suggestions
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Posted on Mar 22, 2011 07:44 am
Bigbluesman
Quasimojo
Member Since: Nov 08, 2010
I'll be trying a new blues trio this weekend. This will be my 1st. I'm on guitar and vocals, there will be bass and drums. I'v always played in bands with multiple singers, piano, harp, 2nd guitars, ect. I'v seen plenty of groups like that around town who were not very good, but still got gigs. We've got some tasty traditional blues, a lot of Freddie King, Albert Collins and such. Not so much SRV, more traditional. I have 2 major fears, and that is:
1) My songs will be too short, with 1 lead instrument, and I'll run out of tunes.
2) My leads will all sound the same after a while, or will get boring after a while.
I only use some verb, some gain, and a cry baby on occasion.
Any suggestions on addressing these concerns?
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Mar 22, 2011 08:04 am Well, I've generally been in 3 piece bands, sometimes four where the fourth is JUST a singer, maybe occasional harp...of course, I was bass, not a lead instrument, but what I have found from watching guitar players in the situation is that have a few strategies...different guitars for different songs...mixing in some slide, changing up EQ settings to fit with different tunes...basically becoming a different guitarist from song to song.
I like the small band format, it gives some freedom in the frequency spectrum...
Mar 22, 2011 08:21 am Cool. db.. I can always count on you for a quick and honest response!..I only have 2 tele's that are essentially the same..I can't play slide :(...But I can switch up styles a bit...Are there any effects that you can recommend? I tried a compressor once....hated it...and those multi effect pedals...HATE EM...but like maybe a soft stand alone chorus or vibe or something???
Mar 22, 2011 08:23 am I do know a good harp player I could call, but I initially didn't want to. Maybe I should anyway?
Mar 22, 2011 08:27 am Well, slide is especially cool if one learns to do it with a beer bottle :-) Fun crowd thing...
I remember guys using chorus now and then to double up and harmonize the sound during certain riffs/passages, the cry baby you have is always cool, flangers and phasers can be well placed...just to change up the sound, but really, it kinda depends on what the song has room for...sorry I can't be more specific, but I am just speaking from observation...not doing.
Oh, pulling out a violin bow is always a winner too :-)
Mar 22, 2011 08:51 am lol...Page I am not...
I very much appreciate your input.
I have a music gear rental place up the street. Maybe I'll spend 10 bucks and get something...I don't know.
.I'v played bass in some trios, and I liked it because I'm way to busy on bass, but in that setting its a good thing.
I'm probably just worried over nothing. Most likely I'll be playing to an audience of 8-10 drunks...lol
HuePinnipedal Czar (: 3= Member
Since: Apr 11, 2004
Mar 22, 2011 09:18 am I can never have enough effects in my line. Likewise, my gain staging is very incrimental with several stages, and flavors. Y'a just have to switch things up sometimes... add different 'flavor-shots' here and there. It's still going to be the blues, right? = )
The slide thing is easier than it looks. Pick a song that has two solos in it, and do one with the slide. 30 seconds of slide work should be 'doable' by the weekend, and you'll then have that in your arsenal.
If you're out to get an affect in your rig, then 'subtle' is the way to go. Try finding a Boss CE-2 chorrus, or a Univibe... they always go so nice with the blues, and easy to apply tastefully.
Gotta luv a Univibe! lol
Mar 23, 2011 12:50 am I'll start out by saying , I really like your stuff. I have played in 3 or 4 piece bands for the most part when I have played over the last 30+ years. Four piece being with another guitar player. I tend to play better 3 piece because I don't get lazy then. A little bit of chorus and delay can go a very long way.Oddly I was going to mention Robin Trower in Bridge Of Sighs and Hue posted that video. I have done a cover of that for years but it is mainly because it is so much like the style I play more so than me playing that style. The bass player I played with could carry his own damn near solo act if need be. So that was a factor as well. Three piece communication I think is important but also much easier and happens faster. Blues clip ( 19 Years Old) in my profile is 3 piece , nothing stellar as a performance but it's live and the fun of the jam is in there I think. And that might be the biggest part. Listening to the stuff of yours that I have heard, I think you are going to LOVE the freedom 3 piece can offer.
Dematrixhttp://www.reverbnation.com/2ndgMember
Since: Nov 27, 2007
Mar 23, 2011 01:25 am all i can say with limited knowledge of your genre is,
Sometimes 3 or 4 shorter songs can be really quite refreshing especially if thru the gig there are alot of longer songs.
I often go watch my unlce play gigs here, his genre is kinda country rock/rockabiliy edged type stuff.
When i hear them do short songs its like, hmph, that was cool.
short and sweet.
It breaks things up quite a bit.
Mar 23, 2011 08:43 am Thanks guys...Bluesdues, I appreciate the props! The truth of the matter is that I have a bout 35 songs that I sing, and I'm going to have to get by with that this weekend. I'v always had another singer in the band, so I usually sing half. But I'm working on it. If it's blues, I can play it...just never sang a lot of em. Plus my usual band has harp and piano/organ, so we can solo all night...lol..
I will check out your 19 years old..I have that on my set list. I love the old more pure stuff. And I love when people appreciate that stuff.
Sure I love Vaughn, but all he did was play styles adopted from his heros, which are the same as mine,(Freddie King, Albert King,...ect)....he just did it way better...lol....When you mention blues, people automaticaly mention Vaugn...Sure, he brought some life back to the blues scene, but in no way was he a pioneer.
Mar 28, 2011 03:49 pm Well I did the gig. Hired a harp player last minute. I learned a valuable lesson. 3 piece is way too stressful for me. I like a little back up. I don't mind singing most of the songs, but someone has do a few a set to give me a break. I'm getting too old and fat for this!
Mar 28, 2011 03:52 pm A lesson learned is a productive night!
Mar 29, 2011 04:02 pm I guess dB sort of nailed that one down. All about finding your zone I suppose.
HuePinnipedal Czar (: 3= Member
Since: Apr 11, 2004
Mar 31, 2011 09:17 am Was it the same harp-guy from that video you had posted here? I didn't comment on it, but I did get a chance to see it. Good stuff!
Good call, btw.
