How Not To Piss Off Your Bandmates
Being in a band isn’t always sunshine and daisies. Sometimes bandmates can make life really hard for the rest of us, here’s how to help make sure you’re not one of those bandmates
1. Do not come for band practice to learn the songs. If the band has agreed on practicing or performing certain songs, please make the effort to learn them as everyone else in the band has done so. Choosing to come for practice to learn songs not only places you in bad light but it’s also disrespectful to your bandmates and unfair for them as they’ve put in the effort to learn those songs. Be it originals or covers, once you have committed to the band you have a responsibility to carry your weight in the band
2. Be punctual for practice. Your bandmates have taken the effort to take take time off from each of their lives to agree on a practice time and attend it. Once again wasting their time is not at all respectful to them nor is it ethical. No one likes someone that wastes everyone’s time. If you cannot make it last minute, let your band know as soon as possible and try to make sure it doesn’t happen again. If you couldn’t make it from the start don’t just jump bandwagon and agree on a time just because you’re the only one who wasn’t available for practice then leave everyone hanging at the last moment.
3. Make sure your instruments are in order. Do not come to practice only to decide the action of your guitar is to high then proceed to tweak your truss rod or make whatever adjustments needed.
4. Practice is Practice. Just because you attend practice on time and you’ve learned the songs does not mean you can spend practice texting on your phone or slacking off because you already “know the songs”. You are there for a reason and that is practice, so put in the work and do that.
5. Playing at inappropriate times. Playing while bandmates are trying to tune or discuss song options or gigs or otherwise hindering discussions is very annoying. When band meetings are being held it is vital that everyone is in the know and knows what happens so everyone is prepared for what comes in the future and what happens at shows or practices.
6.Practice like you mean it. This is means playing like you mean it. A crucial part of practice is playing like you’re at the show you you achieve consistency. This consistency is what will make soundchecks and performing well at every show you go to easier. Practicing like you mean it also pushes your limits and hence allows you to improve even when you’re just jamming with the band
7. Don’t take things personally. If someone tells you’re underperforming it’s probably because they think you are instead of seeing it as a personal insult. It is important that everyone in the band stays committed to being professional and acting professional so that the band can progress faster and more efficiently. In addition to that however band members should strive to develop a culture of professionalism within the band despite being close friends or even in some cases family.
In conclusion, relationships between band members can get complicated but as long as everyone is willing to communicate and cooperate there’s a good chance everything will work out. I hope everyone enjoyed this one, rock on!