Cover band questions.

[Frunobulax]

1; Set up a bassist profile. Include your influences, the genres you like, equipment, gigging history, recordings etc etc. I also put up a Spotify set list for people to listen to.
The band I'm in now, chose me because of the influences I included on my profile... such as Jah Wobble, Tracy Pew, Siouxsie and the Banshees....

2; Find several bands that have potential, ie, you like the sound, look and song choice..
Ask them for a set list.
Learn as many songs off each set list as possible. Most cover auditions I've been to want to hear you play 5 or 6 songs to get a feel of your abilities... If you can come into the audition with 15-20 songs under your belt, they can see you have a drive to learn and participate. Brownie points...

There's been some advice to get learning songs now before you've even looked at bands... As much as this sounds like a good idea, it's putting the cart before the horse. There's no point learning ZZTop, Abba, T-rex, Hoodoo Gurus, if the cover band you approach is, for example, an ACDC cover band... you just don't know where you will end up and could be wasting precious time by learning unusable songs...

3; The other advice, starting your own band, is a great place to start. That way you can decide on your own set lists and the appropriate musicians. It can be a struggle. Things like location and available resources definitely can impact on the viability of such an undertaking.
I'm in a Pink Floyd cover band that is out in the wheatbelt area of Western Australia... after almost a year, we still need singers, keys, saxophonists.... the resources just aren't there for the project to be viable.

Good luck in your future.

 

[QweziRider]

I’m more looking for advice on what I can do personally as a bassist to make myself more appealing to a band looking for a full time bassist…What are they (you) looking for?

I’ve already got the work ethic, 25+ years of playing/gigging/recording experience (original bands only), multiple gigging rigs for any sized stages & basses for whatever style I choose, and obviously reliable transportation, but l could come up short on “chops” depending on the style. (I’ll cross that bridge when I get there)

I think an asset for you would be go back to a line earlier in your questions: "...I haven’t decided on style yet, Pop?, Country?, Classic Rock?, Variety etc…"

Try them all. The more you know and are comfortable with, the more valuable you will be. You already have a lot going for you in that last paragraph, just work on the chops in different genres.

 

[tshapiro]

Gigging bands are 'working' bands. Treat it like a job.

Have a system to learn quickly. I'm a high tech guy but I always show up with a note pad and fat black marker so I can jot down the song structures as they call them out. I then take a pic of the notes and organize them in a folder on an iPad.

Whatever music app you use, create a Playlist of their music so you can practice in an organized fashion.

Always be 10 mins early for practice and gig load-ins.

Don't ask the band leader "How much does this gig pay?". It's a sign that you have money problems and drama.

 

[two fingers]

Figure out what you want going in. Know how far you're willing to travel, how often you want to play, how much money you want, and what you're willing to do to get it.

For instance, wedding/corporate bands make the money. But you gotta dress up, get there early, take lots of requests (both on and off the stage), and play what they want to hear and nothing else. They can be long days. Sometimes you have to set up and get out of the way for hours.

But let's say you're into 50s swing country and that's all you want to play. You'll be in a limited market (less money, fewer gigs). But you'll likely find more joy in the music itself and you'llbe playing with like-minded musicians.

Being able to sing at least background vocals will increase your number of potential opportunities exponentially.

And just know that a lot of cover bands suck. Sure, they talk a big game over the phone. Then you get to the audition and they're just terrible. Awful. It's likely (unless your network of friends hooks you up) that you will have to go to several of these auditions. There are zillions of delusional musicians out there. It's amazing to me.

Now for the music. I find that the deeper I dive into a song/bass line the more fun it is. I try to nail everything. Tone, style, notes, everything. It may morph into a little something else over time. But I learn a song exactly like the recording first. It's a puzzle of sorts. And I like finding every single piece.

 

[Ekulati]

Not sure if this applies to you, but some folks never seem to be able to humble themselves to learning (preferably by ear) and playing "other people's music" that is, bass parts "just like the record."

These folks see it as some sort of crime; good musicians see it as an essential part of their knowledge.

 

[tothemax]

Just my 2 c's here. I've been playing for about 40+ years but never felt I had pro chops or dedication. Worked for about a year as roadie for top band in my mid-20's and decided to keep my day job and play as a hobby (not a Hollywood fan). That said, over that span you learn a lot an develop an ear for what works and doesn't. I'm following up on the start your own band threads.

