So I'm thinking of starting a solo act in addition to my duo and my full band.

Just my 12 string guitar, my voice, and my Bose. I'm a good singer and a good rhythm player. Not a great soloist, but it's tough to do that anyway without tracks under you. I've used backing tracks in a band situation and just don't want the hassle, so it'd pretty much be me strumming, me singing. I've also just picked up a TC-Helicon Harmony G pedal that seems to be pretty decent for some things, but not everything.

I guess the question is, do you soloists out there do decent with just strumming and singing, or do you need to be some kind of guitar virtuoso?

The looper's an option that I'm thinking, but it seems that could be super confusing.

Can I get by with just strumming and singing if both are done well, or have you found that that is a dead end? Thanks.

Hi Bryan,

Nice getting to know you a bit over the past few days.

GO FOR IT|||

Been in bands, done lots of duo work, and relatively recently I've been doing solo shows.

But for the L1® I'm not sure I'd even be performing any more, but I am absolutely certain that I wouldn't be doing solo work without it. Hearing yourself well is, for me, absolutely essential when you're up there all alone. The L1® lets me do that.

Even though I played lead guitar for most of my band work, and for a least half of the time for duo shows, what I really needed to make things work solo was solid rhythm playing.

It sounds like you are already there. I wasn't.

I am certain that when I play in a band or duo, no one comes out to hear me sing - or for that matter - to see some display of guitar pyrotechnics. If they are there for the music, it is for the whole experience and not just to the bits and pieces that make up the show.

When I'm playing solo, I'm pretty sure that it's the rhythm that grabs 'em. Or maybe it's the lyrics. I don't think it's my singing. But if anything even remotely looks like guitar virtuosity creeps in there, it is probably an accident and more likely than anything to put folks to sleep.

Having said that, I do like to keep the rhythm going with a solid strum or picking a bass line and thumping along with my PorchBoard Floor Bass. If I can keep that together and sing at the same time, it generally works. Sometimes I'll do some soloing over the PorchBoard, but that's really just to entertain the other Guitarists in the crowd. They are easy to spot, and sometimes it is nice to toss in something just for them.

Is there anything in there for you?

Hey Bryan - It doesn't matter how you create the music it's what you are playing that is important. If the songs connect to the people listening then you got it made in the shade.

Hi Brywool,

I can absolutely urge you to give it a try!

I've been in bands and a few acoustic trios for such a long time that it shouldn't be mentioned, and just a year or three ago I did my first truly solo shows. I'm not a great singer, but I have a pleasing enough voice, and know how to sing songs. I'm not a great player, but I have guitars that sound good, and know how to play songs. Looking back, I have been the leading person in most of the bands. Also, I have a ton of songs I really like but never played in any of the bands, some "old band" songs that I didn't play any more, and even some current band songs that I like doing a little differently sometimes. Plus a few stories about some songs that are interesting.

Harmony has always been a big part of what I do, and I almost always perform solo with my harmony machine (Digitech VL-Pro).

I've been doing solo gigs steadily for two years, I really enjoy it, and people who listen seem to enjoy it - some who know me, more who don't or didn't, but are now friends.

Get on out there! If you turn out to not enjoy it, or if it doesn't seem to be worthwhile, you can always just not do it anymore.

Best luck, and please let us know how it goes for you!

Mike

Thanks ST-
Yeah, that's good to know and it's only since I got the Bose that I'm saying "geez, why NOT do solo gigs". For me, it comes down to confidence in my playing. I'm a front guy in a band, I'm a lead singer and rhythm player in my band and so I'm not worried about that stuff. I'm only worried that "strummy strummy" would bore people. I can't fingerpick very well, so even that's not much of an option for me. It's almost like I need to post some solo stuff and have people vote if it'd work! It'd be cool NOT to rely on others to make things happen...

wow, thanks Mike.
There are some songs that I'm finding the harmony G just doesn't work on, so I'll have to find other songs to do. It would also let me play some of my original stuff which I'd never force on another player.

The looper thing sounds interesting, but I've got an old friend in the neighborhood who does that and I'd actually feel guilty about stepping on his 'turf'. Not that I could touch him as a player, but still...

I will definitely give this more thought.

Hi Bryan,

quote:

Originally posted by Brywool:
Thanks ST-
Yeah, that's good to know and it's only since I got the Bose that I'm saying "geez, why NOT do solo gigs". For me, it comes down to confidence in my playing. I'm a front guy in a band, I'm a lead singer and rhythm player in my band and so I'm not worried about that stuff. I'm only worried that "strummy strummy" would bore people. I can't fingerpick very well, so even that's not much of an option for me. It's almost like I need to post some solo stuff and have people vote if it'd work! It'd be cool NOT to rely on others to make things happen...

I finger pick more than I strum, but I strum a lot more in my solo shows than I do in the other formats. This allows me to keep things relatively simple so that my vocals - and specifically the lyrics aren't lost in the clutter.

I wouldn't worry about "strummy strummy" boring people. The pickers in the crowd might notice but the rest, well unless you are doing concerts for the discerning, I don't think it will matter a lot to the masses. That's not a put down. That's a testament to priorities.

