I've been asked to dep in a cover band, about 12 gigs so far with 2 sets of about 25 songs. They are all soul/disco based.
I'm in my own cover band already, but we've developed the songs over a few months and we've put a different slant on them, so getting up to speed has been a steady progression. We're gigging and it's going well.
I've got a playlist together of the songs, I know a couple but need to get the others in my head. First gig depping is early July. We have our first rehearsal next week.
Question is, how many rehearsals would be reasonable to ask for to get up-to-speed?
Usually I suppose the answer is as many as it takes but I've always been in bands where we have worked on things together, some songs take one run through, some a few weeks.
I this case they have been playing them together for years so I need to slot in quick.
I'm thinking 2 or 3 rehearsals at least, is that reasonable?
I've been in bands for over 20 years but mainly original, so this depping for cover bands is new to me.
Comments
I've depped with zero rehearsals and it has gone fine.
I've depped with 10 rehearsals and it has been a car crash.
If you are organised, can play and the band know what they are doing then 2-3 rehearsals sounds about right.
You'll probably know after the first one how much work you have to do.
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I guess one rehearsal at least with enough time to fit in another if need be.
I quite enjoy the difference between those type of gigs and the sometimes over rehearsed band when it's a bit routine.
Unlike some of the last minute dep gigs, it sounds like you ha e plenty of notice so I'd sort your notes with a list of things you need to confirm - keys, version etc and then after a rehearsal you'll know if you just need more time doing your homework or more full band rehearsals.
Thanks for the helpful replies. I've basically got this weekend to learn the parts, but going through them now it's easy to see which songs will take nothing more than knowing the chords and which need more complex parts learning.
I think as pointed out I'll know a lot more after the first rehearsal, versions and expectations etc. I'll record it as well and perhaps any I don't know well enough, get them to run through it without the guitar parts so I can have that as homework.
I also learned the other guitarists solos so the dep just had to play the songs and not do any of the parts unless he wanted to. I'd say 3 rehearsals is enough and if you have a recording of one of their rehearsals that will help too.
I record all ours so had a few to send the deps.
On stage comms is the big thing tho - that makes all the difference!
If you are less used to doing it or they are then you might go for 2 or 3.
If the band plays the songs very close to the originals then you can often get away with no rehearsals. If they have specific endings and sequences \ medleys into other songs then live recordings are invaluable.
Keys wise I generally work \ think in numbers rather than learn a song in a particular key. Some shifts in key can be a pain on the guitar due to open string notes but other than that if you think of a songs chorus chord sequence as something like 1, 5, 6, 4 for example then changing the key on the fly isn't an issue. This is a area where a little grounding in music theory is invaluable as well as a good ear.
I don't write anything down cos my eyes are too shit to read it onstage and often the lights are too hectic to see anything. But that's actually made my memory better, if you use crib sheets then your brain knows there's no need to remember that information and therefore won't.
I generally cram for whichever band I'm playing for on the day, so If I'm doing a Rockabilly BB gig in the evening I will listen to nothing but those songs all day. If the next day is a Kate Bush trib gig then it's Kate Bush all day. It's all about getting the songs in your head .... if your not familiar with the song then even jamming it is twice as hard.
Ensure you've got the keys - many change them for the singers
Any segways/which version?
If you can get a live tape (showing my age)..err recording of the band, even better.
If possible, talk to the existing guitarist or meet up and swap notes.
You can rehearse a fair bit without having to pick up the guitar all the time and by that I mean, listen to the songs, make notes on the structure of them and digest them. If you need cheat sheets or are a reader, fine, but I think it can be a lot more enjoyable and liberating if you're not tied to this but as you're doing a job and need to deliver on it, use whatever aid you can and "Good luck" and enjoy it.
I've depped where theres been no rehearsal or pre set list, if they are traditional pop songs thats OK but special techniques might leave you floundering. More typical is a meetup to 'top and tail' the songs as above so you know where you are.
Relax, you are doing them a favour and they should nod and wink thier way through the set with you. Just have the critical parts down so the links, fills, intros and hooks are recognisable.
I warn you it can be addictive and you'll find yourself seeking out more dep gigs for the thrill.