I've been thinking about getting an acoustic bass guitar, and an acoustic guitarist, and doing a duo a la "Hot Tuna". We could hit on everything I enjoy, from old blues to Hendrix to Johnny Cash. We could possibly add a drummer on snare (Like the Violent Femmes) from time to time. It would be versatile, mobile, and travel light. Anyone else doing this? What do you think of this as a concept?
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Duos anyone?
- Thread starter Dr Improbable
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Might need a small combo just to be heard enough to make this feasible. Would be fun, though. I say GO FOR IT!
I do some duo stuff with a jazz guitarist; total blast and freedom all day long.
I do some duo stuff with a jazz guitarist; total blast and freedom all day long.
I do alot of this...as stated, some sort of amplification necessary....micing the bass a minimum.
Sounds really fun! I'm sure you could still keep it reasonably portable and still add some volume to the bass. Grab at least a little 15w combo with a decent speaker (something to sit on while playing if nothing else. Could even try to find one of those battery powered amps if you really need to be portable.
I do the duo thing all the time. The guitarist often uses a loop to fill in. We play jazz gigs mostly at wineries.
http://www.youtube.com/user/WineCountryJazz?feature=mhee
http://www.youtube.com/user/WineCountryJazz?feature=mhee
I have regular gig with a singer/songwriter ... I'll either play my acoustic bass guitar (Tacoma Thunderchief) or my acoustic upright bass. We could work more gigs than we do (bars and such) but I suppose we're past that stage (both of us are graybeards) and prefer to do concerts, showcases, house concerts, private functions and such.
These type of acts are highly sought in this area ... especially in summer ... many shoreline restaurants have outdoor patios. Wineries are another place for duos and small acoustic groups to play.
These type of acts are highly sought in this area ... especially in summer ... many shoreline restaurants have outdoor patios. Wineries are another place for duos and small acoustic groups to play.
I second this and would say it is true in many places in the US.
Also, as others have pointed out you will need some sort of small PA for the guitar (and bass if you do not want to go into the PA) and the vocals.
Remember that in most all POP/rock/country cover setting vocals rule, but killer vocals are absolutely critical when you go stripped down; they are naked for the world to hear. You need at least one (and even better both) of the duo to be a superior vocalist to make this a success IMO.
I'm in a 3 piece covers rock band but for smaller restaurants in the area, the guitarist/singer and I do duo stuff.
He plays his acoustic, I play my active bass and we both go through just one speaker of his PA. These are small venues and it works well. We play most of our dance stuff, just acoustically. People really dig it and it's great fun. Plus it requires your timing and technique to be that much more 'on'.
He plays his acoustic, I play my active bass and we both go through just one speaker of his PA. These are small venues and it works well. We play most of our dance stuff, just acoustically. People really dig it and it's great fun. Plus it requires your timing and technique to be that much more 'on'.
My band is breaking up at the end of this month and the keyboardist and I are going to do a duo. We are both vocalists, I will play guitar and bass and he will play keys. I'm excited about it 
I do that with an acoustic guitar, acoustic bass and cajon and it goes over very well. Especially in small hip clubs and restaraunt/bars......you don't have to rock out in order to make money!!
We gig as much as we want to.
We gig as much as we want to.
We do acoustic gigs every once in a while. But we mainly play originals so they are acoustic versions of our "electric" songs. The only time we've played live on the radio in our home town was with jamming on acoustics in the DJ booth at the radio station. I also say you need some amplification for the bass. Acoustic basses are loud enough to sit on the couch and jam and obviously they provide that acoustic tone but they aren't loud enough to play completely unplugged with the band IMO. A lot of the acoustic acts in my area actually play open mic nights a lot because its easy to carry just a guitar and go through the pa.
I have been wanting to do a duo thing with a friend. he plays a 12 string guitar and I have a 12 string bass. I just think there is fun to be had there
