Any solo performers out there?

[pigman]

I'm thinking about limiting my act to just me and an electric guitar, and I'd like to know what to expect.

Do you play guitar / sing? Do you play an acoustic or electric? If you play electric, have you ever had problems getting gigs at "acoustic" venues? Do you have a PA? What sort of gigging experiences have you had? Is it easy to find work?

Thanks!
P.

[phred]

i live in rural area play acoustic ..find lots of places to play
i would imagine there are plenty of venues where you live.look in the local paper ...you know..the one that has all the band listings for the weekend...look for other solo performers and approach those venues.

[jdechant]

you could always get a band to back you up... in fact alot of solo performers have a band with them... they are all not considered a band is all... the others besides the solo artist are sorta like hired musicians... this gives a better sound to me with a full band, but gives you full control over the ideas, songs, etc, that are presented... plus you can have like 3 or 4 bass players, 3 or 4, drummers, etcc... willing to play with you but not be part of your band and don't have to worry about having a show and a member not available cause you have 3 others standing in line behind the guy who skipped out.

[pigman]

Originally posted by jdechant
you could always get a band to back you up... in fact alot of solo performers have a band with them... they are all not considered a band is all... the others besides the solo artist are sorta like hired musicians... this gives a better sound to me with a full band, but gives you full control over the ideas, songs, etc, that are presented... plus you can have like 3 or 4 bass players, 3 or 4, drummers, etcc... willing to play with you but not be part of your band and don't have to worry about having a show and a member not available cause you have 3 others standing in line behind the guy who skipped out.

I have a friend who does the exact thing you describe - a few bassists, a few drummers, then he just calls the tune when playing live. My problem is that my material is a bit more complex. I have a sampler that I've been programming to use behind me. As long as I emphasize the live guitar and voice, I'm hoping that people don't mind that I'm working with a machine....

P.

[jdechant]

I saw a guy once playing guitar and singing with a sampler/drum machine backing him up on stage and to be honest it was quite possibly the wost performance I ever saw... not because he was bad, but cause he was using a machine to back him up... he would've been much better off to dump the machine and just do guitar and vocals...

[pigman]

Originally posted by jdechant
I saw a guy once playing guitar and singing with a sampler/drum machine backing him up on stage and to be honest it was quite possibly the wost performance I ever saw... not because he was bad, but cause he was using a machine to back him up... he would've been much better off to dump the machine and just do guitar and vocals...

Wow - thanks for the info.... Can you describe the performance in more detail? What did the background sound like? Was there too much background? [Sometimes drum machines can sound cheezy....] Did his performance rely too much on the machine? Thanks.

P.

[stunningbabe]

Am I one of the small handful performers that records track by track all the guitar parts, back up vocals and etc by herself......?

I think so. After all the tracks are eq'd, balanced, treated with reverb and etc......I mix to 2 track stereo onto a CD- R. All the parts are done with much sweat and tears.......sometimes 1 track can take 1/2 a day!. Maybe I am a perfectionist?....Hmmmmm......

I still perform spontaneously on the Keyboard with built in rhythm
and auto play chord function.......that is for requests from the audience and songs that are not complex like fusion jazz.

I know that many performers use Midi file that are taken from the web. I can't stand the Midi file sounds!.

[mojowilder]

i just did a solo acoustic CD and did everything myself--drums, guitar, vocals, and harmonica. i don't like the sound of synth drums, generally. plus i like the fact that i can play everything live just as it sounds on the CD. (well, i haven't figured out how to play drums and guitar at the same time). keep it simple and natural is my motto in music and maybe in life in general

[purplemoss]

I am thinking the same thing. I have a lot of interesting ideas but have so far only come up with another guitarist and drummer. Cant find a singer or bassist anywhere have been trying for a couiple months now. we do a few covers (dream theatre and sabbath) but cannot find anyone out there that can even play any of the songs. What has happened to the talent out there?:mad:

[Bajazz]

No backing tracks. I connect to a Roland VG-8, so I can choose whatever guitar sound I like, mostly 6-string acoustic. Sometimes I add synth-like sounds, bass, organ etc...

There is no use for backing tracks, auto comp or midi. It's a little harder at first, but once you get a grip, you can really rock! Because a real groove don't come from a box, it's a live thing from your heart.

[KeroseneTrewthe]

Hey,

This is what Im currently doing until more band members join up. I do all my drum programming, synth and bass work on the computer. Mix and master that down to 2 tracks and build my own backing tracks. My sound is a blend of techno and rock so I dont go for "natural" sounding drums anyways. The sound guy pops in the cd and Im ready to rock without a lot of craziness. I now have a vocalist and a potential drummer, so hopefully within some time I'll have a full band together. But this system is working so far and i think that a real full band sounds 100% better than backing tracks, but what do ya do? Good luck.

