March 24,2011
If there is anything Rockband has taught us it takes teamwork to make a good band however it's more than that. From a musician’s perspective, I think Rockband can actually helps with your hand-eye coordination and ear-training. I have played Rockband and let me tell you that I wasn't the greatest when I first started it took me a while to adjust (I was hitting wrong notes like crazy). After I couple of games with my friends, I got a lot better and my friends where commenting that I was a natural and it was only because I was a musician.
**Keep in mind that this was with that little keyboard.
Now here are some observations that Rockband can teach us about making a good band with a tight sound?
1) Chemistry
Musicians face this problem contantly when there is no chemistry. If you all are going to play together you need to find out what your strengths and weaknesses are and learn to improve upon them. I am from East Coast and we like to use the word "GEL" and you need to gel together and match each other. The only way you can gel is if you practice together and as often as possible. This is so that you can create the foundation of a gel. I know musicians who don't even need to look at each other to find out what the other members are thinking. That's something to think about.
2) Listening Skills
The main thing is simply everyone needs to LISTEN. Here's an example...
The bass player and the drummer's kick drum can't be fighting over the control. They should be together and bouncing/grooving on the same beat almost all the time.
Example #2
If one keyboard player is soloing you can't be soloing at the same time because that will cause confusion and the playing won't be as solid.
3) Awareness
Depending on the situation and the type of music that your playing there are certain things that you need to be aware of as a musician. For example,
The drummer can't be showing off in one song. Sometimes simplicity is best. Everyone needs to know whats going on, that they aren't a bunch of individuals putting on a bunch of individual concerts at the same time, but rather a tight unit that should be working together. Each is responsible for providing their specific element whether is be licks, fills, communication, leadership and more, so that it will ultimately become one sound.
Discover Why Thousands of Musicians Can't Enough Of A Tight Band
Cheers
*Credit for the image goes to the author. No copyright intended.