While my playing isn't stellar I'm a team player and know how to put together a good set list which is half the battle. That and getting in with your local music crowd will attract good players. I've found that being able to make a song groove is every bit as important as Steely Dan session level chops for doing covers. Keep with what works for you...

Sometimes you just have to step up and do the BL thing which is what I've done to put together a part time band. Working with like minded musicians and knowing your audience are big positives. The BL spot is a lot of extra work, I also have a PA an access to practice space. All things to consider if you want to start your own thing. We do mostly benefits, so we don't need to work with booking agents, which is another level to consider - one that adds fire to being a player verses a BL.

Good luck...

 

[51PRI]

...I'm seriously thinking about joining an established cover band...I’m more looking for advice on what I can do personally as a bassist to make myself more appealing to a band looking for a full time bassist.....

Sing!

In addition to the normal things...good equipment, show up on time, know the material, don't complain, be a good hang...sing, at LEAST background/harmony.

 

[brianrost]

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.

+1,000,000

 

[bucephylus]

Warning, potentially long read…

OK, so I’m looking for some input or suggestions here from those that are in successful gigging cover bands (obviously pre Covid), and I “think” this is the correct place to post this thread, if not, please move it Mods, Thanks!

So, I’m seriously thinking about joining an established cover band, I’ve thought about it multiple times over the years, but at this point in my life, I kinda want to hang up the “originals” hat, and put on the “covers” hat, I haven’t decided on style yet, Pop?, Country?, Classic Rock?, Variety etc…

So, how would/should I approach this, I’m not really looking for song suggestions per se (though song suggestions that any self-respecting cover bassist should know are welcomed).

I’m more looking for advice on what I can do personally as a bassist to make myself more appealing to a band looking for a full time bassist…What are they (you) looking for?

I’ve already got the work ethic, 25+ years of playing/gigging/recording experience (original bands only), multiple gigging rigs for any sized stages & basses for whatever style I choose, and obviously reliable transportation, but l could come up short on “chops” depending on the style. (I’ll cross that bridge when I get there)

So, suggestions? Advice? Words of wisdom or precaution?

Thanks!!

1. Always be on time.
2. Be easy to work with. Among other things, this means being flexible with transpositions where requested.
3. Know all the songs on the playlist, as-recorded. You can / should modify from there as appropriate; but start with the recorded part verbatim.
4. Own every song.
5. Be in tune.
6. Be able to contribute some vocals, develop appropriate harmonies, sing some lead.
7. Know a LOT of songs in all styles.
8. Help with logistics.
9. Smile, and have fun

 

[Reedt2000]

I’m more looking for advice on what I can do personally as a bassist to make myself more appealing to a band looking for a full time bassist…What are they (you) looking for?

Sing

Being able to sing harmonies (or lead vocals) has always helped me stand out among other competent players.

 

[Plain Old Barry]

I’m more looking for advice on what I can do personally as a bassist to make myself more appealing to a band looking for a full time bassist…What are they (you) looking for?

What's worked for me in cover situations is, in no specific order:

- Being able to play as close to the record as possible, or alternatively follow the band leader well, depending on how the specific band approaches covers or specific tunes. Define this immediately.
- Being able to demonstrate an ability to learn lots of material in a short timeframe.
- Dead on reliability, punctuality, and pro conduct. One call or message gets me there on time and ready to go.
- Be a good, zero drama hang
- High quality, dependable gear appropriate for the situation
- A physical appearance and attire that fits the situation

 

[Johnny Crab]

So, suggestions? Advice? Words of wisdom or precaution?
Thanks!!

You've been given great advice in the above but here's some for AFTER you land in a band and see 4 to 6 hours(or more) of music to KNOW. In 2006, after being "out of bands" for about 18 years, I got an email from a great guitarist(GIT graduate) in an established Houston cover/originals band stating "We just fired our bass player and have a REAL important gig coming up in a month, can you learn 100 songs in a month and help us out?" I'd been in bands with him in New Orleans 1973 to 1989, we're brothers. Discussed it with family and they said "Go for it Dad!". So I did.

How?
Got the songlist via email, a large notebook, a Behringer V-Amp bean, good headphones, and my mp3 player. Put every song on both my computer at home, at work, and on my mp3 players. Listened to NOTHING but those songs during all waking moments. Practiced 2 to 4 hours per day at home(headphones, charting the songs out in the notebook, playing sitting and standing), 45 minutes at work in cubicle, and listened to the songs during my 25 minute commute x 2(to and from work). Weekends, depending on family events, allowed for more practice per day thanks to my wife and 2 high school aged children cooperating to make this happen.

