MY FIRST BAND!
Well, i recently found out my local pub has an acoustic night on tuesdays, so i decided to take the plunge. I took my recently purchased Ibanez AEG20, I hoped to learn some finger picking, having never tried it.
Anyway, i was the first there, and met the landlord of the pub, who used to be a guitar instructor, i introduced myself. Before long there was about 8 of us. Ranged from some complete beginners, to intermediate. The landlord was an expert. We learned the chords to a few songs, with associated solo/accomp. tune. We had a blast, speaking to like minded people was great!
At the end, the tutor thought i would be good enough to come to band practice for the house band! Ive been asked to bring my electric (epiphone sheraton) and an amp(VOX AD60VT). Im hoping in future i can bring my GNX4 and plug into PA.
Im waiting for a text message to know which songs to learn between now and monday! I cant wait, i kow its only a house band, but i'm really looking forward to playing people!
Anyway, i was the first there, and met the landlord of the pub, who used to be a guitar instructor, i introduced myself. Before long there was about 8 of us. Ranged from some complete beginners, to intermediate. The landlord was an expert. We learned the chords to a few songs, with associated solo/accomp. tune. We had a blast, speaking to like minded people was great!
At the end, the tutor thought i would be good enough to come to band practice for the house band! Ive been asked to bring my electric (epiphone sheraton) and an amp(VOX AD60VT). Im hoping in future i can bring my GNX4 and plug into PA.
Im waiting for a text message to know which songs to learn between now and monday! I cant wait, i kow its only a house band, but i'm really looking forward to playing people!
Comments
Keep us updated!
Went to my first band practice last night!
Really enjoyed it, i think the guys were impressed with my playing! I never got chance to use my gnx4, but vox ad60vt held up pretty well!
I now have 6 songs to lean for my first gig in 2 weeks time! We are playing a small as part of an open mic night. I think the most daunting thing is remebering the chords to songs ive ive never played! Although i can some times get away with improvising for fills and solos.
Anyway, here are the songs, i dont expect everyone to know them (i dont know how familiar americans are with british bands)
You do something to me- Paul Weller
White wedding- Billy Idol
Need your love so bad- Fleetwood Mac
Man who sold the world- Nirvana
Cigarettes and Alcohol- Oasis
Supersonnic- Oasis
Just some words of encouragement and humble advice I'd like to offer you. As you attend these open mic nights and play out, take a pen and paper and meet other musicians and write down their names, telephone numbers, and what instrument/vocals they play. Because I attended some open mic nights, I met some guys and we formed a band from those first connections. Anyway, my first band practiced for about 6 months and had one gig live - and that was all. However, it was enough exposure for me that I was picked up by another group of guys who had seen me and we have been together (more or less) as a group for over 2 years now.
Most bands around here never make it out of the practice room. Sounds like you guys are ahead of that curve, so congrats. Just remember that if you really want to play music, give your best effort to the group but remember to constantly be building contacts with other musicians. Life happens and band members come and go for all sorts of reasons. If you want to have success, you need to start thinking about how to keep it together if you lose a member. My band has gone through more drummers than Spinal Tap. We are on our third lead guitar player. My only point is that losing a member in the band can really take the wind out of your sails. We survived because I had a list of local musicians and their telephone numbers. When we lost our drummer(s), I already knew 4 others I could call. When we lost our lead guitar player, I had the names of two guys I knew that were even better who wanted to be in the band.
Currently, there are only two of us founding members left from our original band, but over the past two years we have continued to improve and our current lineup is the best we have ever had. That is not knocking some of our past members. Rather, it is just a fact that hard work and practice has paid off for us that are still gigging.
I really wish you the best success and hope you keep us informed on your band's progress. Take care.