Musician Forum - Band Discussion Board - BandMix

So...
Went over to visit a friend last night. One thing lead to another, and now I'm commited to filling in at a rock festival up in the mountains here.
I have 6 days to learn 7 songs. Probably get 3 rehearsals in before the show...
I've done crash course stuff before, but I was curious if anyone on here had any tips for this sort of situation.
I might learn something, or someone else might benefit from any feedback.
Yep... I'm a glutton for punishment, and not too smart.

I would say. Try not to be too much of a perfectionist with the songs. There isn't enough time to be. Just have fun and jam it out.

Why are you on here? Go learn the songs. Key in on the changes and keys of the songs first, if you get that nailed then work on the little licks in the music. Make sure you have the tempos down if you are doing the intros to any songs. Get busy.

Here's you a tip bro. Get down on your knees in a dark quiet place and ask for a little devine intervention. Then get busy!

Hey Zip,
What Shred 6 said..Fly by the seat of your pants on this one...If the arr. are very part specific, then pic out 2-3 , (NO MORE) KEY points of reference about each one, other than that let your emotions and muscle memory lead the way...You'll do fine,(I think you know that) Youve got a good creative side that will subconiously come through..Im havin to woodshed Radar love, Born to Run , some Steely Dan stuff etc.myself..I LUV doin these kinda gigs...Ill be playin this one http://www.wvmountainfest.com/ under the same circumstances...BASS /Vocals no less...Hey, at least we'll be in the MTS...

Dont sweat it..


John

For any given amount of time you have, it is better not to have just one marathon session.
.
If you have 2 hours to practice, rather than practice for two hours straight, split it into two, 1 hour sessions.
Allow at least 1/2 in between, for doing something unrelated.
.
You will learn faster.

play the music at low sound level while your sleeping...it works... loop it if you have the equipment and run it all night.

I have not seen that Dr Spock (or was it Mr Spock?) Thing in quite a few years.

I have the same thing coming up, in a way.

Only can schedule 1 more practice before Aug 1st to learn some Floyd ( I forget which one at the moment, of course...I have it written down somewhere I think ), & Cherub Rock (which I have trouble with, for some reason...can't get the arrangement down right for the lead in my headbone), Turning Japanese (odd thing, that!) & about 20 other songs, to do 2 sets at a fair. We only had one practice & I'd never met the drummer before, but we might mesh pretty well cuz he seems very good at his job.

I'm chilling at the moment before going to audition another act to see if I'm interested. I have no idea what to expect. The guy called me & asked if I'd check him/them out, & I said I would, but I got no song list from him. Hope he can write chords in measures well! Makes it easier for me if he can.

Then, by next Sunday, I should also have learned about 10 songs to audition for another band to see if we can mesh. Fortunately, they sent me a song list, so I can look up the songs o/l & get them down somewhat before we meet.

I love the pressure! Keeps me feeling alive.

I'll have it all down well enough by listening a buncha times, then I'll work out some licks, & by then I'll have 'em memorized in the short run. Just don't ask me to remember it all next year if I don't keep playing it!

I'm not saying I'll be perfect, but I'll have 'em down well enough to not make any glaring mistakes, & I'll have added some interesting bass lines to fit in which helps me memorize it.

But then again, I'm only playing bass & singing some leads & backups on songs I've never done before. It ain't like it's guitar or anything!

Relax. Drink it all in, keep yer head on straight & you'll do fine. You're a pro, remember? This is the LIFE, man!

Wow, is this the same Philby thats been moaning about nothing going on?
I hope all this business is contageous! Our last show was basically a practice in public, but it went so well I am encouraged. Ya,ll will do well. Enjoy the limelight.

Yep, that's me, sans. I'm loving it, too!

Zip - 6 days, THREE practices, for 7 songs? It's a walk in the park, man. Don't panic.

That ain't pressure. That's SOP for me.

Pressure is when you walk into a musical situation cold, & have to ask for the changes from the keyboard guy as he plays. Did it. Did it well enough for them to ask me back. It was skeery, though. They were a great buncha musicians who were all way over my head.

Gotta go...enjoy it while you can, Zip.

yeah what philby said. I've walked onstage with more bands I just met an hour ago...I don't wanna know...I love the pressure, some of my best playing has been while watching the band for key changes and hoping I make the night alive. Just did it again a couple of months ago 3 piece and it went great. I've even played songs I've never heard onstage, tell me what key it's in and don't throw any oddball stuff at me like some of Steely Dan's more eclectic tunes, I love it.

Split the practice sessions up, whoever said that was 134% right. You get more out of a half hour four times than two hours once by far. Get the major structure of the songs, from there let experience take over. I'd pay way more attention to doing good rhythm parts and let the leads handle themselves.

Zip's NOT a moron. Zip gets to play at a rock festival, hopefully in front of a ton of people. Zip only has to learn a handful of songs. Piece of cake. Practice 2-3 songs right before you go to bed. You'll remember them a lot easier that way. Hopefully Zip reports back to us after the festival and tells us what a great time he had and all the new people who were totally impressed with his kick-ass playing. Later...

So Zip - are ya practicing? Isn't the show tomorrow? How's it going?

Surely you gotta feel better about it all by now, right?

I'll betcha kick butt on this one!

Best of luck from out here in the sticks of WV!

I think it's on the 24th (he said 6 days, I dunno). Best of luck, man. The folks gave you great advice. Can't top that