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Post by shyamwestwind on Sept 7, 2007 9:57:27 GMT
I know many musicians who dont like other musicians and singers "jamming" with them as guest artistes. I'm not talking about amateurs or punters. I've had quite a few celebrity class people, come and join our band to sing a few songs and personally, I love having them , love hearing their styles, love watching them and love making music with them. It makes me feel GOOD and satisfied.
Many dont like other singers and musicians join them and I cant help but wonder if its because of their insecurity and lack of confidence in themselves.... or plain JEALOUSY ??
I agree sometimes ours is a dog's race and there are many waiting on the side lines, hoping to steal your job and contract, but well.... let them try and if the better man wins, let him cos he deserves it.
I feel its polite to invite them and let them do their thing and give them the best backing you can give. Tweak the EQ, balance the sound and let them feel good with us.
What are your opinions on this ?
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Post by rogerb on Sept 7, 2007 18:21:01 GMT
For those of us using exclusively midi files backing (I use both my keyboard style arranger and midis and work totally live when with the band) this presents a problem unless the guest is going to sing-along karaoke style to the midi track. I wonder if that is the reason some of us are reluctant to let people guest. We run the risk of making both of us look silly if the backing doesn't fit the song or vice-versa.
Over the years I have attempted to back people who think they are God's gift to singing - usually when they have had a few drinks. These days, unless I know they can do a competent job, I suggest they go to one of the many Karaoke nights that are popular in Cyprus. Am I becoming a grumpy old man? LOL
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Post by ironbaden on Sept 7, 2007 20:07:30 GMT
it is for me..... for some reason the pro's can't function well to the midi... i've got a great story here.... we used to play a club as a duo and there was a mentally challenged gentld who used to frequent the bar and listen to the bands. He was always's welcome in this club ( bravo to the staff ) anyway.... This gentle cannot speak ... he can hum but not speak. now... this gentle loves chattahoochie and when the club owner found out we did the song thought it would be good for ouir new friend to get up and sing it. I explained to him that 1... he can' speak... 2. we use midifiles and u need to know the arrangement. the club owner said..look ...i'm paying u guys...ther eis hardly anyone here...let him up.. so.... we did. now i was worried that he would look bad ... i felt so bad when the count started...i rqan thru the intro. and BAM!... not only did he hum on key... but he knew all the the arrangement ..when to come in and where the solo was...and the ending... Blew us all away.  |
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Post by shyamwestwind on Sept 7, 2007 20:58:08 GMT
Really touching. Yes its true, God truly works in mysterious ways and the talent some of these physically challenged people have, is amazing. I bet you were a very happy person that day.
Actually its good to invite guests to sing with us - we'll never know when an angel could come along !!!
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Post by themd21 on Sept 9, 2007 21:41:00 GMT
This boils down to the point that either you are a capable musician or that you just sing to backing midifiles. Personally I love welcoming pro's with me on stage, and I don't mean those who bring their own disk's in their top pocket.I've played pro for years using midifiles but I believe you should also be able to accompany singers, pro or otherwise.
Top notch keyboards with their backing styles give every competent musician the ability to back pro singers, with no ifs or buts!
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Post by thingyy on Sept 9, 2007 23:29:00 GMT
If they are that good they should be working instead of trying to crawl up on stage.
Musicians etiquette applies here.
I would never let some has been or "wanna be" up on stage unless under pressure from management and then I would slap the song up a couple of keys and watch em strain.
Mind you I have always been a nice guy like that.
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Post by Emerald Midi on Sept 10, 2007 8:37:52 GMT
If they are that good they should be working instead of trying to crawl up on stage. Musicians etiquette applies here. I would never let some has been or "wanna be" up on stage unless under pressure from management and then I would slap the song up a couple of keys and watch em strain. Mind you I have always been a nice guy like that. Personally I have difficulty understanding why some gigging musicians would try to make a punter "strain." I don't normally allow singers up but when I do I try to accompany them as best I can. |
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Post by themd21 on Sept 10, 2007 9:13:57 GMT
Do you have many friends in the music business Thingy?
I find it a real compliment if guys call in to hear me after they've finished a gig. Of course they could be just after a late drink.
Music doesn't have to be so clinical.
What ever happened to the good old fashioned Jam Session?
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Post by dingadong04 on Sept 10, 2007 9:52:09 GMT
as i.ve said before i LOVE punters getting up.. if they are bad it,s a great craic ..if they,re good then its my pleasure ..and ya may just be giving somebody a wee helping hand to get into this game that we all love
..and the next singer is?
