What I love about our local music scene

[bassjones]

Well, I have done both. A lot. This is what I can tell you about playing covers. It's forking hard. Yeah, some of them are so damned easy and boring that it's enough to put you to sleep, but if you listen (and I mean REALLY listen) there are nuances to every song that get missed by a cover band. I think a cover band should a) play it just like the CD b) totally revamp it into their own sound or c) not play covers. Learning songs really builds your fundamentals and works out your ear and gives you a sense of accomplishment that is easier to realize than playing original music. You can go ten practices with a new original song and still not be sure if it's any good. After one or two practices with a cover song, you know how much closer you are to playing it right.

On the other hand, there is a certain sense of pride that comes along with writing your own material. There's a good chance you're not doing anything new, so I'm not sure I want to call them originals, but I guess they are. I just prefer to call it song writing. I like song writing. I'm so picky, though, that sometimes it's really really hard to get what I want. Playing a cover song can ease that tension, add some fun back into a practice (or set of practices) and get you back on track.

Listening to other songs also nets you some ideas. I paraphrase Clapton when I say that you have to just listen, then listen some more, and finally listen some more before going to write your own songs.

Anyhow, I have nothing to say about the scene. I haven't really been a part of it for going on 2.5 years, so I don't know if it's any better or worse than before, but I do know that cover bands (especially the ones making a lot of money and playing all the time) get a bad rap for no good reason. Some of the covers they play are far more engaging, challenging, and better written than some of the drudge that I have heard.

very good skill to develop and no cheating, i.e. tablature, which is usually incorrect anyway. Learn songs by using your ears and learning some theory. Then interpret it your own way (but only after you've learned it properly) and make it your own.

[Garr]

Yeah, tab is always wrong. Especially the ones that boast 100% correct. Those guys are tards. However, using tab to get a starting point, or help figure out a part you just can't nail down isn't so bad. I often times take a glance at some tab, find the starting point or see if there are any weird chord voicings, then go to the recording and just listen and play.



I know that regardless of what I've been doing (covers or originals) there have been several bands who have been overly supportive in spite of those few who are just down on everyone who isn't doing exactly what they're doing. There are a lot of local bands here that I don't really like, but I recognize the skill and craft and I support them on that basis.

Like (and I know I'll get hell for this) I don't really like LLC. I've seen them several times and they are always jammin, always doing a great job and putting their music out there. I so completely respect that. It's just not my thing. Even so, I would stand behind those guys all the way because they are good at what they do, they're good for the scene, and they support other local talent too. That's the way it should be, IMHO.

I've supported and befriended a number of bands whom I didn't really like their music, but I liked what they were doing. Sometimes it really helps to get out of your sphere and expand to other areas.

[The_Dude]

Like (and I know I'll get hell for this) I don't really like LLC. I've seen them several times and they are always jammin, always doing a great job and putting their music out there. I so completely respect that. It's just not my thing. Even so, I would stand behind those guys all the way because they are good at what they do, they're good for the scene, and they support other local talent too. That's the way it should be, IMHO.

Anyone that would give you hell for this is an idiot. I respect that fact that you're willing to state your opinion in a public forum even though it may not (or it may) be the popular one.

I know I'm gonna get hell for this but...

Like Nikka Costa said ..."Everybody got their something."***

Personally, when it comes to covers -vs- originals...covers aren't my thing, but I won't belittle a band over it. Everybody enjoys (hopefully) what they do. I see nothing wrong with that.





***Screw you, the CD was given to me. And with the exception of this one song, it was a pile of crap.

[Pullimic]

Well, I have done both. A lot. This is what I can tell you about playing covers. It's forking hard. Yeah, some of them are so damned easy and boring that it's enough to put you to sleep, but if you listen (and I mean REALLY listen) there are nuances to every song that get missed by a cover band. I think a cover band should a) play it just like the CD b) totally revamp it into their own sound or c) not play covers. Learning songs really builds your fundamentals and works out your ear and gives you a sense of accomplishment that is easier to realize than playing original music. You can go ten practices with a new original song and still not be sure if it's any good. After one or two practices with a cover song, you know how much closer you are to playing it right.

On the other hand, there is a certain sense of pride that comes along with writing your own material. There's a good chance you're not doing anything new, so I'm not sure I want to call them originals, but I guess they are. I just prefer to call it song writing. I like song writing. I'm so picky, though, that sometimes it's really really hard to get what I want. Playing a cover song can ease that tension, add some fun back into a practice (or set of practices) and get you back on track.

Listening to other songs also nets you some ideas. I paraphrase Clapton when I say that you have to just listen, then listen some more, and finally listen some more before going to write your own songs.

Anyhow, I have nothing to say about the scene. I haven't really been a part of it for going on 2.5 years, so I don't know if it's any better or worse than before, but I do know that cover bands (especially the ones making a lot of money and playing all the time) get a bad rap for no good reason. Some of the covers they play are far more engaging, challenging, and better written than some of the drudge that I have heard.

very good skill to develop and no cheating, i.e. tablature, which is usually incorrect anyway. Learn songs by using your ears and learning some theory. Then interpret it your own way (but only after you've learned it properly) and make it your own.

