Some of Level Three attended the lock-up last night. There was no practice but a lively discussion concerning the organisation of the band.
There was general agreement that, whilst there was some significant individual talent in the band, we seldom achieved to output that talent, our chosen material, and the sound delivery systems to a standard that members found satisfying. There seemed to be consensus that our individual and collective payback from band membership lay mostly with being stretched, with aspiring to individual and collective improvement. Whilst muddling along, enjoying playing and practicing to our present standard is an enjoyable option; those present articulated dissatisfaction with the current reality, and a desire to reengineer our approach. The position is we know we can, and we want to improve.
Specifically, we have a propensity to practice a song, arrive at an agreed format, practice that a few times, come back to it a couple of weeks later, f#@k it up, practice it a few times till its right again, come back to it a couple of weeks later, f#@k it up, practice it a few times till its right again: then take it to a performance where we f#@k it up!
Some of us struggle to find motivation to practice frequently with or without the band; to strive to improve personally, when the above pattern appears to be the SOP (standard operating procedure) for Level Three.
Our discussion dug into this and other pertinent observations about our SOP – the upshot being that we had a stab at defining for the contribution, approval and refinement of the whole band – a replacement SOP.
We found general agreement on some key points:
1. We introduce new material, each song has a “song boss,” each song has a chart that is accessible to both music readers and non-readers, readers can use the music chart, non-readers can use the alternative chart but all will be looking at the same song structure, key, tempo, and original mp3 file.
2. The backup materials for a new song will be distributed (say) four weeks before it is first practiced. Musicians are expected to come to that first practice ready to perform that song to the required structure. Any queries arising related to that song should be discussed with the song boss in advance of the first practice.
3. We practice that song until we have knocked it off. It then goes into the performance list and does not get practiced again unless a performer specifically requests it for some reason. Members should keep themselves fresh with the performance list.
4. In this manner we can introduce new material at a higher rate, keep the performance list fresh and stretch each of us toward improving our repertoire and skills.
5. Dynamic – the band lacks dynamic in almost all materials. We play at a monotone volume and musical “colour.” Developing a creative dynamic is essential to improving our performance. In pursuit of this dynamic, the song boss will act as musical director at practice to get the band performing the sound he or she already hears in his head. And achieving a dynamic will require a step-change in the services of our sound engineer.
There was general discuss on the principle of synergy. You know….. when energy or ideas systems come together to cooperate the outcome can be:
(a) 1 + 1 = 2; or it could be
(b) 1 + 1 = more than 2; or it could be
(b) 1 + 1 = more than 2; or it could be
(c) 1 + 1 = less than 2.
We think we are at (c) at the moment, the total of the band equals less than the sum of its individual parts. We think this can be improved.
That’s enough for a first post.
We wanted to communicate that there is some traction around the idea that we can and want to improve; and that we think improvement required significant change to our method and SOPs.
Toodel-pip!
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