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What would you do?

B

bui

Feb 24, 2009
727
13
Texas
#1
Here's the scenario:

Middle of the set, so we're warmed up.

Guitar comes in with his intro, playing the wrong key (he didn't get the memo...)

Other guitar/vocals comes in with his riff...playing a different key. Also wrong key.

It's my turn to enter. What now?
 
#4
In the words of Will Lee, "When in doubt, lay out."

Failing that, I always follow the singer. Unless, they are a moron in which case, I play the correct line and enjoy spectating the train wreck.
 
#5
bui said:
Here's the scenario:

Middle of the set, so we're warmed up.

Guitar comes in with his intro, playing the wrong key (he didn't get the memo...)

Other guitar/vocals comes in with his riff...playing a different key. Also wrong key.

It's my turn to enter. What now?
Click to expand...

As the guitar player in my band (for one more show 'then I switch back to bass), I usually writes the memos.

At that point, it's such a jumbled mess, I'd just start playing "King of the Road" or some other favorite.
 
#9
Do a hoedown-type dance for a few seconds, continue doing that dance as you leave the stage, come back, and blame the band for screwing you up. Then go get a nose job.

Hey, it worked for Ashlee Simpson.

:D
 
#10
Steve said:
In the words of Will Lee, "When in doubt, lay out."

.
Click to expand...

Wise words and, in fact, this happened to me about two weeks ago.

Keyboard player played a synchopated line very straight and threw the drummer into a tailspin from which he never fully recovered (inexperienced). The whole tune was a hot mess and being recorded.

I never played a note.
 
#11
Thanks for all the input...here's what I ended up doing:

Came in with the bass part (right key), realized within the first lick that something was really off. Funny thing is since I came in third, people looked at me like I was doing something wrong. Tried to follow the vocals, but since he (vocals/guitar) knew he was off, he started to follow the first guitar that came in (also off). At that point, I decided it was too fubar for me to continue, so I turned the volume down and snuck off to the back.

If your guitarists/vocals ever tell you "we'll get it down by show time", don't believe them. This was a sub-in job for me, so I won't have to deal with them again...but it was pretty frustrating since it was one of the tracks I specifically chose for this show.

Live and learn! Thanks again.
 
#12
bui said:
Here's the scenario:

Middle of the set, so we're warmed up.

Guitar comes in with his intro, playing the wrong key (he didn't get the memo...)

Other guitar/vocals comes in with his riff...playing a different key. Also wrong key.

It's my turn to enter. What now?
Click to expand...

Hey,sounds like a typical Jazz gig to me :D
Maybe get yourself an upright,and post over on the DB forum-"man I had some happening flow on my last sub-gig" :p
 
#13
In an orchestra, you play how the section leader (aka principal) plays
So if he plays a wrong note, you too play the wrong note so that the section sounds the same
Same goes with band, if your bandmate plays in wrong key, and you play in the right key, you (as in plural) are not playing it right
But if everyone plays in the wrong key (the same key of course), you at least sound together..
 
#14
saltyanchovy said:
In an orchestra, you play how the section leader (aka principal) plays
So if he plays a wrong note, you too play the wrong note so that the section sounds the same
Same goes with band, if your bandmate plays in wrong key, and you play in the right key, you (as in plural) are not playing it right
But if everyone plays in the wrong key (the same key of course), you at least sound together..
Click to expand...

...until the singer comes in, anyway.
 

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