I just love the solo acoustic gig. No problems with practice schedules or money splits and just dealing with 4 other lives intersecting with every band related decision. Simple PA setup and easy equipment choices. So hard to jive schedules in this universe.
Saturday march/30/24 9:49pm Jeff, I'm also a solo musician & have been playing at a family restaurant for the last 14 yrs. I was in a lotta bands both as a member and as a leader Going solo was the best decision in my life. I dfntly grew as a musician in many ways, Both musically & independently. I learned how to be self-sufficient on my own musically. If you practice Daily your gonna have a solid show Your main responsibility Is: practice as much as Possible, vocals & inst. Your only as good & as bad As you wanna be and there's No-one to blame but you for Any mess-ups, that's the Scary & downside of going Solo But! ... The up-side is that, you Get to charge what you Want & keep all the $ As your reward for all Your hard work and efforts I gig every Friday nite from 6pm/10pm & thee Other days I work security (I'm at my job now) Playing in a restaurant/bar, you Need to know a variety of songs & many styles & know at least 5 songs from every decade, Starting with the 1950's/60's/ 70's & 80's Me personally, I could care less about anything past the 80's/90's. You'll have to thank the Rap/crap Shit for my way of looking at music Past the 80's & 90's Anyways ... You have to know at least 100/200 in your brain that You can somehow be able To pull off And out of those 100/200 songs.. You'll have to choose a good 40 songs out of that bunch that you Know pretty damn well to .. Perform a solid and Flawless 3/4 hr show. To me .... 1st ... Vocals have to Be good as possible 2nd ... Your guitar playing Better be just as good Currently I'm using a TELE And a line-6 amp. 75 watts With a 1/12 inch spkr. It has plenty of power for My solo restaurant gig & With a ton of effects I currently play my home made Drums & bass tracks from my Phone into my P.A system or From a CD player Ermmm ... Is it karaoke? Well, I've tried it all.. Just guitar & vocals Then added a drum Machine to my act Then, I learned how to create My own back-tracks way... before There was a thing called "karaoke" In the United states How did I sequence? Or make my own backtracks Back then?... I had a copy of Cakewalk 1.0 For windows 3.0 and a 286 computer Like I said.. There was no such thing called "karaoke" on the shores of the United States yet. Karaoke was just barely starting Out in Kobe,japan To create your own back-tracks Back then & "STILL" today you Need to know how to sequence & Learn about M.I.D.I programing Anyways ... I spent $$ on the latest MIDI Sound moduls such as: Roland U-220 sound moduals & many diff types of moduals I used sequencers such as: Roland MC-50 I used two & even three At my shows! Yep! I used to carry all that Stuff to my gigs I learned & did all that, only to Find in the end that you'll never Please people regardless of How much you bust your ass So... I finally said, fk it! I'll please myself. I'll just Be as good as I can & Make it easy on myself So what did I do? I burned my tracks on various CD'S and play them back either From a CD player or my phone Hell, & you know what? 14 yrs later I'm still here At this restaurant & people Still come! So again... Is it karaoke? Am I cheating? Hell, who cares! Ive learned to stop Worrying about it Because at the end Of the day, nobody Cares if you live or Die/eat/pay your bills Or if you have a home In this world, your on Your own & your going Out, the way you came in ... "Alone" Ive found that as long As I do my best and My boss is happy & Obviously the people Are happy we'll, that's All that matters And "NOT" whether Im using backtracks Or not. I defntly know How to sing & swing A guitar so... Musically Im secure of myself Note: I'm most definitely not a Prodigy or a monster Musician by any stretch. I guess it's just the years Of gigging & dedication to What I love doing in life since I was 11 or 12 yrs old And so .... It only leaves the jealous To bitch about if "I'M" using Or "YOUR" using some form Of backtrack or not ( there's always gonna be that 1 person in the audience *lol* ) As you well know jeff, Not everyone can be A solo musician no Matter how great a Player they may be In a full band. I guess It's a special gift or Just pure dedication Lastly: I also get a free Dinner every friday 😃 Stay warm/safe & healthy & keep on rockn Jesse Calif.
Awesome Jesse.... Doesn't matter how technical or how simple, "to each is their own", I say... if it ain't broke, don't fix it.. ( As long as you're having fun) sound like your setup is working out great for you... "don't stop" luv to hear about you music makers and what your setups are... As long as your soothing souls & making smiles.. You are Rockin rockin it Jesse.. thank you brother for the share !
