should you play the CD version when you play live?

[JohnnyGuitar]

I was in a Roger Waters concert yesterday (was great, thnx for asking).
He got me thinking about one thing: Wates and Gilmor as well, play their own songs the same way almost every time- almost note by note...

Personaly I think I would go crazy from playing the same song in the same way (solo included) all of the time.

I see lots of players who cover Jimi Hendrix and play his solos the same way he did without adding their own "spice". Even if they change the style or other things in the song (listen to the Jamie Cullum jazz version of "the wind cries mary").

So do write your opinion and answer the poll- should you do your own thing or stick to the original version.

What I think? I think you should change and stir things up when you play covers and when you play your own songs.:smokin:

 

[kevlar3000]

Re: should you play the CD version when you play live?

I always change stuff. Much more fun as a player. I love to chase new moments in a live setting.

As a touring act, folks come to see the 'hits' so my guess is that many would be dissappointed if they did not hear it as an album cut. It guess you have to make your peace with that, if you are a band at that level.

 

[y2stevo]

Re: should you play the CD version when you play live?

In my coverband we do some songs pretty much note for note, and others we 'spice' up , mabye change some arrangemets etc.,, I usually try to change around a song so that it will have its biggest impact on a live crowd. Though i don't do it for many songs, i've changed the arrangements of mabye 2 or 3 songs, like adding an extra chorus or a solo section etc.. Though most of the solo's are improvised, except from those that really just have to be played (e.g. hotel california, can't get enough, etc.. )

IMO of course

 

[ErikH]

Re: should you play the CD version when you play live?

To me it depends on the band and it depends on the song. There are some songs that it just doesn't matter, they're open to whatever, or milking it for all it's worth (can you say, Freebird?....lol). Then there are some where it is expected to stick to the original. Some bands can get away with going off the path and changing it up, some can't.

Those that can get away with it all the time = the ones that wrote them and made it big, sold lots of records.
Those that can get away with it some/most of the time = small bar cover bands, but again, this depends on the song and if the audience expects it to be like the record or not.

 

[D-EJ915]

Re: should you play the CD version when you play live?

You can always add double-bass to a song.

 

[TimmyPage]

Re: should you play the CD version when you play live?

You can always add double-bass to a song.

Growling always goes well with a Beatles cover....


Im forming a band with a friend of mine, we're doing a cover of a Coheed song, he doesnt quite have the range, so he goes into nigh screaming for some parts. It sounds really cool actually.

 

[Zhangliqun]

Re: should you play the CD version when you play live?

If you're in a tribute band, you've probably got to stay really close, even though the real band likely changed things up a lot live.

My personal preference is to get uber-arrogant and just play it the way I think it sounds best. Sometimes that's pretty much note for note, but more often it's "sure it's a great tune, but how did they miss doing it THIS way? What were they thinking?"

 

[LesStrat]

Re: should you play the CD version when you play live?

Keep signature licks/sounds.

 

[GuitarStv]

Re: should you play the CD version when you play live?

Keep signature licks/sounds.

I'm not sure Hendrix would have agreed with you . . . All along the Watchtower, Like a Rolling Stone, even his cover of Sunshine of your Love was very different.

 

[Lewguitar]

Re: should you play the CD version when you play live?

I try to stick to the structure and arrangement but jam on it.

I rarely play anything exactly the same way twice and I always improvise my solos.

I'll stick to the basic arrangement, beginning and ending...but I'll jam on it.

 

[Tux789]

Re: should you play the CD version when you play live?

most of the time i would say to change it up from the original whether it is a cover or your own song.

of course with the Jimi Hendrix example they may have played it note for note to show respect

 

[JohnnyGuitar]

Re: should you play the CD version when you play live?

most of the time i would say to change it up from the original whether it is a cover or your own song.

of course with the Jimi Hendrix example they may have played it note for note to show respect

In a way it's always about showing respect... Pink Floyd are playing their own songs the same way (showing respect to themselves???).

But I think that sometimes respect gets in the way of innovation and expression... I want to do my own thing over cover songs... to me that shows more respect to the artist I'm covering... It's saying: I'm not you... but your music brings good things out of me.

And about playing your own music the same way: If I had a hit single and had to play it the same way every other night for 30 years... I would go crazy (I don't mind having a hit single though...)

 

[ex-250]

Re: should you play the CD version when you play live?

I always change stuff. Much more fun as a player.

+1

 

[Osensei]

Re: should you play the CD version when you play live?

I dunno! To me covering is a learning process. Guys that are just starting out can benefit from transcribing solos and trying to play them to sound like the original. Especially, if they are new to improvising.

I see where a player could really learn a lot about tone and phrasing by putting themselves in someone elses shoes for awhile. You get to learn alot about the styles of music that you like as well. The goal however, should always be to learn to improvise freely at some point! That shouldn't be neglected!

By the time a player gets really good at it they should be ready to move on to other stuff anyway.

The other side of the coin, as I think i've heard you mention, is that there are some bands that play their own "original/CD" stuff (solos) note for note. They never play a different solo from one gig to the next.

As a jazz dude let me say that the powers that be in my genre would frown on a rehearsed solo. It's a historical/cultural thing among jazz musician's not to except cat's the we consider "Preps". "Preps" being people that rehearse solos and repeat them like player pianos everywhere they go! That's not improvisation! In the mind of a jazz cat you should be able to play anything if someone just hums a few bars (chorus and solo)! And if an audience member brings his axe to the gig then that means he's callin you out! :smokin: You call them up on stage and dual it out! :sword:

Fortunately, the newer crop of jazz cats are much more merciful than their predecessors. I think I fall into this group moreso than the former. Being able to improvise freely with little or no prep time falls into the realm of "personal" gratification for me. I guess I lost the "gunslinger" mentality of my elder collegues when I discovered how difficult it was going to be for me to get where I am today!

Everyone cannot be an improvisational genius. So if they have to write a little script then so be it! Because they have just as much right to seek the joy of performance as any other musician! And if the audience can dig it! Then to hell with the gunslingers!

 

[A Skater]

Re: should you play the CD version when you play live?

In short, :no1: .

There may be exceptions, but try to put some of yourself into the cover. As for your own music, adding a small solo to a song that's all chords/riff's will drive people nuts. Your skills will be seen more if you add your own style to a cover.