So I just got back from practice, and I was just thinking how good we sound and how we're finally clicking both musically and in our friendships. But our acoustic guitarist/singer/band leader has decided to quit and pursue bigger and better things with his brother and their band. Plus this band thing was causing him to have family problems. (Wives, Mothers and Grandparents are among the most selfish people in the world IMO when it comes to letting musicians have practice time and gigs.) Our band plays every Sunday after church for the youth group (since we actually rock and apparently that's not allowed in church).

We've been going steady for a year now, and I think we finally found what songs work for us and man, everything was clicking. There are several problems now. First, the guy who's taking over is probably not into music as heavy as we play (and what we play isn't that heavy, Jimi Hendrix is heavier). Second, the band leader's son was our drummer, and he was sort of forced into it against his will so we'll probably loose him too.

With no singer, no leader, and no drummer the other electric guitarist and myself will probably be incorporated into the band that usually takes our place on our weeks off. That would force my Dad out of the band since they already have a bass player and this is my Dad's only steady gig since his band unofficially broke up a couple of years ago. He loves it, and he's a way better bass player now that he's been playing with us for a year.

I really want to keep what's left of the band intact. If I played drums than my Dad could still play bass, or I could learn to sing in a week.

The good thing is that in the last few weeks I've started playing at jam sessions at a blues club and I like that a lot. They let me stay up for about four sets, so I still have an outlet to play music I like and I still have a way to get experience doing that. And it's not like my band's being kicked out, since I'm still playing there no matter who takes over. I just wish my Dad could still play, and I wish that our drummer will make up his mind to stay so that I don't have to jump on drums to keep us together.

Everything's just so uncertain right now. I've had some very bad past experiences in past church bands and I loved how in this band our band leader gave us more room to bring in our own styles than in those other bands. It's been the first time ever that someone has actually let me play blues licks and use my wah pedal and let me play at a loud (but reasonable) level. He lets the other guitarist bring his own style in too, it was great. I just don't know if the people who take over are going to let us continue that way or if they'll try to reel us in and make us into something we're not.

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Website: http://www.rebeccalaird.com
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Tex

Your going to be in many bands and play many gigs during the course of your life as a guitarist. This that you are experiencing is a hitch, nothing more.

So what if the singer is quitting and probably the drummer too. Their are others out there. Anyone that listens to you, yourself will know your serious. Dont sweat it, maybe even get a bit of vocal coaching.

I'm in a similar position at the moment. Just got a cracking bassist, to go with me, a superb drummer and great frontman. The frontman has only rehearsed once in the last 6 months. I suspect he's qutting. The core is still with the band though, infact its stronger than ever. I've been crowing away through some lyrics and been told with some voice training i could do it. Maybe thats an option for you

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No no and no

don't worry Texas, you have everything you need, the band looks like it will keep going and your extra jamming the blues will keep you ready. I like nikki's idea about singing, play on Texas.

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you can save the world with your guitar one love song at a time it's just better, more fun, easier with a fender solid body electric guitar or electric bass guitar.

TGS,

It is just one of those things. You can find another band to play with, trust me (you were killer at KOTB's). Maybe you could start a band on your own with your dad. Or, maybe your dad could take over the band at church? Then it is just a matter of finding a singer and drummer.

Whatever happens, you will do good, just chalk this as a learning experience.

Best of luck!

RK

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RK

2007 Fender Highway 1
2012 American Deluxe
2015 MIM Dave Murray HHH
2010 Fender Blacktop
1987 Fender Avalon Acoustic
2012 Marshall DSL 15 watt head

That is why I don't do bands anymore...too much hassel...I hire musicians..

I've been thinking about the singing thing for a while now. It seems like if I really want to do what I want to do I'll have to sing. It's been very difficult getting people to sing for me so far, and it'll probably only get harder. I wish I could sing now, because if I did than I'm sure my Dad could probably take over the band and the only challenge would be finding a drummer.

Unfortunately the best drummer I know (who's seriously one of the best drummers I've ever heard) just moved to Austin last summer. I know he would have been happy to fill in temporarily.

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I wouldn't worry about it too much........bands will come and go. I was in a band for over a year and I just quit (I was getting jerked around too much). So...........I lost everyone! And we were really getting good. But I felt my sanity was more important to me. I'm sure something else will come along for me eventually. And it will for you too. So.......hang in here.....and keep playing with people, and I'm sure something will come together for you in no time. Keep us updated.

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"I won't be wronged, I won't be insulted, I won't be laid a hand on. I don't do these things to other people, and I require the same from them."-John Wayne

You ill be in a million bands, sometimes at the same time. It's all part of the game, and it helps you grow as an artist. Good luck on the singing and playing thing. It took me FOREVER seemingly to gain rhythmic independence of my vocals and playing.

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Hey TGS - just keep on playing and doing what you can do. I have no doubt you'll come out ahead with a better deal in the future. Maybe concentrate on your singing for awhile and keep getting some time in at the jam sessions at the club. This could be your opportunity to break away and try something fresh for awhile.

You'll end up doing fine. I'll put money down that you've got a great future ahead of you as a guitarist/singer/songwriter. Keep at it Girl!

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Old age and treachery will win every time over youth and enthusiasm.

"You can never have too many Tele's." A quote from my Sweetwater Sales Engineer

TGS,

Jimmy Page, Jeff Beck, and Eric Clapton were all with the Yardbirds......good thing that they moved on to other opportunities, don't you think?

There is always a band for a hardworking guitar player......

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I Can't Explain

*** PRESS RELEASE ***

TexasGuitarSinger begins solo career.

...

This is why many prefer to be the one who does the hiring and firing. The band dynamic is all very well, but it also has its pitfalls.

Onward and upward. One way or another good musicians generally make it.

- C

I can't give any better advice than these awesome guys who've already put in their two cents.

BUT....

Just do whatever feels right to you, and the most important thing is to have fun. Just have fun with whatever you do, and you're set for life.
OH.
And make sure, if you're in a band, that your personalities are a perfect match for each other's. A'cause the best bands who stay together the longest are the ones with members who have a great relationship with one another.

SO.

There's MY two cents.

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"If it's planned, it's boring." - Freddie Mercury

Well, our last gig together is coming up tonight. We're going to play a few of our best songs, and I even get to play some keyboard on one.

Maybe our drummer has made up his mind by now about whether he's going to stay or go. I'm still going to be practicing drums like crazy this week just in case.

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bands are never easy, one band i was in had 4 different bass players and over 7 different drummers. So after the most recent bassist and drummer left to puesue their death metal aspirations (The band was alternative rock, not really light but not really heavy), me and the lead guitarist called it a day.

But as they say, when life throws you lemons, instead of biting straight into it you should make lemonade.

So now the lead guitarist grabbed a laptop and a keyboard and i carried on singing and playing guitar and now we got a mint drummer onboard we're now we're doing stuff like Nine inch nails/ ambient. Its good stuff!

Just keep at it, you'll get somewhere

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"Oh, it's a windy and sunny day
And I can hear the faint sound of distant waves
The past weeks have been going by so fast
It's all the same, the bright sky and shining sun
I have a feeling it's gonna be a fun day"

Pardon my saying so, but that is in itself a very selfish comment. I'm sure the wives, mothers and grandparents would say the musicians are being selfish for practicing and gigging rather than attending to X, Y or Z. A little perspective is needed on both sides of this equation.

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I really like all them "Aster" guitars. You know, like the Stratoc, Telec and Jazzm.