Members LiveMusic Posted September 14, 2005 Members Share Posted September 14, 2005 In your opinion, it's what? You're forming a duo. You on acoustic guitar, singing lead vocals. Would you want your other player to be a bass player or another acoustic guitar player who can play rhythm and lead riffs? Either player can also sing harmony. Playing country, rock, Americana, folk, whatever. EDIT: No multi-instrumentalists for this thread. Just another guitar or a bass player, which is it? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members Bones Posted September 14, 2005 Members Share Posted September 14, 2005 Bass is too dedicated to one job. I'd go with the second guitar. Better yet... How about a rythm guitar player who sings harmony and can sometimes play a little Mandolin, Banjo, Blues Harp, etc. just to boost the mix interest. Bass player could double-duty as well but would be surely missed when not playing those low notes. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members Terry Allan Hall Posted September 14, 2005 Members Share Posted September 14, 2005 My 1st choice is a bassist/harmony vocalist, but I've also enjoyed gigging with another multi-instrumentalist, where (depending on the particular tune) one of us plays guitar and the other mandolin, dobro, banjo, fiddle, mandocello, etc. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members zookie Posted September 14, 2005 Members Share Posted September 14, 2005 Another vote for a multi-instrumentalist - Someone who is very comfortable on guitar with backing vocals, but can also switch off to mandolin, whistles, percussion, etc. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members guitarmook Posted September 14, 2005 Members Share Posted September 14, 2005 I've seen 2 guitar duos work much more often than I've seen guitar-bass duos work. It also depends on the acoustic player's style... I play with a guy who's style is very percussive, and very rhythmic... so he needs more support on the melody, which is why another guitar works Somebody who has a very melodic, fingerpicky kind of style wouldn't be helped as much by another guitar to play leads... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members caveman Posted September 14, 2005 Members Share Posted September 14, 2005 I remember seeing Leon Redbone with a tuba player and it sounded pretty cool for a song or two. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members LiveMusic Posted September 14, 2005 Author Members Share Posted September 14, 2005 Please don't assume the second player does anything other than guitar or bass. No multi-instumentalist. Which would it be? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members PBBPaul Posted September 14, 2005 Members Share Posted September 14, 2005 I'd go with a percussionist. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members RupertB Posted September 14, 2005 Members Share Posted September 14, 2005 Having played in both formats (guitar/bass & guitar/guitar) doing rock, pop, folk, & the like, I'll say definitely two guitars. Both have their pros & cons, but I find that guitar/guitar covers more ground material-wise and is more satisfying to listen to, especially if the material requires a fair amount of lead work. I currently play with a buddy who plays all acoustic, I move from acoustic to electric, & we both sing. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members Bones Posted September 14, 2005 Members Share Posted September 14, 2005 Originally posted by caveman I remember seeing Leon Redbone with a tuba player and it sounded pretty cool for a song or two. Tuba kinda fits that raggy blues thing he does. Anyway, the man would be cool no matter who/what played along side him. Sorry for posting off topic. Go with the guitar. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members Godot Posted September 14, 2005 Members Share Posted September 14, 2005 Busty tamborine player. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members Preacher Will Posted September 14, 2005 Members Share Posted September 14, 2005 Well, i've played duos with another guitarist, a bassist, a drummer, and a pianist. Of the four the most creative and versatile was the pianist/keyboardist. Next i would have to say the second guitar. Still, they were all fun and better than being alone. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members Dave Martin Posted September 14, 2005 Members Share Posted September 14, 2005 I've been playing bass with acoustic guitarists for a long time. Part of the reason it works for me is that I'm not afraid to play the solos (i the guitarist isn't a soloist, but is primarily a singer. Bass players LIKE the chance to overplay - with taste, of course... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members miles to go Posted September 14, 2005 Members Share Posted September 14, 2005 Originally posted by Dave Martin I've been playing bass with acoustic guitarists for a long time. Part of the reason it works for me is that I'm not afraid to play the solos (i the guitarist isn't a soloist, but is primarily a singer. Bass players LIKE the chance to overplay - with taste, of course... +1 I'm currently playing bass in a 3-piece band that is just vox, guitar and bass. We used to play as a 5 piece, with a second guitarist and a drummer. It's been a lot of fun reworking the songs for the stripped down instrumentation. However, to answer the original question, I'd go wtih a keyboardist or guitarist (or both). Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Moderators daddymack Posted September 14, 2005 Moderators Share Posted September 14, 2005 Having worked both formats over the years, I would lean toward the second guitarist. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members HuskerDude Posted September 14, 2005 Members Share Posted September 14, 2005 Given the choices, I'd go with another guitarist. Bass without drums is like peanut butter without jelly. Out of curiosity, who no multi-instrumentalists? Seems like the best choice for a 2 piece... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members Cassius Posted September 14, 2005 Members Share Posted September 14, 2005 Originally posted by HuskerDude Bass without drums is like peanut butter without jelly. Way to sum up exactly what i was going to say, better than i could have said it, dude Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members MDLMUSIC Posted September 14, 2005 Members Share Posted September 14, 2005 I'd go with upright bass. Worked for the Smothers Brothers. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members LiveMusic Posted September 15, 2005 Author Members Share Posted September 15, 2005 Originally posted by HuskerDude Out of curiosity, who no multi-instrumentalists? Seems like the best choice for a 2 piece... Of course, it's the best choice. Assuming you can find one. But if you can't, we're back to THE QUESTION: bass player or another guitarist? Thanks. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Moderators daddymack Posted September 15, 2005 Moderators Share Posted September 15, 2005 Perhaps you should kill this thread and put it up as a poll? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members flip333 Posted September 15, 2005 Members Share Posted September 15, 2005 Guitar player. But run it through a sub harmonic synth in your PA. The second guitar will be like a bass but more dynamic. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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