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Should Covers be performed note-for-note, just like the album?
Yes 10%  10%  [ 3 ]
No 47%  47%  [ 14 ]
Yes, if the band is a tribute band. 43%  43%  [ 13 ]
Total votes : 30
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Post subject: Re: Covering over people's music
Posted: Thu Nov 27, 2014 12:33 am
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I think an important part of playing covers is to get your sound right. For example, SA mentioned Nazareth's Love Hurts. Not a terribly hard song to play; pretty much anyone could do it. What will get audience recognition and get them to buy-in while you're doing that one would be to get your sound right. Use a Uni-Vibe for the main picking of the guitar chords and try to use the same meter and then you can pretty much do anything else you want with it. People won't care so much that you've taken artistic license with the soloing or some other part of the accompaniment (other than drums, of course, which should also be fairly close) if you make the effort to pay at least some kind of homage to the original in a general sense. We had a thread about Bad Company recently. If you wanna do a Bad Company song use the bridge-middle position on your Strat and get a traditional overdrive tone with just a hint of chorus. Nail the original sound, particularly with the rhythm guitar and the audience will basically give you carte blanche to rock it up any way you like. We do after all play for the audience. They decide if we're good or if we're shyte. They make us or break us in the end. We need them to buy in.

My 2 cents.

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Post subject: Re: Covering over people's music
Posted: Thu Nov 27, 2014 4:37 pm
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I'd rather play or contribute to original music, but beware of the guys that play "from the heart" that simply won't play covers, or insult those that do. It generally means they can't play any music but their own, including other band member's material.

As far as accurately covering popular material..that's the band's call there. I try to get at least the basic changes of the tune. If your band can make the song a little better then go for it.


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Post subject: Re: Covering over people's music
Posted: Thu Nov 27, 2014 6:25 pm
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As long as you don't chhange the melody it should be fine. Or if you're plYibg an iconic solo you better nail that note to note.

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Post subject: Re: Covering over people's music
Posted: Fri Nov 28, 2014 6:44 am
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If you're in a tribute band , then you should be doing the songs note for note. Other than that , if you're just doing covers for the sake of it, then have fun and put your own spin on it but make it recognizable at the same time.


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Post subject: Re: Covering over people's music
Posted: Wed Dec 03, 2014 6:37 pm
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For a tribute band, note for note is required in my opinion.

When it comes to just doing covers that's where a lot of my creativity lies...arranging covers so I don't think it has to sound recognisable necessarily for what it is. What I mean by that is there should be something that makes you think, 'hang on......' but it doesn't have to be an obvious cover.......changing from major to minor, full electric to acoustic, altered tunings......all tools of a good covers band. Put your own spin on it but own the song.......

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Post subject: Re: Covering over people's music
Posted: Thu Dec 04, 2014 3:38 am
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When it comes to doing covers I don't mind a certain amount of artistic license, but I do have to say that many bands push the limit on this, to the great detriment of the song.

The way I look at it is you always start with the original arrangement. In many cases it's not likely you will improve on it. A good case in point is "Boulevard of Broken Dreams". I can't count the number of times I've heard covers of this song that were butchered by artistic license, especially when the original was so well produced and arranged.

On the other hand there are songs that clearly require some rethinking, especially if it's a keyboard based song and you only have guitars in the band. Or occasionally we'll dredge up a very old song that could benefit from a total re-work to breathe new life into it. It's always going to be a judgement call, but I tend to defer to the original arrangement if it's something highly recognizable with good production values. Otherwise I think you risk the audience thinking, "nice try, but I guess you guys aren't good enough to do it like the original".

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Post subject: Re: Covering over people's music
Posted: Sun Dec 07, 2014 9:14 am
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DependS. If it's blues or rock, I just keep the essential elements like the intro and chorus. There's nothing more boring for me than listening to a note for note rendition of a song. Even the original artists change it up. A lot of bands that cover them note for note do a halfassed job anyway.

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Post subject: Re: Covering over people's music
Posted: Thu Dec 18, 2014 12:53 am
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I'd say play it like you feel it. Only two things are going to happen, people are going to say uh, or you get a compliment. When you get enough compliments, you're doing it right.

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Post subject: Re: Covering over people's music
Posted: Thu Dec 18, 2014 1:18 pm
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Biff Raff wrote:
I'd say play it like you feel it. Only two things are going to happen, people are going to say uh, or you get a compliment. When you get enough compliments, you're doing it right.


+1Try to make every song your own.

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Post subject: Re: Covering over people's music
Posted: Fri Dec 19, 2014 10:07 am
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TheKingofPain wrote:
Music is my life's work. It's what I leave behind. It's not like I could just stop creating. It's like breathing. I can't imagine being in a note for note cover band. Turning something I love into punching a clock playing songs I hate. That seems like hell to me.


So glad to read this, since it's exactly where I've come around to. I tried the cover band thing, for about five years straight. Fortunately, I was able play them like I owned them and was not pressured to play note for note reproductions.

I made lots of money doing it, and that money was the only driving motivator. Once I admitted that I was only doing it for the money, I came around in my thinking and put the cover band aside.

