Do you play gigs on your own
- Thread starter Session 5
- Start date
I’ve never played on my own, but what you describe is how I got started.
My sister is a nurse at a nursing home and she used to get my mother and me “gigs” at the nursing home.
My mother played keys and sang, and I played my 1974 Gibson SG. It was all free and there was never money involved. According to my sister, the residents liked us better than any of the other entertainment that got to come in.
My sister is a nurse at a nursing home and she used to get my mother and me “gigs” at the nursing home.
My mother played keys and sang, and I played my 1974 Gibson SG. It was all free and there was never money involved. According to my sister, the residents liked us better than any of the other entertainment that got to come in.
OP
Session 5
Ambassador of Strings & Wings
Well going back to where, I got started singing. One night we went to a Karaoke night at the campground where my Wife an I have a seasonal lot. There with our friends about 10 of them this evening we travelled down to the Rec hall for the event. My Wife for years felt I should be singing, before this night I had never sang in Public. So the show begins about a half hour into the show my Wife starts telling our friends that I can sing . I told her don't tell anybody I can sing say nothing. Well you know that's one thing you never tell a Woman LOL. So our friends say what does he sing, My Wife says Elvis, he does many songs. I'm starting to break out in a cold sweat! So now my friends fill out a couple selections. WOW now I know they are going to call my name at any time. About 10 minutes in they call my name, so I halled my quivering body up on stage. I can remember this like it was last night. The guy at the front who was putting this on, said to me if you want me to come in just give a flick of your hand, I gave him a nod with my head. I was up quite high on stage all I could see was bodies in the shadows, the lights were bright on stage. We found out later there were 274 there that night. There was complete silence, so I just gave it all I had, I sang its now or never by Elvis, when I had finished people were clapping banging on the tables and whistling. Later on and the next day people were stopping by saying I did a good job. So after that from time to time would go to Karaoke where I would get up and sing some songs, now its History. A big huge thanks to my Wife for giving me that extra push, That's when I decided to take up guitar 4 years ago and never looked back. This is what gave me the confidence to sing and play in Public.
BlackSG91
Ambassador of Anarchy
I've been playing guitar now just over 30 years but's it's been almost ages since I was last in a band. I would love to get back into the band scene some day and hook up with some old friends whom I haven't talked to for a while now. I miss my band playing days.
;>)/
;>)/
gball
Ambassador of Boogie
My problem seems to work like this: as an old guy and having now played for 41 years I still really enjoy playing with other people and performing, however it seems the project I have been working with for the last four/five years is coming to a premature end due to external forces. I want to continue to play. But (and you knew it was coming) when I play with people my own age it seems they are invariably mired in and trying to relive the past. I have no interest in playing covers of songs I listened to as a kid, none at all, and I want to create new music...which typically leads to younger musicians. Who have a hard time accepting an old dude among their ranks when creating original music (seems fine in cover bands but as stated, ZERO interest in a cover band). So, I am searching for the right situation, hopefully some equally "seasoned" people who don't have either dreams of delayed stardom or intentions of playing the Classic Rock Top 20 to a roomful of people in Hawaiian shirts trying to relive senior prom on Saturday night. If I can find a few that just want to create new music and maybe bring the music to a handful of people who would appreciate it I would be very happy.
BlackSG91
Ambassador of Anarchy
You actually make some great points there gball. I sort of refuse to play cover songs myself and I believe in originality like you do. In the past people would ask me constantly to play "Stairway To Heaven" which I played a lot but started getting sick & tired of playing it all of the time. It's a great song but after hearing on the radio a few million times it sort of gets outdated & tiresome. When I play guitar these days I mostly improvise solos and rhythm parts and try to come up with something new that I've created. I guess I don't have the patience to play cover tunes anymore because it's someone else's music and I prefer making my own. Your Hawaiian shirt reference is a good one...I couldn't have said it any better myself.
;>)/
Tony M.
Ambassador
Funny to me it is that you should say this.
(Why am I talking like Yoda???)
The original versions of a lot of the music I play have very little electric guitar in them.
This means I have to come up with an original guitar part for many of the songs.
It's a good situation. There is nothing to compare my part to so it can't be "wrong".
The song is also complete without me so what I do is "ice the cake".
I add textures, ambiences, counterpoints, extra harmonies, etc.
I have a wide open playground as long as I stay within reason.
The parts I play in the songs make no sense outside the context of the songs.
If My guitar parts get isolated and soloed, it's like "What the Hell is he doing?"
When you put them back in the songs they fit and make sense.
When I play by myself it sounds like aimless nonsensical rambling.
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Don't be so sure!
You actually make some great points there gball. I sort of refuse to play cover songs myself and I believe in originality like you do. In the past people would ask me constantly to play "Stairway To Heaven" which I played a lot but started getting sick & tired of playing it all of the time. It's a great song but after hearing on the radio a few million times it sort of gets outdated & tiresome. When I play guitar these days I mostly improvise solos and rhythm parts and try to come up with something new that I've created. I guess I don't have the patience to play cover tunes anymore because it's someone else's music and I prefer making my own. Your Hawaiian shirt reference is a good one...I couldn't have said it any better myself.
;>)/
I've probably played Hotel California a few million times and it never gets old to me. Every time feels like the first time all over again.
BlackSG91
Ambassador of Anarchy
"Hotel California" is like the "Stairway To Heaven" for the Eagles. It's a good tune but it is another one that gets over-played on the radio. I don't think I've ever learned that tune completely...no patience like I said.
;>)/
"Hotel California" is like the "Stairway To Heaven" for the Eagles. It's a good tune but it is another one that gets over-played on the radio. I don't think I've ever learned that tune completely...no patience like I said.
;>)/
I played briefly as a relief guitarist in an Eagles tribute band. I know those songs backwards and forwards. It was my favorite job EVER!
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My wife keeps telling me to go to some open mic's and just knock out Hotel California by myself!
I can't hear this in my head with only one guitar...
I can't hear this in my head with only one guitar...
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BlackSG91
Ambassador of Anarchy
OP
Session 5
Ambassador of Strings & Wings
"Hotel California" is like the "Stairway To Heaven" for the Eagles. It's a good tune but it is another one that gets over-played on the radio. I don't think I've ever learned that tune completely...no patience like I said.
;>)/
How about Dirty Laundry Black. Good tune doesn't get enough play.
