General Music Chat

I spent the 1st half of my music-playing years playing other people's songs: covers.
Now I'm learning my own music. All new-sounding stuff, not a re-hash of other people's music . . .
I can play originals for 4 hours straight, with no breaks . . . Not crap - good songs which people tell me they like. I've gotten tons of compliments from strangers . . .
But that's not my point at all.
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This is the point:
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I'm under the impression that, to get an audience's attention, you have to play a few covers, and then slip in the originals. That is - until you build up a base of fans who can easily fill the places where you're playing.
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I get the idea that if you play only songs they haven't heard, - then you have to be a musical genious to hold their interest - and maybe not even then . . .
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How am I doing with this? Am I deluded somehow?
.
Please give me some advice.
What are some GREAT acoustic- guitar cover tunes that might get attention?

You have to guage the venue in order to determine the set lists. If you're playing at an originals bar you can get away with a few covers; vice versa if you're playing a cover/dance bar. You also need to be able to guage the audience on that particular night and adjust your set lists to fit the mood. This is the fine art of producing a great show that only experience can provide. The following is a list of acoustic covers I perform; feel free to adopt any that you fancy.

Falling Down - Joe Walsh
Mother Goose - Jethro Tull
The Innocent Age - Dan Fogelberg
Tangerine - Led Zeppelin
White Summer - The Yardbirds
Tell Me Why - Neil Young
Old Man - Neil Young
Forever Afternoon (Tuesday?) - The Moody Blues
Nights in White Satin - The Moody Blues
Good Riddance (Time of Your Life) - Green Day
Hard-Headed Woman - Cat Stevens
Sitting - Cat Stevens
Heart of Gold - Neil Young
Nature’s Way - Spirit
Gold Dust Woman - Fleetwood Mac
Father and Son - Cat Stevens
Wish You Were Here - Pink Floyd
On The Turning Away - Pink Floyd
Norwegian Wood - The Beatles
I’m Looking Through You - The Beatles
Lake Isle of Innesfree - Sir Lord Baltimore
Jennifer Juniper - Donovan
There Is A Mountain - Donovan
Out On The Weekend - Neil Young
Harvest - Neil Young
Thank You - Led Zeppelin
Someday The Sun Won’t Shine For You - Jethro Tull
The Needle And The Damage Done - Neil Young
From The Beginning - ELP
Lucky Man - ELP
Ziggy Stardust - David Bowie
Starman - David Bowie
A Whiter Shade of Pale - Procol Harum
Elderly Woman Behind The Counter In A Small Town - Pearl Jam
About A Girl - Nirvana
Under The Milky Way - The Church
I Talk To The Wind - King Crimson
Wild World - Cat Stevens
A Space Oddity - David Bowie
(What’s So Funny ‘Bout) Peace, Love and Understanding - Elvis Costello

The standard idea is that one works from covers into originals. I'm not so sure I agree. It depends upon your solo/band strategy.

A lot of bands that follow the above strategy are essentially cover bands, trying to write covers that emulate the bands they admire. Often they have copied heavily from one particular band, and want to write songs in that style. Such songs might not go over well unless prefaced by covers.

I know a solo acoustic guitarist who doesn't do anything but his own material. He's been plugging away for years, self-marketing tapes then CDs. He has a large catalogue of excellent material, and has gained quite a following over the years, a little at a time.

I don't write prolifically. I often compose on the keyboard, and the product may not be intuitively amenable to solo acoustic. So when I play solo acoustic I do a lot of covers. But I do a lot of unusual pieces, done my way rather than copying a style. People seem to like it.

I was working with a guy who IS a prolific songwriter. We did a few covers, but mostly original material from both of us. The covers helped round out the repertoire, in that neither of us tend to write in three chords, and we took our time working up the songs for recording. We wanted each to be unique, not a hastily- rehearsed copy of something else.

Though we recorded more than we gigged, people enjoyed our shows. The mix of songs was not at all repetitive. We sometimes had cerebral audiences; i.e., they didn't react loudly, but listened. Only after the show would we discover that they were really diggin' it.

