Acoustic guitar only

[OOD]

I'm looking for a way to make some side money without being dependent on other people.

How bad would people miss solos and lead parts if I did a solo project with just acoustic guitar and vocals? All I can do is play basic open chords. With the help of a capo I can play most chord progressions, but I'm no good at lead riffs of any kind on acoustic guitar. Is it worth a shot or would it be a complete failure?

 

[Luke19Boarder]

Tons and tons of people have had success with just an acoustic guitar and a voice.

 

[MonetBass]

^ Exactly. If you can do an acoustic arrangement of any song and make it fresh, all the better.

 

[buldog5151bass]

I would consider going as a duo, with a guitarist who can play lead figures (and maybe harmonize). Plenty of restaurants will pay $200-250 for a good duo - more than will pay $100 for a guy who can just strum and sing.

Also LOTS more fun for you.

 

[OOD]

I would consider going as a duo, with a guitarist who can play lead figures (and maybe harmonize). Plenty of restaurants will pay $200-250 for a good duo - more than will pay $100 for a guy who can just strum and sing.

Also LOTS more fun for you.

What do you think about percussion(Cajon or hand percussion)? I can get a drummer involed way easier than a guitarist. Would that add as much value in a venue's eyes as a second guitar? I honestly would be happy with $50-$75 for 3 hours, but you make a good point with the duo.

 

[Luke19Boarder]

What do you think about percussion(Cajon or hand percussion)? I can get a drummer involed way easier than a guitarist. Would that add as much value in a venue's eyes as a second guitar? I honestly would be happy with $50-$75 for 3 hours, but you make a good point with the duo.

That's not a bad idea. Would probably be best if the percussionist could do harmonies, to add just another small layer to the sound.

 

[buldog5151bass]

Percussion would help, but a lead instrument is really what would make the biggest difference. You can do almost anything with that. Just singing over chords will get boring for both you and the audience sooner.

Think about it - what would add the most to what you DON'T have? Just percussion with not vocals is not worth the split of the $$$ IMO.

 

[OOD]

Great advice guys. I think I'll probably try to add some kind of lead instrument. I would get board after 30 minutes of strumming and vocals.

 

[buldog5151bass]

So would the audience, unless the songs and your voice is !#@$!@%#@ good.

 

[OOD]

So would the audience, unless the songs and your voice is !#@$!@%#@ good.

My voice is average at best so no hope there. I'm officially doomed to depend on others forever.

Any ideas on what can make a good lead instrument other than guitar? Oodly enough I've got a shortage of guitarists around me.

 

[buldog5151bass]

Keyboards or maybe fiddle.

Any colleges near you? Or speak with music teachers in schools near you.

 

[OOD]

Keyboards or maybe fiddle.

Any colleges near you? Or speak with music teachers in schools near you.

Yeah I live in a town with a college. I like the fiddle and keyboard idea. I was in band in high school too. I might be able to find one of my old band buddies to play with.

 

[buldog5151bass]

Man - check out the Fine Arts Building at the college - best place to find musicians, not to mention gigs on campus.

 

[OOD]

Man - check out the Fine Arts Building at the college - best place to find musicians, not to mention gigs on campus.

I'll get on that asap.

 

[Luke19Boarder]

Any ideas on what can make a good lead instrument other than guitar? Oodly enough I've got a shortage of guitarists around me.

Shoot, lead can be played on anything - keys, guitar, banjo, fiddle, xylophone/glockenspiel, melodica, clarinet, harmonica ... the key is finding someone with similar musical sensibilities.

 

[Awesome Sauce]

Never underestimate the power of a good cellist, as well. Or a pretty face. Not being sexist; facts is facts.

 

[DavC]

i'd try to fiddle around with a Ditto type device ... if you've learned your basic Pentatonic scales on the bass , you could fairly easily play a few melodies on the guitar ..!! just to break up the monotony of things ..!!

maybe a percussionist that plays woodwind of some kind .... and sings ...

 

[OOD]

Never underestimate the power of a good cellist, as well. Or a pretty face. Not being sexist; facts is facts.

I actually already have a beautiful face.

 

[OOD]

I could loop the guitar and play recorder with it. I rock on a recorder.

 

[Awesome Sauce]

I actually already have a beautiful face.

As a male Dr. Who fan, that is statistically impossible.

I keed! I keed!