Shambolic Democracy or Tuneful Dictatorship?

Jesus Trash Can

When it comes to writing music or picking songs for cover versions for a band
which system produces the best results Democracy or a Dictatorship?

demanufactured

wha?

BogOak

writing songs by committee definitely doesn't work. one or two have to do the writing. for picking covers, i believe in a supported dictatorship. one person as the leader with enough yes-men to outvote the rest of the band. otherwise you get a few of everyone's ideas for covers and less focus/direction... less of a defined product.

nadir

i think a capitalistic government which neglects 90 % or the population smmes to promote good music ok.

spooydermot

as far as music goes when you let every one decide whats going in a song, you don't end up pleasing everyone, you end up with the lowest common denominator. I think you need a select few or just one individual involved in writing the core of a song.

as far as picking covers goes i'd tend to agree with BogOak, in that a supported dictatorship works well, but on the other hand if your playing covers in a pub then chances are that the lowest common denominator is what you want: Sweet Home Alabama etc....stuff that the crowd will immediatly tune into and that will get you asked back to play that pub again. It might not be 'creativly satisfying' but it might get you paid

Gross Halfwit

spooydermot wrote:

as far as music goes when you let every one decide whats going in a song, you don't end up pleasing everyone, you end up with the lowest common denominator. I think you need a select few or just one individual involved in writing the core of a song.

as far as picking covers goes i'd tend to agree with BogOak, in that a supported dictatorship works well, but on the other hand if your playing covers in a pub then chances are that the lowest common denominator is what you want: Sweet Home Alabama etc....stuff that the crowd will immediatly tune into and that will get you asked back to play that pub again. It might not be 'creativly satisfying' but it might get you paid

Couldnt agree more.

his dudeness

A band almost always has a clear leader.

All the same, that position is a little too complex to call it a dictatorship.

Either way, if you start thinking in terms of democracy/dictatorship you're liable to run into trouble.

Certainly agree that 'song-writing committees' don't work (unless, that is, you happen to be the writers and arrangers behind serious commercial bands such as U2, but that's not about being creative, its about skillful manufacturing).

Jesus Trash Can

spooydermot wrote:

as far as music goes when you let every one decide whats going in a song, you don't end up pleasing everyone, you end up with the lowest common denominator. I think you need a select few or just one individual involved in writing the core of a song.

as far as picking covers goes i'd tend to agree with BogOak, in that a supported dictatorship works well, but on the other hand if your playing covers in a pub then chances are that the lowest common denominator is what you want: Sweet Home Alabama etc....stuff that the crowd will immediatly tune into and that will get you asked back to play that pub again. It might not be 'creativly satisfying' but it might get you paid

Your right, that's why I think I'll stay at home. I was thinking of joining or starting a band but, it's just too much hassle for little musical return.

BossArky

Dave Mustaine (Megadeth) is a good example of one man's vision.

In my opinion group writing will not work, of course there are exceptions. The best stuff or idea for a song will more than likely come 75% from one person... with bits and pieces added by others.... but 25% contributed by 4 people will end a bit wishy washy..... plus frustrates any songwriting ideas you may have, as you know it will only be 1/4 of a group song. Speaking of which you can refer to Metallica and the group therapy / writing sessions they did for the movie "Some Kind of Monster".