epictring
Hi ?
We've had auditions for a replacement guitarist and chose the best audition for a 1 month period for some "testing out".
Ok, so we're a rock band and we are by no means metal.
1. So this guy is metal influenced. I'm afraid of this when we're gonna start composing together, how do you tell someone if the part he spent a day on is simply not suitable for the band?
2. Equipment is not completely up to standard
3. He is certainly dedicated.
4. He can sing well (for backup vocals)
The original band had a meeting tonight. We will be deciding whether he would be accepted into the band in the coming week.
My idea (without the idea of "trying to catch the spotlight") is to try continue the project as a 4 piece with 1 guitarist instead of 2, with the vocalist being able to play a little, could easily play the extremely necessary rhythm sections of the songs. It's a big decision though, I mean if we're gonna let him go now there's no turning back - we might be better off, or not.
Your thoughts? :-\
Ray
Sounds like maybe he's treading on someone's turf.
Soulds like maybe you'll be a 3 piece if he goes.
Why dont you let him do a few songs?
I cant comment on the footswitch and amp.
Bob-Dubery
It was a one month trial, right? That was spelled out to him, right? He accepted the deal, right? So the month is up and he should be expecting a statement of some kind from you and you're by no means being deceitful.
Just hope he doesn't read GFSA. Remember that most of this forum, and certainly the board that we're discussing this matter on, is publicly readable, indexed by search engines etc etc.
Think of your band's reputation as well. If you keep on auditioning and keep on rejecting, or keeping on giving out one month trials and then telling the trialee good bye then word of that will get around too.
Is the following an option: Sit him down, say to him that there are pluses and minuses and here's the pluses and the minuses, and if he can make adjustments in this area then you are willing to extend the probationary period. He, of course, is entitled to reject that and so you have to allow for that too (it's unfair to keep anybody on probation immediately [fix!] indefinitely). Obviously don't do that off your own bat, discuss it with the rest of the band first.
Changing the sound of the band? Well you know, bands are the sum of their parts. The people change and so does the band. Several bands that I've had some kind of association with have sounded different each time they changed players. This is a fact of life. The Stones changed when they dumped Brian Jones and took on Mick Taylor, and again when Taylor left and Ronnie Wood came on board. There's loads of examples. The only way to have consistent sound is to hire good, versatile session players and tell them exactly what to play - and even then there will be differences.
Yes, some players might be completely inappropriate for some bands, but if you change the people in the band generally the band will change.
AlanRatcliffe
+1 to everything Bob said.
However, band members do have to fit into the general context and direction of the band. Influencing it is one thing, changing it completely is another. If he's changing it a lot now during his trial period, that's only going to become more pronounced in the future as he settles in.
I think I know which way you are going to vote and am pretty sure you do too.
epictring
Ok thanks guys.
If he were to stay, he would seriously need to either fix his amp for live performance or even better..get a new one.
How would one approach this matter to tell him that his tone is kind of bad?
I'm afraid that it'll influence our on stage sound badly. At the practice session we sounded a lot messier because of his amp tone.
vic
epictring wrote:
Ok thanks guys.
If he were to stay, he would seriously need to either fix his amp for live performance or even better..get a new one.
How would one approach this matter to tell him that his tone is kind of bad?I'm afraid that it'll influence our on stage sound badly. At the practice session we sounded a lot messier because of his amp tone.
Re amp tone...you tell him straight in a respectful manner. If he has a good ear and a good attitude, he probably knows this already ? The important question is: Is he a good team player ? Answer that and take a decission. a Few years ago I played with a guy who's drumming was initially not up to standard...he would go out of time and he would overuse his cymbals...but because he had a good attitude and was a good team person, he listened to advice and eventually was a pleasure to work with.
So don't give up on your guitarist too soon.
MIKA-the-better-one
Dude dont get stuck with a memeber who is a mistake....... coming from lots of experience. It pays to get the right guy or no one at all....
Dont compromise your music to allow him to right some!
Dont compromise on equipment especially! Thats a major sign that they may not take it as serious as you.
Tell him if he wants to be involved he needs to make a plan and be a better fit or not be at all.
Sounds harsh but it saves hassle later.
I think you are smart however to question him with all his faults (dont feel bad about it)... Alot of guys will just try and justifiy the faults to put themselves at ease..... so good for you
DDR4LYF
If you can be decent and respectful and tell him straight about what he needs to change for the direction of the band and he gets all off with you, maybe that's a sign that he shouldn't be taken on. But if he takes it well and and shows similar-mindedness then go for him! IMO...
Averatu
I hope for your sake he's not a member of the forum, it would be a terrible way for him to find out.