I been looking for a synth player or drummer for over 3 yrs, I've played drums in several punk rock bands for over 20 yrs,I know exactly how it feels to want to get back into gigging with a band again.Hard just to find anyone here in Philly to do a two pc. Experimental outfit.But honestly enjoy my own production,anyways,subbed!
Ah.. the mid, late 70's played in a couple of punk bands, me and my brother started... co headlined with Circle jerks & dead kennedys, buthole surfers..etc. our band was "Bad Generation".. to much crazy fun..
Good luck with the band man! It’s brutal everywhere. Right now I’m considering doing a band again as well. In 2023 I had an amazing run of solo instrumental guitar gigs but from the time of posting this in 2024 I’ve played once. It’s rough everywhere man. Love the channel and I’ll follow it if it’s a band or if it’s solo.
Thank you brother... The band thing is just something to do on the side... Solo gigging will always be my priority, for sure... Its so jacked up out there right now... All we can do is keep the faith that it gets better.
Good luck with the band Jeffrey. If you find the right people it can be a good experience. The last band that my son and i had we had the same 4 people in that band for 10 yrs. Its hard to believe looking back now that it was that long.
Playing music with your son is a blessing that most never get to realize. That's awesome! Even more awesome is the fact that your son wanted to still hang out with the old man!
Ah yes, the ol' ebb and flow of one's musical interests. Going solo for such a long time made you realize how much you missed the band thing, and, invariably, being in the band for a while will make you realize how much you miss the solo thing. All of this lends truth to the old adage that "the more things change, the more they remain the same." All the best with the "new" musical venture!
Man, yeah. I play solo guitar in 3 diff restaurants. . .11 hours from Friday to Sun. I've run into a new problem: several places in in Memphis said they couldn't have live music because they don't pay ASCAP / BMI. I guess the Sirius-type canned music they have pays that as part of the service (?). Anyway, I used to be able to put together a blues or jazz trio in the corner type gigs but it looks like those days are gone!!!!?
If your bass plays 6 string as well ….Maybe do an acoustic duo as well extra backing vocals and lead ect Jeffery 😊 your have your solo , band , and duo .. use the same songs for all …
He ain’t gona be open for long w/an 18% tip. People are already pissed at the inflation #’s.I might avoid that place.Damn we’re $250.00 solo or duet gigs here in Tx. Mostly bigger restaurant bars.
Hey man, I’ve enjoyed a few of your videos in the last few months. I’m in the same job in Scotland 🏴. Times are hard everywhere. I totally respect your right to have your own political view but don’t you think you might be alienating half your possible audience making political statements in your videos. I know it does here where we have almost a 50/50 split for Independence. From the UK.
I get what your saying, totally.. But in my life time , I have never experience such a shit show in our country. I realize that I'm nobody... I'm just someone that believes in the american way and Truth, Logic & Common-sense.. So when I go on my little rants... LOL maybe I can wake a couple of people up that might be sleeping.. LOL Thank you Bob for the shout !!
It’s a sad messed up world. UK is also a shit show, unfortunately as I said it’s a half and half split for Scottish independence. The Brits scared some voters into staying in UK. We also got dragged out of the EU even though about 65% of Scotland voted to stay. I feel your pain. Rock on though !
I feel your pain.. All we can do is hang in there brother, through the crazy shit shows... and try to spread some sunshine music.. and pray it gets better LOL
I just love the solo acoustic gig. No problems with practice schedules or money splits and just dealing with 4 other lives intersecting with every band related decision. Simple PA setup and easy equipment choices. So hard to jive schedules in this universe.
Simplicity 👍
Saturday
march/30/24
9:49pm
Jeff,
I'm also a solo musician & have been
playing at a family restaurant for the
last 14 yrs. I was in a lotta bands both
as a member and as a leader
Going solo was the best decision in my life.
I dfntly grew as a musician in many ways,
Both musically & independently.
I learned how to be self-sufficient
on my own musically. If you practice
Daily your gonna have a solid show
Your main responsibility
Is: practice as much as
Possible, vocals & inst.
Your only as good & as bad
As you wanna be and there's
No-one to blame but you for
Any mess-ups, that's the
Scary & downside of going
Solo
But! ...
The up-side is that, you
Get to charge what you
Want & keep all the $
As your reward for all
Your hard work and efforts
I gig every Friday nite
from 6pm/10pm & thee
Other days I work security
(I'm at my job now)
Playing in a restaurant/bar, you
Need to know a variety of songs
& many styles & know at least
5 songs from every decade,
Starting with the 1950's/60's/
70's & 80's
Me personally, I could care less
about anything past the 80's/90's.
