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help! - first paying gig = couple of questions

Discussion in 'Miscellaneous [BG]' started by Ace123, Jul 14, 2003.

  1. Jul 14, 2003 #1
    Ace123

    Ace123

    Sep 25, 2002
    Rochester, NY
    Well my band is playing our first "real" paying gig next tuesday at a coffee house. We had an audition today (without our drummer who was working), and the owner said we sounded great (we play classic rock covers, and our own rock stuff) BUT she said they don't usually hire bands that are more rock orientated. the owner said usually jazz bands play. Thus she told us to play quieter.
    i spose' we could deal with that...

    The owner also told us we had 2 hours to play! and, well, we've only been a band for about 6 months and so we would like to learn a couple more CROWD-PLEASING MELLOW JAZZY COVERS. ANY IDEAS HERE? anyone know what covers to play for coffee house people that they would know and are relatively easy to learn within a week?! Any input would be greatly appreciated.

    Any other tips on how to handle our first "real" paying gig?

    Thanks a lot.
     
  2. Jul 14, 2003 #2
    Tyler Hole

    Tyler Hole

    Dec 14, 2002
    San Luis Obispo, California
    Got no input as far as Jazz songs, but good luck and post a review :D And remember the most important thing: HAVE FUN!
     
  3. Jul 14, 2003 #3
    Ace123

    Ace123

    Sep 25, 2002
    Rochester, NY
    It doesn't necessarily have to jazz songs. Just some mellow classic rock or even easy stuff from jam bands. THe key thing though is time, becuase we need to learn some easy songs within a week. So jazz is preferably but it doesn't have to be jazz. any ideas now?
     
  4. Jul 14, 2003 #4
    mattwells

    mattwells

    Mar 19, 2003
    GA
    easy jazz...right...may not really happen. If you want something easy and your singer does not mind taking a break (or happens to play an instrument) just get a chord change and jam to it (somewhat laid back jam). It will be fun for you guys and will basically be jazz (improv over chord changes). Just my 2 cents.
     
  5. Jul 14, 2003 #5
    cobrasneverdie

    cobrasneverdie

    Jun 1, 2003
    moline illinois
    "take a walk on the wild side" by "velvet underground" is a great song for bar and coffie house gigs.
     
  6. Jul 14, 2003 #6
    CamMcIntyre

    CamMcIntyre

    Jun 6, 2000
    USA
    Ever think about just vamping on a Bb or F blues? That's probably the easiest thing you could do unless if you want to do a standard but i'm unaware of your instrumentation. That's all
     
  7. Jul 14, 2003 #7
    Ace123

    Ace123

    Sep 25, 2002
    Rochester, NY
    Hey good thinking about jamming over those jazz chords. the lead guitarist and myself are pretty good at jamming but we'll have to get the rest of the band (who aren't so good at jamming) to agree. Any more suggestions of songs? Great tips so far, thanks a lot guys
     
  8. Jul 14, 2003 #8
    Arrrrrgh

    Arrrrrgh

    May 8, 2002
    I may have missed it in your posts, but I didn't catch your bands configuration. Here are some song ideas that I have

    Bill Withers - Ain't no Sunshine, Use me up
    Robin Ford - Help the Poor (i think its Ford)
    Stevie Wonder - Isn't She lovely
    Joe Cocker - Feeling Alright, leave your hat on
    ? - somethings happening here
    Spencer Davis - Im a man
    Brown Eyed Girl
    Margueritaville (you try and spell it...)
    janis joplin - summertime

    I hope this helps

    Richard
     
  9. Jul 15, 2003 #9
    Ace123

    Ace123

    Sep 25, 2002
    Rochester, NY
    My band has a lead guitarist, drummer, and rhtyhm guitarist (and bass). WE also have a guy who could play congas if we want. Hope that helps.
    Nice list of songs arrghh
     
  10. Jul 15, 2003 #10
    Saetia

    Saetia Supporting Member

    Mar 27, 2003
    Wisconsin
    speaking of The Velvet Underground, how about Heroin?
     
  11. Jul 15, 2003 #11
    Eric Moesle

    Eric Moesle Supporting Member

    Sep 21, 2001
    Columbus OH
    IF they thought you were already too loud WITHOUT drums, be VERY careful to keep your volume down when your drummer is there. Remember, great sounding bands don't get asked back when they play too loud for the intended crowd. Use your head, and consider the volume wishes of the patrons over your selves.

    A few years ago I played in a bar band that was usually pretty loud, but got booked one weeknight per week at a restaurant, playing while people were eating. We played SUPER quiet, the drummer just using brushes. The result was that we played that same night every week at that restaurant for more than a year.
     
  12. Jul 15, 2003 #12
    cobrasneverdie

    cobrasneverdie

    Jun 1, 2003
    moline illinois
    good one also. have you considered taking some songs that your wrote and just jamming them with the clean channel for guitar?
     
  13. Jul 15, 2003 #13
    Ace123

    Ace123

    Sep 25, 2002
    Rochester, NY
    What do you mean "Jamming with a clean channel for the guitar?" But we probably are goign to have to jam at least for a little bit because we have two hours to fill.

    THanks for all the tips and hints so far.
     
  14. Jul 15, 2003 #14
    cobrasneverdie

    cobrasneverdie

    Jun 1, 2003
    moline illinois
    dont go all out on distortion just mellow your songs out.