Members blueride Posted March 21, 2006 Members Posted March 21, 2006 I've got a buddy who really can't play any instruments well enough to be in the band, but when he's onstage with us (playing a conga....badly) the crowd loves him! He really gets the crowd going and has great stage presence. What can I get this guy to do to contribute to the band? We want to keep him, but the conga is driving the drummer crazy. Any ideas?
Members digital_whisper Posted March 21, 2006 Members Posted March 21, 2006 Welcome to the music biz LOL! Seriously, does the crowd love him in the he's got super charisma kind of way or the he's a sucker playing congas kind of way. Sometimes crowds will love something / somebody for comic relief but that doesn't last. You'll probably have a hell of a time getting him to improve though if the crowd loves him already.
Members LiveMusic Posted March 21, 2006 Members Posted March 21, 2006 I don't know but I do know a guy who an't sing worth a damn and he's front man. He plays acoustic guitar just okay. But his "gift" is getting the crowd involved. He girates (he used to be a male stripper) and acts goofy on his songs. I like the guy but I would never listen to his band if I wasn't stuck for some reason. Because he just can't sing. He ruins it for me. And his stage antics are silly to me. Uncool. But, reason I replied is because he started gigging about five years ago. He sucked then, sucks now but he's still at it and they are booking good gigs.
Members cherri Posted March 21, 2006 Members Posted March 21, 2006 Does he want to be in a band as a full member or just be a sit-in conga player for fun? Does he want to be a musician or comic relief? Do you have room in your band for comic relief, if that's the case? If he's thinking of joining the band, tell him he needs voice lessons and / or instrument lessons to go along with that great charisma. (Assuming you have a place in your band for another musician). He should pull his weight just like everyone else. If he's sincere, he'll put in the effort to improve his skills. If he's just in it for the five minute ego trip of being on stage, find a polite way to tell him that it isn't working out.
Members ian6string Posted March 21, 2006 Members Posted March 21, 2006 1 Washboard2 spoonsstrap the washboard to his chest and let him go and entertain, no timing needed for the washboard, and it doesnt even need to be amplified. Think of the possibilities!
Members Roy Brooks Posted March 21, 2006 Members Posted March 21, 2006 Originally posted by ian6string 1 Washboard2 spoonsstrap the washboard to his chest and let him go and entertain, no timing needed for the washboard, and it doesnt even need to be amplified. Think of the possibilities! Inept washboard playing is bad, mkay.
Members squealie Posted March 21, 2006 Members Posted March 21, 2006 My first idea, is that coming to HC, for advice, is a poor idea. I think you should ask yourself, what you want your live act to be about, and if it includes entertaining people, and if this guy is in fact, entertaining..... then there's no problem. Although if he's distracting your drummer, you might give him something less distracting to play....like a MIDI-triangle, or a weed-whacker with a hole in the fuel tank..
Members elbow Posted March 21, 2006 Members Posted March 21, 2006 Originally posted by squealie My first idea, is that coming to HC, for advice, is a poor idea.I think you should ask yourself, what you want your live act to be about, and if it includes entertaining people, and if this guy is in fact, entertaining..... then there's no problem. Although if he's distracting your drummer, you might give him something less distracting to play....like a MIDI-triangle, or a weed-whacker with a hole in the fuel tank.. Exactly.. If this fits what you're trying to do with your audience, then have at it. If this is a diversion or distraction it will quickly turn into something bad and you should nix it soon.
Members way2fat Posted March 21, 2006 Members Posted March 21, 2006 Turn off his mic or take him out of the monitors. Timing IS required for the washboard, check out any zydeco band.
Members wheresgrant3 Posted March 21, 2006 Members Posted March 21, 2006 Originally posted by ian6string 1 Washboard 2 spoons strap the washboard to his chest and let him go and entertain, no timing needed for the washboard, and it doesnt even need to be amplified. Think of the possibilities! Keep in mind... The guy who plays this Also wears this... and this.... and this... He's also the guy who throws out Madi Gras beads... free t-shirts and picks girls out of the audience to dance onstage. He's a rockstar with no musical talent.... and the girls love him for it!
Members Mr Bliss Posted March 21, 2006 Members Posted March 21, 2006 The Brian Jonestown Massacre found room for Joel the tambourine man, surely if this mate of yours gets people through the door he's worth his weight in gold. Rock n Roll is an image based medium, let Mr Cool bring them in with his flamboyance & just make sure you blow them away with the music.
