Off Topic Bummed out with Band

[Powman]

Off topic thread here.

I am bummed out. The last time I played live with my band was last Christmas. You see our previous lead singer quit thinking she could actually start a singing career whilst in her 40's. (Hasn't happened, still has her day job like the rest of the band).

Our next lead singer was awesome. She was fun, sexy, great attitude and charisma. However, she has now developed vocal nodules. ENT told her to lay off singing for 2-3 months. But she wants to come back. I just worry that the voice problems will return unless she also see a singing coach.

So, I have not been playing as a band much and I miss it terribly. In fact we had to cancel some gigs. I have yet to play my Bongo in a live show!

Not sure what I should do, because I love my band-mates. But like I said, I have not been playing much. And I need to play for my sanity and my soul.

Advice?

 

[bassmonkeee]

Are there any local jams you can go to? There's no reason that you couldn't play with other people while waiting to see what happens with the current band.

I've been having a dry summer since my guitar player's wife had a baby on July 21st. It's been bad enough with 2 months off. Luckily, we're starting back up on September 1st. I'll finally get to use my new Big Al 5H with the band, so I know what you mean about having a new bass and not having anyone to play it with.

 

[Powman]

Is playing with other people like cheating on your wife?

 

[drTStingray]

Is playing with other people like cheating on your wife?

Sorry to hear your bad luck on the band.

In answer to your question - probably not entirely, but I do think it's better to let your band mates know tactfully what you're doing rather than let them find out from someone else (I have seen the latter happen quite a few times and IMO people get upset if they find out from others) - best of luck anyway.

 

[Cartmanr0cks]

If you enjoy playing in the band you're in now, (when you do play...) maybe you can practice without the singer for a while (ofcourse you should discuss this with her). I've practiced loads of times without the singer present. And if she does have a tendency to vocal chord problems, you (as a band) should definitely advise her to take some singing lessons/ go to a vocal coach, like you said. I sing sometimes (when there's nobody else ), but I haven't had any real vocal training for a while now. I've seen other's progress really fast, though, once they started seeing one.

 

[bassmonkeee]

Is playing with other people like cheating on your wife?

Not really. Canceling gigs and practices to play with another band that the first band doesn't know about certainly isn't cool. But, if you are up front about it, what's the harm? It's not like you've played with the band in the last 8 months as it is, right?

 

[five7]

Get out and play with some other folks. Tell your band you need to be playing. They should understand! I play with others and usually don't tell my band about it because I am not married to them. Go to jam nights and look on your local craigslist under the musicians section. Have fun, life is short!

 

[adouglas]

If you enjoy playing in the band you're in now, (when you do play...) maybe you can practice without the singer for a while (ofcourse you should discuss this with her).

+1. Make lemons into lemonade and use this hiatus as an opportunity to learn (or write) new material in preparation for her return. Or, work up new material that doesn't require her so you can get back to gigging sooner.

Don't just get together and play for the sake of it. Be productive and have a goal in mind.

Discuss the future with your singer, including the possibility that she might not be able to continue. Make a plan and set a target date to decide whether to give her more time or start looking for a new singer. Don't let it turn into an endlessly strung-out waiting game.

Be up front and aboveboard at all times. Remember why you're there. The purpose of a band is to get its music heard, and that means performing... gigging is the objective. Work towards that objective and make it understood that it's not personal, it's just business.

 

[Double Agent]

I jam with my old buddies all the time. Usually, it is when my main band is on an extended break. I tell my main band about it every time, but they know I'm not going anywhere. Sometimes you've just got to scratch that itch. I don't think it's a big deal unless you are thinking about leaving your current band. Even if that's true, just let them know where your head is and why you're looking around (not enough gigs). Maybe something will get done to correct the issue.

 

[rhythmCity944]

In the world of bass playing that I'm in, I play with one main project but I am welcome to play bass or guitar or whatever with whoever else I want as long as it doesn't interfer with my main project. Everyone in that band does the same and will adjust their schedule to make it happen. Most everyone I play with is a full time musician and they do just that. This is the world of country music that I'm used to. It's purely buisness when it all comes down to it with a lot of fun thrown in.

