guitar playin?

Question

i play the guitar, i'm decent... and i sing... i do country and southern rock... i'm a freshman in college... everybody that hears me sing says i need to go play the bars or something... problem is, i don't have a band, or equipment... don't know where to start... any help

Answer 1

Start out with a really good bass player. Put together a duo and get about four to six sets put together. A set is 10 to fifteen songs that fit together in one group. You need to fill forty five to fifty minutes of an hour with one set of music. You will need more songs if nobody solos (a good bass player can often solo as well) and less if one or both of you do. If you throw in some patter (jokes, information about the group, out and out pandering to the audience)

As you gain reputation and can get more money, add more players. The next player you should add is a good percussionist (What's the difference between a drummer and a percussionist? - - - A percussionist is a musician!) Nest, add a lead instrument or a keyboard, then add players that compliment your sound as you need them. Best of luck no matter what you do and remember, music readers make for shorter rehearsals and less of them. Every time you get together to rehearse, that's one gig you didn't do, so keep rehearsals down to a minimum once you get tight. Always rehearse at least one to two songs during your soundcheck, and always have one or two new songs waiting in the wings so your sound never gets old.

Answer 2

Aside from forming a group to play music, hoping all will show up on time and rehearse, and then be punctual at a gig, you might consider doing the entire show yourself.

All you need is amplification for your guitar--an acoustic amp if you have an acoustic guitar, a good public address system for your microphone, and a synthetic drum machine. The initial cost to set up is pricey, which may include getting a van to haul all your equipment, but I did it for many years and enjoyed it less the hassle of others not so dependable.

Sometimes the place you will be playing will have its own microphone, stand, and P.A. system. Buy a quality amplifier and you'll be ready to go.

I played soft Country, rock, flamenco, blues, the classics, and everything in between because the patrons wanted it.

Answer 3

Just be forewarned that if you don't have a lot of experience meshing with other instruments, it will take a while to start to get a better sense of timing and that ability to follow the beat. I didn't start playing with a drummer and a bassist until I'd been playing for ten years. I think of myself as a decent guitarist, but it's a different animal and takes time to adjust. It's worth the experience, though.

As for finding bandmates, I'd first start trying to put up ads around your college. There are bound to be a few more musicians practicing in dorm rooms.

Answer 4

Put an ad in the paper or up at music stores that says that you are interested in joining or forming a band. Once you add the other musicians in they usually have enough gear between them to field some kind of sound system, and you can pay people to do sound for you too - I do that for others sometimes, but it isn't cheap - we charge at least $250 for this. You can also rent small P.A. systems from some music stores. They won't be as good as the ones in Carnegie Hall, but they will get the job done for you.

Answer 5

Do you realize how many guys in LA are "decent" singers and guitar players? Even at USC there's probably 100. Get together with other players at school. Play at "Open Mics" - there are quite a few in the LA area. (Highland Grounds on Melrose is one - McCabes in Santa Monica is another) You've got to WANT to do it.

Answer 6

go to like a local coffe shop or any wear and ask if you can play some of your muisc there and see how it gose and if you like you can try a small bar or something. But keep up the good work and i hope this helps you!