Also, for any jazz guys, what's the expectation of horn players as far as fills? Should I provide Lead sheets? Mp3? Written parts only? Will they help write or do I need to do it all?
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Finally starting my OWN project
- Thread starter Remyd
- Start date
I've played most of those in one context or another. Good list. All of Me and Fly Me to the Moon have a great progression to play solos over.
As to your questions about how much you should help the horn players out, my suggestion is to have original recordings for them to listen to, then learn to improv some fill lines over those recordings that you can use in your band.
Well, those on top of their game will do their homework - however, the more you provide (lead sheets, mp3's, etc) the quicker things will go and it provides no excuses for being unprepared.
Wow, that was a REALLY good practice. Vocals aren't quite there yet, but much, much better. Didn't notice the guy with the camera...
Will write more when I'm at a real computer.
Will write more when I'm at a real computer.
First, let me apologize for the lousy quality of that video. The camera man was supposedly there to audition the piano player for session work. Didn't really notice he was taking video until the end, but I'm a little glad he did. While we were jamming I felt like an intonation exersize gone horribly awry. Even though you can hardly hear the bass on phone recordings, I didn't *notice* anything wrong in that particular minute and nobody said hey or dropped cues to me or anything, so I couldn't have screwed up too badly.
Turns out, I got 6/6 (EDIT: 5/6) of my original goals!
A left-of-the-dial four or five piece band? Check.
Everyone comes from CL and gets along personally? Check.
Instrumentalists need to have a high level of musicianship? Check.
Vocalist needs to have good timbre and endurance? [EDIT: Not so much]
Everybody has their own gear and pays their own expenses? Check.
2x weekly practice looking to start gigging by mid-summer? Check.
Last night was pretty impressive. Turns out I was worried for no reason. This one is gonna be a great time; I can feel it!
The. Vocalist. Practiced. He really put substantial effort into it and it showed. Had some troubles with pitch, as sort-of shown in that clip, but nothing that a couple hours of practice shouldn't iron out. Working with him before rehearsal was really productive. We ran a couple tunes, practiced the intervals, talked about arrangements, jazz session manners, and why it is that the rythym section keeps playing after the melody is done.
Piano player was just outstanding (as expected) and got the session gig. Filling up that sonic space made a ton of difference (as expected). It took her about a half-hour to gel (as expected), but after that, Wow. That lady is one h3ll of a musician. As expected.
Fiddle player is really amazing also. This guy is also a seriously talented musician; he impressed the @#$% out of me last time and is only getting better as we run the tunes.
No drummer this time since he had a conflict. I think we're gonna get the vocalist up to speed first then add the drummer once or twice before the first show. He has a show running until the middle of next month, so we might get 4 or 5 practices in before he has availablity anyhow. No horn section for now; maybe we can add one later.
...and I didn't screw up too badly!
Turns out, I got 6/6 (EDIT: 5/6) of my original goals!
A left-of-the-dial four or five piece band? Check.
Everyone comes from CL and gets along personally? Check.
Instrumentalists need to have a high level of musicianship? Check.
Vocalist needs to have good timbre and endurance? [EDIT: Not so much]
Everybody has their own gear and pays their own expenses? Check.
2x weekly practice looking to start gigging by mid-summer? Check.
Last night was pretty impressive. Turns out I was worried for no reason. This one is gonna be a great time; I can feel it!
The. Vocalist. Practiced. He really put substantial effort into it and it showed. Had some troubles with pitch, as sort-of shown in that clip, but nothing that a couple hours of practice shouldn't iron out. Working with him before rehearsal was really productive. We ran a couple tunes, practiced the intervals, talked about arrangements, jazz session manners, and why it is that the rythym section keeps playing after the melody is done.
Piano player was just outstanding (as expected) and got the session gig. Filling up that sonic space made a ton of difference (as expected). It took her about a half-hour to gel (as expected), but after that, Wow. That lady is one h3ll of a musician. As expected.
