so i'm directing this band right.... it's a large band, nine people.

i have had to get a bit more assertive lately as things were getting kind of loose, so i tighten the belt a little. case in point, the bass player had been a bit flaky. had to give him the low down. he has since sorted himself out and hopefully all will go well.
in the meantime, the conga player (who is a music teacher and a very good keyboard player - better than me) was filling in on bass keys while the bassist was away. now altho, this guy is technically better than me, i have had to get him to return to his congas.

a couple of things:
1. this guy is cool. i like him as a person but even tho he is a teacher, he doesn't take instruction very well. i have had to ask him to do a few things while at practice and he doesn't do them. outside of practice, he claims to support me but rarely does he follow thru with it. he likes to bring in things i have not asked for during practice. i have told him about that. he likes to shout over everyone to get his ideas across. i know he wants to be heard and is eager to play, but he is not very constructive most of the time. he had his keys last night at practice and he failed to help the bass player with a couple of things. instead he added keybaord parts to songs that, yes, sound good but i didn't ask for. i feel that if i let him play his keys he's going to try and take over. even with his congas he plays so loud and over everybody.

2. my ego. i don't like the idea of another keyboard player. i also admit i am intimidated by a more proficient keys player in the band and i have a hard time with that. i feel that i need to go thru this (leading a band) to learn a few things.

we have a gig tonight and i know he wants to bring his keys. i have told him to bring the congas. so what should i do?

Sounds like someone is trying to move in. Fire his ass or learn to take instruction from him. Sounds aggressive but it's an aggressive business. Getting another conga player shouldn't be too difficult or at least I hope it wouldn't.

And no, I wasn't trying to be funny. I've seen it happen.

Also, is this your band as in "Milty and the Tofu Fungus" or a band that you are a part of as in just plain 'ol "Tofu Fungus"? If the latter is the case then encourage the rest of the band to contribute more to ideas as to ballance out conga man keeping it a joint venture. Remind conga man that Congas are an accent not a lead instrument.

o.k., first of all I am a music director of a band. I feel u all the way. I advise u to always be a few steps ahead of everyone in the band. Always be the initiator of music and keep fresh ideas flowing. Be the one to bring in the charts. Set the tone for the vision of the band as far as the sound u all are trying to achieve and so on. Know your sh!t. If u don't study to show yourself approved, u will surely fail in any attempts to have them follow u. U must, in essence, give them something to follow. U don't have to come off as a dictator but having knowledge of your craft will earn the respect that u seek.

I'm not a bandleader, but I have directed several films, crews and actors so the issues are related. I'd say, most importantly, hold tight to your vision and communicate it again and again. Don't think about your ego, or his talent. You want to work with people who are more talented than you because it will make your project the best. Have clearcut musical and organizational reasons why you don't want him to bring in other stuff right now, but embrace what he has to offer and what can really enhance the project. Keep your vision sharp, and think on your feet when someone tries to sway the situation, and address it immediately. Back your requests up with musical rationale -- the congas will overpower the group...you need a solid conga player right now to back up the rest...etc. And be as honest as possible. You don't need another keyboard player! If he still doesn't try to fit in, then he's the one who needs to learn how to be a member of a band.

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