Need to Help out at a Gig.

pbass40 · #1 08-30-2009, 06:38 AM

I have a friend in a Classic Rock cover band,who has a gig booked next weekend,and their bass player was just deployed.He wants to know if I can fill in.They are playing a benefit show that has about 10 bands playing all day,so they will only be playing 5 or 6 songs in their set.Its stuff like Skynyrd,Priest,Alice in Chains probably being the heaviest song they play.My question is I play mostly blues,so can I get by on the songs riding the Root note.I don't want to take any short cuts I just don't have alot of time to learn it.

smogg · #2 08-30-2009, 06:54 AM

Just learn the main riffs for each song and you'll be fine. As long as you are in the ball park for the verses, the chorus and tag the hook it will work. There is no rule that says it must be note for note all the way through on a cover tune.

Have fun with it,
smogg

MalcolmAmos · #3 08-30-2009, 07:48 AM

Yes, good advice. Get the fake chord sheet music on what they do and get comfortable with the chord changes.
Root or Root-5 to the chord changes will let you play thousands of songs.

Have fun.

fender_funk_man · #4 08-30-2009, 08:02 AM

as long as you respect the chord changes and the rhythm and you'll be fine. +1 for havin fun with it.

pbass40 · #5 09-01-2009, 05:14 AM

Thanks for the Info Guys.

rokkitt · #6 09-01-2009, 05:19 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by MalcolmAmos

Yes, good advice. Get the fake chord sheet music on what they do and get comfortable with the chord changes.
Root or Root-5 to the chord changes will let you play thousands of songs.

Have fun.

Good advice!

Go rock out...

winstonthecat · #7 09-01-2009, 01:31 PM

As said already, the key is getting the chord changes and any rhythm stuff.

funkyfretless · #8 09-01-2009, 01:35 PM

yeah and most of that stuff it just roots

but seriously, listen to the tunes a lot!!! be albe to hear the harmony and sing the bass line (root of the chord) in your head. this is how i learn tunes. i really dont sit down and figure them out anymore, i just listen to songs over and over again.

hope that helps.

evan hodges

pin_head_47 · #9 09-04-2009, 01:19 PM

Listen to each song and see if there is a distinct riff or line that really stands out, or holds the whole thing up. If there is, make sure to get that down pat; if you leave it out, the whole song might sound kinda funny. Otherwise riding on the root should be fine.

Blueszilla · #10 09-04-2009, 02:04 PM

5 or 6 tunes is the whole set? If they are like the tunes listed, should be no problem to learn them well enough to get by in a couple of hours or so. Once you learn them, they're yours.

pbass40 · #11 09-05-2009, 08:44 PM

Thanks guys.You really helped me out.

MarkTAW · #12 09-05-2009, 10:49 PM

My brother in law was in a cover band for a while. I'm sure I'm the only one in the audience that noticed that he put fills that had a similar feel to the original, but were not the original fills in to various songs - he himself probably never bothered to learn the originals note-for-note.

Learn the changes & if people dance & sing along, that's the best possible outcome.

standupright · #13 09-05-2009, 10:53 PM

no....you were asked to do a gig. learn the tunes. don't just "get by".

pbass40 · #14 09-07-2009, 02:44 PM

Your right standup. I just don't think you read my question.I was trying to do a favor.

standupright · #15 09-10-2009, 02:32 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by pbass40

Your right standup. I just don't think you read my question.I was trying to do a favor.

can you get by? probably. would it behoove you to learn as much of the material as possible? definitely.

good luck.