View Full Version : Helping Bandmates Grow
CDelle
10-31-2005, 06:40 PM
Hi guys,
Two of my buddies (bassist + guitarist) and I usually get together on Saturdays to jam. Our last jam session brought something to my immediate attention which has been floating near the back of my mind for a long time now... We had our guitarist's brother over to play who is also a guitarist. We were jamming to a couple of songs we made up and for the most part it was like someone dumped a bunch of notes on tape and called it a song... Everyone is doing fills over everyone else, soloing at the same time, etc. So I'm trying to lay down something real basic but nothing's sounding good. The thing is, none of us know much about music theory, scales, improvising, etc. and it's really starting to show. We're all self-taught and I think I'm the only one that actively goes hunting for things to learn. I know the guys want to eventually start playing live but I feel like we're not getting anywhere and that they really need to focus on learning the fundimentals of their instrument and even song structure (of course something I need to work on too).
Do you guys have any suggestions to get my bandmates to start working on scales, theory, and other fundimentals? I'm worried that if I say anything about their lack of knowledge that it won't go over well... Are there any good resources I could tell them about? Also, we've never played any covers... do you think that playing a cover or two might help them realize that "oh, there's structure here that we can use in our own songs"?
Oh well, even if nothing comes of this and we stay like we are forever, it still felt good to rant... and it's not like I don't enjoy jamming for kicks... but it would be nice if we could come up with something cohesive.
aznriceball
10-31-2005, 07:05 PM
Hi guys,
Two of my buddies (bassist + guitarist) and I usually get together on Saturdays to jam. Our last jam session brought something to my immediate attention which has been floating near the back of my mind for a long time now... We had our guitarist's brother over to play who is also a guitarist. We were jamming to a couple of songs we made up and for the most part it was like someone dumped a bunch of notes on tape and called it a song... Everyone is doing fills over everyone else, soloing at the same time, etc. So I'm trying to lay down something real basic but nothing's sounding good. The thing is, none of us know much about music theory, scales, improvising, etc. and it's really starting to show. We're all self-taught and I think I'm the only one that actively goes hunting for things to learn. I know the guys want to eventually start playing live but I feel like we're not getting anywhere and that they really need to focus on learning the fundimentals of their instrument and even song structure (of course something I need to work on too).
Do you guys have any suggestions to get my bandmates to start working on scales, theory, and other fundimentals? I'm worried that if I say anything about their lack of knowledge that it won't go over well... Are there any good resources I could tell them about? Also, we've never played any covers... do you think that playing a cover or two might help them realize that "oh, there's structure here that we can use in our own songs"?
Oh well, even if nothing comes of this and we stay like we are forever, it still felt good to rant... and it's not like I don't enjoy jamming for kicks... but it would be nice if we could come up with something cohesive.
you're going to have to give them an ultimatum. ur not really a band until u start working together. my first guitarist is one of my best friends, but he doesnt even want to learn chords! he just altogether stopped jammin with us
Byron
10-31-2005, 07:28 PM
Just tell them to learn, I think doing a cover song or two will definitely help you improve and help you if you ever perform live. A cover song will help you get in the flow of playing a song
billdrum
10-31-2005, 07:30 PM
Agreed. Learning a couple of covers will help teach them how to play rhythm and accompaniment parts and show them some basics about song structure. There's a time to solo and a time to groove and each has to understand his function within the group.
Learn some covers but make everyone learn them note for note, no adding anything. I think that will teach them a little discipline and the understanding of how a song is properly put together.
Happy_Squirrel
10-31-2005, 07:59 PM
Don't be afraid to confront these guys. I know that it takes a lot of nerve, but it will be to everybody's benefit. If, after confronting them (gently, of course), they still don't want to take the time to learn any covers properly or learn song structure and theory, then you may want to think about moving on. There's no point in staying in a situation where others aren't willing to put any effort into the music. Hopefully they'll come around, and if nothing else, you've got some experience now.
officer doofy
10-31-2005, 08:14 PM
you're going to have to give them an ultimatum. ur not really a band until u start working together. my first guitarist is one of my best friends, but he doesnt even want to learn chords! he just altogether stopped jammin with us
i have a similar problem, our guitarist is our guitarist because hes our friend, but he WON'T LEARN anything, and its getting on my nerves, because we can't move forward at all until he does.
Happy_Squirrel
10-31-2005, 08:18 PM
i have a similar problem, our guitarist is our guitarist because hes our friend, but he WON'T LEARN anything, and its getting on my nerves, because we can't move forward at all until he does.I feel your pain. I've been in a situation where our lead guitarist basically didn't do anything on his own in between practices. He skipped those a lot, too.
Another frustrating thing is when bandmates have no problem making suggestions about what you should play, but when you try to give them a helpful idea they pay no mind at all. :rolleyes:
beaker_747
11-01-2005, 01:33 AM
Water them every day... And remember to give them plenty of sunlight.
crolfe1
11-01-2005, 02:09 AM
Those damn chloroplasts again...
iplaybass9340
11-01-2005, 02:39 AM
http://www.cyberfret.com/ Tell then to go there and learn Major scale and Arpeggios. Then have them work on modes and theroy.
CDelle
11-02-2005, 11:28 AM
Thanks for the suggestions guys... I think I'm going to talk to them about it next time we get together.
CDelle
11-02-2005, 03:17 PM
One more thing... Can you guys recommend some songs that are fairly easy to play on drums/bass/guitar? Not sure what we would cover and I want to start simple.
\m/-CHeV-\m/
11-02-2005, 03:27 PM
uhmm..
i think Red Hot Chili Peppers - Californication is a nice song to start with :).
I'm a drummer and i can play it on drums (easy as hell) and on both guitar and bass. so i think that if they even can't play that, it's just not working out.. or another song by rhcp liek fortune faded. very simple too.
i think if you start with those two songs, it will start rollin' again..
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