What do you need? Vocals, vocals and more vocals. Seriously a bass player with average chops that can harmonize and sing lead is a HUGE asset.
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Cover band questions.
- Thread starter Turtle71
- Start date
play along to the radio, learn those songs, then change the station, and learn some more songs!
#1 if you can't sing, start working on it. It's a deal breaker for many cover bands. Before I got my current gig I lost out on two different auditions where the band told me I was great but they wanted someone who could sing. In both cases the bands went with lesser players who are great vocalists.
#2 take your presentation seriously. A really good well established band is going to take their appearance seriously. You should too. Show up to auditions looking like you would if you were going to pay a gig with them.
#2 take your presentation seriously. A really good well established band is going to take their appearance seriously. You should too. Show up to auditions looking like you would if you were going to pay a gig with them.
This is it, really. Be prepared: They want you to learn however many songs, learn them. And show up knowing that whatever you bring (instrument, amp, etc.) is in good working order. Be pleasant. Accentuate the positive. And always remember that you are also auditioning them, just as much as they are auditioning you.
The biggest challenge to doing covers is accurately learning songs that you did not write. I know quite a few people in original music who cannot hear their way out of a paper bag. How much time does it take you to learn something, either by ear or using accurate sheet music or tab? If you have a quick ear, you'll have an easier time of it. So I would suggest learning some popular music that you might be expected to play in whatever sort of band you decide you want to do, and seeing how easy it is for you to do that. That way you can set realistic expectations for others who might be relying on you to learn their repertoire.
I know some pretty good players who aren't all that good at pulling patterns and other things off quickly or on the fly. In cover bands you might be expected to have a vocabulary of riffs and rhythms that you can use on demand. For example, the other night I was playing with a drummer who was playing songs that were new to him. He struggled in the beginning of one song. I said, "it's kind of funky." He immediately was able to switch up to what worked with the song because he knew what that meant. So I would suggest playing along with a lot of music to develop those on-demand kinds of chops, if you don't already have them.
I know some pretty good players who aren't all that good at pulling patterns and other things off quickly or on the fly. In cover bands you might be expected to have a vocabulary of riffs and rhythms that you can use on demand. For example, the other night I was playing with a drummer who was playing songs that were new to him. He struggled in the beginning of one song. I said, "it's kind of funky." He immediately was able to switch up to what worked with the song because he knew what that meant. So I would suggest playing along with a lot of music to develop those on-demand kinds of chops, if you don't already have them.
Well, yeah, but this is a skill you either have or you don't. If you can actually sing, develop it. It adds a ton of value. But there are a lot of "backing vocalists" out there who really should not have a microphone in front of them, ever.
This thread is a fun read. If it was me I'd tell myself this:
Never join a startup (this includes if *you* are starting a startup) unless the band leader (or you) is someone of impeccable industry credentials, with a long track record of actually booking (as opposed to just playing) gigs.
Booking/managing is by far the worst, hardest and thankless job in any band. I would sooner play in a band who's leader has all that stuff together than one that plays great but has no contacts/prospects/plan.
Never join a startup (this includes if *you* are starting a startup) unless the band leader (or you) is someone of impeccable industry credentials, with a long track record of actually booking (as opposed to just playing) gigs.
Booking/managing is by far the worst, hardest and thankless job in any band. I would sooner play in a band who's leader has all that stuff together than one that plays great but has no contacts/prospects/plan.
1. Show up...On time.
2. Don't act like a jerk.
3. Be willing to be prepared for gigs/rehearsals and work hard.
These 3 things are much more important than having the best "chops".
Plus, if you like money, you will love being part of an established cover band. I love playing originals, have tons of my own, but honestly, no one willing to pay money wants to hear any of it. They want to hear songs they know, and have a good time.
Good luck! You will have a blast!
2. Don't act like a jerk.
3. Be willing to be prepared for gigs/rehearsals and work hard.
These 3 things are much more important than having the best "chops".
Plus, if you like money, you will love being part of an established cover band. I love playing originals, have tons of my own, but honestly, no one willing to pay money wants to hear any of it. They want to hear songs they know, and have a good time.
Good luck! You will have a blast!
I couldn't possibly bear to be in a band that played in a genre I didn't like just because there was money in it.
Life's too short.
What kind of music do you really like?
Life's too short.
What kind of music do you really like?
Well, I’m thinking you came up with 25 years of bass parts. I’d find it difficult to believe you would have trouble covering someone else. All you need to do is learn what you need for the audition. Your recordings should show you have the ability to play. You will do fine.
Best wishes hoping you land a good gig.
JeezyMcNuggles
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- Feb 23, 2018
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Learn songs. A lot of songs. Try to make yourself sound like a good majority of them. Learn songs.
"But what songs do I learn?"