You'll have to thank the Rap/crap
Shit for my way of looking at music
Past the 80's & 90's
Anyways ...
You have to know at least
100/200 in your brain that
You can somehow be able
To pull off
And out of those 100/200 songs..
You'll have to choose a good 40
songs out of that bunch that you
Know pretty damn well to ..
Perform a solid and
Flawless 3/4 hr show.
To me ....
1st ... Vocals have to
Be good as possible
2nd ... Your guitar playing
Better be just as good
Currently I'm using a TELE
And a line-6 amp. 75 watts
With a 1/12 inch spkr.
It has plenty of power for
My solo restaurant gig &
With a ton of effects
I currently play my home made
Drums & bass tracks from my
Phone into my P.A system or
From a CD player
Ermmm ...
Is it karaoke?
Well, I've tried it all..
Just guitar & vocals
Then added a drum
Machine to my act
Then, I learned how to create
My own back-tracks way... before
There was a thing called "karaoke"
In the United states
How did I sequence?
Or make my own backtracks
Back then?...
I had a copy of Cakewalk 1.0
For windows 3.0 and a 286
computer
Like I said..
There was no such thing called
"karaoke" on the shores of the
United States yet.
Karaoke was just barely starting
Out in Kobe,japan
To create your own back-tracks
Back then & "STILL" today you
Need to know how to sequence
& Learn about M.I.D.I programing
Anyways ...
I spent $$ on the latest MIDI
Sound moduls such as:
Roland U-220 sound moduals
& many diff types of moduals
I used sequencers such as:
Roland MC-50
I used two & even three
At my shows!
Yep!
I used to carry all that
Stuff to my gigs
I learned & did all that, only to
Find in the end that you'll never
Please people regardless of
How much you bust your ass
So... I finally said, fk it!
I'll please myself. I'll just
Be as good as I can &
Make it easy on myself
So what did I do?
I burned my tracks on various
CD'S and play them back either
From a CD player or my phone
Hell, & you know what?
14 yrs later I'm still here
At this restaurant & people
Still come!
So again...
Is it karaoke?
Am I cheating?
Hell, who cares!
Ive learned to stop
Worrying about it
Because at the end
Of the day, nobody
Cares if you live or
Die/eat/pay your bills
Or if you have a home
In this world, your on
Your own & your going
Out, the way you came in ...
"Alone"
Ive found that as long
As I do my best and
My boss is happy &
Obviously the people
Are happy we'll, that's
All that matters
And "NOT" whether
Im using backtracks
Or not. I defntly know
How to sing & swing
A guitar so... Musically
Im secure of myself
Note:
I'm most definitely not a
Prodigy or a monster
Musician by any stretch.
I guess it's just the years
Of gigging & dedication to
What I love doing in life since
I was 11 or 12 yrs old
And so ....
It only leaves the jealous
To bitch about if "I'M" using
Or "YOUR" using some form
Of backtrack or not
( there's always gonna be that
1 person in the audience *lol* )
As you well know jeff,
Not everyone can be
A solo musician no
Matter how great a
Player they may be
In a full band. I guess
It's a special gift or
Just pure dedication
Lastly:
I also get a free
Dinner every friday 😃
Stay warm/safe & healthy
& keep on rockn
Jesse
Calif.
Awesome Jesse.... Doesn't matter how technical or how simple, "to each is their own", I say... if it ain't broke, don't fix it.. ( As long as you're having fun) sound like your setup is working out great for you... "don't stop" luv to hear about you music makers and what your setups are... As long as your soothing souls & making smiles.. You are Rockin rockin it Jesse.. thank you brother for the share !
I been looking for a synth player or drummer for over 3 yrs, I've played drums in several punk rock bands for over 20 yrs,I know exactly how it feels to want to get back into gigging with a band again.Hard just to find anyone here in Philly to do a two pc. Experimental outfit.But honestly enjoy my own production,anyways,subbed!
Ah.. the mid, late 70's played in a couple of punk bands, me and my brother started... co headlined with Circle jerks & dead kennedys, buthole surfers..etc. our band was "Bad Generation".. to much crazy fun..
Good luck with the band man! It’s brutal everywhere. Right now I’m considering doing a band again as well. In 2023 I had an amazing run of solo instrumental guitar gigs but from the time of posting this in 2024 I’ve played once. It’s rough everywhere man. Love the channel and I’ll follow it if it’s a band or if it’s solo.
