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Covers bands: is a three-piece band going to hack it?
- Thread starter Fassa Albrecht
- Start date
I can sing backing vocals depending on song, and I can play keys and bass fine, although I've never tried doing them together a la Geddy Lee.
Cheers!
Some great answers here, thanks guys!
Dead On, if you have "smokin" musicians, a 3 piece will literally rip up any covers. But you have to be able play at a high level, sing and interpret the material to fit 3 peices.
Listen to Mountains version of Mr. Tamborine Man, WOW!
It all depends on what you're covering... Dont' expect to be able to cover motown very well with a "power trio", but there is no shortage of rock & roll that is 3 piece.
But like other posters have said - you best have your game on.
But like other posters have said - you best have your game on.
One guitar is working great for my cover band.
My favorite bands have almost always been one guitar player bands:
Zep, Sabbath, Alice In Chains, Tool, King Crimson (69-75), Rush, Police, Cream, Who ...
My favorite bands have almost always been one guitar player bands:
Zep, Sabbath, Alice In Chains, Tool, King Crimson (69-75), Rush, Police, Cream, Who ...
There's a very good 3 piece cover band in the area that is just scary good. Last time I saw them, the guitar player/keyboardist did "Piano Man" where he played the piano part with one hand (most of the time), held/played the harmonica part with the other and sang the lyrics. And it was flawless as far as I could tell.
I agree with everything that was said earlier, especially about having a dynamic singer (whether he also plays guitar, another instrument, or just handles the vocal duties). Three piece cover bands usually play the locals bars and such, and there it's more about involving the crowd and getting people moving and drinking than nailing each song to perfection.
I played in a three piece rock cover band for a number of years. We were never highly successful (we weren't trying to be one of the big groups playing all over the state or something), but played a decent amount of paying gigs. Some pros and cons from my experience:
PROS:
- More money per person from each gig. Having a five or six piece band is cool, but taking home less than $50.00 at the end of a long night really isn't.
- Less band drama. Easier to get three people on the same page than with a bigger group.
- Less equipment to worry about. Usually a quick load in and load out.
- Assuming each player is good and on the same page, usually a bit more personal creative freedom (at least in my experience).
CONS:
- Usually more limited in what songs you can do, unless you rig up a sequencer, etc.
- More work for each indvidual. Usually one guy has to handle the website, one guy does all the booking.
- Higher out of pocket expenses (PA, vehicle, practice space, etc). Everyone is paying for a bigger piece of the operating expense pie.
- You usually won't get those big corporate type gigs.
Hope that helps, even though I know this topic is a bit older.
I played in a three piece rock cover band for a number of years. We were never highly successful (we weren't trying to be one of the big groups playing all over the state or something), but played a decent amount of paying gigs. Some pros and cons from my experience:
PROS:
- More money per person from each gig. Having a five or six piece band is cool, but taking home less than $50.00 at the end of a long night really isn't.
- Less band drama. Easier to get three people on the same page than with a bigger group.
- Less equipment to worry about. Usually a quick load in and load out.
- Assuming each player is good and on the same page, usually a bit more personal creative freedom (at least in my experience).
CONS:
- Usually more limited in what songs you can do, unless you rig up a sequencer, etc.
- More work for each indvidual. Usually one guy has to handle the website, one guy does all the booking.
- Higher out of pocket expenses (PA, vehicle, practice space, etc). Everyone is paying for a bigger piece of the operating expense pie.
- You usually won't get those big corporate type gigs.
Hope that helps, even though I know this topic is a bit older.
Look,the band I'm in,a fabulous bunch of "brothers" that I'd take a bullet for....Uh....In my pinky toe (no ****).We've been together for 14+ years,that is "basically/somewhat" a 3 piece (Bass,geetar/sax player,drums,keys(?),with very,very tight 4-part harmonies.Let me explain:Our ivory tickler/co-lead vocalist is VERY basic/limited on keys(For example:If the chords on a song are "E-A-D"that's A-L-L he plays),no solos.Nothing.VERY LIMITED.BUT......I'll be damned if he doesn't make up for it in his vocal abilities,banter and stage presence.I'd put him up against ANY,ANY top,well-known,famous pro out there!!No ****.He's THAT good.Besides the musicianship (especially the bassist,me!lol),it would be VERY safe to say he's maybe 35%-40% of the reason why we are a VERY,VERY busy/in demand band.The man has charisma coming out his ass'n'ears.Hell,on average,we stay booked AT LEAST 10-12 mos. in advance!!We've had offers from cruise ship companies,opened for really big-time bands over the years,etc.,etc.,over the years.Not too shabby for a little beer joint/bar band from a coal mining town,IMO.Hey,word spreads quick when you are a kick-ass band that's dedicated 110%.
Besides,3-piece???A bass players dream!!!Hey,buddy.That just means you can stay BUSY!!!But....Not TOO busy.Do it tastefully,get creative,the whole band,not just you!!Just look at all the big-time 3-piece bands out there.Where do I start???So many.....Or,get REAL creative.Write your own.
Peace & good luck,Steve
One more suggestion:
If you don't play a 5-string,consider getting one.Talk about "filling" up those "empty-sounding parts" of a song!!Fits especially well in a 3-piece band,IMO.
Besides,3-piece???A bass players dream!!!Hey,buddy.That just means you can stay BUSY!!!But....Not TOO busy.Do it tastefully,get creative,the whole band,not just you!!Just look at all the big-time 3-piece bands out there.Where do I start???So many.....Or,get REAL creative.Write your own.
Peace & good luck,Steve
One more suggestion:
If you don't play a 5-string,consider getting one.Talk about "filling" up those "empty-sounding parts" of a song!!Fits especially well in a 3-piece band,IMO.
Yes. I do it all the time. I actually prefer to keep my projects to four people or less, but the all-girl one is six. Too many for my taste, but whatcha gonna do.
I'm in two other bands, both three pieces. If we want to do a bunch of keyboardy stuff, or play a country gig, we hire a keys player or a pedal steel for a few gigs.
Also easier to get subs. But that may be a function of where I play, too.
Three easy pieces...works fer me!
Cherie
I'm in two other bands, both three pieces. If we want to do a bunch of keyboardy stuff, or play a country gig, we hire a keys player or a pedal steel for a few gigs.
Also easier to get subs. But that may be a function of where I play, too.
Three easy pieces...works fer me!
Cherie
Bass players can have a field day in situations like that. I played in one a long time ago and we played everything, rock,funk,even sped up bluegrass for fun. I got to get out my bass effects especially distortion to cover behind the leads of songs. Have fun with it!
+1!!! The all-girl band is working on Yes' "All Good People". I'm having to be bass and keys and harmony vocal...its a nice challenge!
Cherie
These go together^^
Consider Rush. 3-piece band, no extra guitar for background while Alex solos (with the rare exception of Geddy doubling on the double-neck Ric, but even that doesn't happen anymore)
With good bass lines and support, no rhythm guitar is necessary, and the bass player is allowed to stand out more. At least from what I've seen in bands.
