3, 4 , or 5 piece band?

[Flanger]

 

Originally posted by Dave Martin Has anyone mentioned yet that the material that y'all want to play will have an impact on the size of the band that you need? For example, if you intend to play a bunch of Tower Of Power, Chicago, and Blood Sweat and Tears songs (or want to wrote songs that sound like they were played by the above bands), then a horn section is kind of a necessity. On the other hand, when I heard Lee Flier's's band, the trio seemed to be the perfect size for the music that they did. Some music requires percusssionists, other music doesn't need a bass player or drummer.

 

 

Have you heard Gov't Mule's version of "What Is Hip"? It kicks ass! The studio version is great, but I've got a live bootleg that is just insanely good.

[Locke]

Currently I'm the guitarist in a 4-piece band (guitar, bass, vox, drums) and it's working out great. Sure, sometimes I have to plan a little when arranging tunes but mostly it's not a problem. Actually I'd be at loss as to how to arrange songs and write parts for a bigger band. Another thing that helps is the fact that our bass player plays a 6-string and he can take care of the harmony parts when I'm soloing or playing a melodyline. I do some back up vox but as rarely as possible.

 

The largest electric band I've been in was an 8-piece: 2 guitars, 2 vocals, bass, drums, keyboards, saxophone. I didn't arrange the songs in that band but I can remember that the parts were always very simple and there wasn't much room to stretch whereas with the current band there's more room to play and improvise. Likewise the overall mentality is a lot tighter in the smaller band. I dunno, I like the current combo pretty well. Perhaps in the not-so-near future I might add another guitar but that's not certain at all.

[Dave Martin]

 

Originally posted by Flanger Have you heard Gov't Mule's version of "What Is Hip"? It kicks ass! The studio version is great, but I've got a live bootleg that is just insanely good.

 

I haven't heard that track, but I used to see Warren all the time when he was playing with a band here called, "Blues Coop". He's great...

[MDLMUSIC]

I currently work in a number of bands, all doing oldies and classic rock. My favorite is the trio where I do all the guitar playing and singing and I have a great drummer and bass player to form the rhythm section. I use a harmonizer on the vocals and, to my ears, we actually have a fuller sound than when I work in the other bands that have keyboard players and sax players.

 

To me, it's vocals that make or break a cover band (unless, of course, they're strictly doing instrumentals). It's tough to get two or three good singers all working on the same page. They have to all agree on what parts to sing. They have to all learn the lyrics. It takes a lot of practice and hard work to get two or three singers to harmonize well. By using the harmonizer, I skip that whole problem, and end up sounding pretty darn good, if I do say so myself.

 

And when it comes to taking a guitar lead, I keep them short and simple and get lots of compliments on my playing, even though it's pretty basic pentatonic scales stuff for the most part.

 

Plus we can take gigs that a six or eight piece band would turn down and still make decent money.

[flip333]

I have been using a harmonizer too. It really fills things out in a 3 piece band. I put it on an AUX and we can rotate as necessary.

 

Long guitar jams get ugly. Remember "School of Rock" with Jack Black?

 

I use a Roland GR-33 guitar synth. Man it fills things out if used properly. You must play your guitar carefully, or the digital pick up will make bad sounds (like Cher's last synth vocal song)

 

I tried to keep it a 3 piece, but this guy's ability to get gigs is just too appealing!

 

HEY LOCKE: I wouldn't add anyone unless you have to... and I would not let a singer come on board that did not play an instrument.. (unless they just kicked ass singing). I did that once cause she kicked ass singing, but she was a self-centered prima donna.

 

Dave Martin, I respectfully differ. Its refreshing to hear a small band play highly orchestrated music from bigger bands. Although, I have seen 3 piece bands fail and sound thin. It depends how creative and daring they are.

[Fendercaster]

If you read my recent thread (Betrayed by a band member), you know that as of last weekend we became a three piece band. The guitarist who bolted on us is one of the best around, but we pulled the job off, and everyone at the club told us we didn't need a fourth player. We're debating now whether to stay three piece or look for another guitarist, and I have mixed feelings. As far as instruments, I play lead guitar and sing lead and harmony vocals, our keyboardist plays hand or pedal bass (as well as being an excellent keyboard player) and sings lead and harmony, our drummer doesn't sing at all. I feel we're covered pretty well instrumentally, but I miss the three part harmony and the lead vocals our lost guitarist provided.

Obviously, the money will be better if we stay three piece, we just have to decide whether we want better pay or the fuller sound we would have with a fourth player.

We'll see.......

[dughaze]

We just lost our bass player and our other fantastic guitarist and singer. The other guitarist singer and I shared the vocals and guitars and everyone always said he was such a great singer...but one gig when he didn't show and I handled the guitar and vocals we played our best ever gig. So I'm going it with a 3 piece and so far the drummer agrees but we are looking for a bass player so we're not there yet.

 

With all the hassles of any band I figure a 3 piece will be less hassle. Plus the drummer and I are in agreement that if we get a tight show together that is more important than having a crap load of people on stage competing with each other's musical space...at least for now.