Fiddle player is really amazing also. This guy is also a seriously talented musician; he impressed the @#$% out of me last time and is only getting better as we run the tunes.
No drummer this time since he had a conflict. I think we're gonna get the vocalist up to speed first then add the drummer once or twice before the first show. He has a show running until the middle of next month, so we might get 4 or 5 practices in before he has availablity anyhow. No horn section for now; maybe we can add one later.
...and I didn't screw up too badly!
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Thanks for the update.
Hmm, you say you didn't even notice the camera until the end, so with that in mind. Not that it matters depending on the gig... but just out of curiosity, when the band finely gets pass the learning/practicing stage and is ready to rehearse, is the band going to use music stands at rehearsals and performances too, or is everyone going to memorize the material so everyone can at least look up and smile at the audience? #hint/tip
Hmm, you say you didn't even notice the camera until the end, so with that in mind. Not that it matters depending on the gig... but just out of curiosity, when the band finely gets pass the learning/practicing stage and is ready to rehearse, is the band going to use music stands at rehearsals and performances too, or is everyone going to memorize the material so everyone can at least look up and smile at the audience? #hint/tip
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No time for a long update, but this week, we got the opening setlist together (17 songs right now). We ran ten of them, and nailed arrangements on four. Seems like we might have something together by the end of July and I think we're playing that festival in Aug, so this is working out pretty well so far.
The drummer said "1 rehearsal per gig is free, otherwise I need to get paid." - Not a problem. Piano and Fiddle are quite enthusiastic, as am I, so no worries there. In a couple weeks, we'll call him in, drop some mic's, and see if we can't get something on tape.
Also, it turns out if 3 people are playing different syncopated rhythms at the same time (post-bop style), my brain melts and I lose all sense of the groove. That type of cacophony was not part of my practice routine. I switched to something simpler, then got called out for playing boring bass lines. To be fair, they *were* boring bass lines, but on beat!
The drummer said "1 rehearsal per gig is free, otherwise I need to get paid." - Not a problem. Piano and Fiddle are quite enthusiastic, as am I, so no worries there. In a couple weeks, we'll call him in, drop some mic's, and see if we can't get something on tape.
Also, it turns out if 3 people are playing different syncopated rhythms at the same time (post-bop style), my brain melts and I lose all sense of the groove. That type of cacophony was not part of my practice routine. I switched to something simpler, then got called out for playing boring bass lines. To be fair, they *were* boring bass lines, but on beat!
"Opening set-list"?
I'm confused, if this was a metal band rather than a jazz band I'd understand... unless by "opening set-list" you mean the first set?
Oh and if you're playing jazz standards... play the written bass lines and have the others play the songs right too and that will end that problem.
Thanks for the update,
Cheers
Yep, two 45 minute sets. I think we will have to have one or two songs "in reserve", but that's not a big deal.
Rhythmic interplay just happens at solo time, but we should probably take turns.
First gig booked already? Hellz yeah.
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The singer just called. We have an unpaid, 15 minute opening slot for dozens of almost-naked women in a couple of weeks! If the ladies and/or crowd are into it, there will be 30 minutes more after the first round of dancers. If we don't suck, we will probably be able to open for the show on a regular basis (which will turn into money and/or beer, either of which would be fine with me).
It's for a burlesque show which already includes our pianist and is an in-town traveling act booked almost every weekend for the rest of the summer, plus a couple of special events. I happen to know a bunch of the artists and there's this one lady who can do the darnedest things with these loooong silk tassels... Well, needless to say, I'm REALLY looking forward to the show. Burlesque dancers are fun!
We're all going tomorrow night to check it out. This show used to have it's home in a bar about a half-mile from my house, so I've seen some version of it before. I'm going to check it out tomorrow anyhow. Then, I imagine, I'll have to check it out again. Just for music's sake AND NOT FOR ANY OTHER REASON IN CASE MY WIFE IS READING THIS.