If you're getting itchy fingers then be up front with your band and find some other groups that you can fill in for or find a church that needs a bass man on Sunday mornings. At least until your main band can regroup and perform again. I feel ya and I didn't like sitting on the curb waiting with some prior bands I've played with. I want to perform. Hope you can get things where you want them to be.

 

[douglasspears]

I'll finally get to use my new Big Al 5H with the band, so I know what you mean about having a new bass and not having anyone to play it with.

ahem, cough...



We haven't been able to get everyone available for a gig since late February, Now people are getting married, having babies or moving across the country, so I know what you mean.

 

[bassmonkeee]

ahem, cough...



We haven't been able to get everyone available for a gig since late February, Now people are getting married, having babies or moving across the country, so I know what you mean.

*smooch*

I should have said, "I haven't had anyone to play it with without starting from scratch with a sub drummer."

 

[Yerf Dog]

Can anyone else in the band sing?

 

[dio-bass]

Look for bands that need your services

 

[Aussie Mark]

I'm in more than one band, it's just a matter of communicating gig bookings and availability dates to both bands well in advance if possible. It can be done very easily if you are the organised type, which most bass players seem to be LOL

 

[ZiggyDude]

You need to tell them that you are there for practice and any gigs - if they book them first. Otherwise - you are just going to have some fun. This is actually happening to me. 3 years ago my very busy weekend band died. I got hired on audition by a band that was supposedly doing 3 to 4 jobs a month. At audition the leader said that he had other stuff to do and could only play once a month (the other guys dropped to the floor). A week later another band called that was doing about 2 to 3 a month. Since then the first band leader has encoureged the others to join other bands. Why? He keeps his kick butt players and still only needs gig a little. Yeah - the little gigger is popular.

So the story is - if people need you they will negotiate. Otherwise you are "Color Me Gone".

 

[Powman]

Can anyone else in the band sing?

I was thinking about getting a few vocal lessons. I am getting so much more comfortable with my bass playing that I don't always need to stare at the fretboard anymore to play. My mother thinks I have a nice voice, but then again she's 80 and she's my mama...of course she thinks I can sing.

 

[Powman]

If you enjoy playing in the band you're in now, (when you do play...) maybe you can practice without the singer for a while (ofcourse you should discuss this with her). I've practiced loads of times without the singer present. And if she does have a tendency to vocal chord problems, you (as a band) should definitely advise her to take some singing lessons/ go to a vocal coach, like you said. I sing sometimes (when there's nobody else ), but I haven't had any real vocal training for a while now. I've seen other's progress really fast, though, once they started seeing one.

We have been practicing without the singer to keep our chops...it helps, but still not as fun. Its not like we are playing fusion jazz or anything. Pop stuff mainly, that really needs someone to sing.

 

[Powman]

Get out and play with some other folks. Tell your band you need to be playing. They should understand! I play with others and usually don't tell my band about it because I am not married to them. Go to jam nights and look on your local craigslist under the musicians section. Have fun, life is short!

Darn tootin' life is short. At 46 its not like I am knocking on heaven's gate or anything but I am no spring chicken. Plus, its the awesome stress relief I get from playing that I miss and stress relief needs to be done regularly to stay mentally healthy.

I think I will look up Craigslist. Maybe there is a Church that is looking for a bass player???

 

[Powman]

Discuss the future with your singer, including the possibility that she might not be able to continue. Make a plan and set a target date to decide whether to give her more time or start looking for a new singer. Don't let it turn into an endlessly strung-out waiting game.

Be up front and aboveboard at all times. Remember why you're there. The purpose of a band is to get its music heard, and that means performing... gigging is the objective. Work towards that objective and make it understood that it's not personal, it's just business.

Well said Mr. Douglas. We have had some preliminary discussions as a band. We LOVE our singer, but I am worried that this recovery may take a while. In addition, I think she will need some voice therapy or vocal coaching to make sure it doesn't happen again.

Meanwhile, a plan is required.