will dig it and want to hear it..Have you ever heard Jeff Healey version of " While My Guitar Gently Weeps "? Now, to do them note for note or to change up a little depends on the song, just make sure you nail the hooks. Put together a things to be completed before the next practice list..

Quote:

Sound: Well - We've got a sound problem.

You have to do the best you can with what you have. That may mean everyone has to turn down so the singer can hear herself some what. Then there is the other route, building your own monitors, cutting up old guitar cabinets to use as monitors, only having one main and use the other for the monitor. To have a band you must be able to sing, to sing you must be able to hear, get creative...

Quote:

Attitude: I got the music for a few girl singer tunes (Sherly Crow, etc) that I knew she'd like but she became frustrated when she couldn't sing along - monitors again?

Well my guess is, she is screaming her brains out and still can't hear

Get the monitor thing squared away and I'm sure things will be fine.

Quote:

Other: Wife POed that I came in at 1am and didn't call.

Yea, there has been times when I have called my wife early in the morning and said " Hey, I'm not going to be home last nite "..For sure, it puts you at the top of the wrong list. When you guys start playing out she will start to dig it. My wife now digs me playing guitar live darn near as much as I do. But it didn't happen overnight..

But if you can figure out how to keep you wife from getting PO'd, please post it. I'm sure there are many others here that would be interested..

Hucklebilly · August 29th, 2004, 12:56 PM

Even the most understanding spouse can get a little bent out of shape over the odd hours required to be in a band. My wife have certainly gone around and around about this. I put all my gigging money into a savings account and buy her presents. At the moment we're saving up for a new setting for her engagement ring. That way when I wake her up at four o'clock I can say "baby, I was out there working hard for you!" Doesn't always work, but it helps. It also keeps my GAS in check.

Colo Springs E · August 29th, 2004, 02:27 PM

I tell ya what, I have new-found respect for ANY group of people who can get together and manage to make it up on a stage in your local town; schedules, tastes, level of commitment, talent level, goals.... it's incredibly hard to pull it all together.

When you see a local band playing, give them their props; I don't care what they sound like. They're up there aren't they?

-Eric

Colo Springs E · August 29th, 2004, 02:33 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Frankie

But if you can figure out how to keep you wife from getting PO'd, please post it. I'm sure there are many others here that would be interested...

....my wife is SOOO cool about me playing out, and for that matter, just hanging out. No questions about where I been, why so late, etc. Of course it goes both ways, I can't be raggin' on her for staying out with her friends either.

We're both 41, and I think we just feel it ain't worth it, let each other have a little fun, ya know.

Sometimes I'll kinda flirt with girls in the audience too; she doesn't care, she knows it comes with the territory.

She also knows I'll be coming home with her anyway, so what's the big deal? :) My wifey's a good lady.

Here's the missus and me, one night we were out partying...

-Eric

halouis · August 29th, 2004, 02:40 PM

Lance. cool to hear its moving along. yeah personalities make bands tough. but keep at it.

Just have your wife call mine. she wont be so POd after she hears some of my stunts. ;)

Lance · August 29th, 2004, 03:17 PM

If D starts chatting with L, my jamming days are through!!!

rcrecelius · August 29th, 2004, 07:48 PM

Lance,
Am I understanding this right...you have a female singer in the band? Well, I hate to break this to ya but Ive never seen a female singer that was happy with her monitor! Just keep that in mind while shopping for monitors.

stantheman · August 29th, 2004, 08:30 PM

just get Her the EV with the 15"....best monitor there is
plus it'll be Yours forever and ever and when an experienced Vocalist sees it they gonna wanna sing.

maxwidmer · August 29th, 2004, 08:46 PM

Baard · August 30th, 2004, 02:37 AM

1: Don´t come home drunk at 5 in the morning too often. It really ticks women off.

2: Never say when you´ll be home, just tell her it´s going to be late.

3: Keep emergency funds for crisis.

4: Don´t excuse for playing music. Encourage her to take a hobby too, if she is bored.

Baard

August 29th, 2004, 07:56 AM	#1 (permalink)
Lance Friend of Leo's Join Date: Mar 2003 Posts: 2,164	This band thing is tough! Well...our newly form "um-band" (as it's hard to really call us a band)...is proceeding - but slowly. Songs: I printed out songs lyrics/chords and put together a binder for each member to help learn the tunes. Having only one music stand was a limitation last night as we tried to get more of the tunes down. Hopefully, everyone will attempt to learn the tunes (including the suggestions from you folks). I also insisted we get down a few "standards" (e.g., Mustang Sally) I used my mp3 player to play the songs through my amp - the guests really got into them - it's obvious we'll need to do these. Sound: Well - We've got a sound problem. Without real monitors, it's impossible for our singer. Backup vocals and lead singer couldn't even hear each other and insisted the others mike must be off. Still working on that - the bass player is looking to get an amp for the speakers...plus some monitors. Attitude: Some issues here. I'll play non-stop - same with the bass player & drummer. The singer bags it often (related to monitors?) I got the music for a few girl singer tunes (Sherly Crow, etc) that I knew she'd like but she became frustrated when she couldn't sing along - monitors again? Other: Wife POed that I came in at 1am and didn't call. __________________ Lance "not very good...but I make up for it by playing loud"