Thank you brother... The band thing is just something to do on the side... Solo gigging will always be my priority, for sure... Its so jacked up out there right now... All we can do is keep the faith that it gets better.
G,day mate I,m an old must 0 from Australia love your channel and your honesty
Thank you my brother !! Just being real
The older we get as musicians the less we want to be the band leader.Just tell me what to sing and what to play and it’s all good.
🤣 Right?!🤣
Fire up the RV and head to FL ! great solo gigging here brother! :)
Right..!? Thank God it's 5 o'clock somewhere.. LOL
Good luck with the band Jeffrey. If you find the right people it can be a good experience. The last band that my son and i had we had the same 4 people in that band for 10 yrs. Its hard to believe looking back now that it was that long.
Playing music with your son is a blessing that most never get to realize. That's awesome! Even more awesome is the fact that your son wanted to still hang out with the old man!
Hey Tom... what a blessing and a half... you guys were doing something right.... and thank you !!!
I’ve had a LOT of Tele’s & I don’t rmbr seeing any of the “Bullet” type truss rods.
Thanks brother... me neither... I haven't even had time to look it up.. LOL
Ah yes, the ol' ebb and flow of one's musical interests. Going solo for such a long time made you realize how much you missed the band thing, and, invariably, being in the band for a while will make you realize how much you miss the solo thing. All of this lends truth to the old adage that "the more things change, the more they remain the same." All the best with the "new" musical venture!
Awesome insite my brother... well said.. It's a cluster fuck... but in a good way.. LOL Rock on my brother !!!
18% tips hell ….in uk we mainly only pay a tip if we want too,if we get good service I mainly leave 10% if I like them 😮
Hey Scott... it is so jack up here right now...
Looking forward to following you thru the new journey... love your channel !
thank you brother... you frickin Rock !!!!
Man, yeah. I play solo guitar in 3 diff restaurants. . .11 hours from Friday to Sun. I've run into a new problem: several places in in Memphis said they couldn't have live music because they don't pay ASCAP / BMI. I guess the Sirius-type canned music they have pays that as part of the service (?). Anyway, I used to be able to put together a blues or jazz trio in the corner type gigs but it looks like those days are gone!!!!?
If your bass plays 6 string as well ….Maybe do an acoustic duo as well extra backing vocals and lead ect Jeffery 😊 your have your solo , band , and duo .. use the same songs for all …
Amen to that... My Solo career will alway be my priority.
Thanks for honestly sharing your experience
Thank you Andre ! so welcome.
At least you got to play out live.Can tell a lot about players when the lights come on.
All the drummers I played w/in Nville used Click tracks.They all have a meter on their floor Tom’s.
Hey, Jeffrey, best of luck on your new endeavors. In your area do you run into venues that only book using a local "promoter"? Rock on 🎶
There isn't any promoters up here... which is ok.. you are on your own up here.. Thank you brother for the shout !
Knowing the # system helps Dramatically.
Pretty sure the old 70s Teles had bully truss rods. At least the Tele customs did.
We’d like to hear some of yalls tunes.
He ain’t gona be open for long w/an 18% tip.
People are already pissed at the inflation #’s.I might avoid that place.Damn we’re $250.00 solo or duet gigs here in Tx. Mostly bigger restaurant bars.
Politics will ruin an entertainment career….be it music or athlete.
exactly... and unfortunately our country is in a political shit storm that is crumbling our beautiful country... sad
Good luck with the new band brother! Love the channel!
Thank you Todd.... keep rockin my brother !!!
Hey man, I’ve enjoyed a few of your videos in the last few months. I’m in the same job in Scotland 🏴. Times are hard everywhere. I totally respect your right to have your own political view but don’t you think you might be alienating half your possible audience making political statements in your videos. I know it does here where we have almost a 50/50 split for Independence. From the UK.
I get what your saying, totally.. But in my life time , I have never experience such a shit show in our country. I realize that I'm nobody... I'm just someone that believes in the american way and Truth, Logic & Common-sense.. So when I go on my little rants... LOL maybe I can wake a couple of people up that might be sleeping.. LOL Thank you Bob for the shout !!
It’s a sad messed up world. UK is also a shit show, unfortunately as I said it’s a half and half split for Scottish independence. The Brits scared some voters into staying in UK. We also got dragged out of the EU even though about 65% of Scotland voted to stay. I feel your pain. Rock on though !
I feel your pain.. All we can do is hang in there brother, through the crazy shit shows... and try to spread some sunshine music.. and pray it gets better LOL