Playing in a Band Setting

[Dooley]

Hello er'body. I am the head musician for our gospel choir here at BLANK-BLANK University.  (Im trying to remain anonymous) We currently have 2 keyboards, 2 drummers, and 1 lead guitar...We have no bass... I am the head musician, Im having a hard time to get my other keyboard player to grasp the fact of playing in a BAND type setting.  He gets offended when i tell him that he has to run the bass.  Part of that problem is that he is a little arrogant, when honestly from a leadership position, he is not really that great.  His chords are off, and it therefore throws mine off.  We have musician rehearsal, and I stress blending... I stress that the Bass and the Drums have to be LOCKED together.  And when theres no bass, theres no foundation for the drums to be locked on. What advice do yall have for my musicians right now. I will be reading your posts in the musician rehearsal, so have some good advice for me!!! Thanks yall

THE BAND IS A UNIT, ONE ORGANIZAM, EACH HAS A ROLE TO PLAY, LIKE THE HUMAN BODY, IF ONE PART IS OUT OF WHACK, THE BODY AS A WHILE FEELS IT, AND PEOPLE CAN TELL! NOW TRANSFER THAT TO THE BAND. EACH HAS TO KNOW THAT THEY HAVE A ROLE TO PLAY, YOU MUST EXCERSIZE ONES STRENGTHS, AND LEAVE THE ATTITUDE AT HOME. I'M IN A BAND NOW WITH A KEYBOARD PLAYER TOO, I KNOW MUCH MORE THAN HIM, BUT WE LEARN OFF EACH OTHER, AND TOGETHER AS A UNIT, IT'S INCREDIBLE...I HANDLE THE MAIN CHORDS, AND HE DOES THE EFFECTS, HORN STABS, ECT, AND THE BASS, DRUMS DO THEIR PARTS, AND THE SINGERS SING ON TOP OF THAT. ALL ONE UNIT, NOT ONE OUT SHINING THE OTHER...TIME IS WASTED IN REHERSAL FOR THAT MESS, TIME IS TOO PRECIOUS, AND WAITS FOR NO MAN....SO SUCK IT UP AND GET ON ONE PAGE, AND MARCH ON.

[Dooley]

Anyone else?!?

[DaNatiMaestro]

My take on this matter is this.  I believe that whatever you play... you must be clean and together with other musicians...  primarily for a piano and organ combo it is imperative that both instruments are playing the SAME chords... if the songs calls for a 2-5-1 then please both instruments play a 2-5-1 and if one wants to play some type of substitution to it then BOTH play it.. I've had this problem before where I've heard the piano player playing a Ab minor when the organist is playing a Ab major chord?!?!  Also I agree with Hammondman the two have to blend and play different styles if you're playing with a piano player who is playing the melody (choir part chords) I believe that the organist should "lay down" and play two handed chords to hold and backup the melody.. the piano has the lead so let them lead.. just like a soloist..you don't play the verse before the soloist sings it you have to wait.. in this case the organist is kinda in reaction mode as oppose to action mode.. on the other hand if the organist has the lead let's say on a fast congregational song... the piano should then play two handed chords, and "stab" the chords when necessary.. again the piano player has to "lay down" in this case.. I would suggest that both the piano and organ player listen to some CD not neccesarily gospel (don't get me everybody :-) ) but of some good combo playing to hear how to really blend the two together...

In my church it's just an organ, piano+synthesizer and drums.. I hardly ever play the lead so I'm constantly playing two handed and filler chords to help out the lead on the piano or the organ doesn't matter.. the drums just stay in the pocket..

when I play the piano and I don't have the lead I'm normally playing tritone or chords in my left and do runs in my right or chord with my right.. I hardly play bass because the organ is normally playing either LH or FP bass.. I'd sometimes play the bass with the synthesizer but the organist knows that I'm doing as such

when I play the organ and I don't have the lead I'm normally playing two hand chords and running bass with FP if appropriate.. or I'd run bass with my LH and play open chords with right (chords that are spread across).. I run less when I don't have the lead just a preference I think it takes away from the melody... when I'm jamming or whatever that's a different story or by myself...

I have played with bass players for concerts and such and it's such a slap in the face to play bass with a bass player.. just don't do it...

Hope this helps!!

[Dooley]

We have 2 keyboards...Im trying to teach them that since I am leading, I am playing most of the chords.  And when no one is running the bass, I have to take my LH and run bass.  Now Im teaching them that if we are at a church and Im on the organ, then I can use my foot to run bass, and then he can "stab" and fill it up.  This past week in choir rehearsal, there was basically no bassline in our song.  I tried to run it a little bit, but our other keyboard player didnt take the time to learn the song, so it threw the chords off.  The Song was "Hezekiah Walker Thank You, You died for me".  The Bass LIne is super-important in that song.  And Im trying to play 2 handed Chords, and there is no bass-line.  So I will have to patch that up.  I've played in Bands many of times, and we havent had this problem.  Everyone learned music, and everyone played their part.  So i guess i just need to pray about it more

Get rid of the other keyboardist, and you play the bass part if he don't straighten up, why should you or the choir suffer if he's 1/2 steppin, I'll be playing for a college choir in a few months..I'll have a vid of it and I'll convert it so you'll see what I'm talkin about. You have to adjust to the situation at hand, you have no bass player....and no organ, somebody has to play the bass. Especialy the Hez song! It may not sound full as you like , but it'll sound RIGHT because the main elements are there.

As far as the 2_5_1 issue, two keyboards can play the same progression, but 1 has to travel, and the other plays the pad...try this:

K - BOARD 1 [ PAD ]

CBb / BbDEbG = 2
FEb / D = 5
BbF / Dm7 = 1

K - BOARD 2 [ TRAVEL ]

CEbG / BbEbG = 2
FBb / ADGb____BbDG____CFA = 5
BbDF \ CFAC

Let me know how you like that....

[Dooley]

thanks hammondman, I'll go over this on Tuesday