If youre in the Port Huron area in Michigan this weekend, Im doing a 45 minute set at Pine Grove Park on June 14th at 3:00pm.

[MDLMUSIC]

I've been doing a solo performer act for the last twenty five years or so (God, I'm old!). My current lineup consists of me and one of my cheap Asian solidbody electrics through a Peavey KB60 amp. For vocals I run a Shure SM57 into a Digitech Vocalist Performer for harmonies into a cheapo PA system made up of a Behringer 6 channel mixer, an Acoustic Corporation 400 watt guitar amp converted into a power amp and two speaker cabs with 12" speakers and horns mounted on stands. For bass and drums I use a Zoom RT123 that I have programmed with bass and drum sounds. I do mostly classic rock and oldies and the RT123 is great for those. I have played small parties of 25 people and outdoor shows of 1000+. Money ranges from $50 to $300 a gig, depending on how long I'm playing, who I'm playing for, and how far I have to drive.
I also play in a number of bands from a rock and roll trio (Rock This Town) to an oldies show band (the Del-Aires) to a German Oompah band (Anton Schnitzel and the Merrymakers). Additionally, I fill in for whoever needs a guitar player and singer for rock and roll or country and western gigs. I really enjoy all the different opportunities, but quite frankly the solo gig is actually the most satisfying, since I know that if the people enjoy it, it's all me. Sometimes a group effort can be brought down by one or more performers who are not really into what is going on.

Michael D.

[Mikeo]

I also live in a small rual area, I paly a few places in the area consistanly and probably could play more. It's just me an acoustic guitar. I have a friend that plays with me, just for company, he's a good writer and a good performer also.

Most small places will not have a PA, they don't want to spend 10 cents on one and thsi is not were there interst lines at all. They are there to sell beer and food, having you play there adds to the atmospher and may have customers add a few more drinks to the tab.


I play with a Fender Passport 250 or an SWR Califoria Blonde. 1 Martin acoustic and I have brought my Boomerang Phase Looper just to bust it up and to screw around with something else.



Bigger clubs are more difficult to get, as you will have to be popular enough to fill the venue, or you'll be playing for free, on some off night.

[irpacynot]

P., it looks like my previous thread got your wheels turning. I'm glad. I'd say that most solo performers have a good chance of getting in anywhere that solo acoustic music is the mainstay. Finding places to play is not too hard, but getting the actual gig can be. A demo, pic, and bio all put together nicely will be helpful.

You know from my last thread that I play acoustic guitar, but personally I'd listen to anyone that catches my interest. If Lady Finger Black Mambazo can make just voices sound interesting for an entire show, why not electric guitar? I think the more you play out in front of folks the better a feel you'll get for what works for you as a soloist. When I first began going completely solo I had come from years of playing in jam bands, so I was really into playing off of others. It's been about 3 & 1/2 years now and I'm pretty comfortable with what I do, but it took a while. It has really caused me to reach for some of the playing abilities that I've always admired, and now people are taking notice of me as a fingerstylist / singer.

As for the gear aspect that seems to have come up. I too am uncomfortable with using nonhuman back-up, and I can't say that I've seen anyone use it that has made me want to stay and listen. But I like the idea of a looper. I imagine with a bit of dedication it be used quite entertainingly (as could MIDI, I'm sure).

[pigman]

Originally posted by irpacynot
P., it looks like my previous thread got your wheels turning. I'm glad.
Hey Tony,

Thanks for the response. Those wheels have been turning for quite a while -- I started this thread over a year ago! Since my initial post, I've come to terms with using the digital sampler for accompanyment, although I use it in a very different way than I had first intended.

The majority of my songs are composed exclusively for guitar and voice. The sampler just comes in at the climax of the piece or during a solo. It creates a nice balance, but most of all it keeps the performances "in the room."

As for gigs, I've become all-too-aware that I need a demo. Right now, I'm torn between buying some studio time and buying a pro stereo cassette recorder to tape live performances. I just need to get something out there to get gigs. I'd be interested in knowing how you have (or anyone out there has) approached demos. Any advice?

P.

[irpacynot]

Hey P.,

I think your idea for trying to record what you do live is a good one (as is studio time). My current demo is a hodge-podge of live stuff and stuff recorded in my brother's digital studio. For my first actual indie cd attempt I decided to invest in my own digital multi-track gear in lieu of studio time. The really talented engineers are out of my price range, and this route will allow me to take my time. Buying used, clearance, and getting a hand-me-down PC from my brother has allowed me to set up a home studio for just under $1000.00. (Keep in mind that there's quite a learning curve if you're not an active engineer, which I wasn't.)

If you decide to record live, I'd consider a portable DAT recorder. You might be able to find one used at a price that's affordable. I've done well recording a full band using one of these & one PZM microphone. But of course you can always get a direct mix from the house board.