The 75% Rule

[Queue]

If the singer can't sing it in the original key, and the band can't adjust to the singer's range (or it doesn't sound right in that key), there isn't much point in doing the song. Being a singer, who doesn't have the highest of ranges, that can be somewhat limiting. Then there's the whole "can I play it and sing it?" issue.

I'm not really in a band, more like a group of dads who jam from time to time. We find plenty of song choices that keep it fun, and that people want to play. We don't usually have an audience to worry about...

 

[two fingers]

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There are countless posts on good ol' TalkBass about bands arguing over material. Lots of discord about being asked to play some tired old number you can't bear to hear one more time. I've definitely been there myself. But I think my present cover band has hit on the solution: The 75% Rule. Goes like this:

We're a four-piece: singer/rhythm guitar, lead guitar, bass, drums. (Just like the Beatles!) We all suggest songs, the only criteria being that at least 3 of 4 people in a crowd will know and love the pick. If the song meets that level of popularity we then decide if at least three of us like it enough to play it. If any 3 of us are into it we do it whether the 4th is into it or not.

Our set includes 'Crazy Train' by Ozzie, 'The Pretender' by Foo Fighters, and 'The One Thing' by INXS. I'm not into INXS or Foo Fighters and I hate Ozzie. But my bandmates love those tunes and, more importantly, they go over really well with a crowd. So we all put as much work into any agreed on song as if we suggested it ourselves. After almost 2 years together we've never nixed a song that meets the 75% rule. And we've had exactly zero arguments about our setlist.

I'm not saying this is the solution to all band song selection issues. It certainly helps that my group are good friends with similar musical tastes. But the goal is entertainment and, if you keep your eyes and ears on that prize, it's that much more fun for the crowd and rewarding for the band.

Anyone else got something similar in effect?

We don't have a set policy. But we really do get along when it comes to picking songs. If anyone is REALLY passionate about doing, or not doing, a song, we oblige.

The thing is, we've all been doing this for decades. Learning a song take, what, a half hour? If you really love it, let's try it. If you really hate it, there are too many songs out there to argue over it.

 

[Bass Viking]

The 75% rule only works if you have 100% agreement on the rule.

+1. You need a group of team players. There are people who stubbornly refuse to play something they don't like, even going so far as to sabotage the song so it will get scrapped.

 

[Bass Viking]

A lot of bands operate by the Low hanging Fruit Rule i.e. songs they already know or are easy to learn.

 

[QORC]

i have a funny story about this. a long long time ago. A drummer in a band i was in kept insisting over and over that we did RCHP, "Suck My Kiss". Not a simple song, but a very catchy one and known at the time. We kind of resisted but finally we gave in. Ok, boys, next time we rehearse, we're going to try this song. so learn it.

so couple weeks later we get together...and who is completely unable to play this song?

The drummer

I mean, literally he struggled with the unusual rhythm, the ever changing different stops. He simply couldn't do it. so why on earth did he suggest it??

we dropped it

this guy can do it though.

 

[EddiePlaysBass]

Sounds like you have a good plan - but how in the world can you possibly know that 3/4 of the general public will know or like a song?

Right? My singer has a vast knowledge of obscure stuff, and thinks EVERYONE does. Guess what, they don't. But in his mind, everyone knows every single tune ever released by Rare Gems From Obscuristan Records.

I also think that not every song has to be well known - if it fits your groove, there's nothing wrong with a couple of lesser played/B sides/"haven't heard that in decades"/original songs slipped into a set to introduce people to their "new favorite song". You just can't overdo it.

Agreed. I do think a large part of what makes a successful gig, is owning the stage and looking like you have a great time. Someone posted: "it's about entertainment" and I agree - to the extent that I want to entertain myself first. And I simply cannot have fun playing "Play That Funky Music" or "Rocking In The Free World" or whatever passes for the done-to-death covers in your local area. Sorry, I tried. Didn't work. And the pay was equally bad, so not an incentive.

 

[JohnMCA72]

I like the idea of letting anybody veto a song for any (no?) reason, as long as the vetoes don't get out of hand. If somebody really, really, really doesn't want to play a song, it's unlikely the band is going to do it well.

