After reading all the replies, I think the way I would use the looper would be frowned upon... I really want to use it so I can play the song melody without it sounding naked...

It would be my guitar yes, but it would still be a backing track...

I may rethink doing this gig and ask what would be allowable... or maybe even audition a few tunes...

_________________
In Reference to Blues Legend RL Burnside:
After a heart attack in 2001, Burnside's doctor advised him to stop drinking; Burnside did, but he reported that change left him unable to play.

So basically just play it at the same time you are? Nothing wrong with that, at all...

_________________
Favorite bands:

Melvins
The Jesus Lizard
Cows
Big Business
R***man
Minutemen
Flight
Minor Threat
Big Black
Shellac
Karp
Scratch Acid
Wipers
Pixies

Do you mean play the melody as a loop and then play chords under neat or vice versa.
That would be totally fine.
Doing anything would be totally fine, don't let what strangers on the internet deem to be permisable do you out of a gig. Unless you're playing to an Amish flamenco convention, no-one cares if you're "cheating".

_________________
Rated "M" for meaty.

Quite right.

Hardly anyone in your audience will give a damn. A good percentage won't even notice. The odd sniffy musician there might come up afterwards and winge. At which point you will say "hey, thanks for your interest, but it works for me.."

The Pet Shop Boys have sold many millions of records and played hundreds of gigs..

_________________
Fender Highway & Classic 60s Strats, Fender Toronado, Telecaster, Gretsch Projet, Charvel 3, PRS SE Soapbar II & Custom 24, Burns Batwing and many others!

+1
So long as it enhance's your performance and you're enjoying yourself then that's all that should matter, no audience want's to see a half-hearted unhappy musician at any gig, if a looper works for you then more power to you...enjoy the gig

Just so y'all know, I have been reading your kind words/replies....

thanks...

Just to clarify... I would have the loop station record my guitar playing chords/appregios with detail paid attention to the kind of song (samba/swing etc...)...

I would then improvise and/or play the song melody (single notes sometimes octaves) over the loop playback..

There are a few songs where it would just be me... Bessa Me Mucho, Malaguena

_________________
In Reference to Blues Legend RL Burnside:
After a heart attack in 2001, Burnside's doctor advised him to stop drinking; Burnside did, but he reported that change left him unable to play.

I like the "it's cheating" responses.
The first rule of music is that there are no rules. For me, music is an almost emotional experience, and the way I approach what I do may be different than the next guy's, different doesn't equal wrong.
As far as backing tracks and loopers go; Any extra piece of gear you have to give attention too makes the production that much more complex. I have heard a lot of musicians do some very creative things with loopers, and frankly it looks like a little more than I want to have to focus on on stage.
And what about the musician that takes the time to play multiple instruments and record full backing tracks to use in their performances? Surely nothing in that scenario points to a lack of talent or creativity.
So, Cajun, do whatever it is you think will make your gig entertaining, because that is indeed the fact people hire musicians for their events; entertainment.

_________________
Check out my new FB music page!

https://www.facebook.com/TheDevilandMe.Music

Wise words, these.

_________________
Check out my new FB music page!

https://www.facebook.com/TheDevilandMe.Music