SuperBee
4213 posts
Oct 26, 2016
5:41 PM
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We've been booked to play again next Friday, 4 November. There'll be no chance to rehearse beforehand. I seem to be the only member concerned by this. We rehearsed one time since the last gig (1 October), and on that occasion just played all new material. I dunno, I feel pretty exposed by this lack of rehearsal. The band s tight enough in terms of laying down a groove, but in terms of organisation I think it has potential for...less than great. Be different if we were gigging every week
Anyway, nothing I can do except make a fuss one way or the other and I expect that won't help so I'll just try to be as well prepared as I can be.
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Killa_Hertz
1841 posts
Oct 27, 2016
4:17 AM
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What is the issue that keep you all from being able to rehearse?
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SuperBee
4215 posts
Oct 27, 2016
5:41 AM
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Good question. Just priorities I suppose.
I dunno. I think a band should work to get slick. Once you're nailing it, okay but we have just 40 songs and a lot of those could do with some work IMHO. I've got things I want to try that I can't really try with a backing track...be different if we were working a lot but 2 outings a month doesn't build much rapport.
Or maybe it does. I dunno, maybe having to stay alert because you don't really know how to end it or whether to do the bridge again or how many solos is actually better for communication. Everyone can play, I'm the least experienced, least skilled.
so I'm easily stressed. If they're not worried I guess I better not be either because if I fret that will be a bummer on everyone. So I'll just try and learn my lines, tune my harps, practice chops and turn up on time.
Band rolls ok. I think it could be slicker but at the moment it's kinda like a good jam where you not quite sure what's gonna happen.
I've been learning little walter's super second solo from baby please don't go, but I couldn't get it working in rehearsal. Not sure why; maybe the rhythm was wrong or the beat too fast. I love that solo.its 22 seconds of greatness that I'm stoked to be able to play, and I'd really like to roll it out in context but I don't dare try it cold. I can probably find another shuffle to use it.
I have a few I want to shine up. I listened hard to Omar Kent dykes on big boss man and I can roll out that solo pretty well now, but haven't done it in the band. We played my babe for the first time last weekend and that needs a great solo. And i need to sing in key.
Blues with a feeling is a bit demanding to sing too.
Just your fool; I'd love to do that. I'm practicing it about an hour a day, vocals included.
I'm learning more little Walter than I've learned before, and I want to do more; mean old world and can't hold out much longer for instance.. And you're so fine..
But that cat could really sing. And those slow blues need you to stay in tune.
So yeah. I better play the concert keys and practice the vocals, bring my best game. Don't stress. Be cool because it's about making a show.
Last Edited by SuperBee on Nov 05, 2016 6:10 AM
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Killa_Hertz
1845 posts
Oct 27, 2016
7:49 AM
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Yea that stinks that you cant get those guys more hype about practicing. Nothing like watching a band that functions like a well oiled machine.
Thats cool that you have been learning more walter.
Since I have been playing amped more recently, I have really started to study Kim Wilsons Accompaniment. Like on Ludella. and the bob margolin album He has so many little licks that just drive the song. He just keeps going throughout the whole song and it doesnt get too repetitive or boring. Just changing up one little likc by adding a note and/or changing the timing a bit. Or changing the root note for a chord change. It's so simple, (sounding) but it's ingenious. Thats some little walter stuff right there.
I ve been stealing alot of his 5 cord licks too. trying to commit them to memory. Like i said earlier, I only have a few 5 cord licks that I just repeat too much. The average listener might not really notice, but it drives me crazy. It just feels so stale to me because I have used them so many times.
After playing amped alot and listening to some of his older stuff and accompaniment stuff .... I really get kim wilson now .... lol ..... no wonder so many folks try to copy him.
Sorry for straying OT
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SuperBee
4234 posts
Nov 02, 2016
2:56 PM
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I'm getting better about this but still; 2 days until showtime and I can feel my jaw getting tense and my guts twisting.
Just got the proposed set list, and accompanying banter, some 'robust' emails yesterday about fees. I've decided to try and learn from past experiences and apply some of that 'wisdom' in this band instead of getting caught up in the tension and drama of 'personality'. I sing and play the harp.