Only a couple more rehearsals before go-time. I'm a little worried (about the singer), although we did have a little bit of swing working yesterday (instrumentally), so probably I'm worried about nothing (except for the singer). If we can't get 5 standards together in two weeks, we deserve whatever reception we get.
This'll probably also be an audition for that other regular gig we were talking about earlier in the thread, so we'll see how my chops hold up. Really, we'll see how the singer's chops hold up.
EDIT: Come Fly With Me is already on the list.
Invalid Link Removed
The singer just called. We have an unpaid, 15 minute opening slot for dozens of almost-naked women in a couple of weeks! If the ladies and/or crowd are into it, there will be 30 minutes more after the first round of dancers. If we don't suck, we will probably be able to open for the show on a regular basis (which will turn into money and/or beer, either of which would be fine with me).
It's for a burlesque show which already includes our pianist and is an in-town traveling act booked almost every weekend for the rest of the summer, plus a couple of special events. I happen to know a bunch of the artists and there's this one lady who can do the darnedest things with these loooong silk tassels... Well, needless to say, I'm REALLY looking forward to the show. Burlesque dancers are fun!
We're all going tomorrow night to check it out. This show used to have it's home in a bar about a half-mile from my house, so I've seen some version of it before. I'm going to check it out tomorrow anyhow. Then, I imagine, I'll have to check it out again. Just for music's sake AND NOT FOR ANY OTHER REASON IN CASE MY WIFE IS READING THIS.
Only a couple more rehearsals before go-time. I'm a little worried (about the singer), although we did have a little bit of swing working yesterday (instrumentally), so probably I'm worried about nothing (except for the singer). If we can't get 5 standards together in two weeks, we deserve whatever reception we get.
This'll probably also be an audition for that other regular gig we were talking about earlier in the thread, so we'll see how my chops hold up. Really, we'll see how the singer's chops hold up.
EDIT: Come Fly With Me is already on the list.
Way cool... simile, and have fun. Cheers
EDIT: there's no date on the flyer, when is your gig?
EDIT: there's no date on the flyer, when is your gig?
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It's too bad about the sound quality of the video. Still, when I listened, I thought of the following version of Nature Boy by Connie Evingson. Hers is more of a gypsy jazz version, which works for the violin. If you did an arrangement that blended this with the Nat King Cole version (to keep the crooner thing going, and with piano instead of guitar), then it might work for your group. It's a nice tune, but so many people want to do it rubato... I love the way Evingson's group makes it groove.
In any case, I hope your gig goes well.
In any case, I hope your gig goes well.
Great show on Saturday; I'm @&#$ing all over this one.
We already have about a half-dozen songs from the show on our list, so I think this won't be any problem. Looks like we start in 2 (or 3) weeks. 30 min before the show, 15 minutes during the break, 15 minutes after. Probably pays about $50/pp and the PA/Lights/etc are already there for the show.
Question: Since there's so much crossover, should we play an Overture or be the Opening Act? How about intermission?
We already have about a half-dozen songs from the show on our list, so I think this won't be any problem. Looks like we start in 2 (or 3) weeks. 30 min before the show, 15 minutes during the break, 15 minutes after. Probably pays about $50/pp and the PA/Lights/etc are already there for the show.
Question: Since there's so much crossover, should we play an Overture or be the Opening Act? How about intermission?
Had a blast at a couple of jam sessions this weekend. The blues guys were awfully impressed with the incredibly simple lines I was using; they may have been trying to butter me up for another session. Might do it, might not. It was fun, but I felt like an old-school sideman especially 'cause they called me "a real musician" a couple of times. I guess the standards for "real" aren't as high as I thought.
My home session was pretty impressive too; the guitar player seems to be ever-so-slowly learning his parts and our sit-in vocalist really had some pipes. I was actually able to get off the roots and start playing some more interesting stuff, which perked the band up, garnered me compliments on my walking lines, and had the one of the vocalists saying "Why didn't you do that before?"
