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Brown Eyed Girl

#24
tycobb73 said:
I'm learning it verbatim. My theory is I become a better player if I learn them verbatim. I learn little things that I wouldn't have if I put my stamp on it. Afterwards if I want to change it up I will.
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You've already put too much work into it. I've played this song in a whole bunch of bands and have never "learned" it - I just know the groove, the basic riffs, the vibe - and that little "solo" - I learned that bit just because it's so signature... the rest, I wing. Relax. It's just rock and roll.
 
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#25
tycobb73 said:
I'm in a band that wants to do corporate, casinos, boathouses, etc. It is led by a guy who has done this before so I think he can get the gigs. He asks me about the setlist and legitamately wants my input because he wants me to be happy. I tell him if he gets the gigs he says he can get I'll be happy and I leave it at that. Up until this point I've avoided playing BEG but its on his list and I can understand why. I hate that song but if I"m going to play it I'm going to do it right. You know what I discovered?

That thing is hard

I have probably 5 hours into it and am at the end of the 2nd verse. Its not that its fast. It just takes a lot to play it right and get it to groove. I still don't like the song but right now I'm enjoying the challenge. I still will not take any shortcuts and will learn it and play it like I own it.
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Good...lotta songs like that. You know, you've heard it a million times but then you go to learn it and it's actually a great bassline. I applaud you for making it a point to learn it correctly. You know how many bands I've seen play that tune half-assed? You're on the path to good paying gigs.
 
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#26
SanDiegoHarry said:
You've already put too much work into it. I've played this song in a whole bunch of bands and have never "learned" it - I just know the groove, the basic riffs, the vibe - and that little "solo" - I learned that bit just because it's so signature... the rest, I wing. Relax. It's just rock and roll.
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Isn't the "solo" basically the same line as the rest of the song? There's an Em in there somewhere I always forget until its almost upon me. I agree its one of those songs that gets by on good intentions. The crowds that go for it are usually pretty sauced and as long as they get to "sha-la-la-la-la-ladidah" they're happy.
 
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#28
I don't care for that tune either, but good for you for trying to learn as much as you can from it for your own benefit and your listeners' as well. At the end of the process, you'll be able to play at least one song as well as as a guy who's good enough to get a gig with Van Morrison.
 
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#32
tycobb73 said:
I'm in a band that wants to do corporate, casinos, boathouses, etc. It is led by a guy who has done this before so I think he can get the gigs. He asks me about the setlist and legitamately wants my input because he wants me to be happy. I tell him if he gets the gigs he says he can get I'll be happy and I leave it at that. Up until this point I've avoided playing BEG but its on his list and I can understand why. I hate that song but if I"m going to play it I'm going to do it right. You know what I discovered?

That thing is hard

I have probably 5 hours into it and am at the end of the 2nd verse. Its not that its fast. It just takes a lot to play it right and get it to groove. I still don't like the song but right now I'm enjoying the challenge. I still will not take any shortcuts and will learn it and play it like I own it.
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It's actually a pretty simple song ... You don't have to play it note for note ... just get the groove going. I used to put a slap bass solo in the middle.

Try playing it with a pick and palm mute.
 
#36
You know, Ive heard that song countless times by cover bands, but I dont think I have ever heard the original recording,........but its not as bad as listening to some mo-mo chuff out "just a Gigolo" or " achey-breaky-heart" at a karaoke bar....do they even still do Karaoke?
 
#37
boombloom said:
What happens if the bassist recreates the tune with great accuracy and another band member doesn't?
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Happens all the time here with the drummers. They show up, they fake it, they get paid.

Classic introvert/extrovert stuff here. Introverts are detail oriented, extroverts more likely to be the guys/gals who wing it. There's never going to be a unanimous consensus on this topic.

OP, if learning the song verbatim works for you, go for it.
 
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#38
tycobb73 said:
That thing is hard
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You know, like everyone else in the western world, I've heard that song roughly a bajillion times, but I don't think I've ever truly paid attention to the bass line outside of the intro and the short breakdown. Until now. It's brilliant playing. I'm going to have to look out for Russ Savakus's other tracks and will definitely Highway 61 revisited a fresh listen. So thanks for that.

That said, although I respect your dedication to reproducing some really nice work note-for-note... like some of the other posters, I would focus on nailing the easily recognizable parts, and just making sure the rest of it grooves properly. After all, the chances that your vocalist sings exactly like Van Morrison (or even phrases similarly) are pretty slim.
 

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