Playing note for note.

[Phalex]

Ok???

Thanks for enlightening us. I'm pretty sure that people also enjoyed jamming in the 50's, 60's, 80's and 90's, and they still do today.

This is a good point, and I'm sure that people have enjoyed jamming since the discovery of the first scale, but I'm reminded of something my father said to me once:

My old man was a clarinet / sax player in a swing band back in the 40's. He once told me that he just didn't get the way music is played today because everyone just goes off and "does their own thing."

Back in his day, you got sheet music and that's what you played. I imagine soloists got more leeway, but the rhythm section played what was on the page, and woe to him that strayed far from the beaten path.

I imagine that when you have a band of 10 or more people all playing on the same stage, it makes sense to have them stick to the sheet music.

 

[guy n. cognito]

I'd have to agree with others above. Most cover bands I've played with play songs with about 90-95% accuracy to the recorded version. No one nails them 100%, even the original artist in live versions. That said, learning the songs from a common version and sticking as close to the record as possible adds a certain simplicity thats needed when learning a lot of songs in a short period of time. It also minimizes the need for a copious amount of rehearsals, because members can practice to the recording at their leisure.

I'd be interested to hear more from the OP. Honestly, I'd be surprised if the band was really upset because it wasn't played "note for note." When I've had issues with musicians not staying faithful to the recordings, it was usually NOT because they weren't playing note for note, but rather because they were excessively improvising to the point that it was changing the song.

Overall, it sounds like you were a bad fit for the band.

 

[DBCrocky]

The fun of playing live is when you have the crowd going crazy. In order to do that, you have to organically play the audience. When a song or a jam isn't working, you cut it short. When it is working, you extend it and try to drive the intensity through the roof.

Bands that play note for note have no ability to connect with the crowd in this way.

 

[baileyboy]

I learn the signature licks but quite often change up the bass parts to what I like to play.

Me too. Unless the song has bass lines that are very high profile and stand out as to define the tune, I make the parts my own.

 

[bluewine]

Ok???

Thanks for enlightening us. I'm pretty sure that people also enjoyed jamming in the 50's, 60's, 80's and 90's, and they still do today.

Cool, I thought it was more a thing of the past.

My generation of players in some instances come at band issues from a different place than some younger generations.

 

[guy n. cognito]

The fun of playing live is when you have the crowd going crazy. In order to do that, you have to organically play the audience. When a song or a jam isn't working, you cut it short. When it is working, you extend it and try to drive the intensity through the roof.

Bands that play note for note have no ability to connect with the crowd in this way.

Completely incorrect. Any number of bands can play their own songs, or the songs of others, as recorded and excite the audience.

 

[Mayers]

I think if you are a cover band you should be able to play the song note-for-note if not ... then you aren't a cover band. You are playing the music someone else create so do it justice. The only way for me to do a cover not like the original is if you are a band playing original song/music and you want to do a cover of your favorite band but in your style. Like Decapitated who did a cover of Slayer's Mandatory Suicide. Or RHCP who did a cover of Stevie Wonder's Higher Ground.

If you really want to be creative and be yourself, do original song or music.

 

[stflbn]

I could see worrying about note for note (generally speaking) if you're a tribute band, but realistically, no one in a bar or general gig situation is going to give a rats ass if you're playing note for note. It's wasted time and effort, and IMHO it takes the life out of the music. Hell, most bands don't even play their OWN music note for note live.

If I cannot put 'my spin' on a song, I won't be in the band. I want our versions to be 'somewhat' ours, though still remain instantly recognizable and fun and interesting for the people listening.

 

[AMp'D.2play]

Initially, I'll learn the song based off the original studio version. Although, there are some songs where the live version is different than the original, but is the better known. Frampton or Cheap Trick back in the 70's, for example.

Nowadays, I'll stick to some songs as closely as is called for, but I'll take liberties with others.

I went to see a friend who is in a busy local cover band. They played Elvis Costello's "Pump It Up". During a break, I mentioned that I was learning that song but hadn't nailed the chorus yet. His reply was, "I never play it the same way twice."

 

[DBCrocky]

Completely incorrect. Any number of bands can play their own songs, or the songs of others, as recorded and excite the audience.

