Are you in more than one band?

SHAWN · Post by **SHAWN** » Thu Aug 03, 2006 4:01 am

jazz musicians have been doing double duties as long as jazz has existed. It's very healthy to explore your musical tastes, unless you are a one trick pony or musically narrow. which of course, you are not.

advice: be VERY communicative with your family and very honest with your bandmates. be immensely on top of scheduling, too.

conley · Post by **conley** » Sat Aug 05, 2006 1:57 pm

I agree with a lot of what Bassjones said. I think there's a big difference between "diversifying" & "playing in 5 bands". Hey, if music is your main form of income , do whatever it takes - "have guitar, will travel". I, personnally am involved in three different projects - I'm a solo guy, I play a duo with Dodds, & I have a band; I make damn sure that each show is totally different. Totally different tunes, totally different "tone"; Sure, it's a lot more work. But, if you want to stay busy, I don't think playing in 5 different bands, PLAYING THE SAME MATERIAL, is a good, long term situation to put yourself in. Regardless, any sort of newfound opportunities should at least be explored; so, best of luck, Garr!!!

St. Alfonzo · Post by **St. Alfonzo** » Tue Aug 15, 2006 6:43 pm

Garr, there are several reasons I'm in a million bands.

I am twenty four years old. I've been playing in bands since I was able to appreciate music and performing. I don't have a real job (at least not a 9 to 5, I do give lessons.) I'm not married (and until recently not in a relationship.) And I love playing.

The great part about my situation is in that most of the bands I'm in (MOST!), the really hard work is over. So it's not day in and day out practicing. What I mean is that there's a really strong song base in these bands, we all get along, we all know how each other play and can play together very well. This was a very slow process. It's not like I all of the sudden took on five bands out of the blue. Plus I know all the people I play with. And for the most part, they're all very close friends of mine. And most of the bands I'm in are lazy asses. (of course not you CONLEY or M. F'ing KELLY)

A couple of the groups are just bastardized versions of other bands, which is easy.

If you have any apprehension about starting another project, then it probably isn't a good idea, especially if the project is going to be anything creative (read: non-covers.)

As a musician you need to do what you want to do. If you don't think you can take on a cover band and your creative project suffers or builds animosity, then you're going to end up hating yourself and playing music.

Garr · Post by **Garr** » Wed Aug 16, 2006 3:01 pm

Yeah, I have already noticed the delicate balance required. In fact, posting this thread seems to have jinxed me. My acoustic duo became solo-a-fied, one of the cover bands decided not to form, and I haven't been able to nail down practice times for the other cover band.

It was a great dream for a minute, but I'm down from 4 projects to 1.5 (if you don't include the solo acoustic stuff I have always done privately).

I also think that some people have been doing some Garr bashing and sabotaging behind the scenes, but enh. . .rumors eventually get debunked especially if they're untrue.

Thanks again to everyone who sounded in!

deek · Post by **deek** » Wed Aug 16, 2006 3:19 pm

Sorry to hear that, chief...

Just speaking generally, with a finite amount of time in a given day or week, you are always going to run into problems if there is need for practice. The only time I can see multiple projects not being a problem is if you can perform without needing to practice together (assuming to perform is the goal).

In my book, a successful musician in multiple projects is one that can bounce around, perform and not need to spend hours a week with the band, on order to get to a good level...otherwise, all you are doing is adding more time to your life with different people...and at some point those different bands are going to confict...

So, instead of thinking how to manage multiple bands, just focus on the things that you like to do and if a side project comes around that meshes with you, then you could probably hop into it and not have to invest a ton of time.

I know that this may not be the reality of most side projects, but if you have to practice for tons of hours just to get everyone to learn a cover or write a new song, then its probably not a good idea to split your time...

In my mind, the more you split your time, the less good you will be at anything...anyways, just my thoughts after the fact!

