Playing in a band.
Feb. 11th, 2006 12:32 am![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png){kind=small}
stevieannieI play in lots of bands, it is true. My dearest darling tart of a husband plays in even more. Why do we play in so many bands when lots of people would like to play in a band, but don't?
One reason, and one reason only.
I ask.
I either ask if I can join, or make sure that someone who knows the person doing the hiring/firing knows that I'm interested, and what my skillset is.
Or I start a band up myself. This is not difficult. You start by thinking about what sort of music you want to play. Then you think what instruments you need. Then you think who you know plays those instruments. Then you get them drunk and ask them if they want to be in a band with you. Sometimes they even agree whilst sober!
The difficult bit is doing something with the personnel once you have them - rehearsals, gigs, demos etc. But if you are sitting at home thinking, "I wish *I* had a group of people to play with!", the only reason that you aren't playing with them is that you simply haven't organised it yet. Go do it! OK, OK, some people will say no. Some people won't have time. But you'll probably get a lot of "yes" answers too.
Case in point. I want a folk rock band. I know what I do best, and I'm a Front Man. Yes, I like to show off, twirl around and sing a bit. I need a band to do that in front of. I want a guitar, a percussion section, a melody section, and a bass. I know that![[livejournal.com profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/external/lj-userinfo.gif)
fleetfootmike is always up for a musical giggle, and adores folk rock. I mention it. He bites my arm off at the elbow. Percussion section - well, obviously I'm married to one, but if I hadn't been, I can think of several drummers and percussionists who might be up for it. Bass - I'm stumped rather, but on mentioning my stumpedness to fleetfootmike, he suggests asking Angus who plays bass for "The Contrast". I'd never have thought he would be interested, but after a phone call, it turns out that he is. And so is his mate, Andy, who was our FFM recording engineer. Andy plays drums. I now have a free micktim to move onto something else. Trumpet would be *cool*, as would pennywhistle, or even rhythm guitar, behind fleetfootmike's lead. Oooooh. However, idea goes into stasis for a while, as time is in short commodity. We leave it as a rather lovely dream. Then I meet deborah_c who is an incredible violinist. She's interested. I'm feeling that familiar old itch again...
Where can I buy some more days, please?
One reason, and one reason only.
I ask.
I either ask if I can join, or make sure that someone who knows the person doing the hiring/firing knows that I'm interested, and what my skillset is.
Or I start a band up myself. This is not difficult. You start by thinking about what sort of music you want to play. Then you think what instruments you need. Then you think who you know plays those instruments. Then you get them drunk and ask them if they want to be in a band with you. Sometimes they even agree whilst sober!
The difficult bit is doing something with the personnel once you have them - rehearsals, gigs, demos etc. But if you are sitting at home thinking, "I wish *I* had a group of people to play with!", the only reason that you aren't playing with them is that you simply haven't organised it yet. Go do it! OK, OK, some people will say no. Some people won't have time. But you'll probably get a lot of "yes" answers too.
Case in point. I want a folk rock band. I know what I do best, and I'm a Front Man. Yes, I like to show off, twirl around and sing a bit. I need a band to do that in front of. I want a guitar, a percussion section, a melody section, and a bass. I know that
fleetfootmike is always up for a musical giggle, and adores folk rock. I mention it. He bites my arm off at the elbow. Percussion section - well, obviously I'm married to one, but if I hadn't been, I can think of several drummers and percussionists who might be up for it. Bass - I'm stumped rather, but on mentioning my stumpedness to fleetfootmike, he suggests asking Angus who plays bass for "The Contrast". I'd never have thought he would be interested, but after a phone call, it turns out that he is. And so is his mate, Andy, who was our FFM recording engineer. Andy plays drums. I now have a free micktim to move onto something else. Trumpet would be *cool*, as would pennywhistle, or even rhythm guitar, behind fleetfootmike's lead. Oooooh. However, idea goes into stasis for a while, as time is in short commodity. We leave it as a rather lovely dream. Then I meet deborah_c who is an incredible violinist. She's interested. I'm feeling that familiar old itch again...Where can I buy some more days, please?
