I definitely provide set lists for each gig. They vary depending on where we're playing....Winery, happy hour, wedding, Civic Event (etc). But always with a set list
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Set List, Show, or just 'Wing it?"
- Thread starter 51PRI
- Start date
Like tv but not nearly as strict, you want/NEED and organized timeline of how the performance is going to go whether events at the time alter what's scripted just a bit or, a lot.
Getting back on track, or, keeping the team goal oriented IS the purpose of planning. Lacking direction can mean excessive time between songs, losing some or much of one's audience. Club owners and event organizers will mange an act if the act doesn't manage itself.
'You don't want non-band people managing your act. They'll manage it out the door.
Always set lists. It's supposed to be entertainment for the audience, and band members conferring about what song to play next is not entertaining.
It's OK for the bandleader to call an audible here and there.
It's OK for the bandleader to call an audible here and there.
We always have a printed setlist. BL reads the room and sometimes calls an audible. When that happens, my job is to convey the change to the drummer, who is almost deaf. We always have a dozen “extras” at the end of the regular list. And we’ve been doing this long enough to know which audience requests are the ones that add a hundred dollar bill to the tip jar.
the more moving parts you have, the more choreographed you need to be.
at the big-production TV- show end of the spectrum, with lighting and camera cues and stagehand positioning, you better have a script and stick with it.
If you're a trio and really -know- your material, you can get by on far less communication. I don't care if it's on the setlist or not, if I hear the unmistakable intro to 'Pride and Joy,' i know what to do. if you're is a horn band where 6 horns are sight-reading charts, you better know what you're all doing.
My bands tend to have a setlist with too many songs for the purpose of being able to skip some and always proceed forward.
i've also been in bands that just wing it, and they have all eventually devolved in a protracted on-stage discussion of 'what do you want to play -- i donno, what do you want to play...'
at the big-production TV- show end of the spectrum, with lighting and camera cues and stagehand positioning, you better have a script and stick with it.
If you're a trio and really -know- your material, you can get by on far less communication. I don't care if it's on the setlist or not, if I hear the unmistakable intro to 'Pride and Joy,' i know what to do. if you're is a horn band where 6 horns are sight-reading charts, you better know what you're all doing.
My bands tend to have a setlist with too many songs for the purpose of being able to skip some and always proceed forward.
i've also been in bands that just wing it, and they have all eventually devolved in a protracted on-stage discussion of 'what do you want to play -- i donno, what do you want to play...'
My BL has a nasty habit of calling out tunes I really don't know or have some guest (known singers) to come up and perform songs maybe two members know and we wing it . I tell myself that rather than play the wrong notes , maybe I should just walk off the stage (bad) or just sit on my stool and wait for the tune to end . It's one thing if everyone knows the material , but what is the point of playing and it sucks ?
Turnaround
Commercial User
Almost always a show. The set lists are organized to present an organized arc for the performance and final rehearsals consist of running the sets, including the spaces between songs - we rehearse to keep them near zero.
Then there's another band I play in. We have set lists but never run the set list in rehearsal. Lots of ugly pauses between songs in that band. Not my preferred way of performing.
Then there's another band I play in. We have set lists but never run the set list in rehearsal. Lots of ugly pauses between songs in that band. Not my preferred way of performing.
Setlist/show is what I prefer. I’m fine with the occasional song being called spontaneously, but I don’t like entire sets running that way. I like a flow between songs, a plan for pauses, rehearsing the transition between songs. It’s the difference between a good show vs a garage band on stage.
I'm no help, my last band would spend 20 minutes making a setlist before every show, never once stuck to it in 12 years. They'd also sometimes throw in a song they had practiced without me and thought I could wing it.
But I vaguely remember previous bands that made one setlist and stuck to it with few ad libs ever. That was better, at least for me. I like to cut out all the variables and potential confusion I can.
But I vaguely remember previous bands that made one setlist and stuck to it with few ad libs ever. That was better, at least for me. I like to cut out all the variables and potential confusion I can.
i don't see the difference between the first two options (IME they're the same), but i've played it both ways with various ensembles.
IME it's easy for a jazz trio to "wing it" and it's easier for larger ensembles (e.g., 7-9 players) to follow a setlist (as part of a "show" routine).
in two different bands = we like the setlist to 'tell a story', i.e., "ebb and flow."
buldog5151bass
Kibble, milkbones, and P Basses. And redheads.
I've been in bands that did not use a set list. We had a process for the next song. Before the last chorus, BL would select the next tune, and whisper it to the guitarist, and it was passed down the line, so whoever was supposed to start the next song was ready to go before the end of the prior tune. This way the BL could pick tunes based upon the crowd reaction. It was done so seamlessly, no one knew.
But that isn't easy. Almost every band I've seen who didn't use a set list (and many who did) would have too much dead air between picking songs. Unless you are Bruce Springsteen or the like, and can communicate with the audience, you shouldn't need more than a few seconds between tunes. Dead air is a killer, and unprofessional as #$!#@%@#~.
