First Band - Originals or Covers?

[bunkaroo]

My first band literally did both at the same time, but we learned how t play based on the covers we were playing. We were playing as much Metallica, Megadeth, Slayer and Maiden as we could handle, but we also felt the drive to create our own tunes right away.

I voted for covers.

[bluewine]

Originally Posted by bunkaroo

My first band literally did both at the same time, but we learned how t play based on the covers we were playing. We were playing as much Metallica, Megadeth, Slayer and Maiden as we could handle, but we also felt the drive to create our own tunes right away.

I voted for covers.

Does that mean you voted for money.

Blue

[bunkaroo]

Originally Posted by bluewine

Does that mean you voted for money.

Blue

Um, no. OP asked what was better for a new player who wanted to play in his first band. I posted what I posted. It's easier to get used to playing with others when the material already exists and can be studied and practiced. Has nothing to do with money.

[bluewine]

Originally Posted by bunkaroo

Um, no. OP asked what was better for a new player who wanted to play in his first band. I posted what I posted. It's easier to get used to playing with others when the material already exists and can be studied and practiced. Has nothing to do with money.

Cool,

Makes sense.

Blue

[xgator4u]

Originally Posted by Munjibunga

Learning covers will familiarize you with different musical patterns and figures that you can use later should you decide to try an originals band.

Exactly.

[MarkMgibson]

How many bands actually started out playing "all" originals? Very few would be my guess. Even bands with seriously talented writers likely started playing covers and worked in originals when they could (The Beatles, for example).

[rollyolly]

Thanks for all the great advice. I'm thinking I'll keep doing the monthly thing that the music shop sponsors. That will keep me learning and performing while I search for a band that will suit my needs. The good thing about doing that is that there's a goal in sight - after 4 rehearsals there's a guaranteed performance. After the performance, it's over, no hard feelings and no drama. Who knows, maybe I'll meet some people there that will want to start up a cover project.

I think the only way I'd go the originals route at this point is if they are already established, and have a full setlist as well as recordings.

[bluewine]

Originally Posted by RandalPinkFloyd

I agree with this. Writing original music or arrangements is very difficult, more so than playing covers. At least with covers, you have a basis to start with. As a beginner, trying to write something when you don't have a clear understanding of how everything fits is more difficult than trying to learn something already written. My first coverband, really helped me out in the learning process of writing my own bass lines. I look back at the few original bass lines I wrote (which was not many at all) before the cover band experience and it makes me want to vomit.

I've made references to the Milwaukee Originals scene and why I opinion that the bands here are rather simplistic.

Maybe I'm wrong or missing why it seems simplistic.

I'll ask you, if you have a minute to Youtube and search Franks Power Plant and listen to a few of Milwaukee's originals bands and tell me what you think.

Blue

[Bert Slide]

Easiest job on a stage is bass player in a blues rock cover band. Good way to get your feet wet.

[bluewine]

Originally Posted by Bert Slide

Easiest job on a stage is bass player in a blues rock cover band. Good way to get your feet wet.

I respectively disagree, depends on the band, the material and the individual bass player. I think many think of blues/ cover bands as bands that play 12 bar blues progressions for 4 hours, that's a sweeping generalization and imo just not true.

I've been a full member of a busy working blues / rock cover band for over a year and there is nothing easy about it for me. But I'm not a stand in the back by the drummer type of bass player. I'm an up front center stage type of player. That's not even counting the caliber of bass guitarists I had to compete with to get the gig.

Bert do you mean is, it's the easiest job for you?

Blue

While it's no secret that I question the Originals band scene in Milwaukee, I challenge anyone to YouTube " Franks Power Plant" one if our popular originals bar listen to a few clips and help me understand why the material these bands are playing us so complex.



Attachment 304878

[awakefie]

I don't know Milwaukee music but Bam Bam + the Gigolos seemed a bit more complex than the other bands. But then the punk bands ain't goin' for complex IMHO.

