Hootie61
2 posts
Jul 08, 2019
8:30 PM
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I am part of a three piece band and am looking for a good method for keeping notes for songs. It is one thing when we did a couple songs at open mic, but now we are lining up four hour gigs, so have an extensive set list. What kind of notes do you keep? I have been printing out songs with lyrics, with notes on song key, harp key/ position, and where the harp solo is.
What kind of notes do you keep? Scales, amp settings, etc?
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jbone
2965 posts
Jul 08, 2019
8:50 PM
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We're a duo. Very simple that way!
We keep a master song/lyric book, everything in clear sleeves. We pull from that book into set lists in a smaller book. Each page of lyrics has root key, harp pos. and key, and any notes my guitarist wife wants there. We put them in the order they will be played along with some other options as well.
I sort of read the room to set sound. Usually once set it stays that way for the duration. Occasionally something will get tweaked a bit.
We both use 12w Silvertone 1482 amps and we have a Yamaha StagePass 600 p.a. 275 watt 4 channel. No monitors but we play small to medium rooms mostly. Volume is generally at a level that patrons can have a conversation. I have a couple of mics and use a Lone Wolf Harp Delay pedal.
Today I tried the hi z setting on Channel 4 of the p.a. and it sounded pretty good! Another option to consider.
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jbone
2966 posts
Jul 08, 2019
8:51 PM
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And by the way- Welcome to this joint!
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andysheep8
87 posts
Jul 09, 2019
2:07 AM
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I have a list of songs for each set telling me the key of the song and the harp I am using.
Where needed I have the initial of who is soloing and in which order.
Some songs i have noted the first few melody notes,
I also keep to hand an alphabetical list of all the band's songs in case they are called out of turn.
I have pictures on my phone of various amp and pedal settings
Works for me.
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SuperBee
6052 posts
Jul 09, 2019
3:05 AM
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All the songs are in my memory, but we have a list of titles and keys.
Paddy used to note tempos and groove descriptions, presumably because he wasn’t totally familiar with the numbers I led. Now he’s gone and I assume we all know the tempos and grooves, but I count everything in anyway. Could be handy for the more musically diverse members of the band to have that reference though.
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Spderyak
282 posts
Jul 09, 2019
5:39 AM
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We make our list in the order to be played... usually around 20 songs for an hr gig for us.
So the notes we make...for each gig.
...Key of the song....
..harmonica(s) used to play the song...
Who wrote or made the song popular...
The year of the song...
...then maybe an extra factoid or two but nothing lengthy..
We don't use/share all the info for each song but we keep it handy and share with the audience depending on their level of interest.
(some have never seen a harmonica played through a microphone for example)
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RobDawg
7 posts
Jul 09, 2019
7:12 AM
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Hi everyone,
I wanted to share what our band uses for tracking setlists, song notes, lyrics, band scheduling, and more...It's called BandHelper and it's not free but we cover the cost by getting paid at gigs.
Our bass player already used it in another band and was familiar with the setup. He has gotten good support from them when it's needed. It's great on an ipad in landscape mode or on an android. We keep some audio files in the app so I use it to practice upcoming setlists.
http://www.bandhelper.com/
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Hootie61
3 posts
Jul 09, 2019
6:10 PM
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Thanks for the welcome jbone!
Appreciate all the feedback. My band mates are using OnSong but I don't have an iPad. I'm using a binder with printouts of the lyrics/chords along with notes where my solos go. The other two play bass & rhythm guitar, so I get to play harp as the lead instrument. They do most of the lead vocals, but I sing several songs.. mostly rock/pop.
Anyway, another aspect is tips on improv. Most of the time I have the solos worked out, but would always like to improve my improv. :). Are there any notes I might use such as scales to help with that?
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snowman
472 posts
Jul 10, 2019
10:09 AM
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I keep amp and pedal settings notes
I use "Setlist Helper' with 10" screen,attached to mic stand
Its not real intrusive---I have 250 songs in it, sometimes with notes to remind me
Advantage= no wind blowing pages-quick access
Dis advantage= i had to make a black sun blocker to shade it --so I can see in bright sun
When Im playing guitar n harp and have my friend sit in , it gets a little annoying, when he asks me "what key" on songs we have been doing for 20 years
Thats an example of " he needs notes'
Also as far as lyrics once I get a song close--I change the way I make my notes
When I don't know song well I put all words and chords--with chords directly above word it changes on
Once I get song down --To save space--- I delete the formal format and put only the first line of verse etc----usually on songs u know -u just need a quick reminder [the first words of a verse] help a lot and saves space --plus u can now use BIG PRINT-helpful for us old farts
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nacoran
10144 posts
Jul 10, 2019
7:04 PM
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We used to keep lyric sheets that included the key and harp (and sometimes the starting hole... I had one or two songs that I always started wrong!)
The lyrics would sometimes include chords and say where the solos were.
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Hootie61
4 posts
Jul 12, 2019
5:00 AM
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Great stuff! I may eventually get a tablet. I like the idea of writing down the starting hole. I sometimes have that problem!
Last Edited by Hootie61 on Jul 12, 2019 5:02 AM
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