Article by: Bonsko McCulloch
VQS Advice Blog | _{^{Cover Image by NeONBRAND}}

• Table of Contents
  1. Know Your Part
• 2. Be Aware of Your Band Mates’ Parts
• 3. Listen for Balance
• 4. Respect the Arrangement
• 5. Always Interact with Band Mates with Respect – not Pretense!

Top 5 Tips to Keeping Your Band

1. Know Your Part

It all starts with learning your part, whether it’s sheet music or by ear. And just like any team, you have to trust your bandmates will do their parts.

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2. Be Aware of Your Band Mates’ Parts

Knowing your bandmate parts, in a general sense, helps you blend your part better without stepping on theirs – NOT so you can preach their mistakes. If they need help or correction on their part, go to the one on one and help them make it right, don’t ever make someone feel belittled.

3. Listen for Balance

Long before the sound man steps in, the band should be a balanced wall of sound, not a bunch of competing soloists. *HINT: When sound-checking from a starting flat line volume, try to bring instruments DOWN for initial balance before instantly cranking everyone to “11”…

4. Respect the Arrangement

If invited to embellish or improvise on a song, great – but come in with the intent of doing the original arrangement. A solid foundation makes for even shinier spotlights!

5. Always Interact with Band Mates with Respect – not Pretense!

Regardless of virtuosity, egos will ALWAYS kill a song/band. Encourage everyone to approach songs and band unity with the same professional awareness – it’s always a better way to create a low-stress working environment, sound great, and keep it fun!

Summary:

• 1. Know Your Part
• 2. Be Aware of Your Band Mates’ Parts
• 3. Listen for Balance
• 4. Respect the Arrangement
• 5. Always Interact with Band Mates with Respect – not Pretense!

Article by: Bonsko McCulloch
^{VQS ADVICE BLOG | MINDSET TOOLS FOR CREATORS}