How do you buy time on stage?

[Anthony Lap]

Hello folks,
I don’t like noodling around between songs but there are situations where you might have to “buy time” on stage for other band members (re-tuning, broken strings, fired the drummer and need to find a replacement, etc.). In our actual set list, our guitarist does a solo song in Open C tuning and needs time to retune his guitar after. I would love to hear ideas, favourites songs or techniques that you guys use it to fill up time with bass only while waiting for the rest of the band.

 

[mambo4]

In our actual set list, our guitarist does a solo song in Open C tuning and needs time to retune his guitar after.

It's the guitarist's fault, let them fix it.
Bring second guitar for that one song.
Learn to solo in standard tuning.
Cut the song.

If the band must fix the issue, learn a song that does not require the guitarist, have them Get a tuning pedal with mute and sit out for a song.

 

[Edwcdc]

He should have two guitars. That’s a lot of tuning time.
Depending where you are playing you could ask the bar owner if you could mention any events coming up, drink specials, or what band is playing tomorrow night. You could learn some dumb jokes or introduce the band.

 

[SteveC]

What’s so special about that song? I’d never have something like that in our set. He needs another guitar or lose the “solo” feature.

 

[Anthony Lap]

Thanks for the suggestions. Sorry if there was any misunderstanding but my question wasn’t only about that one song or C tuning, it was more asking for an “everyday tool”, something that you can use at a given time to fill up time, regardless of the reasons why.

 

[lz4005]

Drum and bass intro to the next song for as long as needed.

 

[Anthony Lap]

Drum and bass intro to the next song for as long as needed.

Do you have any examples of songs with long bass intros?

 

[brocket]

Do you have any examples of songs with long bass intros?

Typically just playing the verse chords or something similar works for a longer intro. A helpful side effect is that a drum and bass intro gets awkward for everyone after awhile, so that might get the guitarist to think about how he can do things a little quicker to finish it sooner.

My band has a handful of random tunes in our back pocket that we’ll pull out if it seems like a transition is taking too long. Typically the keyboard player, drummer and myself are ready to go, so we’ll play something like a cheesy 80s song. It gives the audience something to listen to, and gives the singers an opportunity for some banter.

The single biggest thing that will help transitions is intentional setlist planning and practice. If we have a big show coming up, we’ll just practice beginnings and endings to make sure everyone knows exactly what needs to be done between songs.

 

[lz4005]

Do you have any examples of songs with long bass intros?

Every song can have a long bass and drums intro if you're a half decent musician.

 

[Stewie]

Learn a bunch of really bad jokes, the lamer they are, the more laughs you will get. If you're lucky and get a heckler, have some good generic responses up your sleeve, or ask them to come up and do better.

 

[cableguy]

Peter Gunn theme song...…..Into a drum solo.....followed by Wipeout.

 

[InhumanResource]

It's the guitarist's fault, let them fix it.
Bring second guitar for that one song.
Learn to solo in standard tuning.
Cut the song.

If the band must fix the issue, learn a song that does not require the guitarist, have them Get a tuning pedal with mute and sit out for a song.

This stuff drives me nuts. My band has too much of it. The right answer is to drop the song. Even a guitar switch is too much, in my opinion. Keep it moving.

 

[40Hz]

Do you have any examples of songs with long bass intros?

Pick a good song and write your own.

Alternatively do a long outro on your last number while the other player is getting set up for the next song.

But whatever you do, make it creative enough that it’s not obvious you’re stalling. .

 

[Coolhandjjl]

Do you have any examples of songs with long bass intros?

Golden Earring: Radar Love
Led Zep: How Many More Times
Led Zep: Moby Dick
Allman Bro’s: Whipping Post
The Beatles: Come Together
Cream: Badge
Cream: Sunshine of Your Love
Grand Funk Railroad: Closer to Home

 

[Mantis Tobaggan]

dont have down time

 

[ec2bass]

An old band I was in, did I say OLD, used to do "Toad" by Cream and leave the drummer to do his thing. He could go about 15-20 minutes. We would leave the stage. No lead guitar required.

 

[Vic Winters]

Do crowd work.
-Introduce the band members
-Plug the band website
-Talk up the establishment/barstaff/ when you'll be back

 

[Hevy T]

BASS SOLO

 

[mexicant]

Pull out the 70s rap hit "wrappers delight" if your singer can pull it off.

 

[buldog5151bass]

If your guitarist needs to do a song in a separate tuning, he should have a second guitar. You aren't Led Zeppelin - you aren't the star. You are there to entertain, not indulge your egos.

Short of that, pick a song where you don't need him for 30 seconds or so. He can silently tune while you all play like big boys.