As some of you may already know, my band is going trough some major changes right now. We have a new band leader/singer and a new drummer too.
Our first practice together was a few days ago and to be honest, I didn't think it was going to work. The drummer has never been in a band before (outside of school band) and the new band leader was complaining about it being loud even though it was the quietest practice we've ever had. And we don't play unreasonably loud in the first place. And on top of that we sounded nearly as bad as when I started in the band a year ago.

Our first gig happened tonight and besides having a few minor mishaps, we actually sounded pretty tight for a band that's played together for less than three hours. The drummer keeps good time and he can play everything I could throw at him when we were jamming. I'm going to have to teach him how to play a blues shuffle though, but I'm sure he won't have any trouble learning. And we played at our normal volume. Loud enough to drown out all the people chattering in the back, but not so loud that it's uncomfortable.
And the band leader kept it together too, he can lead a band onstage. I also got to talk to him a little bit more and he doesn't have a problem with how we sometimes improvise and change things around a bit from the recorded versions of the songs we play. He also knows what kind of music I listen to in this particular genre, and I didn't think he was that into it.

We're still not where we were with the old band leader, but it looks like we're going to recover a lot quicker than I thought.

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Excuse my ignorance, but what kind of band is this?

I think I already posted it in the other thread, but I'll reiterate.

I play every Sunday after church for the youth group. There's about 300 kids, so we play in the gym. We also have several off campus gigs. We play music that wouldn't be allowed in church (it rocks too hard). It's mostly alternative rock/praise and worship type stuff but we put our own spin on it. We've even bluesified several songs, and they let me play the style I play, which is very much not in the modern rock vein, as long as it fits in with the song and everything. So it's pretty cool, and it's been a great experience so far.

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Good news Texas, thanks for the update, any chance of a video in the future?

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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.

Hey TGS - I'm glad it's coming together for you. Keep at it, Girl!

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

We had a couple of videos up on youtube before, but not everyone felt comfortable with it up there so we had to take it down. Those people have since left the band, so now it would be a possibility. I can definately get some audio up on my purevolume account if I can remember how to convert it to an MP3.

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Oh okay. When I saw band leader, I thought it was like a Las Vegas house band or some sort of Lawrence Welk thing. Which would be badass. That's cool though that you get to play to that many kids.

I'm glad to see that our younger people are playing praise and worship but what type rocks too hard? As long as it glorifies God in a joyfull and skillful way it's good enough. It's not screamo or death metal so why shouldn't the church allow it. Help me to understand because i'm looking to play regularly at my church and we play everything from United to Third Day and if i was better i could get some Seventh Day Slumber or Desciple in the mix. It's been done befor with a different guitarist that actually played in a metal band. Either way i wish you luck with everything and i'll pray that your band will go far and do well.

Agree'd theres not enough bigband stuff around.

TexBex Sounds like your onto a winner with them pair. Trust me anyone who'll go onstage after only a 3 hour rehearsall must be supremely confident of their abilities. I think you'll do well with them pair. In the meantime you need to focus on your bassist and what they are doing when you rehearse. You and the bassist are the core of the band at the moment. If you pair are tight then you'll give the vocalist and drummer something to work to.

Just my twopenneth worth, you'll do great mate.

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No no and no

Well, the bassist is my Dad, so I'd say we're pretty tight. There's also a second electric guitarist who's been in the band for as long as I have. It's been good to play with another guitarist, because we both learned how to play different chord voicing and lead parts that complement each others part.



I agree with you 100%, but the Pastor doesn't see it that way. He won't even let any drums into church. He's just ultra traditional. He's a good Pastor and everything, but his musical taste just isn't so good.

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Sounds great, It reminds me of a band i had to do for an assignment. We didnt have any practice time and just came and did it on the day (Purple haze by hendrix and Fever by peggy lee) and it went pretty good

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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"

Once I had to put together a band and play a set at a festival with no practice. We had a couple of good songs (we did Purple Haze too), a couple of OK songs, and a couple of total train wrecks. I don't think I'm ever going to do that again unless I know the musicians I'm playing with very, very well.

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That's too bad because music opens up a whole new depth in worship especially for the youth. Maybe your band could convince your pastor to do an acoustic show for the youth in the church one day and if all goes well it would change his/her mind. Pray for it for the youth of the church and may the graces of God be kind and allow it.

Good luck on the gig, Keep the drumer he will come along. Get rid of the Leader/singer. No Band needs a leader and you can always find a new singer. Too loud, Get Real!