MIKA-the-better-one
If he was a member of the forum maybe he would care maore about what gear he used
Warren
MIKA the better one wrote:
Dude dont get stuck with a memeber who is a mistake....... coming from lots of experience. It pays to get the right guy or no one at all....
Dont compromise your music to allow him to right some!
Dont compromise on equipment especially! Thats a major sign that they may not take it as serious as you.
Tell him if he wants to be involved he needs to make a plan and be a better fit or not be at all.
Sounds harsh but it saves hassle later.
I think you are smart however to question him with all his faults (dont feel bad about it)... Alot of guys will just try and justifiy the faults to put themselves at ease..... so good for you
I agree with Mika (gasp!).
You're lucky enough it's only a trial period you've come to the end of. Far as I'm concerned, if it's already not feeling right (in your gut) then the right decision is to keep looking, or do without him. It will only get more difficult the longer you leave it: imagine how tough it will be to let him go a year down the line when you've already spent all that time working on material...
guidothepimmp
MIKA the better one wrote:
If he was a member of the forum maybe he would care maore about what gear he used
That's one of the weakest comments I've read on this forum..
Maybe, just maybe, he isn't as affluent as some on said forum and simply cannot afford better?
IceCreamMan
mmm letting a band member go cos of sub "standard " equipment ...jeepers ..i have seen some pro guitarists from here an elswehere that probably wont make yr band cos some of them would have had what is considered as general concesus as sub standard equipment ,... we are far too hung up (on this forum anyway) about "superior " equipment thats for sure (and aye i am guilty of that too.
There is a guitaist in ZA that i enjoy watching , he plays thru these shoddy stacks ,and i mean shoddy, a desk thats prolly as old as i am and shows it , stuff held together with duct tape, uses 2 pedals that he powers with one of those large 9 V batteries that the older radio use (no fancy power supply to be seen) and he is the most entertaining guitarist i ever seen in ZA....
but lets fire the guy cos he has equipment not up to par ...oh poo
Hammeron
IceCreamMan wrote:
mmm letting a band member go cos of sub "standard " equipment ...jeepers ..i have seen some pro guitarists from here an elswehere that probably wont make yr band cos some of them would have had what is considered as general concesus as sub standard equipment ,... we are far too hung up (on this forum anyway) about "superior " equipment thats for sure (and aye i am guilty of that too.
There is a guitaist in ZA that i enjoy watching , he plays thru these shoddy stacks ,and i mean shoddy, a desk thats prolly as old as i am and shows it , stuff held together with duct tape, uses 2 pedals that he powers with one of those large 9 V batteries that the older radio use (no fancy power supply to be seen) and he is the most entertaining guitarist i ever seen in ZA....
but lets fire the guy cos he has equipment not up to par ...oh poo
+++ plenty,
if your gut says - "Hang on a minute", then don't commit, but don't use "Equipment not up to standard" as an excuse.
vic
epictring wrote:
Hi ?
We've had auditions for a replacement guitarist and chose the best audition for a 1 month period for some "testing out".
Ok, so we're a rock band and we are by no means metal.
1. So this guy is metal influenced. I'm afraid of this when we're gonna start composing together, how do you tell someone if the part he spent a day on is simply not suitable for the band?.......tell him straight
2. Equipment is not completely up to standard.............a plan can be made here
3. He is certainly dedicated.......a BIG plus
4. He can sing well (for backup vocals)........great
Is he good ? Does he have potential ? If yes, why let him go ??
flatfourfan
MIKA the better one wrote:
If he was a member of the forum maybe he would care maore about what gear he used
That's not a serious comment right?
He seems to have drive, passion, ability and dedication.......I fail to see a downside here?
By the way, what about his gear is substandard?????
RobbieZ
Just be honost. Everybody deserves honesty!
Averatu
guidothepimmp wrote:
MIKA the better one wrote:
If he was a member of the forum maybe he would care maore about what gear he used
That's one of the weakest comments I've read on this forum..
Maybe, just maybe, he isn't as affluent as some on said forum and simply cannot afford better?
+1
MIKA-the-better-one
Truthfully the forum does steer people in the direction of better equipment. Original poster mentioned the guitarists equipment was "sub standard".
To carry on from that equipment is very important in a band. If I am lugging a bassman and a DR Z to shows with strats and jazzmasters, and my keyboardist is bringing a little $100 casio keyboard, most likely I am going to tell him he needs to get something new that he can use (and be proud of)
I have kicked out band members in the past due to equipment. I am not asking for someone to spends $3000 or R30 000 but I am asking that they can justifiy what they use, its hard to justify certain gear.
Its like having a workplace with a standard......
Usually also commitment and the gear they use fall hand in hand
flatfourfan
I'd love to know what's being classified as substandard gear..............
