Whenever I've been in a band, I was given the songlist, and it was up to me to learn the songs, including getting recordings if I needed them, working out (or downloading) the chords, etc.

It seems like whenever I've looked into adding my own musicians, they expect me to hand them sheet music or words/chords sheets, in my keys. Seems to me they should be doing this work.

What is the "norm" out there? Which way do you guys usually work?

If I'm doing an oddball song nobody knows, I don't mind giving them a recording, but working out the chords and stuff seems like something they should be doing. I'm already doing all the singing, all the bookings, and providing the PA.

What is the consensus?

Keep it simple. Stay solo.

Respect,

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What is the consensus?

I'm usually provided a songlist, occasionally the tunes (or some of them) on CD.
If I needed them, the boss would probably provided keys too.

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I'm usually provided a songlist, occasionally the tunes (or some of them) on CD.
If I needed them, the boss would probably provided keys too.

I always provide the keys, because I almost never do songs in the key they were recorded. And I don't mind giving people CDs or mp3s. I'm talking about complete lyric sheets with all the chords written in.

Col. Andy: Yeah, solo is easier, that's why I'm solo. But some gigs require more sound, and a combo allows me to do lead work and extend songs. But I will always keep doing the solo gigs as well.

I usually provide at least recordings, but many folks I've had to provide lead sheets or at least lyrics & chords. It's a lot of work.

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I usually provide at least recordings, but many folks I've had to provide lead sheets or at least lyrics & chords. It's a lot of work.

Yes it is! And I sometimes feel that work is part of what I'm paying them for...

Actually, I know my songs well enough that writing out the chords isnt' too bad, except that in my keys, I usually capo - which means the actual notes (for a bassist, for example) are not the same, they may be oddball keys (my fault, I know!)

Luckily, my (potential) bassist is a music teacher (private lessons) and also plays keys, hopefully he'll have enough music theory knowledge to transpose my chords.

I'm also going to have to accept, I think, that as a band, we won't be able to just pull out any of my 400 songs on a whim or request - we'll have to stick to our rehearsed sets.

Hello Troisnoir,
One of the hassles of having a band is making time for rehearsal.Learning a song has always been a group effort.We would all get together on a new song and everyone would learn their part listening to a recording of the target song.
If I hired out to you,my price would include time spent on learning your material.If I new the songs already,I'd play for alot less money.Time is money is the important thing to remember here.However, if you tell me the gig pays say $100 a man,but I have to learn the songs on my own and I accept the terms,then I should not expect you to furnish me anything.Mileage will definately vary here.This is has been my experience.I played guitar for Freddy Fender,he gave each one of us a CD of the songs he'd be playing which called out the chords as songs on the CD played, a week before his show.He expected us to know the songs exactly like the CD, no variation.He paid well for our time.Always be up front about what you expect from your musicians - J.D.

Yeah. My favorite situation is with a djembe player I play with. As long as he can find a groove I can play anything in my repertoire. Of course I can't play all of his songs unfortunately.

Hey Tres - I think we all do what we have to do to make it work. There is always the guy who loads the truck, sets up the PA, the lights, learns the songs, books the gigs, handles the money, etc. etc. That is normally the same guy. Sometimes you can get paid for all the extra work and sometimes you just do it for the love of playing. I think the best way is to make it clear up front with a new musician what is expected, what they want out of this, what you want out of this. The wonderful thing today is email and the internet and You-Tube. You can download lyrics, chords and find a version of somebody playing the song you want. Being solo is nice because there is no committee. The other side of this the camaraderie and spontaneous ideas of other musicians. In the end look for likeminded people. We have all been there, and it’s the journey that is fun. Good Luck

If it helps...there is an open source program that makes doing lead sheets very easy. It is called "Open Song," and while it is designed for church use, it does print very nice chord sheets.

Good advice, all!

Just to be clear, I'm ok with doing most of the work, as long as that's what's expected of me. I wasn't really sure what a reasonable setup was, and I didn't want to be "unreasonable".

Thank you all for the feedback, and I concur, being upfront is probably always the best course...