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New Band and a lot of material to learn fast

Honk'n_down-low

Honk'n_down-low

Feb 22, 2008
2,951
116
New England
#1
Posting this from my life long friend and Guitarist. Just landed an audition with a great local cover band. They handed him their song list - which is extensive and covers a lot popular music from the 60's 70's 80 's 90's and today - there current active set list has about 60 songs - they rotate others in and out. He knows a huge chunk of this material - but needs to get the current set list up to speed and has to be ready in just about a week.

What on-line resources are available with good accuarate lead sheets, sheet music, tabs, video etc.... to help him get this current set under his fingers. He is not a big Internet person - so hence the reason I am asking on his behalf - plus he is locked up playing through this list trying to get all the tunes down. Thanks!
 
#3
+1 on finding out the key.

Honestly I don't think the internet will be the best resource for what you need. I went through this 2 years ago when I joined a band with 75+ songs in the set list. I was familiar with about 20 songs, but not well enough to play on stage.

What worked for me was simply listening to the songs and playing with the recordings. Take notes on the key, the structure, and riffs. Don't worry about the finer points - just work on getting the basics under control. He'll probably find out that half of the finer points are inapplicable - they play the riff differently, they changed the structure, or they just want him to change the part.

Looking up the parts online as tab is a huge waste of time when you have this many songs to get through. Focus on playing with the recordings and sort out the details later.

I think it took me 2 rehearsals, then I sat in for 1 set, the next week I sat in for 1 set, and then after that it was off to the races. 3 sets, twice a week, probably close to 100 songs in the repertoire. (Not that I was playing flawlessly at that point, but it was good enough for show.) It wasn't too difficult as soon as I quit trying to look up the parts online.
 
#4
What worked for me was simply listening to the songs and playing with the recordings.

Arn't the recordings on the internet. I learn from YouTubr and the files the band sends me.

I know there are exceptions, but for me, the internet has been a crucial part of learning songs and for band management issue overall.

I think it would be difficult to be an a band and not use a computer .

I know plenty of bands from my vintage back in the 70s did ok without them. But everything we did back then from recording, bookings and photography was a lot harder.
 
#5
If it's an audition, why does he have to learn all the songs before the audition?

If he knows most of the tunes already, if he gets the gig, he can chart the other tunes as quickly as possible. He can use the charts on stage, if necessary, to get through the tunes until he gets them all down.

Usually a band will have a CD of their tunes or chord charts so anyone can get up to speed quickly. If they don't, getting the MP3's will be the way to go.

I would also ask if any of the keys have been changed and/or any modifications to the structure of any tunes have been modified before he starts putting in any time.
 
#6
A band's preparedness is an indication of their direction and management.

I'd be leary of a band that didn't have a spreadsheet in set order with song keys, changes and production notes.. they then should have all the lyric sheets and mp3s.

Anything less than this are making it more work than necessary.

==============

I believe your friend may need to bone up and get a small micro laptop.. they can be found for under $200..

I wouldn't hire any band mate who doesn't email, own an MP3 player OR youtube.

Tim
 
#7
Thanks everyone - he did get the set list with the Keys and the mp3's and any Midi tracks that are in use. So the band did provide him with a good start. He auditioned and got this material - he is going back for round 2 in a week - and is pretty sure he has the job - just wants to kill it on the new material - thanks for the feedback.

Any links to good lead sheet, tab, sheet music sites would be appreciated - I know there is a lot of crap out there. Personally I learn most songs by ear as does my friend - just having some of the music shaves that time to learn down.
 
#8
I just went through that. Joined my first cover band, knew about 5 of the songs, had to get that to 50 in about 3 weeks.

What I did was go get all the songs on MP3 and start working through them. I figured out most by ear and turned to the internet for tricky stuff. You can't go look up tabs for every song, but if you find a few different tabs for tricky sections of single songs you'll find something you can play that sounds right.

Another big question he needs to ask is if they play strictly to the recording, or if there's room for interpretation. The "room for interpretation" part gave me the leeway I needed to play easier parts on some of the trickier songs--for example I didn't have the time or the skill to learn all of Flea's little fills on the RHCP version of "Higher Ground". So I wrote my own part instead and the band is happy with it.