Every song that has been on the radio since you were born. Over time of course. But, try to learn like 10 classic rock songs. 10 r&b songs, 10 country songs, 10 pop songs, and a few rap jams, a few reggea jams (you really only need to learn like 2 reggea songs. Just about every one ever written is comprised of root third and fifth. Just groove with the chord changes. They're almost all two chord songs). Diversify. Being able to cover as much ground as possible, and well, is the key to being a wanted bass player.
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I only have one thing to add to what has been written. For much of rock cover band material from the 1960s -2000s it is not really idiomatic to play note for note live what was recorded. I have never understood the “note for note” mentality for rock, except for tribute bands. Specific signature lines in rock excepted, the idiom is really more closely related to some of the improvisatory elements of jazz. In the over 50 years I have played, for rock, and much of other “cover” material, my mantra has always been, “play the song not the record.” Not everyone agrees with me. Make sure you understand where your future colleagues are coming from. Don’t get me wrong, note for note playing does have a place. I primarily play musical theater where you are generally expected to “play the ink,” and much pop music is expected to be played note for note. When I do those gigs, I play exactly what is expected. There is really only one way to play pop signature lines such as Brick House, but rock, as a genre, rarely had bands recreating recordings exactly live. Again, some folks disagree. I generally don’t find them to be particularly fulfilling musical partners. But each to their own.
Hang around cover bands in your area. Get to know some of them
and study what they play. Sit in at Jam sessions and get to meet
the real players vs the noobies.
Repeat & repeat.
Good Luck
and study what they play. Sit in at Jam sessions and get to meet
the real players vs the noobies.
Repeat & repeat.
Good Luck
So much good advice!
+1 to networking. Being plugged into my local scene has opened doors. Sub gigs, guest singers, variations on line ups, etc.
+1 to just learning as many songs as you can. Put on a playlist and hang on- get good at predicting what comes next.
+1 to singing! Huge plus for any bassist. Try to learn as many different harmonies as you can, and figure out what your range is.
one thing I didn’t see yet- practice songs in other keys. I play some songs in 3 keys for 3 different singers. Be flexible.
Have fun and good luck!
+1 to networking. Being plugged into my local scene has opened doors. Sub gigs, guest singers, variations on line ups, etc.
+1 to just learning as many songs as you can. Put on a playlist and hang on- get good at predicting what comes next.
+1 to singing! Huge plus for any bassist. Try to learn as many different harmonies as you can, and figure out what your range is.
one thing I didn’t see yet- practice songs in other keys. I play some songs in 3 keys for 3 different singers. Be flexible.
Have fun and good luck!
Alright, thanks for all the replies people!!
Some of it was enlightening, some of it was terrifying, and some of it I kinda knew, or expected.
I can't possibly reply to all of these, but I'll try to hit a few...
-Do I have a good ear? Yep, I can typically listen to someone else play something, and play with it in short order.
-Can I sing? Yep (and in pitch no less
)...but...I've never mastered singing AND playing, I always end up singing some kind of version of my bass line LOL, I can't separate the 2, but in fairness I've never really given it a chance...I'll start working on it...
-Do I have the gear? Yep, I've pretty much got most any bass for the job, pointy headstocks all the way to the usual Fender J & P...I recently flipped my 5er though...so I may have to buy another...As far as amps & cabs, yeah there's no problem there. And yeah all my gear is in perfect shape (junky stuff drives me insane)
-Do I know any covers now? Yep, probably have about 2 hours worth...Stuff like Mustang Sally, Brick House, Stand by Me, Escape (The Pina Colada song), all the way through a few "hair bands" (Def Leppard) then a few "Seattle favorites" (lots of AiC and STP), I have some southern rock stuff like Simple Man, and a few ZZ Top tunes, as far as Rock I have few VH tunes, and a few AC/DC tunes, Metal?...I could probably play 70% of Metallica's catalog...now, Pop or Country not so much...I don't hate it, but it's not my usual (looks like I need to check some out).
So I guess I feel like I can do this....with the proper prep (gonna need to spend a TON of time in the woodshed).
For me, I guess my list of current weaknesses are...
-Can't sing & play...Yet
-Limited catalog at the moment.
-I can read TAB, but I can't sight read sheet music
-Can really only play bass...I can play real basic "campfire cords" on guitar though.
-REALLY hate playing with a pic...but I know some songs need it so...I'll practice.
Thanks again everybody! I've got work to do.
Some of it was enlightening, some of it was terrifying, and some of it I kinda knew, or expected.
I can't possibly reply to all of these, but I'll try to hit a few...
-Do I have a good ear? Yep, I can typically listen to someone else play something, and play with it in short order.
