Jazzman Posted April 17, 2003 Share Posted April 17, 2003 I've noticed that the leader of a group ends up leading the group to a point where he/she is the main focal point in playing. If the drummer is the leader of the group does he/she follow with the group or are all of the songs his/her choice, expecting to be the up front guy/girl all of the time. Showcased. Some drummers , bass players, horn players tend to be with the team and not take front stage even if thay are the leader of the group. Do you think most lead instruments tend to be the leaders of the band, and therefore take center stage? An observation that I've seen in smaller groups. What do you see? Jazzman Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Prague Posted April 17, 2003 Share Posted April 17, 2003 Interesting. Vocals and main melodies tend to focus those players in the audiences eye. Sometimes those personality types are gravitated to those instruments for that reason. I "lead" the band I'm in, but only from a technical standpoint, both musically and electrically. As far as music choice goes, we only play what we feel we can make sound good. Of course, we all like the kind of music we play, so we are able to be in a band together. I wouldn't be in a band with a leader. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
coyote Posted April 17, 2003 Share Posted April 17, 2003 I've found that true democracy rarely works in a band. IMO the vocals sorta 'rule' the band. Solos and instrumentals are cool, but ultimately if the band ain't making the singer sound as good as possible you're doing it all wrong. The singer's range and style must dictate the band's choice of material and key choices. Aside from that, there should be a 'leader' who arranges the music so it gets presented in an interesting way - someone who's willing to step up and say "OK, the bassist should play the riff alone once for the intro, and we all hit on these accents leading into the second verse". Of course, if that leader is smart he/she will constantly solicit/listen to ideas from the bandmembers; that way everyone truly has a voice in the creative process. In my current band, they're all better players than myself but they look to me for song choice and for arrangements. The bassist is a fountain of great original ideas and the drummer & guitarist always come up with great things to play, but it ultimately falls to me to direct the band through performances of those ideas. And they're all such great players that every time one says "hey, why don't we do this..." I listen - and it usually happens. I used to think I was Libertarian. Until I saw their platform; now I know I'm no more Libertarian than I am RepubliCrat or neoCON or Liberal or Socialist. This ain't no track meet; this is football. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
miroslav Posted April 17, 2003 Share Posted April 17, 2003 Originally posted by coyote: I've found that true democracy rarely works in a band.Actually...it never works. Best thing that could happen to a band, is to have a strong leader (or maybe a couple people) as the driving force(s)... ...and let everyone else follows. If anyone else also wants to lead...they should go start their own band! In a good band, there can be a lot of cooperation and collaboration... ...but the real pros will always understand where/who/what is the true focal point of the band...and they will professionally accept the fact that they are there to support that focal point. It may not always be the lead guitar player or the lead singer or the main songwriter...but often it is... ....that's why they're called lead, and usually "The Song" IS the most important thing...isn't in? I've done both on different occasions in my music history...lead and followed. miroslav - miroslavmusic.com "Just because it happened to you, it doesn't mean it's important." Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
freelance Posted April 17, 2003 Share Posted April 17, 2003 I've been a leader (didn't much like it) and I've been a sideman (which I normally prefer unless the leader is a twit). Every band needs someone who takes charge. This may not be the best player - but it often is the best thinker. This person makes sure practise runs smooth,everyone knows where the gigs are, etc. Some bands may have a leader (the business guy) and a "musical director" who chooses and arranges the material. The best leader has the common sense to hire good dependable, professional players and then builds the band around the strengths of those players - even if it means the leader is not in the spotlight as much(or at all). As a leader, I would prefer a group of competent players who I can depend on, rather than "great" players (with even greater egos)- who create more problems than thier "talent" justifies. While this is an overly broad statement, it seems the better the talent the more fragile the person, thus more head problems. However, as a sideman, I love it when the players are great - if someone has to massage some egos - it's not my problem. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jazzman Posted April 19, 2003 Author Share Posted April 19, 2003 I myself had started a 10 piece band, being a drummer was always doing my thing, but in the background. But: Gene Krupa.......drummer.........leader.......his music......his playing was up front on stage. Herbie Hancock, and Boney James.....Keys....their music....leaders.....are up front on stage. Diana Kroll....Piano player/singer.....her music......leader....up front on stage. George Benson......Guitar.....leader.....his music up front on stage. John Patitucci.......Bassest.......his music....leader........up front on stage. Wayman Tisdale......bassest......his music...leader..........up front on stage. Other guitarests such as Lee Ritenour,Norman Brown, Joyce Cooling.....their music....all are leaders, up front on stage. I know these are bigger acts, but as the leader, their music, their position is up front on stage. It is interesting that in smaller groups just starting or have been around some time take on a different set of development. Maybe because these other bands play the bigger acts music, and therefore does not matter for the position on stage??? In my large band, we played covers, so I guess it didn't matter to me then. Am I wrong in the way I'm thinking? Jazzman Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DrummerCafe Posted April 19, 2003 Share Posted April 19, 2003 I do both ... and is determined by the need. I lead when I need to, follow when I need to. My favorite quote: Lead, follow, or get the heck out of the way! Drummer Cafe - community drum & percussion forum Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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