How should I prepare to join a blues band?

[Biu]

I got some offers to join blues bands with guys in their 40s and 50s after playing some licks in a guitar store. How can I prepare to audition for one of these bands, and are there some blues standards I should know? Pretty much all of my blues is of more of the classic rock style, which I understand is normally a lot more speedy than regular gritty blues, but it is definitely my style. I know blues is more about slow expression and really squeezing notes, but does the SRV approach work too?

Any help is appreciated!

 

[Xeromus]

Re: How should I prepare to join a blues band?

Ask:

straight or shuffle? take the four? turnaround? etc. I know that's vague as hell. lol I'm tired, I'm elucidate tomorrow. Some other guys will probably pop in though before that.

 

[TattooedCarrot]

Re: How should I prepare to join a blues band?

Move to Mississippi, live on the other side of the tracks in poverty conditions, then play some smokey old road houses for a while.





Or just play how you play, after all, isn't that what you were doing when they noticed you in the first place? Why change what was working for you.

 

[CapoFirstFret]

Re: How should I prepare to join a blues band?

Move to Mississippi, --- check

live on the other side of the tracks in poverty conditions, --- and check

then play some smokey old road houses for a while. -- and double check...I'm bonafide!

 

[Forbes]

Re: How should I prepare to join a blues band?

Ask them questions Biu, then you can find out exactly what they want, if they asked you after seeing you play, then you obviously have the raw talent, you just need them to tell you what to do with it.

 

[PUCKBOY99]

Re: How should I prepare to join a blues band?

I'll 2nd the "ask them what they want" nod.

BUT...I've heard you play & it sure ain't the blues!!!!

Is it something you want to do?

I know you're a "any experience is a good experience" kinda fella....but it seems to me that you're more of a ripper than a blues guy.

Nothing wrong with being both....just playing Devil's Advocate for ya'.

I, personally, say DO IT!!! It'll be fun & learning something different just adds another color to the palette!! :13:

 

[Dooogz]

Re: How should I prepare to join a blues band?

good luk mon amis!

 

[pac112]

Re: How should I prepare to join a blues band?

i thought u were asking about gear man. i dun know a$$ abt blues but i know u'll look awesome with a Lucille slinged across ur shoulder on a black leather strap. some tinted glasses help too.

 

[zonniewiw]

Re: How should I prepare to join a blues band?

Your girlfriend should run away

Your dog must die


And you have to get into jail

btw ;
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[Simon_F]

Re: How should I prepare to join a blues band?

If they're anything like the blues bands round here the basic qualifications are a beer gut and receding hair. :laugh2:

I'm fully qualified. :smack:

Seriously, if you've had offers, I wouldn't worry about too much preparation as you've obviously impressed someone. Try to find out what songs they play before you go along, and ideally agree on a few for the audition so you can practise them. Then just use your ears and be sympathetic to the way the band plays.

 

[Biu]

Re: How should I prepare to join a blues band?

Thanks, guys. Haha, I know that by the clips I post, I am by no means a blueser, but when that little red recording light goes off, the blues is my sick little fetish


During guitar lessons today, I'm going to ask my guitar teacher to help me out since he is in the whole local music scene and may have some sweep hookups (fingers crossed ).

 

[xerxes]

Re: How should I prepare to join a blues band?

play from the heart bro. personally, blues is all about playing from inside, not from being able to play text book stuff.

 

[seafoamer]

Re: How should I prepare to join a blues band?

Start bangin' fat black women like woah!

 

[tone4days]

Re: How should I prepare to join a blues band?

yeah, listen to a handful of really great blues CDs of all the major subgenres ... a good entre might be some SRV (Texas Flood, Couldnt Stand the Weather, In Step, Live Alive) ... try a bb king, albert king, and freddie king greatest hits sampler ... then try robben ford or larry carlton (blue sapphire) for some "upscale/sophisticated" blues

start getting your head around pentatonics and forget the sweeps for the blues thing

have fun

let us know

cheers
t4d

 

[pac112]

Re: How should I prepare to join a blues band?

play from the heart bro. personally, blues is all about playing from inside, not from being able to play text book stuff.

yup. i agree. blues is all about feelings and emotion.

Good luck Biu. We are looking forward to hear your blues tracks. :smoker:

 

[Quencho092]

Re: How should I prepare to join a blues band?

learn hideaway....always works.

 

[CapoFirstFret]

Re: How should I prepare to join a blues band?

albert collins, muddy waters, john lee hooker, and howlin wolf....those guys are essential too!