How can i land a gig with a band? - what does it take?

[m_three10]

Have you thought of starting your own band? At least you'll know you can play congas!

Thank you for those amazing tips... and not until this thread dies am i going to print it out and add to my 'guitarchrive'...

To answer your question... Yes, one of my main goals - and its a point in time where i will feel i have achieved something in putting together a band - is to start my own band, in having created the right chemistry of musicians in which we can create music for each other and really propel the sound.

I feel as though that wont be a reality unless i arrange the music... theres just so many sounds and ideas in my head and vibes that i want to achieve that i feel i have to be a big contributor in this. But right now i got nothing solid yet... which is why im learning about composition and writing and focusing strongly on rhythm.

But for now, i wanted to get experience in being in a band and contributing my piece. The band i would be interested is in a salsa band, you know because its hip and stuff, and all the conga players can hang on salsa. But im also really big on jazz and fusion and ambient music or 'free jazz' where i feel i can also make a mark. I dont want to close myself to any genre, but rather take from them what i can before i really begin my own adventure in putting together a group where i can play percussion and guitar (and i have already... last week actually )

[caballoballo]

Three10,on the first question I can say the following.

In the salsa band eveybody is important and have to do his part the very best he can, In the band I play,everybody also has a voice to be listen,for example sometimes before rehearsal we take time to discuss about the last gig ,what went wrong and what to do to get it straight. Last time we all agree on no more drinks on the stage,also if we don't practice a song previously we will not play it. Some members like me are encharge of looking for gigs around the clubs or to select what we may send to be copy (songs). So other than playing,everybody in the band has an aditional role to comply with.

[m_three10]

Three10,on the first question I can say the following.

In the salsa band eveybody is important and have to do his part the very best he can, In the band I play,everybody also has a voice to be listen,for example sometimes before rehearsal we take time to discuss about the last gig ,what went wrong and what to do to get it straight. Last time we all agree on no more drinks on the stage,also if we don't practice a song previously we will not play it. Some members like me are encharge of looking for gigs around the clubs or to select what we may send to be copy (songs). So other than playing,everybody in the band has an aditional role to comply with.

thank you for your reply, but i guess to be more precise with my question... or rather take it further, would be in musical terms. What would you say are the roles the instruments themslves play in the music?


I learned from posting here that a bongo player is also the guy who plays the bell, which makes sense - and now that i think about it i recall seeing that in the gigs ive witnessed - and things like that. What makes the salsa music salsa?



Edited By m_three10 on 1187228461

[pavloconga]

After reading pavlo's post, it made me notice how having a great teacher is really essential.

what role has a teacher played in your paths?

Over the last 14 years or so, it has been many different teachers and just a handful of really influential ones. It's advisable to learn from different teachers, but when you're beginning it's hard to recognise who really knows their stuff.

Really, those various teachers have taught me almost everything I know. But it's always up to the student to take what they've learned and develop it, study, practice and take it to another level.

More than anything a great teacher will inspire you.
Perhaps one or two will have you sitting there with your jaw dropped wondering, "How can they make such amazing sounds come from those congas?".

ciao
Pavlo

[Raymond]

Three10,on the first question I can say the following.

In the salsa band eveybody is important and have to do his part the very best he can, In the band I play,everybody also has a voice to be listen,for example sometimes before rehearsal we take time to discuss about the last gig ,what went wrong and what to do to get it straight. Last time we all agree on no more drinks on the stage,also if we don't practice a song previously we will not play it. Some members like me are encharge of looking for gigs around the clubs or to select what we may send to be copy (songs). So other than playing,everybody in the band has an aditional role to comply with.

thank you for your reply, but i guess to be more precise with my question... or rather take it further, would be in musical terms. What would you say are the roles the instruments themslves play in the music?


I learned from posting here that a bongo player is also the guy who plays the bell, which makes sense - and now that i think about it i recall seeing that in the gigs ive witnessed - and things like that. What makes the salsa music salsa?

M three 10,

I never got back to this post but if you do not know the roles of the percussion in the salsal band you have some learning to do. Not impossible to achieve the knowledge but some learning to do to be able to play in a salsa band.

Recommend, lots of watching salsa bands, lots of listening of salsa records. That is without counting that you have to learn the patterns that each instrument plays, etc, etc. You need a teacher unless you are willing to learn it by yourself by watching or listening. (Believe me, most of all learned by watching or listening and got a correction here and there....)

Saludos