Band Rules...

[fezz parka]

So... I been thinkin'...Band RULES! I borrowed some of these from another cat, but they're pretty good:

1. All decisions are made by voting. Everything will be discussed before voting and everyone has a say. Decisions made are in stone.
2. Anyone is allowed to bring in new material and suggest changes to old ones.
3. Being drunk or otherwise intoxicated on gigs is not allowed. You get one pass.
4. Gig pay is split evenly, after costs are covered (lodging, gas, food etc.). Be as thrifty as possible, no luxury suites, caviar, or champagne. Even the big touring bands follow this rule.
5. Merch money ( T-Shirts, buttons, CD's sold at gigs) goes into a band account after production costs are covered. This money is to be used only for Band business.
6. Tasks (promotion etc.) between band members are balanced as evenly as possible, with everyones' work, other activities and proficiencies taken in for the equation.
7. Rehearsal is not a party, or a "concert" for friends. It's work. Do the work.
8. The members of the Band are a little gang. Have each other's backs. It's about trust and fellowship. Stick together.
9. Stick to the set list. Especially when you're starting out.
10. Don't suck.

[voodoostation]

Not a bad list. Only one we've ever had a problem with was #7, but that was awhile ago. Still working up to #10, tho. I'd add "communication" to the trust and fellowship rule.

[vincent]

Nice list. I'll print it out and hang it on the wall at rehearsal. Especially like #10.

[redstringuitar]

Can't say fairer than that.

[dwlb]

Arrive having eaten.

[burtonfan]

I have a question about rule #1...does it have to include drummers?

[ludashoeless]

i like #10. even though it hurts me...

[WaylonFan76]

Yep. I have another one, I wish our former singer would have adhered to : Be honest about your expectations. If you don't want to gig 8 nights a month, don't make people waste their time and energy working on a set list to eventually wuss out when gigs start coming in.

[Telesavalis]

I'd add:

Rehearsal is not the same as practice. Practice on your own time and come to rehearsal prepared.

[fezz parka]

Excellent TS! And Pat, you hit the nail on the head.

[PraiseCaster]

I'm stealing this........

[WaylonFan76]

I unfortunately had to fire our singer because I got so fed up having to cancel gigs left and right I had busted my butt to book and hired one of my former student, a 17 year-old girl who sings like a freakin' angel. The only problem is now, rule #7. Her family thinks they can just come in and out of the rehearsal room and listen whenever they feel like it. The other day, her older sister actually sat in the room and started crocheting. I almost had a heart attack...

[getbent]

I was in til 10.

[fezz parka]

Where the hell are you rehearsing Pat?

Randy, I really doubt that #10 is a problem fer ya.

[TeleTim911]

WaylonFan76, I wouldn't mind someone sitting and being quiet, it's the ones that start requesting songs or even worse, adding comments....those are the ones I show to the door, family or not.

[WaylonFan76]

Originally Posted by fezz parka

Where the hell are you rehearsing Pat?

@ Casa De Pat .

[klasaine]

Amendment # 1:
Don't beat to death tunes everybody already knows (unless of course you're working on a new arrangement of it?). Leave 'some' life in them for the gig.

Amendment # 2:
3 hour rehearsal - 1/2 hour break.
2 hour rehearsal - 15 minute break.
Strictly enforced!

[fezz parka]

Ken, those are right on.

We're still a relatively new band, and all the other guys are half my age. They need the work ethic kinda pounded into them. I've been there, done that.

At one rehearsal, they kept pooching the form during the solo. I'd stop, and make 'em do it again. They'd pooch again. Finally I just said:
"It's the same $&^%ing form as the verses."
"You mean two of this and four of that?"
"It's the same $&^%ing form!"
"Why do old people repeat themselves all the time?"
"Because young people don't $&^%ing listen!"

[klasaine]

That's a conceptual thing that seems 'obvious' to any of us over say, 35(?).

But listen to a lot of modern rock - the 'solo' sections are many times, different than the tune. Why? I have no f'n idea but that's what they're used to - it's a different part of the song so in their minds/experience - it's different.
But yeah - that's the $hite you go over at rehearsal; form, endings, breaks.

*I mentioned beating the dead horse because I've got a rehearsal tonight with a bunch of good players who still feel that they/we need to go over every tune, every rehearsal. It's almost security blanket ish.
The ironic (and funny to me) thing is that everybody will blow 'something' on the gig that they nailed in rehearsal. That's just the nature of performing - no 'perfect' shows. Oh, and we have to take a long break . (But the other 3 guys like the long break and the running of the set so ... )

[greggorypeccary]

Originally Posted by fezz parka

"Why do old people repeat themselves all the time?"
"Because young people don't $&^%ing listen!"

I teach high school, nothing ever said on this forum could be more true than that!