[bluewine]

Originally Posted by awakefie

I don't know Milwaukee music but Bam Bam + the Gigolos seemed a bit more complex than the other bands. But then the punk bands ain't goin' for complex IMHO.

Complex? Your being very kind.

Blue

[two fingers]

Doesn't matter at all. Just start playing with other people and understand that your first band will probably not be your last. It sounds harsh, but use them as a stepping stone to get some experience playing with others. The likelihood of your first band lasting all that long is not very good. So go with it and learn what you can while it lasts.

[Bert Slide]

Originally Posted by bluewine

I respectively disagree, depends on the band, the material and the individual bass player. I think many think of blues/ cover bands as bands that play 12 bar blues progressions for 4 hours, that's a sweeping generalization and imo just not true.

I've been a full member of a busy working blues / rock cover band for over a year and there is nothing easy about it for me. But I'm not a stand in the back by the drummer type of bass player. I'm an up front center stage type of player. That's not even counting the caliber of bass guitarists I had to compete with to get the gig.

Bert do you mean is, it's the easiest job for you?

Blue

While it's no secret that I question the Originals band scene in Milwaukee, I challenge anyone to YouTube " Franks Power Plant" one if our popular originals bar listen to a few clips and help me understand why the material these bands are playing us so complex.



Attachment 304878

I tried to search out Milwaukee original bands but all the links I tried kept sending me here:

http://www.mapleroadbluesband.com/

[jmattbassplaya]

U2 started out as an original band because they weren't (in their words) good enough to do covers, and look how far that got them.

That said, I'd still choose a cover band first. You'll get familiar with your instrument quicker by playing covers than you probably would by playing in an original group.

[MarkMgibson]

Originally Posted by bluewine

I respectively disagree, depends on the band, the material and the individual bass player. I think many think of blues/ cover bands as bands that play 12 bar blues progressions for 4 hours, that's a sweeping generalization and imo just not true.

I've been a full member of a busy working blues / rock cover band for over a year and there is nothing easy about it for me. But I'm not a stand in the back by the drummer type of bass player. I'm an up front center stage type of player. That's not even counting the caliber of bass guitarists I had to compete with to get the gig.

Bert do you mean is, it's the easiest job for you?

Blue

While it's no secret that I question the Originals band scene in Milwaukee, I challenge anyone to YouTube " Franks Power Plant" one if our popular originals bar listen to a few clips and help me understand why the material these bands are playing us so complex.

Attachment 304878

The same is true of original bands around here at the moment. Most of it is simplistic and not very good IMO.

I think some people get the wrong idea about playing covers. With some songs you can't deviate too much, but most of the time you can do whatever the hell you want with a song, so long as it works. You also don't have to choose well known songs. There's thousands (at least) of great albums tracks that people don't hear often, but they recognise them and appreciate hearing them. It really doesn't have to be boring - there's so many great songs that are rarely played live.

[lustersilk]

Start writing and never stop. It's work my friend, period.

Play covers to hone your chops and make some $$, study some you tube videos and practice every day ................ but

Write music please, over and over and when you are done ......

Study some theory and then .....................

keep writing, creating and doing it. CREATE ART - BE ART

That's what it's all about - scream from the roof tops

[bluewine]

Originally Posted by Bert Slide

I tried to search out Milwaukee original bands but all the links I tried kept sending me here:

http://www.mapleroadbluesband.com/

I'm not sure you will get much from that search. Youtube Franks Power Plant its an originals club in Milwaukee . There are alot of clips of originals bands.

Blue

[Bert Slide]

Originally Posted by bluewine

I'm not sure you will get much from that search. Youtube Franks Power Plant its an originals club in Milwaukee . There are alot of clips of originals bands.

Blue

I dunno. I found out a lotta interesting stuff on that link.

[Pacman]

Originally Posted by bluewine

But I'm not a stand in the back by the drummer type of bass player. I'm an up front center stage type of player. That's not even counting the caliber of bass guitarists I had to compete with to get the gig.

Where you stand really doesn't matter. While your playing is just fine for what you're doing, it's really a stretch to call yourself a performer....