If you want to keep the interest up - dynamics is probably more important than strumming or picking or whatever else, and silence is your friend. I notice this more and more. I noticed at that I can just stop playing and let a vocal line sail up into the air as the room quietens to see where it will land.

Since I come from the "dance dance dance" variety of bands, it might be a bit difficult for me to pick solo tunes. You guys don't play the same stuff as that, do you? I mean, it's not "What I Like About You" and "Play that Funky Music White Boy" in your solo shows, is it? I'd be open for some suggestions, even if you wanna send your songslists.

Bry,

I've thought about looking into a looper thing myself, or backing tracks, just haven't gotten there yet.

The REAL thing is... do YOU believe that the songs you like to play... are interesting, pleasing, enjoyable... when YOU play them? I BET the answer is YES! I fake my way through LOTS of lead parts in songs.

You say you're a big strummer, me too, and that you're not a strong fingerpicker. I BET you might find you (can) do some flat-picking, that has a similar effect as fingerpicking. You MAY not strum-strum quite as much as you think.

Finally - remember that most all songs were performed solo by the songwriter, before and as they were presented to the band, producer, etc. I sometimes put myself in that frame of reference..

Good luck - Mike

Hi Bryan,

quote:

Originally posted by Brywool:
Since I come from the "dance dance dance" variety of bands, it might be a bit difficult for me to pick solo tunes. You guys don't play the same stuff as that, do you? I mean, it's not "What I Like About You" and "Play that Funky Music White Boy" in your solo shows, is it? I'd be open for some suggestions, even if you wanna send your songslists.

I heard a killer rendition of Gloria Gaynor's "I will Survive" done by a young fellow who probably was born a decade after it was a hit.

He did it solo, strumming and singing and tore down the house.

Regarding backing tracks- I use them with my real band for keyboard parts. It's a PITA, so I'd rather just not do it.

wow. On one hand that's cool. On the other hand, I was hoping that the 'dance mentality' wasn't so important with the solo gig.

Naah - you'll play PLENTY of places where the focus is 100% on the song and your performances and the stories - I'd be surprised if dance was much of the equation...

Gentleman,

I played my last gig with a full band in May of 2005; after the purchase of a Bose L1 system in December 2004. I love my old band members, but I've never looked back.

There were ten times more venues to play as a solo performer, as well as part of a duo. I live in the winery-rich area of MO and IL.

I find that towards the end of each gig, the crowd usually wants something to dance to; so, I just play acoustic versions of their favorite drivin' pop/rock songs. They're just glad to hear them.

What I love about the solo or duo scenario is that the audience expectations is much much lower than with a full band, and I/we can WOW them everytime!

I have found that playing these more intimate settings attracts an audience that is more attentive to the lyrics of the few originals that I throw in the mix, as well as the stories.

Good luck and have fun!

Hi Brywood,

Good rhythm guitarists usually make the best solo performers. You can always do things within the chord structures of some songs to emulate a certain "essential" hook, without having to be Chet Adkins or Jimmy Page. Takes some work.

If you do a song justice with just a guitar and your vocals, people who know the song will "hear" the missing parts in their head. (People who DON'T know the song certainly can't know anything's missing...lol).

ST is right about the musicians that will often be in the crowd, likely expecting some flash. I'm not a picker. So when playing solo gigs my tactic has been to always have another guitar tuned and ready to plug-and-play, and then say something like:

"Okay, this next song could sure use some lead guitar...anyone out there a player?"

I also invite anyone who wants to come up and sing with me, lead or harmony. So I always have another mic plugged in and ready to roll, too.

That's my only advice: As a solo performer, always be willing and ready to make the crowd a part of the show. If you do that, you will likely do well. You don't want it to be an Open Mic or Karaoke situation - it's your gig - but you should be willing (and prepared) to be very inclusive. Then, most everybody will think you're great and want you back.

It works...

Dennis

I have been doing nothing but solo work for 15 years now and I really like it.

I enjoyed playing in bands for the prior 25 years but I can't see myself going back anytime soon.

I was a lead guitar player/lead singer in the bands I played in so that helped quite a bit.

quote:

I live in the winery-rich area of MO and IL.

So do I...where are you?

quote:

I guess the question is, do you soloists out there do decent with just strumming and singing, or do you need to be some kind of guitar virtuoso?

The great thing about performance art is that you get immediate feedback. If the audience is into it, you know it. You don't have to wait for reviewers to read the book you wrote or someone to buy your painting. So, go out there and do it. If the crowd likes it, you'll know soon enough. In my experience, the main ingredient of a good musical performance is the groove. Work in a couple of little bass runs and lead fills, and you're there.

Also, you can often provide some relief to the listener's ear by just playing higher inversions of your chords. Just play the chords up the neck -- no single-string work needed at all.

Good luck!

--Rick

wow, that's an interesting approach that i wouldn't have thought of.

I'd also like to add a loop pedal, but it seems that it'd be hard to get wrapped around that. It'd be very cool to be able to play a solo if I had to. Not only does it add more to the song, it kills time.

"I live in the winery-rich area of MO & IL"

I live in Ste. Genevieve, MO.