GeddyVanHalen

I figure it'd be nice for each and every one of us to share any random tips about being in a band. Let's go for TWO tips per person.

Here are mine:

-Practice diligently! It's so important to master your instrument, you don't want to hold the others back.

-Honesty! It's better to address something that may be an issue to you, so it's best to talk it out rather than hiding it and pretend to feel like everything's alright. Everything WILL be alright when you tell the truth.

Those are my random tips.

Above

If you're a drummer, DO NOT, I repeat DO NOT keep playing we're trying to tune. And what's almost as annoying, don't keep playing when we tell you to shut the fuck up when we need to talk. You're not funny.

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Be pure,
Be vigilant,
Behave

Blarobbarg

As a drummer, I endorse this message. Thank you.

And on that note, anybody playing randomly while band members are trying to discuss something. So aggravating.

Another hint!

If every other person in the band thinks it sounds better one way, but you INSIST it's better the other way, and you're overruled 4 to 1... just do it the way everyone else wants you to. Stop causing problems. If what you are doing is making it harder on everyone else it makes playing music less than fun.

Frownland

My best tip: record everything! Even if it will have very ****ty quality, it's better to record beautiful accidents that always end up lost in the jam sesh even if hours of useless recordings come about in the mix.

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Studies show that when a given norm is changed in the face of the unchanging, the remaining contradictions will parallel the truth.

Unrelenting

This.

and just communication really.

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My lastfm

Freebase Dali

Getting along with your bandmates is not necessary, but being mature enough to put your huge ass ego aside for the sake of the group as a musical whole IS. Do it.

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Wayfarer

Stop making music and go get a real estate license

Norg

i was in a Stoner/Punk/Hardcore band back in highschool ..... tho it fell apart fast


bassically

Drums-Me i had just started learning drums for only a year and was already in a band !!!!! yikes but i was not bad they kept telling me i was a fast drummer .... but later on i slowed it down IMO i brought the stoner/Doom to the band before that they were just some punk/hardcore band but i was never really into that at the time

Singer- he would just get High before every practice and was not that good of a singer

Guitar- Prob the most talent in the band i swear this dude was churin riffs that sounded like a Dark soundgarden like but could also play fast riffs like misfits like

Bass- the bass player was not that good either and half the time he would miss practice !!!!!!!!!!!

Long story short we didnt practice enough and the singer left the band because he said he wanted to skateboard more ...LOL... and u know how that is once a singer leaves we all kinda fell apart

Howard the Duck

i dunno - i never had a band for more than two sessions

i dunno why they never follow my instructions on what to play

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Malaise is THE dominant human predilection.

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.