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Post subject: Gigging musical knowledge
Posted: Mon Nov 03, 2008 9:00 am
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Aspiring Musician
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Joined: Thu Sep 27, 2007 7:04 am
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Location: T.O. Canada
Hi Everyone,

I am interested to hear an opinion from gigging folks how much music knowledge is enough to get you started in the full 4 or 5 pc band. I am aware that there are many bands out there that are basing everything on I, IV, V chords, but really is there a such a thing as a "benchmark" of what a person in band should absolutely know and capable of to play. How do you get a feel for it? On the side question, would you mix Strat guitar with SG and LP in the band situation?

Thanks in advance,


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Posted: Mon Nov 03, 2008 9:07 am
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Rock Icon
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Hi Daniel: the memory's hazy at my advanced years, but I have a notion we did our first gig on about four and half chords. I also have a notion it wasn't a happy experience for the audience. More knowledge would be better...

Cheers - C


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Posted: Mon Nov 03, 2008 9:17 am
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That totally depends on what you're playing, who you're playing for, what style you want, etc. There is no one answer.

You figure two sets of 10-15 songs can get you any gig (provided they like you). You can do less or more depending on where you play, but that 20-40 song set list is a good baseline for many things.

Some examples...

Classic Rock/Blues - You can get away with very simple 3 chord-ers, ton a 12-bar blues variations and some simple folk songs, and not need to be very proficent.

Experimental Band - If you're like my friends' band (uglyradiorebellion), and play with Frank Zappa's band members, playing Zappa's extremely technical and diverse stuff, that same amount of songs will require the very top notch musicians around, anywhere. And even then, not everyone can learn that many intricate, tight pieces, in a short time frame, and pull that off enough to back up Ike Willis on anything he throws at you , in any order, on a whim. You can play all your life, go to Berklee or anywhere else, and still not be able to do this gig.

So it varies greatly.

If you want to gig as fast as possible, and you're just starting out? Get a good 10-15 songs down good. Play them at parties, open for other bands, festivals, etc. Get experience playing live, with a band, and in different places and situations. Then you can start building your song list.


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Posted: Mon Nov 03, 2008 10:27 am
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You can gig with any level of knowledge and pull it off providing the band practice in a structured organized way enough. obviously it helps to be able to communicate with each other so knowing chord names and notes is very desirable. Aside from that it all comes down to being able to play the instrument and having rehearsed enough. After you've cracked the songs, put a big huge mirror up in your rehearsall area and practice the gig infront of it. Stage moves, guitarfaces. The setlist as its gigged i.e 5 songs straight through then 3 then 2, some banter last songs culminating in the finale. Rehearse as you would gig. If you get 99% accuracy at rehearsall expect 50-60% at the gig. Thats the way i made all my old bands go through it. We had bad gigs and good gigs its just down to how you are on the day after a military rehearsall regime


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Posted: Mon Nov 03, 2008 8:33 pm
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If you are playing basic rock, alternative, or punk, you can get started as soon you know the major chords and your band is tight. Being able to play together is so very important. Keep it simple and start having fun. The sooner you can get out there the better. AC/DC is still making money on simple straight ahead rock n roll.

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Posted: Tue Nov 04, 2008 2:53 pm
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Musical knowledge is invaluable, but there are 2 more important factors:
1. The band must be tight (a point that several have already stressed).
2. All musicians should play from their heart & soul.

My advice to you (& I apply to myself as well) is to always learn more about music when you practice, whether it be theory, technique, or honing in on certain styles. But when it comes time to play, express yourself from the heart & convey your emotions. If you did the practice part right & often, then it will naturally come out when you play, often times better than when you practiced it (in my experience).


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