|
Post by Rusty on Jan 14, 2009 23:19:08 GMT -6
Do you guys that are gigging,do you have a set program as far as who sets up where,and what songs you play,or do you just wing it as it comes? Just intrested in how other bands work it out. I have always setup on the left side of the stage,just where I wound up I guess,even the band room I set up on the left. So with the new band I am on the right,and it's a little foreign to be honest. I know reading this it sounds a little petty,but it's a little strange for real. I have to make sure not to stab the singer with the headstock..lol
|
|
|
Post by midnightwinestrat on Jan 15, 2009 3:55:49 GMT -6
In the last band, I always set up to the right of the drummer, and the other guitarist liked the left hand side, so we stuck TB in the middle...LOL
|
|
|
Post by mapexrick on Jan 16, 2009 16:59:43 GMT -6
Dude, I am very anal about the organization of the performance. Probably too anal. We have a set list for each performance, no matter if it is a 4 hour gig like tonite, or we are opening for a national act and playing 45 minutes, or a five song jam session. As I mentioned in a different thread, I even have a 8x12 rug with the positions of my drum kit and hardware, but that is more to ease the set up time a bit. We do have the regular places on stage for each of the members as well. I think having a set list allows you to be thinking and preparing ahead. When we are in the last chorus or minute of the song, I am looking at the set list and thinking already how that songs starts out, if I need to swing the mic in front of me, or whatever pre song prep is needed. It is like the radio, dead air is just that...DEAD! I will even make notes on the set list like who starts the song, etc. Our guitarists will write keys, changes, etc on theirs as well. Makes for a polished show. If the sets flow well, then the band looks more professional. Do we stick 100% to the set list? Nope. You have to be a little flexible for the crowd and for requests.
|
|
|
Post by vanman on Jan 17, 2009 1:05:11 GMT -6
I, as a drummer, prefer to be on the left facing center stage (crowd sees me from my left side). I HATE being set up in the middle of a band in the back, that makes absolutely no sense what-so-ever to me. I've played enough, performance as well as jam sessions, to kow that you CAN learn to play off one another. Drums and keys on the outer edges facing center, guitarists in the middle, singers up front is my preference (and not at all what I get to do these days ). This way the musicians can all have eye contact. You watch someone long enough, you get to know "tells" in their facial expressions, body posturing, etc. that let you know they are gearing up for something. You really do get to know the people you are playing with and what preferences they have by watching them as well as listening to them. As for song lists- thats always subject to change in the praise band- you gotta be ready for the pastor to want to hear a song that goes along with a sermon, etc. As well time can run long due to unforeseen circumstances and the song that just got polished up can be cancelled at a moments notice.
|
|
|
Post by junkman306 on Jan 17, 2009 9:06:15 GMT -6
I don't particularly care where I sit, just as long as I can see Ron so I know what I'm playing. Since I can't count time or read music or anything, It helps to see him so I can determine what I'm going to do during the song. I actually play based off his actions and emotion during a song. If he's really rocking out on a particular song, I'll throw some extra little rolls and stuff in and just kinda hang loose. If he's just not into the mood of the crowd and fairly calm, I'll just play a straight beat and hang back out of the way. He has a set list for about everything. He plays his originals 99% of the time, but we keep a few covers handy just in case it's a tough crowd.
|
|
|
Post by vanman on Jan 17, 2009 23:46:23 GMT -6
A thought just hit, analogy that might make sense. Irregardless of the style of band, if you've got say 30+ songs in your arsenal then rehearsal is a bit like dusting off the shelves. Each song is one in a collection of keepsakes. They are all familiar to you no matter how dusty and every now and then you take them off the shelf to clean them up a bit.
|
|
jamiea
Beginner
[Mo0:0]
Posts: 9
|
Post by jamiea on Feb 12, 2009 16:39:54 GMT -6
You've heard this before... You Play how you practice.
|
|
|
Post by sanchofirestorm on Apr 4, 2009 20:03:54 GMT -6
you know, I have never thought about that before, but ya stage left(that is left to the performers)is where I always play/practice to the drummer.
from left to right it's, me(guitar), singer, drummer, bass, guitar.if we end up getting a key's I don't know where he would fit in, lol.
set lists to us our very important. they are like books, they have a certain flow. we have seen GREAT bands with bad organization of their songs. for instance, all of their song the first 3/4 will be high tempo and fast and then the last songs are a bit slower. you have to vary your songs.
|
|
|
Post by Rusty on Apr 4, 2009 20:58:53 GMT -6
yeah I'm back on the left of the drummer again and it is better for me. Perks of having the band house I guess,location location location.
|
|
|
Post by vanman on Apr 5, 2009 23:38:49 GMT -6
As for song tempo, as Sanchez was commenting on...I once saw a diagram of a curve that one performer was showing another who was told by an "industry pro" how the song set should go tempo or perhaps energy wise. I can only describe it here but it I believe it looked mostly like the "Nike" symbol. It actually started with a fairly high energy piece that was probably a new song from the current CD, then 1 or 2 more songs that actually increased the energy level topping off after say 3 songs NOW is where the nike symbol comes into play, play a bit of a more slower song say equal in energy level to the first and then your next song would be the slowest in the set (say song #5), from that point on it is a steady progression in energy leading to the end including say 15 or so songs altogether. Now that would be for a full length concert where nimber of songs might be dependant on time, length of songs, etc. but a quick recap that you could apply to any set list would be start high then cool down pretty quick with a steady increase to the end. how this would apply to club acts... I haven't been to any to know how long the song sets are, i suppose you would maybe chop that "nike" symbol into equal parts depending upon how many sets you had and what there length was, then again bar owners might want high energy all the time???
|
|