Wish I could say: Well, if the other guy would play the actual rhythm parts, I *would*, but if he doesn't, I've got to KISS, or he gets REALLY lost. Also it would help if he knew some chord inversions or something, 'cause it looks like he's doing something nsfw when he goes back and forth between positions so often. He's getting better though; he hardly added any miscellaneous beats to that last song.
What I did say: Our sound is evolving, man.
My home session was pretty impressive too; the guitar player seems to be ever-so-slowly learning his parts and our sit-in vocalist really had some pipes. I was actually able to get off the roots and start playing some more interesting stuff, which perked the band up, garnered me compliments on my walking lines, and had the one of the vocalists saying "Why didn't you do that before?"
Wish I could say: Well, if the other guy would play the actual rhythm parts, I *would*, but if he doesn't, I've got to KISS, or he gets REALLY lost. Also it would help if he knew some chord inversions or something, 'cause it looks like he's doing something nsfw when he goes back and forth between positions so often. He's getting better though; he hardly added any miscellaneous beats to that last song.
What I did say: Our sound is evolving, man.
Food for thought: Since the main act has secured the gig maybe rather than coming across as a separate opening act, try to approach it in a manner so that's its seen/thought of as part of the main act. Play hand picked songs that help setup the theme for the night.
Or, maybe rehearsal will be canceled?
And, maybe we will get booked for THIS Saturday?
And, maybe the singer will turn down an offer for coaching or whatever. He says he does better under pressure.
We've got one more scheduled rehearsal.
And, maybe we will get booked for THIS Saturday?
And, maybe the singer will turn down an offer for coaching or whatever. He says he does better under pressure.
We've got one more scheduled rehearsal.
Welp, not a lot of time for an update, but I have gotten four or five hours in the shed with these in the last couple of days. Feel very comfortable with solos on most of the tunes, not that I'll need them, but doesn't hurt to have a couple in the bag just in case.
Link Removed and Link Removed are the links, if anyone in St. Louis is interested in some burlesque and possible giggles at a remyd flop-ola.
Link Removed and Link Removed are the links, if anyone in St. Louis is interested in some burlesque and possible giggles at a remyd flop-ola.
My major problem is still lack of gear. Even though this is a low volume group, the singer still needs a PA and there will still be 50-75 people in a lounge.
Just got back in the game a couple of months ago, and those months have been tough on the balance sheet. I'll see how much PA support we have and how much I'll need to "try-out" from GC. I know I can DI straight to the board, but I almost certainly won't be able to hear myself or the vocals and it will maybe sound like poo besides. Miking my little cab probably won't give me any real monitor volume either. I don't know what's sitting around the equipment room - hopefully there will be a bass amp that's big enough to use as a monitor, or a wedge and a free monitor channel (should be, we're playing without drums).
If not, I'm going to go try a Rumble. I do need a new amp, after all. If the tips are very, very, very exceptionally extraordinary, and I like it, I will keep whatever I get. Tips and amp both have to be pretty great though.
Just got back in the game a couple of months ago, and those months have been tough on the balance sheet. I'll see how much PA support we have and how much I'll need to "try-out" from GC. I know I can DI straight to the board, but I almost certainly won't be able to hear myself or the vocals and it will maybe sound like poo besides. Miking my little cab probably won't give me any real monitor volume either. I don't know what's sitting around the equipment room - hopefully there will be a bass amp that's big enough to use as a monitor, or a wedge and a free monitor channel (should be, we're playing without drums).
If not, I'm going to go try a Rumble. I do need a new amp, after all. If the tips are very, very, very exceptionally extraordinary, and I like it, I will keep whatever I get. Tips and amp both have to be pretty great though.
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If my budget was >$25 I would do just that, but I don't have any money, and the gig doesn't pay very much.
