General Music Chat

I am a keyboard player who has been playing mainly Stevie Wonders music. I am having some problems getting other musicians to play along with me. Most of them just don't know his music, I learned from reading his music, so I know it's right. Anyway, what would anyone recommend to me about getting someone to play along with me, there are several musicians around here locally but they play mainly blues. What would you suggest to a Newby like me who wants to play Stevie Winder style music in a club on the weekend locally?

Thanks,
Fabster

Find local people who would want to do the same with ya. If you throw in that you want to do weekend shows, a lot of people would perk up.

Throw down some ads, looking for people who'd like to play with good ol' Stevie's music, and people should reply.

It'd also help if you had a club in mind that you'd want to play in, and talk with the people there to see if they'd even want you to play there to begin with, ya know?

Stevie Wonder is one of my favorite artist. The keyboards are one of the musical instruments that is the most versatal, In other words, One can do a show with keyboards only. [Maybe add a drum machine] Find a vocalist, male or female. And go to work at practice. I would advise to take that as a first step. Alot more money & less hassle than a full band. The rest as a band, if thats what you want, will fall into place with time. One step at a time, Set a goal to achieve. Then go to the next step, & so on. The best of wishes, VB.

Play the songs you like at an open mike, and hand out 'wanted" cards or flyers to anyone who comes within reach

Post an ad for a "Stevie Wonder" tribute and show band. You've got more than enough material to work with from that guy. His music has changed and evolved over time, and he performed from childhood to present time. If you research some good stories and anecdotes from his life, and interesting things he has said, you can make them relevant to the songs you are performing of his, and in that way, you are on your way to a real show, that keeps people interested, because besides music, you are entertaining them with stories they may never have known, as a way of introducing the songs and also ingratiating yourself with the crowd. As it progresses, consider having guest vocalists or musicians sit in on a song or two, and share with the crowd, whi his music has meant something to them. Also get the audience involved, ask them which songs they like best from Stevie, and ask them why it's their favorite, and then play it for them right after, if you know it. Ask the crowd for a show of hands on how many songs he has recorded in his lifetime, and see how many raise their hands for 25 to 50, or 50 to 100 etc... When some people raise their hands for the lower number, say "less than 50" you can tell them that, in fact, Stevie Wonder has had 64 songs make Billboard's 100 list. That is impressive! Then maybe tell them the real number, which should be enormous, and say "Here's one that you might not have ever heard" and play them something not as well known.

Just some ideas for getting the audience involved, which creates more of a show, and keeps them paying attention and interested.

Good luck!