Bandmember's costs in a band?

[squirefan01]

I just wondered how you guys that are in bands handle purchasing of band equipment?

The jazz band I am in (bassist) will require a new drum set because the old drummer is taking his away soon. It's an electronic kit which the band leader loves because it can be mixed into the PA and controlled volume-wise. He mentioned that he wants us all to pitch in and but a new electronic set together. The new drummer has an acoustic set at his house that he says he'd bring in, but the leader of the band doesn't care for that idea. This is a jazz band and personally I really prefer acoustic kits anyways for jazz (for brush work, etc.), so I'd love it if the drummer brought in his gear (if he could leave it there as he's always late and I wouldn't want to wait for him to setup his set).

I am just not sure if I should really be pitching in for this kind of thing. But, this is the first band I have been in so I really do not know how these things should work. As the bassist, I am the only guy who is not mixed into the PA and the leader likes it that way, so I bought an amp myself that I leave at the studio where we practice. I also bought a nice 5-string bass just for a few songs that we do, because the band leader thought we needed it. I had no problem with that (it helped my GAS anyways).

We have only played one gig since I joined over a year ago (alot of member changes and we just found a horn player after a long search, but I have been there for practice every week!).

If I do start paying for this kind of stuff, then in my mind it should open the band leader up to sharing the musical decisions of the band with others who ante up, but I'm not convinced it will work that way. It's all his music that we play (which I enjoy) and I have been given some creative powers in my bass work which is great. But if I was the leader of the band I would make some different choices (easy to say right?).

In the leader's defense, he does provide our studio for practicing, but it's his studio where he runs a music lesson business from. He does not ask for money for that. Maybe that is unusual and benefits me but I'm not sure.

So anyways, I'm just looking for experienced opinions about this.

Thanks,

Greg

[blueflamerick]

It always works best when you buy your own equipment. Less hassle, no having to buy someone out when the quit the band, no worry about being reimbursed when you leave, etc.

If the band leader wants electronic drums and the drummer doesn't want to buy a kit, either find a drummer with an electronic kit, get the band leader to change his mind, or have the band leader shell out the dough.

[jingle_jangle]

An electronic set? For jazz? No subtlety...

[squirefan01]

I agree!!! If we played live more often I think maybe the leader would get that. A current favorite jazz drummer of mine is Josh Raymer of the Jacob Fred Jazz Odyssey. I have also seen him with Marco Benevento. He has an awesome technique on the cymbals, with brushes or sticks. You just cannot get that on an electronic set.

[jdogric12]

Greg, IMHO it is completely unreasonable for everyone else to chip in on a drum set. The drummer should use his own acoustic kit and show up on time, end of story.

[paologregorio]

Ditto what JDog said:

If the bandleader wants an electronic kit he should buy one himself.
The drummer should be showing up on time as well.

My experience with electronic kits is mixed at best; one of the group I play in's former drummers used to use an electronic kit for practices at his house, and an acoustic kit at gigs. The more we practiced with the electronic kit, the worse he got live with the acoustic kit.

[jimk]

In our band, we split up the gig income six different ways, one share for each of the musicians, and one share for the band, which goes straight into the checking account. All CD sales receipts go straight into the band checking account. When gear expenses come up, we discuss the necessary details, and come to a consensus as to budget, cost, all those dollars and cents details. But being an acoustic band, most of our outlays have been for sound equipment. Each musician has his or her own private instrument, and is expected to pay out of pocket for repairs, and strings.

So I'm with the others on this. Either find a drummer with an electronic kit, or have the band leader purchase the kit himself, and have the new drummer play it.

JimK

[squirefan01]

That would be great if we were making any money! I'd be up for using that for sure.

[ozover50]

I'm damned sure I wouldn't be chipping in for gear just because the band leader has decided what that gear should be - especially if it's 'individual' stuff. I'd be happy to contribute for PA gear, cables, lighting, etc. that benefits the whole band, but jeez!!

I know what I'd be saying to our band leader if he wanted me to chip in for a Precision Bass for the bass player because he wanted 'that' sound!!

[jps]

I totally agree with all of the above. Given that it is the bandleader who wants the electronic drums, well, he should provide them.

[kiramdear]

Wot they all said. Could be different when and if you start making money.

[winston]

In this particular case there is only one rule that applies IMO. PA gear is common gear that the band pays for. Everything else is up to the individual musician. No band leader would ever be telling me what instrument to play I can tell you that much. He is subliminally holding that "free" practice room over your heads I suspect. It just goes to prove that nothing is truly free. There are always strings attached.

Now if the band is going to record in a studio, then unless you have a benefactor or an overriding circumstance the costs should be borne by all.

[doctorwho]

... There are always strings attached ...

Nice inadvertent pun there, Greg!

[squirefan01]

The pun credit goes to Brian!

I did write the leader and told him I was not comfortable with his suggestion and told him that while I am glad to take care of my bass stuff I don't really want to ship in for other instruments. He wrote back saying he didn't mean it that way but was looking for some financing help only. It will be interesting to see how the other members took his original comments. I'll find out at next week's practice.

He is positive that he wants to go with the electronic drum set. He mentioned the difficulty if mic'ing an acoustic set for a live gig. Is it really that hard?? It always seemed to me that the drums projected their sound fine without a mic at all. We would not play in a space that's made for over maybe 150 people I think.

It would be a nice concern to have if we really played live gigs

Thanks for all of the comments. I know this was the right place to come!

-Greg

[jps]

For a reasonably small drum set all it really takes is one overhead and a kick drum mic.