Beyond that, it's just practice. I kept a notebook with an updated list of songs that needed work. It started out long, but got shorter every day until it was gone.
 
#9
play the songs over & over keeping notes on what you forget or misplay for each song.
Before you play the each song again look at your notes. Cram by listening to those tunes over & over listening for vocal or instrumental cues. At all times keep your attention towards what comes next.Try to get a priority list from the band can save you time, you should learn all the song in case they surprise you but it can help you save some time.
Good luck.
 
#14
Some of the best advise i ever got here on TB when i got back to playing was from a TBer who told me about the Tascam bass trainer. They have them for guitar also and now in MP3 format. I have worn mine out but its still works great. Today it is rarely used since i trained my ear and am in band mode :p It can really help anyone who need to cram in allot of songs quickly.
 
#15
bassbully said:
...a TBer who told me about the Tascam bass trainer. They have them for guitar also and now in MP3 format....
Click to expand...

Was in my local music store yesterday asking for the tascam MP-BT1, but they don't carry it... instead the guy mentioned the Roland JP-8 (?) coming out this November... Updated version of the Tascam, with bells and whistles, but marketed to guitarists... Could not find any mention of how it would work with a bass. Just wish it had features targetting the bass, like bass cutout/isolation etc like the tascam.

Christmas is coming up, and I wanted a trainer - my wife grumbles less when there's an excuse to purchase...
 
#16
Dekker said:
Was in my local music store yesterday asking for the tascam MP-BT1, but they don't carry it... instead the guy mentioned the Roland JP-8 (?) coming out this November... Updated version of the Tascam, with bells and whistles, but marketed to guitarists... Could not find any mention of how it would work with a bass. Just wish it had features targetting the bass, like bass cutout/isolation etc like the tascam.

Christmas is coming up, and I wanted a trainer - my wife grumbles less when there's an excuse to purchase...
Click to expand...

Why buy anthing? Take a look at this software BestPractice. A free, easy to use, slow downer/pitch shifter/looper/vocal remover/isolator/bass cut/bass backing track maker
 
#17
  • Find the key
  • Learn the chord progression
  • Tabs can help **BUT** tabs are often inaccurate, if not flat out wrong, and the time signature on tabs is nonsensical at best

I do use Guitar Pro a lot, but there too the GP file can be wrong. Also they tend to favor the guitar tracks, and the bass tracks are often incomplete, just there to provide basic support.

Some GP files have really good bass tracks, and you can edit it usually if you complete it otherwise.

You can switch off the tab view and only use traditional music notation. I usually add the Chord progression and the first words of verse, chorus, etc..., print it and bring it to practice.

I swear, you do get a lot of respect when you show up with sheet music, even if your reading skills are limited, good musicians always appreciate a bassist who can read (even somewhat) and you look like a prepared guy.

But you you can't beat listening to the songs, over and over again, until it becomes second nature.

Also don't overlook learning the lyrics, that's the one part that every musician in the band should know. You don't have to know the guitarist's or the drummer's part, but the singer's part, you have to know.
 
#18
[QUOTE= I wouldn't hire any band mate who doesn't email, own an MP3 player OR youtube.


Exactly if your is a working band you need real time communication with everyone. Everyone in our band has a mobile device and a lap top. Nobody is ever left out of the loop.
 
#19
NickInMesa said:
I swear, you do get a lot of respect when you show up with sheet music, even if your reading skills are limited, good musicians always appreciate a bassist who can read (even somewhat) and you look like a prepared guy.
Click to expand...

I just joined a cover band last week and am working my butt off to get caught up. I talked to the guy on Thursday and went to the audition on Friday. I pulled out the sheet music for one of the songs and they all started joking with me and asking what all that weird writing was. They were messing around, but were impressed enough that I got the gig.
 
#20
Stumbo said:
Why buy anthing? Take a look at this software BestPractice. A free, easy to use, slow downer/pitch shifter/looper/vocal remover/isolator/bass cut/bass backing track maker
Click to expand...

Thanks for the link, Stumbo. I'll check that out for MP3s. I currently use Tux Guitar for guitar pro files (and tabs), but didn't have one for mp3s.

The benefit of a "black box" is its portability. For various reasons, my computers are not in the room that I play in. And it's difficult to play in the computer room (without smacking my wife with the headstock as she fiddles on her computer!)
 

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