A Little Nervous…But Psyched!

smitty_p said:
I will say, I haven’t had to immerse myself in practicing guitar this much for such a wide variety of songs in a long time. I’m kind of enjoying the challenge and work.
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That's what I generally do each day between 2:30am and 4:45am is work on setlists for different band's music, or work on what we are gonna record in our side projects.

The most I've ever taken on at once was (5) different replacement guitar spots in (5) different bands (one different performance each day of the week) all in the same week. Most of these were 'Estate Parties' which are large, private, outdoor events and the pay (and food/drink) are really good.

So, Saturdays, I instruct a "jam band" at the music academy, and I record with "Outfall Band" Saturday evenings. Sunday afternoon is when Radio AtÖlia gets together to record/write new material.

Sounds like you are fulfilling a needed spot and that (to me) is a great feeling.
 
iblive said:
Sounds like a great opportunity.

Whether playing guitar or slinging parts from behind a parts counter….. you’re going to work. And one thing I’ve found in the nearly 50 years in the work force. There’s a 100 different reasons why people leave. And none of them concerned me…. Or in this case, you.

So rock on brother. Enjoy every minute!
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God bless them and I hope they keep leaving.

If musicians were not such opinionated prima-donnas, difficult to work with, and generally flaky, I wouldn't have a job.

Remember...

Some people will try to sink your ship simply because they can't be the captain....
 
smitty_p said:
Thanks for the kind words. This is a fun band, so that’s cool.

One really cool part, musically, is the bass player. He’s incredible and has a lot of playing and touring experience. In addition to just having fun playing, I can see this will be a great growing and learning opportunity, so I’m looking forward to that.
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There ya go....there's always an 'Easter Egg.'

The guys with a professional background are the easiest to work with, in my experience at least.

I've never seen a session player quit because he didn't like a song. More than half of what I am asked to play I do not like and would never listen too if I wasn't learning it for a performance.
 
Robert Herndon said:
Good job!!!

That's what has kept me steadily employed in this business - being on time, being a team player and being drama-free.

Guitar players really do seem to have a bad reputation for this sort of thing. I've replaced a LOT of guitar players who just walked out of a rehearsal because they didn't like a song the majority voted on, or because of conflict with another member.

You'll do a great job!!!
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Thank you, Robert. That means a lot to me.
 
Well, they delivered the news of the change to the other guitar player today. I confess. I do feel bad for him. I've heard him play and he is a good guitar player. He's probably better than me in several respects. But, when I practiced for the first time with the band, everyone really seemed to like what I was doing. So, that's good.

But, I guess in the end...he was very amicable about it and agreed that his style wasn't the best fit for the group. I still feel a little awkward about it, though. I do hope he finds a good band that he likes.

Other than that, I have been practicing a LOT!
 
Well, things are settling down. I've got most of the songs pretty much learned and just need to polish up a few. The several hours of practicing each day are paying off.

The dynamic of the group is pretty laid back. The lead vocalist is the leader of the group, as she founded it. We practice in her basement where she has all the PA gear and the drum kit set up.

Everyone has been very supportive and complimentary of what I've been doing and the sound of my rig, so it's really just a matter of getting to a point where I no longer feel like I'm drinking from a fire hose!
 
smitty_p said:
Well, things are settling down. I've got most of the songs pretty much learned and just need to polish up a few. The several hours of practicing each day are paying off.

The dynamic of the group is pretty laid back. The lead vocalist is the leader of the group, as she founded it. We practice in her basement where she has all the PA gear and the drum kit set up.

Everyone has been very supportive and complimentary of what I've been doing and the sound of my rig, so it's really just a matter of getting to a point where I no longer feel like I'm drinking from a fire hose!
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It gets easier. Keep up the good work.
 
Well, things are coming along better now. I’ve got a better handle on the set list and now it’s just a matter of getting instinctive with it and continuing to get everything committed to memory, which pretty much comes naturally as you work the tunes over and over.

Our first gig is a little over two weeks away. I feel pretty comfortable that I’ll be all set by then as I keep up the practice routine. Another gig is in the works.

This is a lot of work but it’s also a lot of fun. The band is really cool and there’s somewhat of a free-flowing attitude on things. As we work through tunes, sometimes someone might suggest doing something that may deviate a little from the recorded versions. Not wild diversions, but minor alterations, nonetheless. I like that. I’m glad we’re not trying to be human karaoke machines.
 
Jethro Rocker said:
Sounds great!
Having fun is such a huge part of it. Everyone is laid back it seems. That counts!
Exvellent for you look forward to hearing about the gig.
Get pictures!
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Yeah, I’m hoping we’ll get some good photos and maybe some video. This is a brand new band, so getting promotional material is important.

The way the singing thing came about was kind of funny. Our drummer made a comment during one song that he felt there should be some background vocals. He looked at me and asked, “Do you sing?”

I started to answer and just got, “Well…” out of my mouth, when he cut me off and said. “Good!” Then he motioned to the the lead vocalist and said, “Set that microphone up for him.” With that, I’m now singing.

The drummer is really good. During a break in practice tonight, he mentioned how he has filled in for the L.A. Guns before. Working around such players is really making me work extra hard.
 
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