Starting a memorized song

[J Wilson]

No.

Every song was unique enough in my mind there was no question which was which or how they started, although I must admit some of the crappier bands I played with, starting each song was like pushing a manual transmission car with an iffy battery, popping the clutch to start it, then running to get in ! ! !

. . . . now that I think about it for a minute, well, once: I was in a BS blues band, and every last song for four sets was that same chugging 12-bar in E (it got to where I was seeing dotted rhythm in my sleep). So they'd count it off, I'd start chugging on the open E (though they'd get fancy and play in few in A or G!), they'd play a messy intro (all on the one . . . ) and then when he'd start singing, I'd know which set of lyrics would tell me the actual song, and this went on for four sets, and of course, they'd turn each one into a 10-minute wandering Mess of Blooze. Geez was I glad it was only four nights.

And the two-point conversion: He thought he was so funny when he'd tell the crowd we were going to play Hendrix's 'FRED House' next. Scarily enough, they all laughed . . . .

 

[NKBassman]

The worst is when you are right in the middle of a song, and you realize that a change is coming but completely blank on where to go when it hits.

 

[gln1955]

At some pint during every gig, the BL will go off the set list and call out songs. No problem for me if I know the title of the song. The problem is when he doesn't call the song, but just starts playing the guitar intro and I have to make the association as fast as I can and jump in. Sometimes I get a total brain fart and won't recognize the song until the vocals start. I just fake it to look like I'm deliberately coming in halfway through the verse.

 

[mrjim123]

I use a chart until I've played the song long enough to memorize it. I usually have SOME kind of short directions to start each song, e.g., "slow walk", "pump quarter notes", "play like [insert song name here]", etc. For a lot of songs it's something like "guitar intro" (and once I've hear a few bars my memory kicks in.

 

[bertthebassist]

I have a thought.
Anounce the song and artist (out loud) before and after playing it every time especially when practicing. After a while, your mind should start making the connection consistently. If you want to make it more interesting, say it in different voices.

 

[Groove Doctor]

At some pint during every gig, the BL will go off the set list and call out songs. No problem for me if I know the title of the song. The problem is when he doesn't call the song, but just starts playing the guitar intro and I have to make the association as fast as I can and jump in. Sometimes I get a total brain fart and won't recognize the song until the vocals start. I just fake it to look like I'm deliberately coming in halfway through the verse.

I grab my water and take a few sips if I go completely blank. Great way to cover up while waiting until I recognise what I’m supposed to play.

 

[mjnyc]

Thanks all for great insights / pointers!

Michael

 

[pepj]

Any standard that gets called needs to be confirmed with the key.
For less complex ones, you'll transpose on the fly.

If the BL wants it per recorded version, then a cheat sheet is acceptable imv, especially if you are adding lots of new numbers frequently.