August 29th, 2004, 10:22 AM	#4 (permalink)
trag-o-caster Friend of Leo's Join Date: Mar 2003 Location: Flushing, Michigan Posts: 4,515	Wife P.O.'d because you came in at 1 AM without calling? Better tell her to get used to it! Better tell her to get ready for 4:00 AM with no calling! I remember early in our relationship, calling home after a gig to tell the Mrs. that I was going to be late because I was going to hang out with the boys afterwords (something that I rarely do). She was FURIOUS! Much screaming, wailing, and gnashing of teeth. She was mad because I called and woke her up! From then on, every time I decided to hang after a gig, I NEVER called home again. If she made an issue of me not calling, I just remind her of the aforementioned occasion, and that brought instant peace (well, temporarily). __________________ Timothy Jon Lamb

August 29th, 2004, 12:56 PM	#6 (permalink)
Hucklebilly Tele-Holic Join Date: Mar 2003 Posts: 785 2 Photos	Domestic tranquility Even the most understanding spouse can get a little bent out of shape over the odd hours required to be in a band. My wife have certainly gone around and around about this. I put all my gigging money into a savings account and buy her presents. At the moment we're saving up for a new setting for her engagement ring. That way when I wake her up at four o'clock I can say "baby, I was out there working hard for you!" Doesn't always work, but it helps. It also keeps my GAS in check.

August 29th, 2004, 02:27 PM	#7 (permalink)
Colo Springs E Poster Extraordinaire Join Date: Mar 2003 Location: Colorado Springs Posts: 5,107 5 Photos	Ain't the easiest thing, huh? I tell ya what, I have new-found respect for ANY group of people who can get together and manage to make it up on a stage in your local town; schedules, tastes, level of commitment, talent level, goals.... it's incredibly hard to pull it all together. When you see a local band playing, give them their props; I don't care what they sound like. They're up there aren't they? -Eric __________________ She's been a bad girl. She's like a chemical. Though you try to stop it, she's like a narcotic.

August 29th, 2004, 03:17 PM	#10 (permalink)
Lance Friend of Leo's Join Date: Mar 2003 Posts: 2,164	Heck no Hal! If D starts chatting with L, my jamming days are through!!! __________________ Lance "not very good...but I make up for it by playing loud"

August 29th, 2004, 09:59 AM	#2 (permalink)
kaibu49 Tele-Meister Join Date: Jul 2004 Posts: 389	I enjoy the 'band' posts because for me they are a sanity check and it's good to know you're not alone in your feelings sometimes. The band I'm in does Mustang Sally (probably too much, in thinking of a thread a few months ago about whether this song is worthy) - we do a bunch of other songs that at the right time and place can be a downright embarassment! I'm hanging in for the time being... I'm not sure what Mackie board we use as I don't own it, but I can conveniently use my old POS peavey solid state amp (my first amp...sigh...) as a monitor so that works out pretty good. I now would like to make a cheap amp stand for this thing so I can angle it up at me.....I've read references to simple, homemade amp stands here - anyone? Good luck Lance! keep us posted!

August 29th, 2004, 09:59 AM	#3 (permalink)
kaibu49 Tele-Meister Join Date: Jul 2004 Posts: 389	I enjoy the 'band' posts because for me they are a sanity check and it's good to know you're not alone in your feelings sometimes. The band I'm in does Mustang Sally (probably too much, in thinking of a thread a few months ago about whether this song is worthy) - we do a bunch of other songs that at the right time and place can be a downright embarassment! I'm hanging in for the time being... I'm not sure what Mackie board we use as I don't own it, but I can conveniently use my old POS peavey solid state amp (my first amp...sigh...) as a monitor so that works out pretty good. I now would like to make a cheap amp stand for this thing so I can angle it up at me.....I've read references to simple, homemade amp stands here - anyone? Good luck Lance! keep us posted!

August 29th, 2004, 02:40 PM	#9 (permalink)
halouis Tele-Afflicted Join Date: Mar 2003 Location: Virginia Posts: 1,403 7 Photos	Lance. cool to hear its moving along. yeah personalities make bands tough. but keep at it. Just have your wife call mine. she wont be so POd after she hears some of my stunts. ;)

August 29th, 2004, 07:48 PM	#11 (permalink)
rcrecelius Tele-Holic Join Date: Aug 2003 Location: Rio Vista,Texas Age: 41 Posts: 644	Lance, Am I understanding this right...you have a female singer in the band? Well, I hate to break this to ya but Ive never seen a female singer that was happy with her monitor! Just keep that in mind while shopping for monitors.

August 29th, 2004, 08:30 PM	#12 (permalink)
stantheman Friend of Leo's Join Date: Jun 2003 Location: White Mountains Posts: 4,936	Lance, just get Her the EV with the 15"....best monitor there is plus it'll be Yours forever and ever and when an experienced Vocalist sees it they gonna wanna sing. __________________ Somebody Loan Me A Dime

August 29th, 2004, 08:46 PM	#13 (permalink)
maxwidmer Tele-Meister Join Date: Mar 2003 Location: None of your Business Posts: 287	You're a lucky cat Eric... __________________ "Excuse me while I kiss the sky"

August 30th, 2004, 02:37 AM	#14 (permalink)
Baard Tele-Holic Join Date: Mar 2003 Location: Denmark Posts: 668	Rules 1: Don´t come home drunk at 5 in the morning too often. It really ticks women off. 2: Never say when you´ll be home, just tell her it´s going to be late. 3: Keep emergency funds for crisis. 4: Don´t excuse for playing music. Encourage her to take a hobby too, if she is bored. Baard __________________ All truth passes through three stages. First, it is ridiculed. Second, it is violently opposed. Third, it is accepted as being self-evident.