DropListBass · Post by **DropListBass** » Wed Aug 16, 2006 3:29 pm

Deek my friend we finally agree on something:) Garr while you are probably not a fan of me at all right now ...I know that if you focus your creative energy on one project you will have sucess and it will be something good. Like dan said man dont spread yourself thin. One kickass project is better than 4 half way projects. Unless you are trying to earn a living by music, then that is another story that I cant relate to.

jeffro · Post by **jeffro** » Thu Aug 17, 2006 7:27 pm

Ya deek you hit it on the nose man. some people would say that i don't know what I am talking about when it comes to playing in a band because I haven't been doing this for as long as some peole, but It doesn't take a genius to see that you can only do so many projects until they start to clash with one another, and eventually they will. If you wan't to be "successful" in a multi-project thing than I think 2 is the tops one as a main and one as a side project. Or if your happy with a so so nothing special 3 or 4 projects than go for it. It is what ever make the person (and the other dudes in the bands) happy.

I know you don't want my advice Garr and I don't care so this goes to anyone else. Do what satisfies you musically, Make sure the people who you really care for in life are on board, be availible and be flexable, have your guitar in tune and ready to rock!

conley · Post by **conley** » Thu Aug 17, 2006 8:24 pm

A point that may not have been mentioned is that you can't expect to start several projects all at once. Even in the case of Ross or myself, we didn't just wake up one day & decide to start 3 or 4 new projects at the same time. Focus on one, see how it goes, & then look into diversifying into other realms.....just a thought.

DropListBass · Post by **DropListBass** » Thu Aug 17, 2006 9:08 pm

Holy crap..fro 2 post in one day! With more than 5 words..I am stunned....almost speechless!!!!

jeffro · Post by **jeffro** » Thu Aug 17, 2006 9:12 pm

Ya most of the time I like to stay out of this soap opera site but every once in a while I like to make an appearence!

Garr · Post by **Garr** » Fri Aug 18, 2006 11:03 am

I think that Conley made a good point in following with Ross' comments. If these things come on gradually there is a better chance to manage them with little to no effort.

My stance is that if you have any kind of skill or talent, being involved in multiple projects is not going to detract from the others. It will only strengthen your abilities as a musician because you're practicing your art in more ways with more musicians and forcing yourself to grow. I know that I have the talent and skill to use multiple projects to improve myself and challenge my ability, but the time requirements squash it.

I'll go further to say that I think Ross hit on another important point and that is the comitment level of your life and the requirements of the bands. Right now my comitment circumstances require a very laid back situation and those tend to be real loose and easily thinned out to the point of nonexistence.

It doesn't take a genius to tell that a with a little hard work, some talent, skill (e.g. John Ross, Conley), and the time needed that several projects can coexist in a musician's repetoire and not affect each other negatively at all. There have been thousands of musicians before me who have done it, and there will be countless others after me. I now realize that the key is to start one thing at a time and get it to a maintenance point before trying to pick up a new gig.

deek · Post by **deek** » Fri Aug 18, 2006 1:08 pm

Garr wrote:I now realize that the key is to start one thing at a time and get it to a maintenance point before trying to pick up a new gig.

I think that is the key point as well...if you are in a band for 2-3 years and something else comes around that you can fit into your schedule without detracting from other music or life, then go for it.

Trying to start a handful of new things all at once are likely always going to be a bad idea. Without any sort of true trends to base it off of, each endeavor could explode into a lot more work than you figured for, so you really need to be in something for a while before knowing it is really a good idea to start something else.

Otherwise, you are simply going to bounce around, not really devoting yourself fully to anything, and as a musician, end up sub par, IMO.

DaveP · Post by **DaveP** » Tue Sep 12, 2006 7:51 am

COMMUNICATION!!!!! Keep it all out in the open and youll probably be alright. Keep your projects all different. You dont want one band that sounds like your other band. AS long as you use one band to help the others, Its a wild world anthony get your ass giging every night if you can. just talk with all your boys keep a good calander and dont show favorites. Do all bands to the best of your ability, dont hold back. Give it to em Garr!