Protocall for Learing Songs

[Rockyrollercat]

I see this all the time, (I call it "the talent just left the band"). Drummer bass and keyboard looking for a lead guitarist that sings.

So they want someone to step in and be the exact same person they just lost and they have no interest in anything on my song list. I explain that I know about half your song and if you would learn some of mine we could get going allot quicker but they flat out refuse.

To me this shows a total lack of respect for me and makes me wonder if I'll have a good experience with these guys or just get treated like a door mat. Talking about bar cover bands here not major acts. What say you?

RRC

 

[tiktok]

Drummers and bassists are in high demand, so they get more votes than some "guitarist" in these matters.

 

[Pat Healy]

If the songs you're proposing are songs that fit naturally within their set list and audience demographic - i.e. you're not proposing Beyonce songs to a classic rock band - I'd expect them to be somewhat receptive to learning the new stuff. Part of the fun and reward of being in a cover band is learning new stuff. If they're just inflexible and not interested in learning new things, I'd steer clear.

 

[Rockyrollercat]

Drummers and bassists are in high demand, so they get more votes than some "guitarist" in these matters.

Ok, so wolf cookies aside, what would be reasonable 2:1, 5:1, 10:1 ? They don't want to do any of my songs, want no opinions nothing, I'm just there to serve like an unwanted after thought. Is that the way a band should think of the front man?

That's the role I have to play just to try out but it seems totally one sided to me. People don't realize when they just lost 2 guitar players and a singer the band just split in half and maybe you should go back to start over mode just a little.

My take has been while I'm learning their 40 songs I'll get half way into it and they find someone else or someones buddy suddenly wants to be in the band or the previous guitarist changes his mind and wants back in then bam allot of work for nothing. If they don't learn any of my list they have nothing invested in me so, I'm easily replaced. It sends a red flag to me.

RRC

 

[Gasp100]

Ok, so wolf cookies aside, what would be reasonable 2:1, 5:1, 10:1 ? They don't want to do any of my songs, want no opinions nothing, I'm just there to serve like an unwanted after thought. Is that the way a band should think of the front man?

That's the role I have to play just to try out but it seems totally one sided to me. People don't realize when they just lost 2 guitar players and a singer the band just split in half and maybe you should go back to start over mode just a little.

My take has been while I'm learning their 40 songs I'll get half way into it and they find someone else or someones buddy suddenly wants to be in the band or the previous guitarist changes his mind and wants back in then bam allot of work for nothing. If they don't learn any of my list they have nothing invested in me so, I'm easily replaced. It sends a red flag to me.

RRC

NO WAY in HELL I would learn 40 tunes unless I was given the gig, period.
I'd agree to learn 5 songs for an audition. Anything more can be a complete waste of time -- everyone's time.

 

[tiktok]

Ok, so wolf cookies aside, what would be reasonable 2:1, 5:1, 10:1 ? They don't want to do any of my songs, want no opinions nothing, I'm just there to serve like an unwanted after thought. Is that the way a band should think of the front man?

That's the role I have to play just to try out but it seems totally one sided to me. People don't realize when they just lost 2 guitar players and a singer the band just split in half and maybe you should go back to start over mode just a little.

My take has been while I'm learning their 40 songs I'll get half way into it and they find someone else or someones buddy suddenly wants to be in the band or the previous guitarist changes his mind and wants back in then bam allot of work for nothing. If they don't learn any of my list they have nothing invested in me so, I'm easily replaced. It sends a red flag to me.

RRC

A cover band has to make the singer look good, so the material and keys that best showcase the singer to a thirsty audience looking to dance are what should be driving things. If they need someone who can just step in and sing all the old tunes in the old keys, they should have been very specific about that during the interview/audition process. Likewise, it would have been best had you provided a list of the tunes you already had in the bag so that both sides could judge if this was a good fit, or an arranged marriage.

Based on the scenario you've described, I'd say that you and them are not a good match. Ideally, no-one plays anything they hate and everyone's inherent taste and sensibilities overlap enough that it's just a matter of combing through the entire song pool and picking out enough that everyone agrees on. If you're already arguing at this point in such a seemingly one-sided manner, I doubt it's going to get any better.

 

[Frank Prince]

Ok, so wolf cookies aside, what would be reasonable 2:1, 5:1, 10:1 ? They don't want to do any of my songs, want no opinions nothing, I'm just there to serve like an unwanted after thought. Is that the way a band should think of the front man?

That's the role I have to play just to try out but it seems totally one sided to me. People don't realize when they just lost 2 guitar players and a singer the band just split in half and maybe you should go back to start over mode just a little.

My take has been while I'm learning their 40 songs I'll get half way into it and they find someone else or someones buddy suddenly wants to be in the band or the previous guitarist changes his mind and wants back in then bam allot of work for nothing. If they don't learn any of my list they have nothing invested in me so, I'm easily replaced. It sends a red flag to me.

RRC

I wouldn't bother with it unless they have standing gigs booked SOON and you can easily do the tunes they want to do. Otherwise, being in a band where 2 other guys want everything their way and you just have the 1 vote sounds like a recipe for disaster.

Also, don't learn more than 5 tunes until you actually have the gig. If you really want the gig and are worried about these guys then have them sign a contract guaranteeing you the gigs they have promised you once you agree to be in the band and learn all the tunes. If they won't sign, don't bother.

 

[gtrdave]

You can agree to try it 'their way' for a short while and then, once you've proven that you've got the chops for the gig, they agree to learn songs that you prefer...as long as they fit the repertoire.
Put it in writing, have them sign it, etc...that way there's no argument in the future unless they're total losers, in which case you bail and find people worth playing with.

 

[TheoDog]

Do you want the gig or not?

If you can gig fine with your list of songs, then why are you looking for a drummer and bassist?
just trying the other side out.

 

[Baminated]

If it's cover band stuff it should be songs which have a track record of proving to go over with most audiences regardless of who's repertoire it is. Any tunes which are obscure should be dropped from either list for starters so you can get working right away.

 

[pbmw]

Go find another gig.
This one ain't gonna end well

 

[chrisr777]

You are joining their band.

You learn the songs, you get the gig. After you mutually find that it works then they may want to look at your list.

 

[stevel]

I'm not understanding.

Are you looking to join a band, or form a band, or have a band back you up? They're all different.

Why are you not placing an ad that says "Guitarist with lead vocal abilities looking for..."?

Or rather, why are you looking at these ads (OK, I guess I can assume you've just seen and noticed them, and I agree with your assessment, but honestly, don't bother with them - it's usually pretty clear what's going on).

I mean, yeah, those guys are usually pretty unrealistic (or downright stupid). Sometimes it's young kids with no clue, sometimes it's aging rockers with no clue...

Ignore those type of ads and concentrate on those that are going to go somewhere, actually do something, etc. etc.

Or hire people yourself.

Steve

 

[stevel]

It sends a red flag to me.

RRC

As well it should!

Steve