But that isn't easy. Almost every band I've seen who didn't use a set list (and many who did) would have too much dead air between picking songs. Unless you are Bruce Springsteen or the like, and can communicate with the audience, you shouldn't need more than a few seconds between tunes. Dead air is a killer, and unprofessional as #$!#@%@#~.
I’m in three bands, and all three of them use set lists. They are spreadsheet based, and each song has the key center, bpm, and solo order listed in the adjoining columns. The key, tempo and solo columns help when shaping/building a setlist, as well as band members on the stage in the moment.
Each band also includes the moments of banter on the setlist. So the set is usually broken up in 3-4 song increments where we don’t pause between those songs. Then we take a moment to talk to the crowd before jumping into another 3-4 back-to-back songs.
Sometimes we may deviate from the setlist; add a song or solo, skip a song, pause to talk when not indicated, etc. (Actually one of my three bands won’t deviate an inch from the setlist, other than cutting a song(s) at the end of a set, because the whole show is set to a midi click track that runs our light show) But having a list like this as a guide, with a lot of thought and care put into the ebb/flow of song order, has made all three bands’ performances much more professional.
This is the way.
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Watch the video of Elvis in Hawaii.
It looks like he's calling tunes on the fly. He'll turn half around say "Johnny B" and the band launches (instantly!) into Johnny B Goode. I don't know whether there was a set list and E was just making it look like each tune choice was spontaneous, or if he was calling a few audibles, or if the whole thing was done on the fly.
But - 1) It was Elvis; 2) he had the very top studio cats on that band; 3) there were undoubtedly extensive rehearsals during which all the arrangements were worked out and committed to memory, or at least a really good show book was put together so the horns, strings, etc. could just flip to the tune in a matter of milliseconds.
Also, what you're seeing is an edited video meant (if I recall correctly) for TV broadcast, so you don't really know how much dead air was experienced in real time.
It looks like he's calling tunes on the fly. He'll turn half around say "Johnny B" and the band launches (instantly!) into Johnny B Goode. I don't know whether there was a set list and E was just making it look like each tune choice was spontaneous, or if he was calling a few audibles, or if the whole thing was done on the fly.
But - 1) It was Elvis; 2) he had the very top studio cats on that band; 3) there were undoubtedly extensive rehearsals during which all the arrangements were worked out and committed to memory, or at least a really good show book was put together so the horns, strings, etc. could just flip to the tune in a matter of milliseconds.
Also, what you're seeing is an edited video meant (if I recall correctly) for TV broadcast, so you don't really know how much dead air was experienced in real time.
Winging it can be done (especially in a blues band) but it requires all members playing headsup baseball and being aware of whose in your audience at any given time (i.e. If you see people moving in their seats, tapping feet, or groove body language, you want to hit them with dancier tunes....its not a good time to call a slow 12/8 by Bubba Chinballz from his "Bore'em at The Forum" album)
So, if youre going to write sets, do it on your breaks for each set so you can see what your clientelle consists of and make song judgements based on that criteria. $.02
So, if youre going to write sets, do it on your breaks for each set so you can see what your clientelle consists of and make song judgements based on that criteria. $.02
Every band is different.
One guy always completely wings it. He's a freakishly good showman - just starts the next tune up and we fall right in behind him. He keeps 'em coming so fast I usually don't have time to even grab a sip of my beer between songs.
Other groups do set lists and I'm fine with that. Sometimes they get bogged down in discussion over it, mapping out their lead vocal swaps & instrument changes & what have you. I'd rather not be around for that. One guy would always roll in late after writing & printing out lists, then we'd never actually stick to them. Come to think of it, bands that use lists seem to deviate at least a little bit about 95% of the time IME. But they can be worthwhile.
I am a fan of song lists. Just a master list of titles I/we can skim over & jog our memories as to what tunes we know. (It is frighteningly easy to learn 200 songs then forget you learned 125 of them.)
It sounds like the OP's band is long overdue for a breakup and I don't think lists are going to help with that at all.
One guy always completely wings it. He's a freakishly good showman - just starts the next tune up and we fall right in behind him. He keeps 'em coming so fast I usually don't have time to even grab a sip of my beer between songs.
Other groups do set lists and I'm fine with that. Sometimes they get bogged down in discussion over it, mapping out their lead vocal swaps & instrument changes & what have you. I'd rather not be around for that. One guy would always roll in late after writing & printing out lists, then we'd never actually stick to them. Come to think of it, bands that use lists seem to deviate at least a little bit about 95% of the time IME. But they can be worthwhile.
I am a fan of song lists. Just a master list of titles I/we can skim over & jog our memories as to what tunes we know. (It is frighteningly easy to learn 200 songs then forget you learned 125 of them.)
It sounds like the OP's band is long overdue for a breakup and I don't think lists are going to help with that at all.
Depends on the band.
Bands I'm in that wing the set, wing the songs but you'd never know because its tight.
I was in a function band where the lead singer read the crowd and called the set from off the floor...
She was great at it. Never seen anyone since do it anywhere near as effectively as she did.
Bands I'm in that wing the set, wing the songs but you'd never know because its tight.
I was in a function band where the lead singer read the crowd and called the set from off the floor...
She was great at it. Never seen anyone since do it anywhere near as effectively as she did.
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