Gig was a private party at a well-known golf course "clubhouse" event room in Houston.
Not sure if we did all of the songs b/c my concentration was recalling the songs, fitting with the drummer's interpretation of the songs, and watching both the band leader and guitarist and audience. VERY IMPORTANT for me: I bought a ZOOM H4 to record that gig(and all since then). Original intent of that was to check my playing and the bass/drum "feel" of songs. Later I found this band runs with NO setlist as we went from 100 to about 400 songs that can be called at any time, any gig. Also, if a song gets called out and 2 or 3 of us know it....we WILL play it and it gets recorded on the ZOOM H4 for us to reference and add to our song library if we like the song AND if it went over well.

Give it your best shot but make sure you know what they expect and they know what you expect as far as commitment goes. We all still had children at home in 2006 so exceptions to gigs and even getting subs was discussed and ironed out early on. Example: when my youngest son graduated high school the band had a very nice gig booked in California's wine country. I went to my son's graduation and their previous bassist(the one I replaced) was my sub. He was happy to do it, the band had expected this could come up because we ALL discussed it near day one, and I got to be at an important life event with my son and family....while remaining in the band.

JC

 

[FatherTrucker]

Gigging bands are 'working' bands. Treat it like a job.

Have a system to learn quickly. I'm a high tech guy but I always show up with a note pad and fat black marker so I can jot down the song structures as they call them out. I then take a pic of the notes and organize them in a folder on an iPad.

Whatever music app you use, create a Playlist of their music so you can practice in an organized fashion.

Always be 10 mins early for practice and gig load-ins.

Don't ask the band leader "How much does this gig pay?". It's a sign that you have money problems and drama.
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I find it interesting that you say treat it like a job but then don't ask about money. It might not be the first thing I bring up but I damn sure want to know if the band is financially worth my time before I commit. Same as any job.

 

[LBS-bass]

Not sure if this applies to you, but some folks never seem to be able to humble themselves to learning (preferably by ear) and playing "other people's music" that is, bass parts "just like the record."

These folks see it as some sort of crime; good musicians see it as an essential part of their knowledge.

This would have been a decent observation if it didn't divide us by saying one group contains all the "good musicians" while the other group, by default, apparently cannot play.

I wish these kinds of insulting posts would be thought through more before being put out here.

Good musicians do a lot of different things. Some of them fastidiously learn cover material note for note. Some of them have a creative bent and like to reinterpret things. Some of them have a practical side and do understand the question of whether or not the "juice is worth the squeeze" equally for every situation. IMO sometimes it is, and sometimes it isn't and I like to know if it is or isn't before I invest too much of my time in something.

So, OP, you're not pigeonholed into one approach. Doing things only one way does not define you as "good" or "bad" at what you do. These are questions that you may need to think about, though, and things you'll need to be on the same page about with your prospective bandmates.

When I first started auditioning again, I learned material note-for-note because I figured that's what was needed. I wasted tons of my personal time over-preparing for bands it turned out I wanted nothing to do with. For my own, personal satisfaction, it turns out that adequate preparation gets me in the door and I usually don't want what's behind that door, anyway. When I find that what's behind the door is worth the effort, I double down. I've never once been turned down from an audition because someone thought I didn't work hard enough. It is almost always the case that they are the ones not working hard enough.

Just something to bear in mind. Prepare adequately, but also prepare to be disappointed. If you can walk in, lock in, and play a proper groove, no one is going to care that you didn't do that second verse turnaround exactly as it was on the record. If the band is decent, you can learn that turnaround next week.

 

[kevindahl]

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.

True enough.

The OP was looking at well established cover bands. IMHO any cover band that is established always have killer vocalists. It would be highly unlikely that you would be hired as bass player, in these type of bands, if you couldn't sing.

Maybe if it was band of more musicians like 6 or more you might be hired without vocals but you would have to be good looking, great gear and have serious groove. Some of the bands in my area that play the casinos, which are the top gigs will sound better than the original artist usually.

 

[LBS-bass]

True enough.

The OP was looking at well established cover bands. IMHO any cover band that is established always have killer vocalists. It would be highly unlikely that you would be hired as bass player, in these type of bands, if you couldn't sing.

Maybe if it was band of more musicians like 6 or more you might be hired without vocals but you would have to be good looking, great gear and have serious groove. Some of the bands in my area that play the casinos, which are the top gigs will sound better than the original artist usually.

