A question for those in coverbands...

[the yeti]

big bro- like i said before, people want to hear "songs" not "parts" or "keys". any of those should be doable by most singers.

i cheated a little i guess 'cos we have a couple singers... so a baritone may not be a good choice for "just a girl". otoh who says? at least until you try it. even if that's not something a group would be interested in i hate hearing about "can't". drives me up a wall.

anyway, my singer can do those. she's pretty special but not exceptionally special. most of what sets her apart the desire to do well, willingness to work, and ability to articulate changes (from a recording or chart) that would make the song more comfortable for her voice. it's not the 1st time i've seen it, so i guess i'm surprised when i hear about it (being an issue).

[MatticusMania]

Originally Posted by ChrisB2

I wouldn't worry about practicing songs until you get an audition... no way to predict what songs to learn. Unless you just want to learn songs for fun, which I do anyway.

Good luck!!

Thanks! As far as the above goes, not only do I want to learn songs that I'll be playing in the coverband, but I'd ideally like to have a lot of other songs in memory to take potential hired gun/sub gigs as well.
I think Im going to start with about 3 or 4 songs a week until I find a band to audition for.

[tZer]

Originally Posted by MatticusMania

Thanks! As far as the above goes, not only do I want to learn songs that I'll be playing in the coverband, but I'd ideally like to have a lot of other songs in memory to take potential hired gun/sub gigs as well.
I think Im going to start with about 3 or 4 songs a week until I find a band to audition for.

If you are going to start building your personal covers library, start now making notes/transcriptions for your own 'great big book of everything'. Treat every song-learning session as a 'build my book' session. I never sit down to learn a song these days without my note pad and binder close by.

Start refining your style of note-taking/transcribing - and even if the song is dead simple, transcribe it and add it (in alphabetical order by song title) to your binder.

You may not need to use the notes you make on some songs - but if you ever do need them, you'll be happy you did.

I can share some note-taking styles with you if you think it might help.

--Mr. Notemaker

[bluewine]

When you start auditioning ( I don't know how long it's been since you've auditioned for a band) I strongly suggest you bring your own rig and do a quick sound check before you audition and then confirm all the band members can hear you.

Blue

[Richland123]

Originally Posted by MatticusMania

Ah, that sounds exactly as I was thinking... playing a whole lot of everything that lots of people can enjoy. If I may ask, how does your band decide on which tunes to learn/play?

We have several methods for selecting songs.

1. Party songs that we definitely know people love to hear.
2. Cool songs that are not overplayed or most bands don't play them but people like them.
3. Well known songs that no other bands in our area play.
4. When people ask us for certain songs, genres, or specific bands, we try to learn them if we are able to make them sound good as a 3 piece band (we all sing).
5. Mix up our songs so that we are not in one era or genre for the entire show.
6. Make sure that our songs are recognizable and people can dance or sing along to them.

Some examples of when people ask us for certain songs, genres, or specific bands and we learned songs that go over very well for us and get people dancing and singing.

Creedence Clearwater Revival - Down On The Corner
Pink Floyd - Another Brick In The Wall
Tom Petty - You Wreck Me, Running Down A Dream
Eagles - Take It Easy
Neil Young - Rockin' In The Free World
Country Music - Fast As You - Dwight Yoakam - Save A Horse, Ride A Cowboy - Big & Rich - Life Is A Highway - Tom Cochrane but many country fans know the Rascal Flatts version
The Beatles - Please, Please Me
The White Stripes - Seven Nation Army
Sam The Sham & The Pharoahs - Wooly Bully
Bon Jovi - Who Says You Can't Go Home
Steve Miller Band - Abracadabra

[bluewine]

This might be petty Matt. However when you get to the point of an offer to become a full member of a cover band, remember everything is negotiable. Set your own terms.

Here are a few things to consider:

Pay, equal split. That's up to you, at the $100.00 minimum per man level it's a deal breaker for me. I'll bend a little if they book at a higher level.

CD and T- Shirt Sales. Even as a new member and not playing on the cd, I still want an equal split. I believe it's that specific performance at the gig that drives those sales. Again, that's just me.

Band Funds. It's up to you. I do not participate in band funds, however when an expense comes up I am more than willing to pay my share out of my pocket.

Blue

[Groovy_Gravy]

I play what i love to listen to

60s rock/jam bands/ blues/ psychedelic rock etc... we play stuff that no one else plays...**** the top 40

[bluewine]

Originally Posted by Groovy_Gravy

I play what i love to listen to

60s rock/jam bands/ blues/ psychedelic rock etc... we play stuff that no one else plays...**** the top 40

?

Blue