Who can be the band leader?

[Jarrett]

I'm talking mostly about the local band circuit thing. Whether its an original group or a cover band, I'm wondering which participants can be successful band leaders? Does it have to be the singer that leads? Lead guitar player? What about an instrument that doesn't sing or do lead work like rhythm guitar, drums or bass? Based on your experience actually playing in a few bands, what's your take?

[27sauce]

I've played in bands where the rhythm guitar player was the leader, and one with the drummer, the bass player, the keyboard....

Its whoever is most familiar with each players parts. And its not always the one cutting the checks.

[teleking36]

What do you mean in terms of leader? On-stage leader? Leading the band in a business sense?

I'm in an original band that's really starting to pick up steam in the Boston area, and we treat the band like a small business, which IMO is necessary if you want to succeed and grow beyond your homebase.

Myself and the lead singer handle about 75-80% of the band's "business" - he does the managing/booking for now, and I do all the web stuff (twitter, facebook, myspace, band website, online media, youtube, etc). I do all the marketing and advertising for the gigs. The bassist handles the merch (getting product in, maintaining inventory, etc).

On stage, it really depends on the song. For the most part, the drummer and the singer run the show. Drummer is responsible for the counts, singer handles space in between songs, engaging and talking to the crowd, etc. We don't all jump on the mic; it's very tacky and unprofessional. We try and keep it as streamlined as possible so that the show is tight, timely and efficient. Anyone who plays in an original band knows you're pretty much given a 45-minute slot, which means you play 30-40 minutes because nothing is ever perfect. Having your sh!t together on stage and being consistent with your approach is crucial to being able to play the set you want to play, have a good flow from one song to the next, and giving the fans/audience a good performance.

[DrumBob]

It doesn't matter who the instrumentalist is. The leader is the guy who put the band together, books the gigs, owns the PA, doles out the money, etc. I have found that it's practically impossible in most circumstances to have a fully democratic band. It depends on the people invoved, of course.

It's best to have a leader who makes the final decisions.

[Jason UP]

I think you can have musical leaders and organizational leaders. whoever gets off their ass to organize practices, deal with soundmen and bar owners...boom, that's your organizational leader. He carries a lot of weight in decision making. Then on the musical side, whoever brings the material to the table is the "leader" for that song, in my opinion. Others opine on tweaks and/or write their own parts, but the guy who brings the meat of it to the table should be allowed to "supervise" his original vision, but needs to play nice with others, etc. After all, it is a group. I've never subscribed to the "it's my band" thing..I wouldn't probably play in a band just playing some guys stuff without input nor would I expect anyone to play my stuff without a peep...that's just me though..

[27sauce]

Originally Posted by DrumBob

It doesn't matter who the instrumentalist is. The leader is the guy who put the band together, books the gigs, owns the PA, doles out the money, etc. I have found that it's practically impossible in most circumstances to have a fully democratic band. It depends on the people invoved, of course.

It's best to have a leader who makes the final decisions.

I'm in a situation right now where THAT guy is the leader, and the music is suffering because of it.

[Kooshball]

its strange

my band is pretty democratic with decision making and stuff like that
i'd say it would lean towards the singer/drummer being the ones 'leading'
however they both have families and children so they can be pretty busy sometimes.

i do a lot of the social media stuff, merchandising and ordering shirts, making press packages and setlists...but they are usually the ones that talk to the managers at places we play and stuff

[senseofrelief]

Band usually follows the talent...the talent usually having the vision, the drive, the energy etc.

[tiktok]

In an originals band, it has to be one of the songwriters. In a cover band, it can be anyone's who's willing to do it. Most folks want nothing to do with being the band leader.

[guitardad]

The last cover band I was in, I assumed the role of music director after a few rehearsals. Just based on my experience and ear for putting it all together. During rehearsals, it was clear I was the "leader" in that sense - guiding the group through the process of working up new songs, making suggestions, and refining the sets.

However, the singer(s) that started the group were leaders in a public sense and handled bookings, etc. and had connections to do that stuff. It worked out great.

[buddaman71]

In my band, typically I handle most of the music/sound/tech issues and the singer handles the bookings and finances and keeping it rolling. We both crossover occasionally, but that's how it is for us and we are best friends, so no issues.

[RocksOff]

The guy who tells the rest of the band that the band is a democracy is the leader.

[Mark Ray]

Watch Waddy Watchel

[mtmartin71]

Ours is pretty democratic (cover band). I lead in some areas. Our bassist/keyboardist and drummer formed the band and the bassist is definitely our financial/bookings manager. We brought in a new lead singer/guitarist and he definitely has strong opinions. For the most part is seems to come together nicely and there are very few if any conflicts. I would say that we're missing a "musical" leader though. That is much more democratic. I tend to defer to what the singer/guitarist wants to do because if he's happy and in his sweet spot, our band is that much better. The key to any of these situations is you have to have people who are willing to concede the leadership vs. a bunch of chiefs. It does have it challenges too, but they seem more minor to me.

[tiktok]

Originally Posted by Mark Ray

Watch Waddy Watchel

"Musical Director" doesn't always equate to "Band Leader".