Dude,dude,dude.....I'm gonna figure out/learn how to download some tunes from my band(pics too,when I get a camera) and let you see,or rather hear for yourself.Not braggin',but facts are facts.We smoke,to be honest.Plus,look at it this way.You get to sorta be the rhythm guitarist too=getting to be a busier player!! yoohoo!!(But don't over do it!)!!Also,may I suggest,ZZ Top,Rush,just to name 2 bands off the top of my head.Keep it up,man!! Oh,work on some killer 3-piece harmonies,too.
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Covers bands: is a three-piece band going to hack it?
- Thread starter Fassa Albrecht
- Start date
I've mostly played with four band members, but have had the most fun in a 3-piece band. My favorite bands also tend to be 3-piece, such as Cream, the Jimi Hendrix Experience, ZZ Top and Muse.
In my three piece cover band I love the fact that I can play as many notes as I want to on the bass and throw in chords and arpeggios and other wankery. What would be considered overplaying with two guitars is now necessary to cover the rhythm section. And all three of us sing.
Quagmire show with me "overplaying". (shameless band promotion
)
Quagmire show with me "overplaying". (shameless band promotion
)In my three piece cover band I love the fact that I can play as many notes as I want to on the bass and throw in chords and arpeggios and other wankery. What would be considered overplaying with two guitars is now necessary to cover the rhythm section. And all three of us sing.
Quagmire show with me "overplaying". (shameless band promotion
I think this demonstrates mostly a lot of good examples of cover band trio playing. All of these songs are not by three piece bands if I'm correct.
-mostly
tasteful playing on all parts-everybody sings
-the guitarists sound is pretty big. I'm sure the bass was, but in combination with the recording and speakers haha.
-drums/bass know what to do during the solos. I didn't even notice a drop.
I mean these guys obviously can play their instruments, but they aren't Jimi Hendrix Experience, Led Zeppelin, Cream, ZZ Top, or anything. Anyone can do a cover band trio if they work at it.
Only thing I would suggest (to everyone and hbarcat) is since everyone can sing.. some harmonies would have been cool, but that was only three songs so I don't know if you do that or not and I didn't listen to them all the way.
Also more cowbell.. I saw one in there
I like the sound of just a single guitar and bass. It gives the bass player a chance to fill the space with a creative bass line without being buried in the mix by a rhythm guitar.
We are a 3 pc instramental band and IMO have a very full sound.. my goal for gigging is to play more festivals where we only have to play one set in front of a few thousand every other weekend to promote our material as opposed to playing to 30-50 people at a bar every weekend and you are just background music. IMO vocals will get you more bar and party gigs but I believe people go to the music festivals to HEAR music vocals or not! Now if I can just get my band mates to understand this oh so simple plan! There is a limit in one area but not in a another.
I see everyone's point but please don't mention Rush. I doubt Fassa can sing, play bass with one hand, and play keyboards with the other.
I think this demonstrates mostly a lot of good examples of cover band trio playing. All of these songs are not by three piece bands if I'm correct.
-mostly
-everybody sings
-the guitarists sound is pretty big. I'm sure the bass was, but in combination with the recording and speakers haha.
-drums/bass know what to do during the solos. I didn't even notice a drop.
I mean these guys obviously can play their instruments, but they aren't Jimi Hendrix Experience, Led Zeppelin, Cream, ZZ Top, or anything. Anyone can do a cover band trio if they work at it.
Only thing I would suggest (to everyone and hbarcat) is since everyone can sing.. some harmonies would have been cool, but that was only three songs so I don't know if you do that or not and I didn't listen to them all the way.
Also more cowbell.. I saw one in there
Very good comments - you obviously have a good ear for music.
We cover a lot of Pink Floyd and it typically generates comments like "I didn't think a three piece band could play Pink Floyd and make it work like that."
A trio shouldn't be afraid to tackle songs that were done by groups with four or more players. It just comes down to how you handle the individual parts. Experience together as a group is crucial - The bass has to know how the guitar is going to handle his part and vice versa. The playing from all three members has to be intuitive and automatic. At the time of that show, we had been playing together for 5 years.
P.S. A lot of our songs have harmony parts (sometimes all three of us singing) I just didn't happen to post those. And the drummer actually does use his cowbell - but sparingly - contrary to popular belief, more cowbell is not necessarily better.
You're absolutely right that we're not great musicians and that if we can do a respectable job as a trio, then anyone can - provided they put in the time and hard work.
Personally I prefer a three piece "power trio" setting.
