Someone says "play something," what do you play?

[stratotastic]

You know, like when someone finds out that you play, they run to the other room and grab a guitar, hand it to you and say "play something." Or someone comes over, sees your guitars and and says, "let me hear something." What pops to mind right away?

 

For me it's usually either Over the Hills and Far Away, Blackbird, or some I-IV-V blues improv. What about you guys?

[Highway_61]

I politely defer.

[Vantango84]

I Improvise a little blues solo, usually in A or B.

[BobbaFret]

I wing it.

[leakyfaucet]

Since there's obviously no backing music and no key center, I feel free to wank in various keys and interchange them randomly.

[Burningleaves]

Depends on the person asking really. I try to get something going that they would enjoy.

[grungehack]

sonic youth

[Athiest_Peace]

little slayer into some rancid into wanking


if they recognize any of it with the way I play its a miracle:freak:

[Motorcycle]

I'll only play for a couple minutes if it's just acquaintances listening. Sometimes I'll sing what I've been writing lately and ask what they think. If I'm singing I keep it to simple strumming songs. For me the simple songs seem to translate better. Some easy favorites of mine are "As The Sun Still Burns Away" & "Standing At The Station" both by Ten Years After. Also "Back Streets" by Springsteen, & "Tear It Up". {censored} I've been singing and playing for years so I can do them with my eyes closed. I usually don't finish a song either - just bang into something else.

[Vantango84]

sonic youth

 

 

nice.

[HeatherAnnePeel]

Stones, Beatles, Who, Mellencamp, Chck Berry, CCR, etc.

[golias]

Something simple. Nothing is more annoying that somebody pretending to be Joe Satriani in casual company.

[donsimon76]

If they aren't are player, "Stairway to Heaven", because everyone recognizes it. Or a I-IV-V blues progression with a little playing around.

 

If they are a player, I just pray there is a piano near for me to play and not look like a hack on guitar. I have a lot more skill on piano for pulling some stuff out of my tuckus on command.

[realtree71]

I start with a nice light Jimmy Buffett Pirate Looks At 40 then divebomb in to Stranglehold all tune 1/2 down...

[Vantango84]

I start with a nice light Jimmy Buffett Pirate Looks At 40 then divebomb in to Stranglehold all tune 1/2 down...

 

 

AIDS-burger in paradise!

[DOUBLE J64]

First I tell them they need to suck my cock, as usual

Then I play about fours bars of a minor E and tell them they have just witnessed greatness Ala JLH'er

[warriorpoet]

A little "Revelation Song", then I rip it, jazz style

[rockon!!]

Purple Haze

[aenemated]

EVERYONE knows the sweet child o mine intro.

[bullpink]

I'm a lefty. So I say, "Sorry, I'm a lefty."

[handen]

I just wham on a few double-stops, do a nice doodle and put the guitar back down.

[UllyssesSB]

I'll just play some jazz... maybe equinox or so what, something recognizable. Actually, I'll play some beatles stuff too!

[Valtyr]

Usually people who do that try handing me an old nylon string guitar that has been restrung with steel strings, impossible to tune, only has five strings, and mile high action.

In those rare cases where I'm handed a functioning instrument, I play Closer To the Heart.

[realtree71]

Usually people who do that try handing me an old nylon string guitar that has been restrung with steel strings, impossible to tune, only has five strings, and mile high action. In those rare cases where I'm handed a functioning instrument, I play Closer To the Heart.

 

 

I actually love getting handed that 5 string yamaha..... I realy slam on those try to go for the brootalz for sure when they hand me the ol missing string geetar

[Teh Bacons]

Usually when someone hands me a guitar and says 'play something', 9 times out of 10 the first thing I play is 'here, let me tune your guitar for you'...