The cover band earnings funded the purchase of a lot of gear that I now use to write and record my own music. So... yes, there is room for all types of thinking. The cover band for me was a means to an end.

I am much more of a creator than a performer. I mean, I like both, but I'm not really all that energized by playing Freebird (yes, did that) to intoxicated bar patrons. I don't need that energy source to survive.


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Post subject: Re: Covering over people's music
Posted: Sat Dec 20, 2014 12:27 am
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I think many people underestimate the value of playing in a cover band. It's not just about the money. It's also about your proficiency both as a player and a songwriter. Playing covers exposes you to a wide array of playing styles and techniques. Even if you don't play it note for note, you're still forced to come up with something that fits the techniques, mood and themes of the song. The greater the variety of cover songs, the wider your exposure and proficiency becomes. These are elements that can be applied to your own efforts. You have to remember that many, if not most, of the great musicians such as the Beatles, the Eagles, Billy Joel, etc. all started out paying their dues playing covers for many years before broadening out into their own music. I attribute the sorry state of musicianship I now see among many younger players doing their own music is an artifact of the drive to avoid playing covers.

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Post subject: Re: Covering over people's music
Posted: Sat Dec 20, 2014 6:49 pm
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Some people love cover bands because they want to hear the songs they like and they want to hear them done the way they expect. Within that mode, there's room for rearrangement and slight tweaks, but for the most part if your goal is to play for that type of crowd--and has been said before, there's a big demand for that. Then go for it.

Myself, I'd rather hear someone put their own mark on it because no matter what you do, it's not going to sound exactly like the original and besides, it's already been done.


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Post subject: Re: Covering over people's music
Posted: Sun Dec 21, 2014 6:48 am
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Miami Mike wrote:
I voted "no" - if you're playing covers it's always fun to change things and make it your own version, IMO.


I agree, I got into my own way of doing things now. I prefer to improvise rather than `learn` the songs.

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Post subject: Re: Covering over people's music
Posted: Sun Dec 21, 2014 4:02 pm
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Note for note if it's a Tribute band for sure... If it's not a tribute band .... I feel it's much better to put your own mark on it.

Music is a living, breathing type of thing.... A good Musician is able to put themselves into the music... put their own stamp on it. Hooks, main riffs, basic structure should be present but, the music being played should have the voice of the Musician's who are performing it.

I've been in lots of bands over the years (cover and original). My experience in most cases is that the one's that want it "Note for Note" aren't comprised of artistic, skilled and creative Musicians.

Generally, when you get a bandleader who demands the music be played note for note... It's been my experience that you're dealing with an individual who lacks creativity. Their playing skills (if they play an instrument) are usually pretty limited as well. They're unable to relate to the music in any other way than to "Parrot" the song. The other side of the coin is that the entire band... also shares in those deficiencies.
Granted.... this one can also apply to why an entire band doesn't want to cover originals like the original...they can't play anything well... period.

I find it much more rewarding to work with people who've put in the time to have it together on their instruments and are not afraid to take some "Artistic License" with the songs... and do it their own way.

The elements presented to the music don't need to be all that drastic either. It can be as simple as how the drummer rides the cymbal... the feel he's putting on his snare and kick drum hits... the way the bass player plays on... or off the beat... how for myself being guitarist, feels the "interpretation" of the guitar part should be handled... all of which can transform an average performance into a spectacular one.

All of the best cover bands I've played in... as well as those I've witnessed... have had these qualities... and the patrons enjoy it.

Wow... that was like writing a short essay.....
NEXT! :)

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Post subject: Re: Covering over people's music
Posted: Mon Dec 22, 2014 6:44 am
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dunedindragon wrote:
I think many people underestimate the value of playing in a cover band. It's not just about the money. It's also about your proficiency both as a player and a songwriter.


You know, I posted an anti-cover band point of view, but I'm so glad you pointed this out. My current opinion comes after years of playing, writing, recording and yes... playing in cover bands.

Just because I didn't like it does not mean I didn't take anything positive away from the experience. Because I always wanted to play it "right", I did a lot of dissection while becoming familiar with the material. For example, I would play, rewind, repeat a recording of a single chord in a song, each time listening for a specific note. Once I could hear all the notes, I would work out the most likely voicing. I learned a lot of new ones and some simple tricks while doing this.

So... I don't like playing in cover bands now, but perhaps it is a necessary rite of passage. I think a player can learn a lot about the following things:

1) Band dynamics - learning when not to play, and picking up on the in-the-moment social cues from bandmates that lead in one direction or another.

2) Volume, tone, and simplicity - You can learn a lot about how a thing that sounds good in your house might have to be completely re-thought on a club stage. How loud to be or not be is also something that comes with experience.

3) Insight into songwriting - Of course, you can do this alone in a room with a stereo. But... there's something about seeing an arrangement come to life before your eyes, even if it's someone else's arrangement. I learned some things about song structure and texture through playing lots of covers.

4) Inspiration - Once you start doing it - playing good songs live - then writing your own seems somehow more attainable.

I could go on with things like "exposure" and what not. But those things were never important to me.

Thanks dunedindragon!


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