h2g2 The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy: Earth Edition

Entry: Live Music Is Not Dead! - A26173866
Author: jonrhodes - U8964371

There are thousands of music heroes in local bands. Here's why...

Here's a few ideas..

Should there be some discussion here about size of bands, instrumentation? For instance a trio of drums, guitar and keyboard can play a lot of types of songs from hard rock to pop. If you lack a keyboard, your band might have to include a bass and you might not be able to play many of the pop songs that require a keyboard. Solo players with a keyboard can do most anything from jazz to pop. A band that includes a full rock band plus some brass and woodwind players can be quite storing and loud, playing hefty tunes. In other words, consider the instrumentation and what limitations that brings about. Are there typical combinations?

Practice is essential. It’s not just about finding a place to practice, but it is about looking and sounding savvy on the stage. A band that does not know when the guitar is going to take off on a solo and the singers mistakenly start up is not going to sound too good, now are they? The place is important, but the practice is more important and takes more time.

Someone has to set the play list out. Sure, bands take requests, but they also usually have a play list and know how long each set is going to be and what song will be next.

If the band/club owners want an audience to dance, they have to build the momentum up and down. You have to know how to play an audience. I've heard bands that really heat things up before a set ends, then they start slow and build back up to a fever pitch. This is an important thing to consider.

Set up can be complex. Someone has to know where to put all those wires and monitors so the band can hear each other and the singers. Some bands have a mixer guy – I’m not sure what you call him/her, but they turn up/down treble and sometimes special effects. Then there’s all those wah-wah pedals and stuff like that. It all has to be put up and broken down before the band goes home. Some lucky bands have people who do this, but usually the band does its own set up. I’ve seen complex setups and very low key ones, even acoustic bands in small venues where there isn’t much set up at all.

You've started an interesting article. Good luck!

The band of a friend of mine uses a euphonium instead of a bass. Works quite well.

The use of 'you' should be avoided.

Over a year since the author has posted, propose a move to the Flea Market for this Entry (complete with 'yous' )

Matt

Seconded.