IFIAYAQ Musicians Edition

[cyrano]

You've heard me talk about it.
I've hired musicians. I'm going to record a song (or two if there's time). And then probably never listen to it because a recording of my voice doesn't sound like me to me and freaks me out.
Because I'm like that.
But.
I have a bass, a guitar, and drums. And two of the songs on my song list (at least) don't fit that format. Faster has no bass, it has horns instead. Modern Love has no guitars, opting for piano and horns instead.
If I go to my musicians and say "fix this and play it" am I an insane taskmaster who just doesn't understand how things work? Or is this an easy tinker?

Comments

[missroserose]

Speaking on my own somewhat-limited experience as a musician, the answer is "it depends". Do any of your musicians have experience arranging? Will you be okay with a simple backing track, or do you want something showy for instrumental breaks? Are you planning to get together with the musicians ahead of time and rehearse, or are you all just showing up and figuring things out the day of? If the former, are you paying them for the rehearsal time as well as the performance? What kind of chemistry do they have together?

Showing up the day of, expecting everyone to meet and mesh immediately, and then figuring out a new arrangement is...not impossible, but definitely leaning towards the "dick move" category. Even if you're not going for an unusual arrangement, at least one rehearsal would be preferable, with equivalent pay for their time. Garbage in, garbage out.

[cyrano]

This was very helpful. Thank you!