learning 30 songs in less than a week

leni · #1 08-06-2011, 04:04 PM

Hello

I wanted to know if any of you have experienced difficulties on your first gigs. I thought I was prepared as I practiced the songs without rehearsing with the group. The gig came and my nerves got the best of me and practically jumped into survival mode to keep up. It was disappointing and I felt embarrassed because I was messing up badly. I'm confident in my playing but last night felt very amateur.

Is a week long enough to be expected to play 30 songs? I'm new to playing live I'm use to practicing with headphones and low volume. The gig was louder than I anticipated. Sonically it was different.

Thanks

L

snyderz · #2 08-06-2011, 04:14 PM

Welcome to the world of live music. Ain't it great?

Bassamatic · #3 08-06-2011, 04:20 PM

Don't worry about it - it will get easier. 30 in a week is a little much, though. I hope that they let you use lead sheets.

N.F.A. · #4 08-06-2011, 04:26 PM

I hope they were easy I IV V songs or something.

Ripley · #5 08-06-2011, 04:26 PM

30 songs in a week is a lot to ask. 30 songs in a week with no rehearsal is slightly ridiculous.

If you managed to get through them without breaking down, kudos! Shake your hands out, settle down, take a deep breath and pat yourself on the back. You're learning, you're playing... that's what it's all about.

On to the next show!

boynamedsuse · #6 08-06-2011, 04:41 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by snyderz

Welcome to the world of live music. Ain't it great?

Agreed. Playing well when you practice and playing well live are two different things.

Thirty new songs in a week is too many IMO unless they are all simple (as has been stated already). FWIW one new song a day is about my max.

leni · #7 08-06-2011, 05:20 PM

Thanks for the replies I sincerely hope to get a second chance with the group.

AkosBass · #8 08-06-2011, 05:26 PM

I once learned 25 songs in a day!
That was tricky...

leni · #9 08-06-2011, 05:26 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by snyderz

Welcome to the world of live music. Ain't it great?

Indeed. I enjoyed the atmosphere. I look forward to learning more.

leni · #10 08-06-2011, 05:27 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by AkosBass

I once learned 25 songs in a day!
That was tricky...

That is impressive.

DanRJBrasil · #11 08-06-2011, 05:28 PM

orginals? if so is a mission impossible without sheet notation

djero44 · #12 08-06-2011, 05:52 PM

I don't like fumbling around with stuff I don't know well, but it is a great chance to work your memory, ear and improv skills. This is especially good if you have intentions of being a session player or go-to guy for fill in gigs. I don't have this ambition, however sitting in with bands with little or no rehearsal, and having to learn a lot of songs fast (and performing them) has made me a better musician.

I hope you get another shot, too!

Oh, and yes, thirty songs are a lot to learn in that time frame, easy or no.

mboogiemanusa · #13 08-06-2011, 06:37 PM

30 songs in a week with no band practice - not something i would ever be interested in doing. You probably never learned the songs well enough to really play them only muddle through them and have already forgotten them. Learning 3 to 4 songs a week would be much more realistic.

seanm · #14 08-06-2011, 09:22 PM

I tired to learn 12 songs in 12 hours (3 days) and failed

Luckily it was for an audition, not for a live gig.

Waterpilot · #15 08-06-2011, 09:31 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by leni

Is a week long enough to be expected to play 30 songs?

There is no way I could do it. I just don't have that kind of retention. Unfortunately.

leni · #16 08-06-2011, 10:01 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Waterpilot

There is no way I could do it. I just don't have that kind of retention. Unfortunately.

Ironically I was able to retain the songs while practicing at home. Once on stage it was the "deer in headlights" syndrome and only remembered some of the parts.

I will be working on getting better at it.

HeadyVan Halen · #17 08-06-2011, 10:12 PM

+1 again for ears over theory.
+1 for even if the band plays it note for note it NEVER sounds the same as the record.
+1 for learning STRUCTURE and not NOTES..learn where the song goes and not so much note for note bass line if you have to learn a bunch in a little
+1 when it gets loud, and you get lost G# and G sound very, very close.
+1 have a beer.

Mirios · #18 08-06-2011, 10:17 PM

One of my first gigs out of high school was similar to that. Went to the audition had a gig that night. Playing songs on stage I'd never heard before.... Looking back I think I did well considering but at the time I was definitely embarrassed. Think it's a good thing I was used to playing out from high school jazz bands and what not. Did the whole "fake it till you make it" and even got complimented by someone on how good I sounded. (but I think she was just trying to get into my pants).

Stilettoprefer · #19 08-06-2011, 10:41 PM

I remember being handed the chart for "squib cakes" by tower of power (7 pages of music with no breaks and ridiculous tempo) and being told to learn it for a gig that night. It was already 11am and the gig was at 6:30. I still had half a day of school left as well.

I did manage to learn it though and pull it off at the gig! Actually got complements on nailing such a difficult bassline!

made me much better at sight-reading and taught me that an amp will work as a music stand if there is only 2 stands available and no time to flip pages!:P