I worked a band with another prolific songwriter. He came from the solo acoustic milieu, but we were doing a band. We did only one or two covers. Some folks lnew him from his solo work, but a great many heard the songs for the first time from the band. People liked it a lot.

The thing about covers is that you can spend a lot of time on them, and seldom get around to your own music.

So I would say that the answer to your question depends upon your long-term goals and your wherewithal to pursue them. If you're offering quality music and an entertaining presence, you can sell it regardless. Selling your originals might take more time, but you get to be a lot more creative.

I'm one who believes that unless you're a tribute band, covers ought to be approached like originals, doing them your way rathar than the way they've already been played. But if you're doing that, why not just play originals, if you have enough?

For me as a flegling side project musician I warm up with a few cover songs I been taught by other gifted musicians.Having no lessons ie able to read music I have figured out riffs for 10 out of 68 original songs.All lyrics are written by me.I'ts frustrating writing lyrics by myself and trying to compose riffs alone.Considering my lead guirtarist is busy with his other band.But it gives me more strive to do what I love create music.

Hi ... great question ... and one with many different answers... here's my view:


I totally disagree with cover songs being in any way part of a gigs success. Nor would I suggest using cover songs to acquire the audiences attention. If you need an AC/DC song to get the audiences attention ... then its NOT YOU getting their attention .. but rather its AC/DC.

Being that I am a Manager/Producer .. I would be a tad upset at you for allowing AC/DC to steal your limelight. If the fans want to hear AC/DC they can go to an "AC/DC's" concert .... rather than yours.

The ticket is this bluerock.... as a Manager... it would be my job to make sure the fans were ready for "you" ... not AC/DC. If your going to come out of nowhere .... step up on the stage as a complete stranger to the fans ... start singing into the microphone without even a single hello how are you ... then yes ..... your screwed.... have some AC/DC material ready.

But if your properly marketed ... if the fans are all fired up about bluerock days before bluerock even steps on the stage .... then ... bring your own song ..... you'll have their attention.

In short ..... song selection does have alot to do with it .... but the question here is not what song of yours you should sing ... but rather who's songs .... If your manager is doing his/her job ... sing your songs ... if he/she isn't ... have some AC/DC songs ready just in case.

Thats my opinion ... please feel free to disagree.

Its what your audience wants to hear is what counts the most, Or who has hired you for the job. What sort of crowd [gig] you are playing in front of. Ask yourself, What kind of music you would want to hear if you hired a band to play for a private party? Ask your invited guest what kind of music they would like to have played? Sometimes a DJ will get the job[private party] before a cover band anyway. There is an endless variety of cover songs to choose from for a cover band [solo], Keep adding new material if you are playing the same place for a second time, etc. If you come back with the same song list every show, Well....I am sure we all know the answer to that one. What cover song you choose to play is not quite as important as, How well you perform your material for a show. If your originals are good, Then 'word of mouth' will take care of the rest. MTVs Unplugged has alot of acoustical material to choose from. In my personal opinion, Just about anything can be converted to an acoustic version. Go and check out your local acts, See what your competition is like, etc.

the way I want to play them. I don't believe in being a "live jukebox". That's what jukeboxes and DJ's are for. I'm a pro musician. When the band members enjoy what they're doing it has a positive effect on the audience. Whether it's widely recognizable or obscure covers or my own originals, it dosn't matter to me. We just do what we do and more often than not the crowd likes it. I don't really try and guage what the audience will go for. I'm not out to please people so much as I'm out to perform the best I can and let the chips fall where they may. I NEVER try and do a cover tune note-for-note, I'm NOT a damn mynah bird or parrot. Just play the song the way you want to and enjoy yourself. Later...

the way I want to play them. I don't believe in being a "live jukebox". That's what jukeboxes and DJ's are for. I'm a pro musician. When the band members enjoy what they're doing it has a positive effect on the audience. Whether it's widely recognizable or obscure covers or my own originals, it dosn't matter to me. We just do what we do and more often than not the crowd likes it. I don't really try and guage what the audience will go for. I'm not out to please people so much as I'm out to perform the best I can and let the chips fall where they may. I NEVER try and do a cover tune note-for-note, I'm NOT a damn mynah bird or parrot. Just play the song the way you want to and enjoy yourself. Later...

