General Music Chat

Yeah...but nothing like the howl of satisfaction coming from the crowd after blowing the 2 "original" bands that went on before you away! .... In all seriouslness... I write originals, I've played in original bands and have gotten positive results from complete strangers listening to my originals...but... in the long run, we've packed more houses doing our cover thing than when we did our originals! The same cover band I was in was also my original band on other nights... we kicked ass, but I find more satisfaction at the end of the night when the crowd is screaming for more songs and all in all, just loving the covers you played.... so, yes... I personally can say I HAVE MY CREDIBILITY AND SATISFACTION!! ...oh ... and let's not forget about the "getting laid at the end of the night" factor!

How about the sound of a packed house singing YOUR lyrics in unison loud enough that they can be heard over the house P.A. as a singer songwriter that is VERY satisfying. And talk about beating them off with a stick? Man I had my choice. The women are there for cover bands or original bands. Like I said it's just my opinion but cover bands have no credibility. It's being a craftsmen vs. being an artist.

I agree with Paul on this one.

From my experience, if you are trying to use music as a way to hook some tail at the end of the night, your chances are pretty even steven between playing covers and originals. But I would pitch 100 shows of a packed place screaming their approval over some covers I played, for one performance of my own stuff that went over well. It's just so much more satisfying, and leaves you with the feeling that you really created your mark.

Being an RN by trade I hope your doing STD tests before you get "paid"
I've seen enough slow death in my time to stay with my wife or do without. (being "Paid") Other wise I guess its like has been retold To each his own Ifn it makes him happy. Then again I suppose if I were a better guitar player to do real credit to covers I might have a different oppinion.

I was of course referring to my escapades before getting married. Anyone...musician or otherwise...who f**k around on their spouse, is a lowlife.

ummm....same with me.... My ole lady would kill me if I pulled those shenaannigans again

As to getting people to listen to, let alone enjoy original music, here is a little tip that might help a little.
Introduce the song by telling a little something about how or why you wrote it, and make sure they know it is an original. Get them intrigued before the song starts and it will help.
Are your lyrics engaging? Is the song the right length, with the right amount of repitition to hook them, but not so much they get bored?
Cliff Keller

Anyone...musician or otherwise...who f**k around on their spouse, is a lowlife.

Nice. I agree wholeheartedly.

Being an RN by trade I hope your doing STD tests before you get "paid"
I've seen enough slow death in my time to stay with my wife or do without. (being "Paid") Other wise I guess its like has been retold To each his own Ifn it makes him happy. Then again I suppose if I were a better guitar player to do real credit to covers I might have a different oppinion.

I had to beat them off with a stick, but I was with my girlfriend only. Just because you have your choice of women doesn't mean you are sleeping with them. My wife is an RN is well.

I had to beat them off with a stick, but I was with my girlfriend only.

I tried beating them off with a stick...

But some of them enjoyed that kind of thing.

cliffkeller said:
". . . Introduce the song by telling a little something about how or why you wrote it, and make sure they know it is an original. Get them intrigued before the song starts and it will help . . ."
.
He is right.

As to getting people to listen to, let alone enjoy original music, here is a little tip that might help a little.
Introduce the song by telling a little something about how or why you wrote it, and make sure they know it is an original. Get them intrigued before the song starts and it will help.
Are your lyrics engaging? Is the song the right length, with the right amount of repitition to hook them, but not so much they get bored?
Cliff Keller

I agree with Craig. cliffkeller has some sound advice here.

As to getting people to listen to, let alone enjoy original music, here is a little tip that might help a little.
Introduce the song by telling a little something about how or why you wrote it, and make sure they know it is an original. Get them intrigued before the song starts and it will help.
Are your lyrics engaging? Is the song the right length, with the right amount of repitition to hook them, but not so much they get bored?
Cliff Keller

Yes, that works, but only in a concert setting. If you are in some rowdy club, good luck getting people to shut up long enough for you to get a sentence out...

^ good point. Again it's a venue choice thing.

we're playing an original or not. I perform covers and originals together. If after the set or show is over someone asks me who did a particular song which is one of ours I tell them so. Otherwise I don't make a big deal about playing our own tunes. Most people don't know or care which one is ours or not anyway. The only thing that really matters is that we get asked to come back by the club owners. I actually really would prefer to play all originals, but I have yet to find a club anywhere in the Kansas City area where you would get a return gig. Therefore I mix up covers with originals. I'll NEVER play a show with 100% covers even if the owner insists on it. I always tell them they're going to get some originals in the mix. I get way more satisfaction playing originals but I also like having a steady place to play. This particular topic has been a bone of contention with more bands I've been in than almost any other topic. I've had prospective musicians tell me they don't play originals, I tell them don't even bother auditioning. If anyone in the band has an idea for an original song I'd much rather work on that than any cover tune. Not exploring your creative urges is a huge waste of potential songs. It's hard for me to believe there's experienced musicians out there who have never had any creative ideas. Later...

It's hard for me to believe there's experienced musicians out there who have never had any creative ideas. Later...

X2

Fisherman Bob,

Your "original performing philosophy" pretty much coincides with mine.

We all have the love of playing music in common, but we're a diverse lot, and thank God for that!

P.S.
It seems you still may have some "technical problems" with your computer.
It appears that the first part of all your posts are missing! I've been wondering if anyone else has noticed this, or if its just me?