I read Louis Myers said he left Little Walter's band because Walter didn't respect the responsibility of his role as bandleader. He was just 24/25 years old and wanted to act as he had in Muddy's band; just turn up and play. I understand that; someone has to be the leader and it's a responsibility. I didn't want it in my last band and I didn't accept the role, didn't do it. The band fell apart. I am happy to let Paddy lead. I 'lead' on the songs I sing. That's enough for me.
I still get nervous though. Maybe not as bad this time.
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MindTheGap
1854 posts
Nov 03, 2016
1:04 AM
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Re leaders, people moaning and jostling for position, email tennis, everyone forgetting why they are doing the thing in the first place. Yes, it seems to be an inevitable part of doing anything in a group (any group for any activity), all that stuff. Some of it is important, most of it seems to be unnecessary and self-generated. A story as old as time.
Just turn up and play - a good trick if you can pull it off :)
Some treatments I've heard suggest are:
1. Taking an enforced break, so people can feel what it's like to NOT be playing.
2. Formally rotating roles after a set time.
Last Edited by MindTheGap on Nov 03, 2016 1:12 AM
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Halffast
52 posts
Nov 03, 2016
6:36 AM
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None of the guys I've played with practice much and never with me . Jobs , family , attitudes , etc. must get in the way . I've sat in for a few songs and played whole gigs and have always had to wing it .
My " mentor " , a solo guitarist ( has various band configurations sometimes too ) has always just had me up and thrown me to the wind . He'll have me get a certain key harp and I'll ask what we are playing . He will say " I don't know yet . " as he scrolls through his ( 400 + ) song list . At times he starts playing something I don't know and tells me to take off with a solo . This has been nerve racking while standing on stage in front of a crowd for sure . In a way it has made me a better player and has me reacting fast and thinking on my feet . Oh , there have been a couple of stinkers for sure if there are chord changes or he switches key at the last second but 99% of the time it works out well and the audiences seem pleased . We get asked back so the venues must like it .
Sure would be nice to work out some tunes ahead of time though .
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SuperBee
4245 posts
Nov 05, 2016
6:01 AM
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https://www.dropbox.com/sh/6fgmix1ph1x24vj/AAAI8a-1i26OcDLLbytEtVIia?dl=0
Last Edited by SuperBee on Nov 05, 2016 6:06 AM
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SuperBee
4253 posts
Nov 07, 2016
7:52 PM
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I'm sharing this bit of vision from the gig. This is a band pretty much learning a song on the bandstand. We did jam this one time, 2 weeks prior. You can see at the start I'm playing for the drummer and bass to pick it up because I couldn't count it in with confidence. When the kick starts it starts to come together. You can see the bass player counting his way in. By the 3rd time through I think we are all in the swing.
Of course the sound is filtered through the camera, just a Nikon P600.
video
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MindTheGap
1865 posts
Nov 08, 2016
1:21 AM
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Yes that's very good, especially so given the lack of rehearsal. As you stay the very start is a little wobbly but it's the kind of thing you can pour over on a recording but probably didn't matter at all in the moment. And you got an good clean ending, with the stop and everything in place. Little hand signal to the drummer, all rather slick.
Nice precise warbling from what I could hear. Good balance between voice and harp.
Given that it's all fine, I would offer that from the recording it seems drum heavy - a big rock kit sound and he's thumping away. With the guitar and bass tastefully low. It may just be how the recording sounds, although from what I can see of his stick height he seems to be giving it some wellie!
BTW when I watched on youtube it automatically went on to show a David Bowie version - so you're in good company :)
Last Edited by MindTheGap on Nov 08, 2016 1:25 AM
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SuperBee
4256 posts
Nov 08, 2016
2:40 AM
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thanks for watching and commenting. i think that what happens at the start is actually about the tempo. once the kick starts, its settled. at the time i was wary of counting it in because of the pickup, i hadnt quite worked out how to explain it but i knew Rob would be onto it and bring Paddy in.
i've thought the same about drums. but i'm not sure about the camera. obviously there is a limiter in play because it was quite loud in the room, and i know my videographer was not in control of the audio recording. it was some sort of automatic setting. but yes he does hit them pretty hard in some of these numbers.
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