You are entitled & should have respect for you opinion. If it works for you & you enjoy how you perform. 'Thats whats its all about' / Myself: I perform for my satisfaction, Perfection, The crowd, open mike, DJ between sets, I DJ in the middle of the week, And sometimes I play the jukebox. Sometimes, when the atmosphere is right. I perform covers in my own version. I am a versatal vocalist with the ability mimic certain artist well, As I play bass as close to the original cover as possible. Some vocalist sound the same with every song they do, I take pride in doing a good show. If I want to freelance and have a jam session. I do it in the garage at band practice. Doing a cover note-for-note works for me, When I go out to see & listen to a band playing at a club, etc. I personally dont want to hear their version of a cover song. But I find that is what you hear with alot of bands, Sometimes for instance, The lead guitarist will play the covers to the 'T', While the rest of the band members are doing their version. If you have the ability & talent to be just as good , If not even better than the original artist. Why would one want to change a cover to their version. Does the crowd really want to hear a cover bands version instead of the original artists version. I understand, believe me, Playing the same songs over & over gets boring at times, But that is when it 'Clicks' as a band most of the time. I like to funk up certain songs on bass, But besides that, I prefer to sound as good & close to the original as possible. /. To be the best, You should do your best. Be prepaired for the worst, And hope for the best. With me, There are no certain rules to follow with my love for music. Everyday I search & learn to mature as a musician. Just being honest to myself, & who I am. [A Musician]

Just like people say about any art, "I know what I like" when they really mean, I like what I know. There are great songs out there that are not popular but can be covered. Bob Dylan recently did a cover of a "Hambone" Newborn tune called "Rollin' and Tumblin'". He changed the lyrics considerably as Muddy Waters did in the 50's.

You can also lie and say here's another favorite by _________ and play an original. Chris Issac said he used to do that.

I spent the 1st half of my music-playing years playing other people's songs: covers.
Now I'm learning my own music. All new-sounding stuff, not a re-hash of other people's music . . .
I can play originals for 4 hours straight, with no breaks . . . Not crap - good songs which people tell me they like. I've gotten tons of compliments from strangers . . .
But that's not my point at all.
.
This is the point:
.
I'm under the impression that, to get an audience's attention, you have to play a few covers, and then slip in the originals. That is - until you build up a base of fans who can easily fill the places where you're playing.
.
I get the idea that if you play only songs they haven't heard, - then you have to be a musical genious to hold their interest - and maybe not even then . . .
.
How am I doing with this? Am I deluded somehow?
.
Please give me some advice.
What are some GREAT acoustic- guitar cover tunes that might get attention?

---------------------

I believe that the more you "learn" the more you are bounded by your practice of others styles, progressions, and overall rhythm. I think that the only way to be truly original is if you learn by playing, and doing what it is you feel, and not let someone else's ability and playing patterns drive you to the next level. Lose yourself, and no one will ever be able to relate. I have been practicing like this for the past 8 yrs and everyone tells me that they've never really heard anything like what I'm doing, and it's because I never based my practices off anyone else's material.

Also, I don't agree with any of the garbage about getting people to pay attention to you when you play music that they have never heard, because if they don't, then f**k them, they aren't worthy of hearing something that is new and original anyway. They can be stuck in 1999 for as long as they wish, playing in their car "I'll be Missing You" by Puff diddy or some other bullshit, while the rest of us are moving forward.



~Cally~
Need Boat insurance?

V & B you said to be the best, you've gotta perfom your best.
My goal is not to be the best. There's always somebody better, anyway.
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My goal is to play good music that I enjoy, and have other peeople enjoy it.
But, if I want to perform my best, then I cannot limit myself to what OTHER peiople's 'best' is.
.
I know there will always be openings for good cover bands.
.
But for me to spend my life imitating other musicians is just not me.