Members Mr Bliss Posted March 21, 2006 Members Posted March 21, 2006 Or, in order to keep the drummer happy, get this guy a cheapy guitar but don't plug him in. Teach him basic chords & let him look cool. Richie Edwards is a prime example of this, he wrote a lot of the words for the Manic Street Preachers, looked cool as hell but was terrible on the guitar. . . he definitely pulled the crowds in though.
Members blueride Posted March 21, 2006 Author Members Posted March 21, 2006 The crowd loves him because he is totally into it - he always wanted to be in a band and now he is! He slams that conga so hard that he's actually ruined his wedding ring from playing one night! He does own a set of e-drums and has mentioned that he might set them up as a percussion kit to enhance the band....is that a good idea?
Members HuskerDude Posted March 21, 2006 Members Posted March 21, 2006 Originally posted by blueride The crowd loves him because he is totally into it - he always wanted to be in a band and now he is! He slams that conga so hard that he's actually ruined his wedding ring from playing one night! He does own a set of e-drums and has mentioned that he might set them up as a percussion kit to enhance the band....is that a good idea? It's a great idea. E-drums have a volume knob.
Members 2manband Posted March 21, 2006 Members Posted March 21, 2006 Push the E-drums - problem solved. Tell him how ultra kewl it sounds- Give him his own monitor mix, include the E-drums in it, but leave the E-drums out of everything else, at least until he improves.
Members BlueStrat Posted March 22, 2006 Members Posted March 22, 2006 Originally posted by squealie My first idea, is that coming to HC, for advice, is a poor idea.I think you should ask yourself, what you want your live act to be about, and if it includes entertaining people, and if this guy is in fact, entertaining..... then there's no problem. Although if he's distracting your drummer, you might give him something less distracting to play....like a MIDI-triangle, or a weed-whacker with a hole in the fuel tank.. Put him at the end of the stage away from the drummer, where the drummer can't hear him. Problem solved. The guy gets his jollies, the cowd gets entertained, and your drummer doesn't get distracted.
Members Professor Tom Posted March 22, 2006 Members Posted March 22, 2006 I've had this all of my life. I don't think I'm a great guitar player, but the crowd do, I have no idea why, really ! I have played gigs with players who are way better than me, but they still think I'm better than the other guy. I just learned to live with it. It's just one those things.It has it's advantages !
Members way2fat Posted March 22, 2006 Members Posted March 22, 2006 Most people listen with their eyes. They like the guy, they come to see your band; can't the drummer teach him a few basics about rythym and timing? Record yourselves at practice and listen to it together. Educate your friend.
Members bonscottvocals Posted March 22, 2006 Members Posted March 22, 2006 A live show requires visuals. It helps to be a good looking guy. Since I don't have that problem ( ), I have to hit notes dead on and try to stay funny and fun. Kind of the way Angus Young is so fast a moving target that he can be the center of attention w/out having to worry about how butt-ugly his face is.
Members way2fat Posted March 22, 2006 Members Posted March 22, 2006 Butt-ugly is a plus for Rock n Roll.
Members tucktronix Posted March 22, 2006 Members Posted March 22, 2006 I suck really bad at playing keyboards, but the crowd loves me as well:freak:
Members Raypd Ayp Posted March 22, 2006 Members Posted March 22, 2006 Get him a metronome and break it to him he needs to practice with it. That way, even if he is playing something that doesn't quite fit, at least it'll be in time.
Members crisis Posted March 24, 2006 Members Posted March 24, 2006 Originally posted by blueride I've got a buddy who really can't play any instruments well enough to be in the band, but when he's onstage with us (playing a conga....badly) the crowd loves him! He really gets the crowd going and has great stage presence. What can I get this guy to do to contribute to the band? We want to keep him, but the conga is driving the drummer crazy. Any ideas?
Members Terry Allan Hall Posted March 24, 2006 Members Posted March 24, 2006 Originally posted by way2fat Most people listen with their eyes. They like the guy, they come to see your band; can't the drummer teach him a few basics about rythym and timing? Record yourselves at practice and listen to it together. Educate your friend. Excellent answer, IMABO
Members flip333 Posted March 25, 2006 Members Posted March 25, 2006 Get a cheap keyboard with chord function. He can push one key for a chord. Surely he could do I-VI-V songs. If he make faces each time he presses a key, it will look like he is really talented.
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