Band or solo/duet act?

[JaLester]

I was wondering if the people on the forum generally play out more with a band or it they do the solo/duet thing. I have very little experience playing out solo as I usually am always with a band of some kind. I wanted to understand more about where eveyone is coming from with their opinions and such.

[Samilyn]

Back in my performing days in the mid '60s through mid '70s I was primarily a solo act, but did sing for three years with an "Up With People" group, soloing on four songs and being in the chorus for the rest of the concert, which usually lasted about 2 hours. (Very awesome experience to perform for huge audiences of 1,000+ people!)

Following the Up With People stint, I did solo restaurant/coffehouse/private party gigs. Didn't do the bar scene because I was underage & required a special permit. Only did one cocktail lounge that I recall. I was just a little kid, growing to a young teen, with a very adult-sized 4-octave voice who loved to sing.

Served as vocalist/rhythm 12-string for a couple of folk-type bands for a year or two, and did a duet act with a male vocalist/git player (again, folk-y Simon & Garfunkle - Peter, Paul & Mary type stuff). Then life's events took me away from performing, and later, even guitar playing. I didn't touch a git for about 15 years.

I love playing git again. Can't say I have any real aspirations to perform again, but if I can impart a bit of encouragement or advice to a young performer, I'm be happy to be of whatever assistance I can be.

[Terry Allan Hall]

About 85% of my gigs are solo, the rest are in a duo with a bass playing buddy of mine (see photo #1) or a trio with him and my daughter, Kat, on congas/other percussion/fiddle and harmony vox (photo #2).





Kat and I previously had a trio with an amazing bassist/harmony vox named Wendy...those were great gigs, but she got a promotion that required a move to Seattle.

Duo/trio gigs are more fun, but solo gigs pay the bills better.

[totamus]

I like playing solo gigs as they can be less rehearsed and more intimate. I am in a 3 piece group (Guitar, Mandolin, Bass) where all 3 members sing.

 

I think it is good to keep a solo act going though. Try out material, branch into areas that whole group may not be comfortable, etc

[Stackabones]

I've been in bands for over 20 years, but I haven't been in one a few of years ... not sure if I ever want to do the band thing again. Check back tomorrow, I'll prob change my mind.

 

Currently, I play solo show (gtr/vox) and I've formed a duo with a singer where I play guitar (no vox) and the singer sings (no gtr). Solo shows are a blast ... and the math is easy at the end of the night. The duo has been quite rewarding & challenging musically--it's been a rich experience arranging, selecting, transposing, performing, etc.

[guitarist21]

Solo shows are a blast ... and the math is easy at the end of the night. The duo has been quite rewarding & challenging musically--it's been a rich experience arranging, selecting, transposing, performing, etc.

 

 

+1 Which is why I do both, really. There's no experience quite like being in a band. Learning to communicate with musicians in a live setting is a skill that has certainly helped me be a better communicator in all areas of my life, not just music. But there is definitely something to be said for playing solo. It is an equally magical experience to sit down with a guitar and connect with people in the audience.

 

Playing solo gives me more freedom to do whatever I want. If I feel like changing something, I just change it. No problems. But in my band there is less freedom because not only do I have to communicate the change to all parties involved (six people!) but they also more often than not don't want to do it too differently (its a Ben Folds cover band so we try to stay true to the originals). Onnnn the other hand, while you do learn from playing solo, you learn much more in a band. You learn from other's playing styles and from their experiences; you teach each other.

 

They're very different experiences. Both are good.

 

Ellen

[ESL94]

Played in bands during highschool & college.

I don't play solo (can't sing), but for the last four years I have played with a group of seven guitarist, jamming, playing parties, and we have played @ two our friends weddings this past year.

A friend of mine has been playing solo shows for a while & has been thinking about forming a duo. We have been working on some songs for the last two weeks. Will see how it goes.