(it's much nicer when splitting the $$ 3-ways)
As long as you all are tight ... and can play off each other ... it's all good! I find fun to not only hold down the beat ... but to help propel the song in a "rhythm guitar" role as well (especially needed during guitar solos).
IMO ... the biggest key as bassist in a trio; is to know when to use fills, and when not.
(it's much nicer when splitting the $$ 3-ways
)As long as you all are tight ... and can play off each other ... it's all good! I find fun to not only hold down the beat ... but to help propel the song in a "rhythm guitar" role as well (especially needed during guitar solos).
IMO ... the biggest key as bassist in a trio; is to know when to use fills, and when not.
A power trio eases band logistics. Easier to schedule practices & gigs. Less discussion required for planning, strategic decisions, etc. More time for music!
+1 on comments the bass player has a bigger and more important role in a trio. The sound thinness during solos must be compensated for by the bass player. This means the soloing instrument almost always needs to be a chording instrument or the sonic holes become deafening.
+1 on comments the bass player has a bigger and more important role in a trio. The sound thinness during solos must be compensated for by the bass player. This means the soloing instrument almost always needs to be a chording instrument or the sonic holes become deafening.
Very good comments - you obviously have a good ear for music.
We cover a lot of Pink Floyd and it typically generates comments like "I didn't think a three piece band could play Pink Floyd and make it work like that."
A trio shouldn't be afraid to tackle songs that were done by groups with four or more players. It just comes down to how you handle the individual parts. Experience together as a group is crucial - The bass has to know how the guitar is going to handle his part and vice versa. The playing from all three members has to be intuitive and automatic. At the time of that show, we had been playing together for 5 years.
P.S. A lot of our songs have harmony parts (sometimes all three of us singing) I just didn't happen to post those. And the drummer actually does use his cowbell - but sparingly - contrary to popular belief, more cowbell is not necessarily better.
You're absolutely right that we're not great musicians and that if we can do a respectable job as a trio, then anyone can - provided they put in the time and hard work.
I think you are all great musicians. Very well played.
I play in a trio as well and we play mostly originals but do some covers. I have played in bands with both two guitars and keys. You're right about a trio being able to pull off songs that originally had keys or two guitars. If you can do it, it garners respect as well.
I like your playing, man. I'd love to see more as I like to see as much of other players so I can learn.
I have played in a few 3 piece bands.. I love it.. my point of view was based on the type of music I played (hard rock, metal). Personally, I prefer 3 piece as everything would be cleaner, tighter, a little easier to schedule practices etc. etc.
My next project will be a 3 piece + singer.. not sure if I will be playing bass or guitar.. we shall see
My next project will be a 3 piece + singer.. not sure if I will be playing bass or guitar.. we shall see
As others have said, it's really difficult to fill up the sonic space during a guitar solo in a 3 piece. A keyboard or rhythm guitar holding down chords makes all the difference.
That said, I've done it with several trio bands with great success. Just make the solos brief.
That said, I've done it with several trio bands with great success. Just make the solos brief.
I think that depends on how the bass player plays. Wanna see a long solo in a 3 piece that worked great? Live Cream - Wheels of Fire - "Spoonful"
I just started a thread to post clips of TB members 3 piece bands. The idea being to show others how you've handled arrangements, parts, solos etc. To show what works and what doesn't. The OP could probably benefit from this if she wants to know what to expect from a 3 piece that gigs out.
http://www.talkbass.com/forum/showthread.php?t=557355
Our three piece band has had no problems other than the occasional new to us bar owner suggesting we take less pay because there are only three of us. (The answer is no)
There are certain songes that require arrangement to get around the lack of keyboard player or second guitar, but that's where the fun comes in. If you are trying to DUPLICATE a song with keys, etc, you will probably fail.
I have noticed that opening riff, verse, chorus, do your own thing, big finish gets the audience going more than a exact copy of a typical bar band song.
Just have fun. The worst you can do is fail or suck.
There are certain songes that require arrangement to get around the lack of keyboard player or second guitar, but that's where the fun comes in. If you are trying to DUPLICATE a song with keys, etc, you will probably fail.
I have noticed that opening riff, verse, chorus, do your own thing, big finish gets the audience going more than a exact copy of a typical bar band song.
Just have fun. The worst you can do is fail or suck.
More voices could make all the difference. It takes quite some effort but eventually it'll pay of. Sometimes you need to re-arrange some. A good example is Beatlegrass:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8uQNvRFJB74
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What a f**kwad of an owner to even suggest that. My dentist doesn't charge me less cause it took him less time to do my exam than he thought. Restaurants don't take 50% off my tab cause I only ate half of what they brought me. Etc. Etc. I get so tired of a**wipes trying to pull s**t like this.
