rogue_drummer
Gold Member
I need some advice. The information I get here will dictate how I respond to a growing problem I have in a church praise / gospel band. Here's the rub:
I did the usual school band programs and had private music lessons for about 4 years when I was much younger. Every group I played in, or saw, or heard, someone in the group counted off at least 4 beats to begin the song and let all the other band members know what the tempo was. From club cover bands to pro groups - someone - started the song by counting off at least 4 beats. I belive that was normal. Is it still?
Now we have a new leader in our gospel band who plays guitar and sings. My problem is this guy simply refuses to count any song off for the rest of us. There are 5 other musicians in this group: myself the drummer, two guitars, and two singers. Several times we've been thrown off by this guys simply starting the songs and not bothering to see if the rest of us are ready. I've even asked on several occasions for him to count us off - giving us 4 beats - simply because the drums and guitars start the song. The answer I get is "No - you'll be ok."
Well, hell, no we're not OK. I've missed coming in several times. So have the other players and singers. This is causing a lot of frustration with the other 4 muscians and it's really making me rethink if I even want to continue with this group. In other words, I'm getting more angry and frustrated as time goes on.
My question is: Is NOT counting off a group now considered normal? Am I missing something here? We rehearse for 2 hours one night a week - usually on Wednesday - then play Sunday.
Maybe the Rolling Stones may not need to count off, but this is an all volunteer, non-paid position.
Any information you all can share is greatly appreciated. Thanks!
I did the usual school band programs and had private music lessons for about 4 years when I was much younger. Every group I played in, or saw, or heard, someone in the group counted off at least 4 beats to begin the song and let all the other band members know what the tempo was. From club cover bands to pro groups - someone - started the song by counting off at least 4 beats. I belive that was normal. Is it still?
Now we have a new leader in our gospel band who plays guitar and sings. My problem is this guy simply refuses to count any song off for the rest of us. There are 5 other musicians in this group: myself the drummer, two guitars, and two singers. Several times we've been thrown off by this guys simply starting the songs and not bothering to see if the rest of us are ready. I've even asked on several occasions for him to count us off - giving us 4 beats - simply because the drums and guitars start the song. The answer I get is "No - you'll be ok."
Well, hell, no we're not OK. I've missed coming in several times. So have the other players and singers. This is causing a lot of frustration with the other 4 muscians and it's really making me rethink if I even want to continue with this group. In other words, I'm getting more angry and frustrated as time goes on.
My question is: Is NOT counting off a group now considered normal? Am I missing something here? We rehearse for 2 hours one night a week - usually on Wednesday - then play Sunday.
Maybe the Rolling Stones may not need to count off, but this is an all volunteer, non-paid position.
Any information you all can share is greatly appreciated. Thanks!