Give Us Your Tips: Being in a Band

Freebase Dali · 02-16-2012, 01:34 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Piotr_13

Remember everyone may have a slightly different idea. Don't be afraid to brainstorm and work out things. When I was first starting the drums, I couldn't play odd time very well. My brain wouldn't process it. Our guitarist came up with a riff in some off-the-wall 4/8 or something timing. I was stumped. Him and I worked together, and in time (lol) we figured out a compromise.

Don't rush each other. If someone is having trouble coming up with an idea, don't force them. It will only make things sound crappier.

Practice your instrument and never forget the fundamentals. Guitarists and bassists should work on their scales, and modes, (or finger exercises if you're retarded when it comes to theory like me) to keep sharp. Drummers, your rudiments and your click-track-precision. Singers, do scales or scream into a pillow depending on what music you do.

If someone is playing an instrument to show off (you'll know them if you see them) then they should not be in your band. They are toxic.

Haha, was that the Bad Poetry song back in the Closest Open Window days?
We ended up adding another beat to compensate for your wutness.

Blarobbarg · 02-16-2012, 03:02 PM

Here's some advice that may or may not contradict my previous advice. If everyone is just jamming and not trying to play anything in particular, or there isn't any plan, don't get mad at someone because "they're not doing it right." If they start to play reggae in the middle of a metal jam, who the hell cares. You're just playing around. And you might just come up with something brilliant, completely on accident. Has happened to my friends a few times.

WWWP · 02-16-2012, 06:25 PM

So how do you go about telling someone in your band that the song they wrote sucks and you don't want to be associated with it?

**Frownland** · 02-16-2012, 07:17 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Piotr_13

Remember everyone may have a slightly different idea. Don't be afraid to brainstorm and work out things.

Well, if you all play your various ideas on your instruments at the same time it can sound pretty orgasmic and Beefhearty.

Freebase Dali · 02-16-2012, 08:05 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by wolverinewolfweiselpigeon

So how do you go about telling someone in your band that the song they wrote sucks and you don't want to be associated with it?

I'd say it depends on whether or not they consistently write sucky songs, and whether it's an opinion shared by other bandmates. If that's the case, they shouldn't be writing any of the band's songs. If not, and the person's song just gets on your own nerves for whatever reason, then it would probably be better to give them some constructive criticism and see where that goes, but if you're the only one in the band that has a problem with it, either you're in a band with the wrong people, or they are.
Doesn't really matter to figure out which option is the better one. They both suck for the band.

WWWP · 02-16-2012, 08:22 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Freebase Dali

I'd say it depends on whether or not they consistently write sucky songs, and whether it's an opinion shared by other bandmates. If that's the case, they shouldn't be writing any of the band's songs. If not, and the person's song just gets on your own nerves for whatever reason, then it would probably be better to give them some constructive criticism and see where that goes, but if you're the only one in the band that has a problem with it, either you're in a band with the wrong people, or they are.
Doesn't really matter to figure out which option is the better one. They both suck for the band.

She generally has good material, but she showed me her latest song and I was just thinking to myself "oh... yikes...I can't be involved in this" haha. There are only three of us, and only her and I write the songs, the other member doesn't really give us any input lyrically. It's just so cheesy and... ****ing awful. I don't know how to give her any kind of criticism without hurting her feelings.

Freebase Dali · 02-16-2012, 08:33 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by wolverinewolfweiselpigeon

She generally has good material, but she showed me her latest song and I was just thinking to myself "oh... yikes...I can't be involved in this" haha. There are only three of us, and only her and I write the songs, the other member doesn't really give us any input lyrically. It's just so cheesy and... ****ing awful. I don't know how to give her any kind of criticism without hurting her feelings.

Well you can come up with an elaborate lie, but that wouldn't really solve things in the long term. I wouldn't worry too much about hurting her feelings. If you're a group of people trying to achieve a common goal, then compromise is going to take priority over ego. But, on the same token, you also have to be able to tell it like it is, otherwise the whole project is suffering simply because a person doesn't want to hurt someone else's feelings.

I say just tell her what you think, nicely, and give her tips on how to make it better. She can either choose to improve it or not, but the biggest disservice you can do is to just not say anything... both for the project itself, and the person's future attempts at contributing to projects.

WWWP · 02-16-2012, 08:41 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Freebase Dali

Well you can come up with an elaborate lie, but that wouldn't really solve things in the long term. I wouldn't worry too much about hurting her feelings. If you're a group of people trying to achieve a common goal, then compromise is going to take priority over ego. But, on the same token, you also have to be able to tell it like it is, otherwise the whole project is suffering simply because a person doesn't want to hurt someone else's feelings.

I say just tell her what you think, nicely, and give her tips on how to make it better. She can either choose to improve it or not, but the biggest disservice you can do is to just not say anything... both for the project itself, and the person's future attempts at contributing to the project.

Good stuff. I guess I knew all of this already but, as always, having someone else say it makes true.

Euronomus · 02-16-2012, 08:41 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by wolverinewolfweiselpigeon

She generally has good material, but she showed me her latest song and I was just thinking to myself "oh... yikes...I can't be involved in this" haha. There are only three of us, and only her and I write the songs, the other member doesn't really give us any input lyrically. It's just so cheesy and... ****ing awful. I don't know how to give her any kind of criticism without hurting her feelings.

If the problem is just with written lyrics, keep in mind that sometimes something that looks bad on the page isn't nearly as bad when it's incorporated in with the music. Otherwise just try to hone in on the 2-3 worst lines and just tell her "these need work, YOU can do better" most people can take criticism if it's phrased in a way that makes it clear you're not criticizing them, but pointing out something that is sub-par for their skill level.

WWWP · 02-16-2012, 08:44 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Euronomus

If the problem is just with written lyrics, keep in mind that sometimes something that looks bad on the page isn't nearly as bad when it's incorporated in with the music. Otherwise just try to hone in on the 2-3 worst lines and just tell her "these need work, YOU can do better" most people can take criticism if it's phrased in a way that makes it clear you're not criticizing them, but pointing out something that is sub-par for their skill level.

It's the concept I'm worried about. She wants it to be a duet where one of us the the sun and the other one is the moon and we're in love and singing back and forth to each other.

For example:

Hey Luna.
How's it going, Ray?
How is your night?
How is your day?

Like... wtf.

Edit:
Good advice though, you're completely right.

02-16-2012, 03:02 PM	#12 (permalink)
Blarobbarg Do good. Join Date: Feb 2011 Location: Minneapolis, Minnesota Posts: 2,065	Here's some advice that may or may not contradict my previous advice. If everyone is just jamming and not trying to play anything in particular, or there isn't any plan, don't get mad at someone because "they're not doing it right." If they start to play reggae in the middle of a metal jam, who the hell cares. You're just playing around. And you might just come up with something brilliant, completely on accident. Has happened to my friends a few times.