How to Be a Bandleader

This video will give a basic overview of the responsibilities and challenges of being a band leader. It’s super fun, but definitely a lot of work, so let’s hear what the professionals have to say!
Bernard Terry (STL) - Upright and electric bassist
Timothy "TC" Chandler (STL) - Pianist and keyboardist, professor of jazz keys at Southern Illinois University Edwardsville
Michael Bell (Houston) - Bandleader of The No Curfew Band. Instagram: nocurfewband?ut...
Alex Ruwe (STL) - Guitarist, vocalist, and bandleader of The Red Jackets. Instagram: alexanderruwe?u...
Jason Swagler (STL) - Saxophonist, director of jazz studies and professor of jazz saxophone at Southern Illinois University Edwardsville
Garland Griffin - Singer and Bandleader of Griffin and The Gargoyles. Facebook: / griffinandthegargoyles
Music: Strauss Park by EBTKS - open.spotify.com/track/4ZJb6x...

[@ltkritzinger]

Great video, thank you for creating this!

[@tannerjay606]

Thank you so much!

[@benjamin-shafer-music]

A subject not talked about enough! Very well put together with interesting ideas throughout!

[@tannerjay606]

I appreciate it my man! That means a lot coming from you!

[@peadookie]

Great video. I’m running a 9-piece funk/motown cover band and scheduling with in-demand musicians is a DISASTER. This is my first time leading a band and people are telling me I’m doing a phenomenal job but… I’m just a lowly bass player 😂 This is the first time in 20 years I haven’t just shown up prepared and plugged in, so this video has been super helpful. Much appreciated!

[@tannerjay606]

Oh my man! I appreciate you! Where are you local to?

[@peadookie]

@@tannerjay606 Spokane, WA. The appreciation is two-fold my friend!

[@tannerjay606]

@@peadookie oh man! Okay I won’t be able to make it out to one of your shows anytime soon (I’m out in St. Louis!😆) but I’m very excited for you! I’m about to start a jazz country show, and even in its incubus state it seems daunting, but we’re gonna get’er done!

[@peadookie]

@@tannerjay606 ah that’s awesome. Been up here but moved from KC. I wish I had gotten out to experience the St Louis jazz scene more regularly. Amazing stuff out there, kinda jelly!

[@tannerjay606]

@@peadookie oh man! I feel the same way about the Kansas City scene! I know it’s hot!

[@efeuluyc]

informative video. thank you

[@timothydchandler]

Awesome 👏🏾

[@tannerjay606]

Thank you! And thank you for your help!

[@reichen609]

Hi! I saw this video in the results searching for "harsh bandleaders." I just watched a few clips of that "Whiplash" movie. Are there actual real life monsters like that in the music performance community? That #TerrenceFletcher is just abusive & evil. I reckon he's based from a real person so i wanna know if it's ACTUALLY common to have abusive bandleaders? Thanks! 🌞

[@tannerjay606]

Thank you for your question! Yeah I think the world of education is different than the world of gigging bands. Music teachers try to push you, but most do it in a nice way that isn’t abusive, I would say I’ve never met anybody like Terrence Fletcher.😆 I’ve heard of totally insane band leaders of gigging bands, those people definitely exist, but the nice thing about that is you can just stop working with them if you don’t like them, and find a different band, where education options/scholarship options might be limited maybe.