We have to keep sight of the fact that, in order for anyone to DO covers, someone else had to write and perform the originals which the cover band is covering in the first place.
.
Hey, what if these bands did ONLY covers, and never played an original:
Beatles, Yes, Santana, Bach, Leo Kottke, Steely Dan, Doobie Brothers, Led Zeppelin, Moody Blues, Credence, Alman Brothers, Mamas & the Pappas, Aerosmith, Beethovan, ELP, C S N & Y, Cheryl Crow, Enya, Strauss, Jefferson Airplane/Starship, Pink Floyd, Doors, Queen,
and a thousand others . . .
.
Oops, sorry V&B, didn't mean to pontificate; my apologies.

Hey, CallyG.
You said ". . . learn by playing, and doing what it is you feel, and not let someone else's ability and playing patterns drive you to the next level. . . . . "
Yeah I agree with that.
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As for the rest of what you said, about dissing the audience . . .
- just remember - if you want to play out - you need an audience.
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That's why cover bands are so popular.
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Ahhh, well. Hey, people are people, with all kinds of likes and dislikes.
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It's up to the guys who write originals to expose people to new and different (and hopefully better) music for the audience to like.
It's the guys who play original music who give the cover bands something to play.
I think I might know what you're saying, guy, - maybe something like, "I can play their songs, but can they play my songs?"
But - even original artists have favorite songs written by other people . . .

which not only does covers note for note, but play with the exact kind of instruments and drums the Beatles used, and dress exactly the way the Beatles dressed. This band is truly phenomenol but I feel sorry for them. I have no idea what THEY sound like. You can do covers with your own sound and do them in an original way. I was recruited to be in a ZZ Top tribute band. I was going to have to dress like them and play everything EXACTLY like the original version. These guys are making good money apparently but the people in the audience wouldn't be listening to ME. When I play for somebody they're getting ME (they may not always like me), not somebody else. To me doing covers like the original is like being hooked up by an umbilical chord. Sooner or later you need to cut the chord. If you like doing covers and are making some good money, then more power to you. I personally would rather hear what YOU sound like, what YOU sing like, what YOU can create. That's just my take on all this cover vs. original stuff. Later...

[V & B you said to be the best, you've gotta perfom your best]. :Quote:
My goal is not to be the best, I agree & respect your response brother, My point was to do MY!! best. With nothing to prove to anyone. I am far from the best of the best. Like you stated, Always someone better. I am a musician out for my love of music, Keeping it fun' for myself, & the satisfaction at performing a variety of different styles of music for different crowds with the talent & ability I posses as a musician & artist. We all know our limits. To debate with each other, Helps us all to mature as musicians....'PEACE'.


{My goal is to play good music that I enjoy, and have other peeople enjoy it.
But, if I want to perform my best, then I cannot limit myself to what OTHER peiople's 'best' is.
.
I know there will always be openings for good cover bands.
.
But for me to spend my life imitating other musicians is just not me.

We have to keep sight of the fact that, in order for anyone to DO covers, someone else had to write and perform the originals which the cover band is covering in the first place.
.
Hey, what if these bands did ONLY covers, and never played an original:
Beatles, Yes, Santana, Bach, Leo Kottke, Steely Dan, Doobie Brothers, Led Zeppelin, Moody Blues, Credence, Alman Brothers, Mamas & the Pappas, Aerosmith, Beethovan, ELP, C S N & Y, Cheryl Crow, Enya, Strauss, Jefferson Airplane/Starship, Pink Floyd, Doors, Queen,
and a thousand others . . .}
.
Oops, sorry V&B, didn't mean to pontificate; my apologies.

Hey, V & B.
It took me a moment to realize your response was mixed into your quote of my response.
For the benifit of those who went right past it, you said:
.
"I agree & respect your response brother, My point was to do MY!! best. With nothing to prove to anyone. I am far from the best of the best. Like you stated, Always someone better. I am a musician out for my love of music, Keeping it fun' for myself, & the satisfaction at performing a variety of different styles of music for different crowds with the talent & ability I posses as a musician & artist. We all know our limits. To debate with each other, Helps us all to mature as musicians....'PEACE'.
.
My response:
Yep. Peace.
You're playing for the right reasons.
Hey, any recommendations as to the 5 best cover songs for a single acoustic guitarist to play?