Many guys or girls that play the circuit know several hundred songs. If you learn songs that some of the all time great songwriters wrote, I guarantee that you will become a better writer of original material. Studying the great pop songs of the last several decades can teach you how to write songs that are more palatable to the average listener. You are bound to pick up some songwriting tips, learn some new chord changes, notice how Dylan wrote his bridges, fall in love with the harmonies of Simon and Garfunkel, or find the unique song structure of Radiohead something you want to incorporate into your own song.
It also keeps your finger on the pulse of top 40 songs, and what direction the music tastes of the masses are heading. Playing the cover market allows you to meet the local agents, club promoters, bar owners, etc. But most importantly it allows you to meet other musicians. But I have made it a point to go out and see other players on my nights off. I introduce myself, I exchange emails, I stay in touch. There is a natural bond you will have with others that are trying to climb the same mountain you are.
When just starting out, their advice on many topics will be extremely valuable. And the relationships can pay off in many ways. Some just more seriously than others. Even if you are playing a cover club, you should still have an email list signup floating around. The new fans you make will hopefully come to see you when you are playing all of your own music in the future!
You should be playing at least SOME original songs during the night — even if the bar is paying you to play songs that the entire bar knows. This will let the crowd know that you are an original artist which might help you sell some original CDs at your cover gig! We both have been playing our entire lives due to our father being a drummer as well.
Our dad was big in the cover scene, played a few originals, but mainly did covers for paying gigs. Which is fine, he was great at that. My brother likes to influence me on trying to get into a cover band. He was lucky enough to go on tour with an old Oi hardcore punk band throughout the 90s and has now been just playing covers.
You keep bitchin' about being broke and I'll keep playing covers. Too bad you're stubborn and don't see the value in learning covers people will pay to hear I just choose to play original music for the time being because that's what I like to do.
Am I wrong because I don't care to play for money right now? Or should I consider learning and playing covers and getting paid? AnotherDrummernamedJoe Senior Member. Short answer, do what makes you happy, bro. Long explanation: A lot of us here cut our teeth on covers and making the rounds playing covers can be a very rewarding experience, both monetarily and musically.
Right now I'm in 2 bands, one a totally original band, the other a tribute band. The tribute band is fun and everything, and it pays, while the other band doesn't get the same offers as much.
But for me, writing and playing originals is worlds more satisfying to me. The process of writing, arranging, and constructing your very own drum part for a tune and then displaying it on stage and on record for an audience I think you'll find is more rewarding in a musically spiritual sense. The financial gains may be few and far between, but that's when you start asking yourself if it's worth it.
For me it is. Playing covers, as well as competing with all the other cookie cutter cover bands for gigs in my area, while fun and entertaining for a while, gets old and dissatisfying pretty quickly, at least for me. Just my opinion.
I do this for fun, not to be a rock star. IMO, nothing wrong with that. I am with you on this. I make no money, spend a fortune on gear, play in the shittiest, seediest metal bars you can imagine in front of almost nobody most of the time.
And I absolutely love every minute of it. I cant imagine playing in a cover band would be nearly as fulfilling. Everything I play I have written and I have a personal connection to.
I have help write and compose every one of our songs and I am more proud of them than anything else in my life. I cant imagine playing covers could ever offer even a fraction of the satisfaction I get playing originals. That being said, keep doing what your doing. There is more to life than money my friend. Why are you playing? If it's for more gigs and money - covers are your best bet. If covers don't provide the musical satisfaction you're seeking and don't mind less gigs and perhaps little to no money - play covers.
Some bands get away with a mix of both. Every conversation added to the experience, but one in particular inspired us to ask ourselves some pretty heavy questions. I spoke with one of the conference volunteers about the great bands we were seeing, and he began to explain his background in the industry.
His father had been a venue owner for decades so he grew up surrounded by musicians. I mean, I saw Aerosmith when they were just a cover band opening for another act.
Aerosmith playing covers? Naturally, this made me eager to talk to more indie musicians who were working toward stardom. What was their take on playing covers versus their own music? We offer gigs, we get you booked, you make money with your talent, but are we providing a way for you to be recognized for your original music? When the crowd can sing along, it seems like they get more enjoyment out of the experience. There are people out there who do enjoy discovering new bands and they latch onto it, but it seems like most listeners just want to hear something they already like.
I started off playing mostly my own stuff, and I noticed that only my existing fans—my friends— were coming to the shows. What you do is get them out there, get them listening, and then blast them with a really great original song.
The next level is a band that has recorded an album or two and has developed a local or regional following. There are more gig opportunites available to a band at this level, and a little more money to be made. The top level is, of course, an original band that gets signed to a label deal and is out touring the concert circuit. Although this is the ultimate aspiration of most musicians choosing the original route, the intensity of the "business end" of the music at this level can leave many a "purist" disillusioned.
If playing originals is your calling then be prepared for some realities. There are fewer gig opportunities available to the original artist. Most club owners pay bands according to the crowds they draw, and, unfortunately, your average club patron just wants to hear the songs that they have spent all day listening to on the radio. In an original band you may have to play a lot of free gigs just to get your name out there.
Recording an album is a must so you will need to figure out how to pay for an album if you are playing free gigs. Many audiences are simply not receptive to original music so be prepared to get requests for "Freebird".
If your band is serious, you may consider moving to a major music center and start knocking on doors. Which Way to Go Although some purists might not agree, there can be a high level of satisfaction in playing cover songs and seeing the positive reaction of an audience. We respect your privacy. Email Marketing by GetResponse.
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