How many bands are you in?

[FunkyJazzer]

Just a curious question...How many bands/projects are you in at the moment?

I'm in a jazz trio at the moment which isn't really going anywhere (the bassist is a beginner). I'm waiting for a piano player to move closer to me at the end of the month for uni, who's an epic player, and we're gonna start a quartet project. I'm in a classic rock covers band, and I'm auditioning for an indie/punk group on Friday who are already quite established (they have an album and are going on tour soon). I've been talking to a guitar player from near me with whom I am in the process of making a pop/funk/RnB group. I'm also joining a larger covers band (Sextet, I think, which will be a function/dance band for weddings etc). And I do a bit of teaching on the side. Hopefully all of the bands will be doing plenty of gigs, the classic rock trio already is.

So what about you guys? How busy are you as drummers? I'm curious about the pros here too. I'm interested to see how much work it takes to make a living.

Lloyd.

[bermuda]

Aside from Weird Al, I'm in 3 bands locally - blues, blues/jazz/pop, and roots-rock/country - and I'm a regular at a weekly jam where I occasionally do gigs with some of the players there. I keep as busy as I want to, which is normally 1 or 2 gigs a week while I'm in town, and about once a month I do 5 days at a casino with one of the above bands.

Bermuda

[mrchattr]

I play professionally in two bands...an acoustic trio where I play cajon, djembe, etc, and an electric band where I play full kit.

I also have an original project that doesn't pay the bills, but lets me write and such.

So that's three main projects. But, that's not all. Sometimes I have to augment these with musicals, sitting in with other bands, etc. I also do studio work, and teach lessons.

All in all, by the end of this year, I will probably have worked with 15 bands, artists, pit orchestras, etc.

[rmandelbaum]

I am just a weekend warrior but I am in two bands. One is a classic Soul, R&B and Funk band and one is a variety band, we do everything from Elvis to Kansas.

[bojangleman]

i have 1 main.....
but im in a few side bands also...

im actually the bass player in one of them..haha

Alex

[Nodiggie]

Was in Latin/Jazz/Fusion band and Testify. Now playing for Testify and side projects here and there.

[bobdadruma]

I play with three, A blues band, An Oldies Rock/Country Band and a Jam band with some of my Hippie friends. I also play some Jazz with some local folks from a retirement community.

[DamoSyzygy]

I have two corporate bands which play regularly, and three original bands which I slip in wherever I can.

[Skitch]

I’m in several as I am my own steady gig at the moment. I have an every Thursday Country gig and a Church gig. I usually pick up gigs for Friday and Saturday nights and feel very fortunate to do so since there are quite a few musicians who don’t play that often. This weekend is going to be nuts though; Saturday, Gig 1 is from 10 am to 1 pm. Gig 2 is from 6:30 pm to 8:00 and gig three is from 9:30 pm to 1:30 pm. It will be a handful but I am glad to be working!


Mike

http://www.mikemccraw.com
http://www.dominoretroplate.com

http://www.youtube.com/drummermikemccraw
http://www.myspace.com/drummermikemccraw

[Class A Drummer]

Im in many school music Groups. Last year i was in the symphonic wind ensemble, the jazz band, pit orchestra for 2 different shows, the pep band, drumline, and the band that accompanies my schools choir with pop/rock/jazz/funk music. This year is basically the same except im not doing the choir band, it was too much. I am also in a rock band with a few of my friends.

[mikei]

[QUOTE=Skitch;476612]I’m in several as I am my own steady gig at the moment. I have an every Thursday Country gig and a Church gig. I usually pick up gigs for Friday and Saturday nights and feel very fortunate to do so since there are quite a few musicians who don’t play that often. This weekend is going to be nuts though; Saturday, Gig 1 is from 10 am to 1 pm. Gig 2 is from 6:30 pm to 8:00 and gig three is from 9:30 pm to 1:30 pm. It will be a handful but I am glad to be working!

QUOTE]

That is amazing! I am very jealous!!!

I am in 2 right now. Neither are gigging seriously, but we occasionally play live.

One is a classic rock cover band, and one is a FRIGGING METAL!!!! band that is new. LOL

I am playing 2 times a week (practicing) so I do consider myself fortunate.

[Drumsword]

Currently I am Rehearsing for a studio c.d. with the band I used for my c.d.(The bass players project) The music is sort of Jimmy Buffet meets Garth Brooks, Yep is different.