The operative words being "in this way".

But not trying to argue. Just relating my experiences.

 

[Phalex]

I think if you are a cover band you should be able to play the song note-for-note

OK, That's a valid opinion

if not ... then you aren't a cover band.

But often times the "Original Artist" does the song live very differently than their own studio recording. Which version is "Pure"? I'm starting to smell something here....

You are playing the music someone else create so do it justice.

Define "Justice"? Did Clapton do "I Shot The Sheriff" justice? I only use that as an example because those reggae guys are all about justice...

The only way for me to do a cover not like the original is if you are a band playing original song/music

Wut?

and you want to do a cover of your favorite band but in your style. Like Decapitated who did a cover of Slayer's Mandatory Suicide. Or RHCP who did a cover of Stevie Wonder's Higher Ground.

Uhhhh dude, those are covers that are not note for note reproductions of the originals. What is that smell???

If you really want to be creative and be yourself, do original song or music.

So there is no creativity in being a musician playing an instrument? Only in being a composer or a songwriter?

I knew I recognized that smell!!!

 

[viper4000]

note for note is rote for rote - not music.
many of the great ones do not even play their OWN songs note for note when they play live!

^^^This
+1
I agree 100%

I have yet to go to a show other than a heavily over produced pop-show and hear exactly what is on the radio or studio version of the tune. Even many of those have "funky remixes" added in so they can showcase the dancers or what have you.

 

[azureblue]

I suggest using this as a learning experience - learn the bass parts verbatim, and break down the part and the song. Listen to and learn the other parts. Learn the song well enough so you can change the song's genre, groove, etc. Try to get inside the head of whoever plays it, and figure out where the song came from. It will help your bass playing and your creativity a lot.
If you don't know how to read, then use this as an opportunity - get somebody to help you write down the bass part, so you can see what it looks like on paper.

 

[bluewine]

Completely incorrect. Any number of bands can play their own songs, or the songs of others, as recorded and excite the audience.

As much as I hate to do this. +1

 

[lfmn16]

I did an auction and played CCR's Have You Ever Seen The Rain? I didn't play it note for note, but I got the feel, played the correct style and threw in several of the signature licks. The band I auditioned for loved it.

I don't know why some people are turning this into a polarizing issue. It's not my thing, but I don't think there is anything wrong with learning something close to the record; on the other hand, I don't know why some people think they have the right to tell me I'm lazy or not talented because I don't choose to spend the time to learn every single note to a song perfectly.

The bottom line is that we all have different goals. We need to find a band that is on the same page and allows us to achieve those goals.

 

[punkinfantry]

i don't play music just to ride someone else's coattails. if you don't "make it your own", what's the point?

 

[DWBass]

Hey, 'Boogie Oogie Oogie' or 'Good Times' can only be played one way! Some songs NEED to be played the way it is! That's just the way it is. I believe in learning the song note for note so you at least KNOW the song and then can change up and improvise a little if it's allowable. It's just that group of musicians who only listen to a minute of a song and say, 'yeah, I got it' and proceed to butcher the song! That to me is not being a good musician! And demanding to always work this way to satisfy 'YOUR' needs doesn't go over well in my book. A band is a band! It's a team of folks working together to make good music! It's not about one person and his selfish concerns over his 'creativity'! You want to be 'creative', form your own band or be a soloist! Just my opinion!

In the funk and r&b world, you can't stray but so much before folks start asking just what is it you're playing. I guess y'all can get away with it more so in the rock world!

 

[guy n. cognito]

i don't play music just to ride someone else's coattails. if you don't "make it your own", what's the point?

Somebody call every orchestra in the world and let them know that their lives are worthless.......

 

[Phalex]

Somebody call every orchestra in the world and let them know that their lives are worthless.......

There's that smell again!

 

[bluewine]

i don't play music just to ride someone else's coattails. if you don't "make it your own", what's the point?

Another example of where the age of this poster would be important to me.

I can see now someone new to the business might take that position.

I guess my response would be:

The point is some of us want to be out gigging a lot and getting paid.

That's not going to happen with most originals bands.