 

[Bass Viking]

i have a funny story about this. a long long time ago. A drummer in a band i was in kept insisting over and over that we did RCHP, "Suck My Kiss". Not a simple song, but a very catchy one and known at the time. We kind of resisted but finally we gave in. Ok, boys, next time we rehearse, we're going to try this song. so learn it.

so couple weeks later we get together...and who is completely unable to play this song?

The drummer

I mean, literally he struggled with the unusual rhythm, the ever changing different stops. He simply couldn't do it. so why on earth did he suggest it??

LOL! Beats me. When people suggest songs it’s often because they already know them and don’t have to put in the extra work.

 

[lfmn16]

I was in a band where anyone could veto a song for any reason, no explanation necessary. The drummer said, "There are probably 10,000 great songs out there. No reason we can't find 40 that we all like." I based my decision on whether the song would go over with audience. The guitar player based his decision on whether he liked the song. Drummer and singer were pretty laid back, so they didn't do a lot of vetoing. I will admit to twisting arms a little. I brought in Funk #49, Woman, I Just Want to Celebrate, Maybe I'm Amazed (Rod Stewart and the Faces version). There was some initial hesitation from some members, but they all went over great with our crowd.

 

[lfmn16]

I like the idea of letting anybody veto a song for any (no?) reason, as long as the vetoes don't get out of hand. If somebody really, really, really doesn't want to play a song, it's unlikely the band is going to do it well.

Funny, I just posted about a band I was in that did this. I will say though, that if everyone is professional, whether you like a song or not should not affect how you play it. I've played some songs that I loath, but I still give every song my best effort.

 

[Bass Viking]

I was in a band where anyone could veto a song for any reason, no explanation necessary. The drummer said, "There are probably 10,000 great songs out there. No reason we can't find 40 that we all like."

+1. The problem with a lot of bands is that pool of songs becomes much smaller when you factor in lack of skill and unwillingness to learn.

 

[Bass Viking]

I will say though, that if everyone is professional, whether you like a song or not should not affect how you play it. I've played some songs that I loath, but I still give every song my best effort.

Years ago I was in a cabaret show band where I hated most of the music but I still did my best. There was no money involved but the hang was pretty good. Going by the 2 out of 3 rule for deciding whether a gig is worth taking, I never should have gotten involved!

 

[51PRI]

That's an excellent selection system. I've always hoped for something similar, but...singers.

True. Singers seem to think they have, and usually DO have, a veto power over any song that THEY have to sing. I have had a lead singer tell ME to sing it if I loved the song so much.

I think the 75% rule is a great one if everyone in the band can agree to it.

 

[QORC]

LOL! Beats me. When people suggest songs it’s often because they already know them and don’t have to put in the extra work.

EXACTLY!

 

[kevindahl]

In our band:

Everyone gets a choice, there are 4 of us. Anything goes. Well within reason. Even if 1 guy out 4 adamantly says he's not interested we let it go. Heck our philosophy is that we didn't write the songs and there are a 1000 more to chose from anyways.

Can the song be pulled off musically? and more importantly, vocally?

After playing some songs some of them don't just sound right. I am usually the one that initiates the conversation about axing the songs. We have 4 right now that some of us want to drop. Some musicians are like pack rats though, they have extreme difficulty letting songs go.

 

[crguti]

My rule is, if you play in a cover band, I won't go to see you.

 

[P. Aaron]

What happens on the dance floor when you play the tunes in question? Does it fill up or is it suddenly infested with ravenous crocodiles that scare dancers off?

If the song is very popular to any crowd but (not that again!) a tired classic, find a way to redo it keeping it recognizable. Trash it up completely (sometimes fun)? Or, ditch it for popular alternatives. Crowd retention is key here right?

Part of being a pro, even semi-pro is playing each song with professionalism and finding a way to continually make it work for an audience.

 

[Joe Nerve]

So long as I'm getting paid, I'll play anything. I really don't care any more . Playing bass is fun whether I'm playing Red Barchetta or Sweet Caroline. Fer real, too.

 

[hrodbert696]

Something occurred to me: if the band added a fifth member, does this become a 3/5 rule or a 4/5 rule? Is the underlying logic that everyone has to agree but one, or is it majority rule?

 

[P. Aaron]

So long as I'm getting paid, I'll play anything. I really don't care any more . Playing bass is fun whether I'm playing Red Barchetta or Sweet Caroline. Fer real, too.

Execution is what’s key and every band member has to be on it. There’s always something to be learned.