-Can I sing? Yep (and in pitch no less
)...but...I've never mastered singing AND playing, I always end up singing some kind of version of my bass line LOL, I can't separate the 2, but in fairness I've never really given it a chance...I'll start working on it...-Do I have the gear? Yep, I've pretty much got most any bass for the job, pointy headstocks all the way to the usual Fender J & P...I recently flipped my 5er though...so I may have to buy another...As far as amps & cabs, yeah there's no problem there. And yeah all my gear is in perfect shape (junky stuff drives me insane)
-Do I know any covers now? Yep, probably have about 2 hours worth...Stuff like Mustang Sally, Brick House, Stand by Me, Escape (The Pina Colada song), all the way through a few "hair bands" (Def Leppard) then a few "Seattle favorites" (lots of AiC and STP), I have some southern rock stuff like Simple Man, and a few ZZ Top tunes, as far as Rock I have few VH tunes, and a few AC/DC tunes, Metal?...I could probably play 70% of Metallica's catalog...now, Pop or Country not so much...I don't hate it, but it's not my usual (looks like I need to check some out).
So I guess I feel like I can do this....with the proper prep (gonna need to spend a TON of time in the woodshed).
For me, I guess my list of current weaknesses are...
-Can't sing & play...Yet
-Limited catalog at the moment.
-I can read TAB, but I can't sight read sheet music
-Can really only play bass...I can play real basic "campfire cords" on guitar though.
-REALLY hate playing with a pic...but I know some songs need it so...I'll practice.
Thanks again everybody! I've got work to do.
Ooooh! I may be in the minority here but I love playing in cover bands! I play in a handful and make a pretty darn good income from it.
More than giving extra tips since most are all covered here, I love doing it. Granted I'm primarily doing the wedding band thing.
- We play pretty much every style of music and every decade from the 40s on out. I enjoy all the styles and love that versatility and eclecticism. It's a compliment we get quite a bit. So versatility is key.
- Because the demands are high, the musicians in my bands tend to be really great players. Many Berklee grads and such. Nothing quite as thrilling with playing that kind of talent even if it's not original music.
- To be able to sustain this, everyone has to be professional and hence there are rarely any weird ego issues. Everyone's on time and responsible. I always say to my bandmates that they'd be easy to hire for ANY kind of work. The hang has been so great because of it.
- The pay is quite good for local standards.
So the big 3: Good music, good hang, and good pay. You CAN get that.
Plus I get to use my pedalboard for all the synth stuff.
- Playing and singing help but I've never had to do it.
- Limited catalog, you can learn that. My first real band took me a few weeks of just memorizing tunes. The groundwork is hard but it paid off and I don't worry about it anymore.
- Most of the time you won't need sheet music. Even if the jazz tunes, it's usually just a chord/leadsheet. It can help in a pinch but most of the time it's not really necessary.
- I play bass and that's it, though I did pick up upright which expanded my demand.
- I like playing with a pick but I suck at it. Most of the time people don't care that much. I just use an overdrive pedal and it gets the desired effect.
Feel free to PM for more details. Common setlist stuff, etc. Nice thing is that there is PLENTY of overlap in every band I play.
More than giving extra tips since most are all covered here, I love doing it. Granted I'm primarily doing the wedding band thing.
- We play pretty much every style of music and every decade from the 40s on out. I enjoy all the styles and love that versatility and eclecticism. It's a compliment we get quite a bit. So versatility is key.
- Because the demands are high, the musicians in my bands tend to be really great players. Many Berklee grads and such. Nothing quite as thrilling with playing that kind of talent even if it's not original music.
- To be able to sustain this, everyone has to be professional and hence there are rarely any weird ego issues. Everyone's on time and responsible. I always say to my bandmates that they'd be easy to hire for ANY kind of work. The hang has been so great because of it.
- The pay is quite good for local standards.
So the big 3: Good music, good hang, and good pay. You CAN get that.
Plus I get to use my pedalboard for all the synth stuff.
-Can't sing & play...Yet
-Limited catalog at the moment.
-I can read TAB, but I can't sight read sheet music
-Can really only play bass...I can play real basic "campfire cords" on guitar though.
-REALLY hate playing with a pic...but I know some songs need it so...I'll practice.
Thanks again everybody! I've got work to do.
- Playing and singing help but I've never had to do it.
- Limited catalog, you can learn that. My first real band took me a few weeks of just memorizing tunes. The groundwork is hard but it paid off and I don't worry about it anymore.
- Most of the time you won't need sheet music. Even if the jazz tunes, it's usually just a chord/leadsheet. It can help in a pinch but most of the time it's not really necessary.
- I play bass and that's it, though I did pick up upright which expanded my demand.
- I like playing with a pick but I suck at it. Most of the time people don't care that much. I just use an overdrive pedal and it gets the desired effect.
Feel free to PM for more details. Common setlist stuff, etc. Nice thing is that there is PLENTY of overlap in every band I play.
+1 Set your priorities. Being in a cover band can be extremely grueling... Especially if you're in a group that is gigging multiple sets, multiple times a week. If you're doing it just for fun, I can almost guarantee that joining a band that plays multiple times a week won't be a good fit. Versus if you find a group that gigs 1 or two times a month during a part of the year that is not stressful for your day job... And also vice versa, if you want to make money, don't join a band that is just taking it easy...