Yep. I'm lucky because I'm a decent harmonist but unfortunately I've heard too many players out there who want to be harmonists but don't have the skill to do it. If you want that level of gig, you need that level of skill.

The OP says he is a good singer with a good ear so for him it might just be a matter of getting the syncopated disconnect between vocals and bass lines to click, and that just takes a lot of practice!

 

[Bass Viking]

"We just fired our bass player and have a REAL important gig coming up in a month, can you learn 100 songs in a month and help us out?"

Yikes! They sure didn't go easy on you! I hope you already knew some of the songs.

Why so many songs for just one gig?

 

[Joe Nerve]

This thread got me thinking about a lot of things. And while no 2 situations are the same and I agree with 90% of the things suggested, there are a few I see a bit differently.

I'll start with the idea that its unprofessional to ask how much a gig pays. That, IMO, would only be the case if someone's goal was something other than making money. One of my VERY FIRST questions in cover bands has been about money, and it has never been met with negativity. If it were, then it was probably a band I didn't want any part of. If I were playing for fun only, it would be a different story. I think its both professional and appropriate to ask what a gig pays, and I think its respected as such.

Then there's the singing thing . There is NO DOUBT WHATSOEVER that being able to sing is a HUGE plus for a bass player. If one can't however sing, or don't want to - I would be careful about viewing that as a handicap (nt that anyone did that). I believe a dependable person who can't sing is much more valuable than a flake who can. I get paid much more than the average musician, and when I auditioned for my band I was up against others who sang. I don't. In the end, its a balancing game. What are our strengths, what are our weaknesses? The more we bring to the table (in any area) the better our experience will be.

Regarding the idea that learning covers before finding a band is a waste of time... ???? If one is to have a successful cover band, a big part of that will involve the ability to learn songs quickly and efficiently. That doesn't just "happen." That takes practice just like anything else, and learning covers is the only way I know of practicing that. I've been at it many years now, but when I started it would take me a few days to learn a new song and be able to play it well. I have 5 new songs I have to know by Saturday this week (was given the list on Tuesday), and I'm not sweating it. 2 of those songs I was emailed a couple of hours ago. I will be learning them while driving to visit my ailing mother today. I'm now capable of doing a lot of learning while driving, without a bass in hand. That skill did NOT just appear... it took time and practice. Practice learning songs. If someone aspires to play covers and thinks its a waste of time to learn songs unless they're definitely going to play them... well, that's not the kind of attitude I'd be looking for in a band member. Unless they've already been doing this for many years and didn't need the practice. That doesn't sound like the case with the OP who claims to be new at doing the cover band thing.

Lastly, the N4N thing. I've come to believe this is completely dependent on the area people are playing in, as well as the bands. Where I live, the closer to N4N a musician gets, the more gigs they'll get too. In other parts of the world that might not be the case, but I know this. It NEVER hurt me to learn songs as close to N4N as possible, and has always benefitted me. I doubt any musician ever hears a band leader say, "Please don't play that like the recording," doing covers - unless they first made clear that they're NOT doing it like the recordings. And even then, for me, there is no better foundation than knowing the song as its recorded. Doing our own thing comes easy after that.

Which leads me to a last LAST note that I just thought about. Something not often talked about and something that I believe makes my band ULTRA efficient.

We perform all of our songs as close to the recordings as we possibly can. Because of that, when we have new material, all we need is the recording. Some of those we edit, but we're all sent the same edits. Because of that, and because everyone in my band is 100% dependable and experienced, we rarely have a need to rehearse. We learn our parts and play the songs, and it really can be THAT simple. It doesn't happen overnight though... which brings me back to that idea of wasting time learning covers. I've wasted lots of time doing that, and I'm grateful I did as it's paid off enormously.

 

[Bass Viking]

And just know that a lot of cover bands suck. Sure, they talk a big game over the phone. Then you get to the audition and they're just terrible. Awful. It's likely (unless your network of friends hooks you up) that you will have to go to several of these auditions. There are zillions of delusional musicians out there. It's amazing to me.

Amen to this! If possible, try to hear them first before auditioning.

 

[Turtle71]

Thanks again for all the info people! There is a LOT of good stuff in here, and it just keeps coming!

Now, a question...
I know it probably depends on what genre you're personally going for, but can anyone suggest simple(ish) songs that they first learned to sing & play? Surely there must be a few tunes that helped you bust through the "playing while singing" barrier.

I get the whole practice, practice, practice concept, but surely some of you guys have a "baby steps" song for me to try to sing & play?

Thanks!