I don't think tab is really cheating as everyone else has already pointed out 99.9% of it is wrong some place in the tab. tab being wrong though worked out to my advantage when I was using tab to learn songs. I had to use my ear to figure out where the tab was wrong and that has greatly improved my ear although it is far from perfect now that I'm a better bass player I figure almost everything out by ear although it sometimes takes several attempts and if I just can't get it I then look up the tab to give me an idea of where to start. as for the scene I think it's great, I have experienced some people talkin bad about cover bands but I look at it as young people who just startin out. personally I play covers because I enjoy it, it's a challenge to try to find all the little things within the song and honestly I want a family so I'd prefer to stay local or regional making a decent living and not have someone pushing me trying to get famous. one of the things I love so much about the fort wayne scene is usually if you're playing a gig and a cable breaks or somethin stupid happens like that other bands are there to lend a helping hand as long as you're careful with their stuff. another thing is I've noticed alot of people/bands are easy to jam with and the ones who have been playin for 15+ years are eager to teach the younger generation tips and tricks without expecting something in return, I can't even begin to tell you how many instructors have taught me a little tib bit here little bit there to help me out in becoming a better bassist.

[GoDownProductions]

How is using tabs considered cheating? I play by ear myself, but sometimes I can't figure something out and go tab hunting. So is it considered cheating if a friend shows you how to play something too? What's the difference?

[HillgrassBluebillyFTW]

well all I have to say about or scene is yall better start showing some love to these out of town beds coming through town so they know what a true scene is all about.

[bassjones]

How is using tabs considered cheating? I play by ear myself, but sometimes I can't figure something out and go tab hunting. So is it considered cheating if a friend shows you how to play something too? What's the difference?

Maybe the wrong word. Try to figure it out by ear first. If you're struggling with part of it, ask someone to show you or see if you can find the tab for it (but beware, it will likely be wrong). If used as an aid to sightreading or for figuring out difficult passages, tablature can be a useful tool. If used as a shortcut, tablature will stunt your musical growth and prevent you from becoming the player you could be by developing your ear and sightreading ability.

[Al Quandt]

well all I have to say about or scene is yall better start showing some love to these out of town beds coming through town so they know what a true scene is all about.

That is easy as long as you market them correctly. In most cases that is. Plus putting them on a bill with locally known bands.

Another rule with out of towners is to have them open or play right before the local big name. Unless they are already well known enough.

Local patrons usually stay until their band plays, sometimes a bit after, but if they are not impressed right away with the out of towners they usually leave.

Making them play before the the local big name forces them to stick out the entire set of the non local. This leaves a much better chance for the patrons to find a liking for the band.

That is my experience anyway.

[HillgrassBluebillyFTW]

well all I have to say about or scene is yall better start showing some love to these out of town beds coming through town so they know what a true scene is all about.

That is easy as long as you market them correctly. In most cases that is. Plus putting them on a bill with locally known bands.

Another rule with out of towners is to have them open or play right before the local big name. Unless they are already well known enough.

Local patrons usually stay until their band plays, sometimes a bit after, but if they are not impressed right away with the out of towners they usually leave.

Making them play before the the local big name forces them to stick out the entire set of the non local. This leaves a much better chance for the patrons to find a liking for the band.

That is my experience anyway.

Yeah, I think so far I've been pretty good with my pairings... but I've been to some shows with out of towners that no one showed to... so I'm a little nervous.

[bassjones]

Are you talking about tomorrow night? That joint will be stacked.

[Al Quandt]

Are you talking about tomorrow night? That joint will be stacked.

Yeh it will, I think he is reffering to the O's show on the 1st though.

LLC and Pmel destory O's. I am not sure who brings the majority of the crowd be it us or LLC though so we shall see. This is the first time not sharing the O's stage with them.

[HillgrassBluebillyFTW]

Are you talking about tomorrow night? That joint will be stacked.

Yeh it will, I think he is reffering to the O's show on the 1st though.

LLC and Pmel destory O's. I am not sure who brings the majority of the crowd be it us or LLC though so we shall see. This is the first time not sharing the O's stage with them.

I'm just talking about in general. I have out of towners coming through once a month for the next three and am talking to other out of towners for the coming months... around Deep Blues Fest I'll have access to a sh*t ton of cool bands...

[Maverick]

add your own reasons here. Don't hate. you can start your own thread for that.

Hahaha and have it closed instantly.

[poopdeflex]

playin covers is like masturbation, now that's not saying i don't enjoyplaying them, i would just rather be by my lonesome while playing them. but originals on the other (hairy) palm is like forking anal in front of the kids. you hit it, they scream, you hit it, they scream, you hit it, they start bleeding, so i guess the lesson is be careful cause no one likes a bloody ass in front of their kids. now for the scene, it's forking amazing. take me for example, poopdeflex is barely a year old and i'm bein nominated for whammies by a bunch of mothertrucker who never heard me, and this i know cause if they heard me they woulda wrote my name next to the BEST DEVILDAMNED CHRISTIAN PERFORMER you have seen since Jars of Clay, and thats a promise.

[Al Quandt]

playin covers is like masturbation, now that's not saying i don't enjoyplaying them, i would just rather be by my lonesome while playing them. but originals on the other (hairy) palm is like forking anal in front of the kids. you hit it, they scream, you hit it, they scream, you hit it, they start bleeding, so i guess the lesson is be careful cause no one likes a bloody ass in front of their kids. now for the scene, it's forking amazing. take me for example, poopdeflex is barely a year old and i'm bein nominated for whammies by a bunch of mothertrucker who never heard me, and this i know cause if they heard me they woulda wrote my name next to the BEST DEVILDAMNED CHRISTIAN PERFORMER you have seen since Jars of Clay, and thats a promise.

you couldnt resist could you.