We're a band that plays with amps and a big drum kit. It's what I write the music for. Yet for some reason we keep getting offers of acoustic slots.
Which boils down to this;
Singer: Does exactly the same thing as an electric set. Difficulty rating: 0/10.
Drummer: Shakes shakers and tambourines and hits stupid wooden block, but becomes basically superflous at an acoustic gig in that if he does nothing it's ok and anything he does can only add to the sound. Difficulty rating: 2/10.
Bassist: For some reason it's fine for bassists on acoustic gigs to just bring their electric bass, pedals, amp and just play quietly. Literally no change. Difficultly: 0/10.
Guitarist (me): Have to totally rework every single part of every single song because it's basically a different instrument I'm being asked to play and all the solos/ double stops/ atmospherics that make up my playing style just sound empty unless they're very heavily reworked for acoustic guitar. Every single failure on my part to successfully translate the songs to an acoustic setting reflects painfully and obviously on me and is immediately noticed by the audience. Difficulty: 10/10.
Man, acoustic gigs annoy me.
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For what it's worth I don't have a problem with *acoustic* gigs either - ie an acoustic guitar not plugged in at all.
Just play the songs...
"Take these three items, some WD-40, a vise grip, and a roll of duct tape. Any man worth his salt can fix almost any problem with this stuff alone." - Walt Kowalski
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My band - Crimson on Silver For sale - Blackstar HT-5S
Gear - Guitars, amps, effects and shizz. Edited for Phil_aka_Pip, who is allergic to big long lists.
There does seem to be a lot more people requesting it lately. I've had to borrow an acoustic from a mate as I've never owned one.
It's not my thing at all, but sometimes it's interesting to step out of your comfort zone.
Having said that, sorting out an acoustic version of something you usually play electric (and with various FX) can be interesting, and maybe you could learn something from it.
But if an electric band is asked to do an acoustic gig, the only sane answer is "No, we're an electric band, if you want an acoustic band there are plenty to choose from".
Seriously: If you value it, take/fetch it yourself
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Your view will change.
it's amazing.
*An Official Foo-Approved guitarist since Sept 2023.
Just turn up with your full rig and say that you took advice from Brian May.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ipNtj89zCXA
The duo is our female singer and me on guitar and stompbox, which although it's physically hard work playing the only instrument, both me and the singer love the total and instant control over dynamics that we have.
It's made us rethink how we approach our full electric arrangements because oddly enough our acoustic duo is the only format which gets people dancing every single time.
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