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Post by Tubbs on Sept 10, 2007 10:52:56 GMT
Do you have many friends in the music business Thingy? I find it a real compliment if guys call in to hear me after they've finished a gig. Of course they could be just after a late drink. Music doesn't have to be so clinical. What ever happened to the good old fashioned Jam Session? Here here!! |
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gibbo
Full Member
I'm not lost, I followed you home
Posts: 674
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Post by gibbo on Sept 10, 2007 11:18:49 GMT
I think Thingyy probably should have posted his reply to this question in Shyam's other thread about getting old and cranky, Smiling Through Our Wrinkles! In any case it answers both questions admirably! lol Personally, I only let other Pro's get up and sing at my gigs and I've had the pleasure of accompanying some of the best in the country. Cheers, Dave. |
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Post by thingyy on Sept 10, 2007 14:38:52 GMT
If they start screaming in the mike and others want to get up and join in where do you draw the line.
A jam session is not very proffesional in a club.
If its a private function or work do yeh do it.
I guess its a little different in a wine bar with a crowd of six to a working mens club with 500 punters.
Like I stated if they wanna do it get then let them stuff their own gig up and not mine. No pro musco that I know would be rude enough to ask to have a "jam" at a paying gig.
Would you ?
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Post by shyamwestwind on Sept 10, 2007 14:51:33 GMT
I think I have said all I want in my opening post and subsequently, but I cant help but feel sad that anybody would slap the keys higher to watch the guest singers strain. Thats sadistic, if I may so. I would like to think this was said as a joke.
Its really heartening to hear the views of the rest . Music is Love and its nice to share and be shared.
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Post by ironbaden on Sept 10, 2007 14:55:32 GMT
sometimes tho shayam...u get these buggers who want to go up onstage to show u up... nasty sort...hopefully u never have to experiece there nastiness...bvut its good to know u can pop them one with out getting physical... a god ole shot in the ego is musch more effective... havng said that... i'd never mess with the key's on u my friend... ;D
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Post by shyamwestwind on Sept 10, 2007 18:39:54 GMT
Hi Guys, do remenber I did say in my original post that I didn't mean amateurs and punters - I was referring to professionals and semi professionals. I'm sure a professional will know immediately if he was slapped with a higher key !!
Wheher I'm professiional or semi professional, I do believe we are basically entertainers, out there on stage to make those around us happy. If its a concert, there would be no such "jammers" or guest artistes, but most of us are performing in restaurants, pubs and lounge bars, clubs and private parties. so whats the harm in allowing a few good guys to join in ? Their friends in the audience would love it and generally everyone feels happy. That what we are all about, arent we ?
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Post by guilty on Sept 10, 2007 23:42:10 GMT
A certain woman is a regular at one of our gigs. She fancies herself as a singer and often asks if she can get up and sing. Se had brought her own lyrics with her this week so we let her up. She could sing a bit but simply stopped singing when it got a bit high leaving my female partner to cover her through most of the song. At the end of the night she came over to tell us that everyone in the pub thought she was a better singer than both of us and that she'd go far. Gee thanks. The next time she turned up with lyrics in hand we let her sing all by herself and she made a fool of herself. (I didn't even bump the key up). We haven't seen her since.
I think there are many reasons people want to get up with the band. Whether they're pro or beginners we all need to be a good judge of character and see why they really want to jam with you.
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Post by shyamwestwind on Sept 11, 2007 7:48:04 GMT
Oh Guilty, that was arrogant of her and desrves contempt.
OPh yes, we have had many of those and I guess there are many of those all around the world.
By the way, I bet many of you have come across situations where we, the band, invite a well known singer . a celebrity, to come up and sing and they act "hard to get" and put up lame excuses like havin a sore throat etc etc. Eventually after much persuasion he will condescend to come up and sing !!!
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JazzCat
Full Member
E=Fb Musician's Theory of Relativity
Posts: 709
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Post by JazzCat on Sept 30, 2007 3:17:17 GMT
Thingyy said:
If they are that good they should be working instead of trying to crawl up on stage.
I certainly hope you are not insinuating that I, along with every other musician who happens to be out of a gig, sucks? Phfffft.
Thingyy said:
and then I would slap the song up a couple of keys and watch em strain.
Mind you I have always been a nice guy like that.
Oh yeah, real nice guy, Oh boy, is Cat ever biting her lip BIG time now!!!
Ya know, we are lucky to do what we do. If letting some punter up for a song is going to give them a little joy then as long as management allows it, I'm all for it. If they happen to be utterly horrible they won't be allowed up again. If they are fantastic I'll be looking forward to having them sit in again. Not only that but you never know who that punter might be! They might just hold the billfold that's paying for yout next gig!
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Post by Tubbs on Sept 30, 2007 9:28:53 GMT
I agree 100% with you Cat!!  |
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Post by dingadong04 on Sept 30, 2007 10:54:45 GMT
well said Cat
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