I also have my own musical endeavors on the back burner but hoping to start gigging steady by end of the year. Which is Christian rock, R&B, funk.

And have the opportunity to play in a surf rock band. Waiting to hear particulars before I take the plunge.

So you add those together subtract pi, find the value of X and I guess potentially 3. :)

[mrchattr]

I’m in several as I am my own steady gig at the moment. I have an every Thursday Country gig and a Church gig. I usually pick up gigs for Friday and Saturday nights and feel very fortunate to do so since there are quite a few musicians who don’t play that often. This weekend is going to be nuts though; Saturday, Gig 1 is from 10 am to 1 pm. Gig 2 is from 6:30 pm to 8:00 and gig three is from 9:30 pm to 1:30 pm. It will be a handful but I am glad to be working!


Mike

http://www.mikemccraw.com
http://www.dominoretroplate.com

http://www.youtube.com/drummermikemccraw
http://www.myspace.com/drummermikemccraw

I love days like this. You feel like a god when you get through 'em, and they are fun the whole day. I had one not too long ago...morning recording session, afternoon gig (at a benefit with a bikini contest) on kit, evening gig playing with my acoustic group (hand drums) at a wedding (drunk hotties everywhere). It may be my favorite day from this whole year.

[caddywumpus]

Not counting the groups that I sit in for on a regular basis, 5. Plus lessons, subbing, studio, clinics, and the best gig of all: watching my kids while my wife is at work.

[bonzolead]

3 bands-all cover bands with a couple of original tunes each,one band clasic& newer rock,the other band classic rock and my last band classic rock & R&B heck you gotta play in 3 bands around here too gig regularly LOL and a country band ask me too join them but I just don't. have the time. I like all kinds of music as long as it has REAL drums-No drum machine produced CRAP

Bonzolead

[Bobrovsky]

I am playing in one band. And also working on solo songs.

[7DaysToTheWolves]

I am currently just a fill-in for bands locally.
But not being in a solid band does give me time to continue to practice my chops and that's what matters most.

[caddywumpus]

...not being in a solid band does give me time to continue to practice my chops and that's what matters most.

To each their own, I guess.

I find what matters most is communicating to/with others through the language of music. When I practice, it's like doing my Spanish homework in high school...I'm preparing to have conversations, but not actually communicating at the moment (it takes two or more to do that). When my groups rehearse, it's like we're writing/practicing a prepared dialogue (like a play). When we perform for an audience, we suspend the disbelief of the audience by creating something bigger than the sum of ourselves through interaction (prepared and improvised).

Practicing my chops on my own time helps me to do that more effectively and fluently, and to me is a means to an end, and not an end in and of itself.

Just my 1/25th of $.50

[FunkyJazzer]

I find what matters most is communicating to/with others through the language of music...
Practicing my chops on my own time helps me to do that more effectively and fluently, and to me is a means to an end, and not an end in and of itself.

Just my 1/25th of $.50


I second that.

202020

[mrchattr]

I second that.

202020

Thirded.

Commence artificial post length inflation. Status: Complete.

[aruration]

I am currently in 2 right now..

[caddywumpus]

Commence artificial post length inflation. Status: Complete.

Nice! here's my post length inflation

[Aumni]

Nice! here's my post length inflation

*Insert generic compliment here*

Seriously though. I'm just in one with my dad and his friend. His friend just opened up a small entry level studio for local inner-city bands, and we're testing it out before he opens up completely. So we're practicing a couple of new songs and will have a gig coming in late October. It's fun playing with my dad, and it's a good practice session because I'm a lefty who plays lefty, but the set at the studio is setup righty.

But yeah 1 band. Hopefully in a year or 2 I can confidently start looking for another more serious gig.

[Skitch]

I love days like this. You feel like a god when you get through 'em, and they are fun the whole day. I had one not too long ago...morning recording session, afternoon gig (at a benefit with a bikini contest) on kit, evening gig playing with my acoustic group (hand drums) at a wedding (drunk hotties everywhere). It may be my favorite day from this whole year.


Yep - I remember a bike rally I played at the had a bikini contest! I doubt there will be one at the college tomorrow!



Mike

http://www.mikemccraw.com
http://www.dominoretroplate.com

http://www.youtube.com/drummermikemccraw
http://www.myspace.com/drummermikemccraw

[Billy Brown]

One. One band with others, though I'm always a drummer for my own music when the fancy tickles.

[Pete Stoltman]

Four bands right now and any other freelance projects that come up.

[Tutin]

3


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