Find and maintain a common vision - this is important because the band’s direction and enthusiasm of the members’ depends entirely on all of you buying in to the vision/dream/concept etc. Decide on what you want to accomplish and then plan the strategy to achieve it. If your band wants to record an album, plan and practice for studio sessions. If your band wants to play a Rock and Roll House Party, pick a 12-song set and work through it backwards and forwards. It only works when everyone is onboard. Conflict ensues when 2 people just want to jam, 1 person wants to play covers, 1 person wants to play only original material, etc. Remember: The only way to find the common vision for your band is to talk about it: constantly. Which leads me to…
Communication – this is absolutely essential. Well to me it is but I hate being alone…but still, if you don’t talk about your band with your band, where do the ideas come from? The same goes for constructive criticism. Say what’s on your mind, be it in regards to a song or an individual’s performance or even a logistical aspect. Be careful, though, and articulate your thoughts into a statement that reflects positively on the future of the band. Example: “Let’s cut the guitar solo in half because at this point it’s not strong enough to keep the song’s momentum going.” Or, “What do you guys think of practicing as a full band one night, and just us lead singers getting together on another night?”
Do your homework – Practice is just that: practice. Learn your parts on your own, as best you can. Then you can rely on your bandmates to get you through the rough spots, because they might know more theory or technique. When your practices sound like rehearsals, that’s when you enjoy listening to yourselves. When you enjoy listening to yourselves, you’ll play more. When you play more, your band gets better. Let the circle be unbroken, my friends. Oh yes, and make sure your practices are “closed” to the public. Put an audience in the room be they friends, lovers or parents and the dynamic can change drastically. I know what you’re saying: “Jeez, Hennessey don’t be such a stick-in-the-mud.” Alright then, I’ll mellow out a bit. Before I do though, remember John and Yoko? I rest my case.
Love each other – well, not all kissy-kissy love cause that’s what went wrong with Fleetwood Mac. You know what I’m talking about though. These are people you’re spending a lot of time with as an artist and as a human being, with the trust that they feel the same. That’s where the band’s friendship develops. And from that friendship comes loyalty. You’re out to conquer your own rock and roll world, so you might as well go to war alongside people you genuinely want to stand beside. It sounds corny, but the band will overcome more obstacles as friends than as acquaintances. Yeah, it’s corny…oh well. You’ll know it when you have it.
Leadership – My sister once told me that in any society, if a leader is not chosen, one will inevitably step forward. While choosing a leader might seem awkward and there is the chance that someone might feel slighted, there are important tasks that need to be completed. Sometimes on a regular basis. Rather than choosing a single leader, discuss your strengths and your skills and then distribute roles throughout the band. For example: one person may be adept at event planning so you’d likely put them in charge of logistics for the gig (PA, backline, load-in and soundcheck times). Someone else has good business sense so have them book the gigs and negotiate the fees for studio time, rehearsal space etc. It’s a great feeling when everyone in the band has a role to fulfill aside from the instrument they play. The results are instantly recognizable. At the end of the day, you’ll still need someone to tie it all together and disseminate the information. That person will usually step forward without being asked.
That’s it for this instalment. I’ll be back next time with a different spin. Keep rockin’ and have fun.
