Bands are fun to play in; playing acoustically and solo can be lonely and scary. So, why do it to yourself?

Responses to This Article

Permalink Reply by Doug Simple on June 18, 2010 at 12:45

I've gone the other way round, I've mostly played solo all my life, but now I'm in bands I understand the attraction. It's the connection onstage, the opportunity to weave things together musically, and for me, no nerves and no need to remember lyrics (always my achilles heel). I play upright bass in bands, so I get the buzz of performing while lurking in the background and not having EVERYTHING depend on me. Quite liberating, much easier.

So I guess I'm agreeing with you, it's really hard to go out solo. If you're having a klutzy moment on the guitar or piano, yet you have to keep singing and keep everything going, it's all down to you. No other musicians to vamp on chords if all goes wrong.

Why I go out solo is because I believe in my songs and it's really important to me to get them heard, because I'm addicted to the audience response, because there's nothing better than moving an audience and feeling that connection, because there's noting better than having a complete stranger with no stake in a relationship give you genuine compliments on your music. I write comic, Tom Lehrer-style songs. It is absolutely thrilling to make a bunch of people laugh! People love to laugh.

Plus if you don't perform as much as you can, you don't progress or get the skills to really deliver.

That's my path anyway :)

Doug Hamilton
www.reverbnation.com/dougsimple
www.myspace.com/douglashamilton

Vox/GuitarPermalink Reply by Graham Hunt on June 18, 2010 at 14:51

I spent sometime last year looking around for a "band". Unfortunately being a "guitarist looking for a band" in my experience tricky - I wish I'd learnt the drums or bass at times as you'd easy get a gig no doubt but guitars are two a penny aren't they?

I met various people but nothing seemed to "gel". Partly this was since I was saying that I was looking to form a band but with little other agenda. So with such a loose brief there was pulls in all sorts of directions. Some wanting covers only, some wanting multiple gigs a month (tricky in my position from a time point of view and just getting the bookings), etc. etc.

So I went the solo route simply as RYTD had the acoustic Sunday pm option and I thought - it'll get me up and doing something. I have really liked it since I have total control. There is no arguments about the set list, my songs are performed just as I want them - or at least as close as I humanly can do so. I don't have to find time to rehearse since I can rehearse whenever I like and have the time.

The songs I've recently written and am performing are a mix of stuff but there are a few in there that not surprisingly are very personal to me. Now I know what is behind the lyrics I don't have to work with a singer to explain it - no doubt to an uncomprehending expression and every time I perform them live it is a significant step in my life in putting that out there.

Would I like a band setting playing with me with what I have now? I can't deny yes is the answer - it'd allow the harmonies in my recordings to be there live, a rhythm section to add depth and rigour to the performance and another guitarist or keyboard player would add depth and allow solos etc. to extend both the length and interest in songs. But I think I'd still like to come back to a one man, one guitar, one voice setting from time to time now as I like the total exposure it gives the song and yourself.

Permalink Reply by dave on September 24, 2010 at 22:59

yes guitarists are two a penny,i would be a bassist by choice but i have always been the better guitarist in every band i have ever been with,i prefer working solo or as a duo as the money is better.i dont think keeping audience interest is so much to do with the size of the band but it is hard for an audience to listen to the same solo vocal for more than half a dozen songs in a row,with a duo you have more vocal variation and it puts the guitar or instrument back in its place as an accompaniment to the vocals ,this is very important to somone that writes thier own songs.or so i am told.

Permalink Reply by Michael Fleck on October 18, 2010 at 19:23

it is not that difficult but you have to know your songs and lyrics perfectedly as there is no band to cover for you. there is quite a big audience for acoustic acts and in some ways it covers a bigger spectrum of people. it is really a question of having the courage to do it and just doing it.

VocalsPermalink Reply by Alcuin Edwards on December 27, 2011 at 15:25

And not only do you have to know your songs and lyrics perfectly, you have to have the nerve to keep going when, as is inevitable, you mess up. 

Permalink Reply by Pete Smith on January 24, 2012 at 14:48

Playing with even one other musician is a nightmare for me, because I like to improvise. I extend notes, throw in an unscheduled couple of bars in 3/4, I do all kinds of stuff that you can only get away with as a solo performer. Chuck in the fact that I have lousy timekeeping and you'll understand why I don't perform live any more LOL

VocalsPermalink Reply by Alcuin Edwards on January 24, 2012 at 14:55

For me playing with bands is scary because I keep wondering when they'll notice that I'm not playing in key, keeping time or on some occasions playing in any recognisable key at all.  This doesn't apply when I'm singing so much because I can do that better than I can play.  Trouble is, I'm currently in a band that values me for my lyrics and my ability to be Bez, not my singing.

C'est la vie.