Playing Live VS Recording and Improvising VS repetition

[Dom Franco]

After playing in Bands where every part was rehearsed and solo sections were worked out in harmony or counterpoint, my playing improved but my enjoyment decreased. Especially after the group recorded an album and we were expected to sound just like the record when we played live. It became more of a JOB than a JOY.

On the other hand whenever I played in a "JAM" band situation or just sat in with other musicians, I always had a blast. Solos and licks were never perfect but it was exciting, a bit loose but with a lot of feeling, and the other guys would react and play off of one another.

In the studio, with time being very expensive, parts needed to be well rehearsed when playing with an established group. But when I was hired to do some Pedal steel overdubs on a pre-recorded basic track... that was my favorite situation. Of course I was expected to perform well and get a good take after one or two playbacks, but I was free to experiment, "Go Hog Wild" on some parts.

As digital recording and "cut and paste" editing became more common, it kinda took the fun out of Studio gigs for me... Often the producer would have me play through the song 2 or 3 times, recording everything I did on multiple tracks and say "THANKS" "I think we have enough" Goodbye.

Sometimes they would use too much of my steel, and sometimes very little, and I never felt they knew what parts a Pedal steel should play.

So Playing live or in the studio, in a cover band, or doing original material with a well practiced group, or attending a local Jam session, it's all good but I find that I enjoy Improvising with other musicians who play well enough to listen and play off of each other.

[Donny Hinson]

I find that I enjoy Improvising with other musicians who play well enough to listen and play off of each other.

Me too.

`

[Ian Rae]

I rather enjoy the craft of rehearsing something and then replicating it reliably. Probably my classical background, reinforced with years of reading gigs on bass where the show was expected to be exactly like the band call.

Dom reckons that kind of thing is too much like a job, and I sympathise, but it's a job worth doing. I enjoy improvising, but I wonder what it would be like if bricklayers or surgeons tried it...

[Dennis Detweiler]

Scary!...Improvising a colonoscopy!
I know exactly where you're coming from Dom. Improvising doesn't fly in most rehearsed band situations. Jams or steel guitar shows, it's open. Until, someone says, "play that one lick again." Emmons once said, "you're only one fret away from correcting a mistake and making something out of it."

[Dave Hopping]

Some parts of the gig are more work than other parts... But it does seem as though the parts that are hard work pay off in better playing capabilities.

I recall hearing more than once that the Eagles' Don Henley was an absolute tyrant about replicating the recorded versions on live shows. We've all heard about the conflicts in that band, and it must have been very hard work for all involved, but they sounded REALLY good in person!

[Ian Rae]

I remember seeing Chicago a couple of times when they toured over here in the 70s and being astonished at how much they sounded like the records. Of course we don't know what it cost them.

By contrast I played for a while in a band that made a point of never rehearsing endings so we'd get something different every time! It made me nervous but it was kinda fun

[Roger Rettig]

Having done a lot of orchestra-pit gigs, I've had my fair share of playing everything exactly as it's written and, I must say, there's a satisfaction to be had from that. There'll sometimes be places where the arrangement never fails to touch you with its beauty, and realizing that your own part is vital to the phrase or passage can be very satisfying - even weeks into the run of the show.

I recall doing 'Sister Act' a few years ago; there was one spot that never failed to touch us, even as we 'd play it. Four weeks after we'd opened, we'd still catch each others' eye in that moment; more often than not, I'd have a tear in my eye. That's what a clever and sensitive arranger can accomplish.

Then there are much 'looser' shows ('Always - Patsy Cline' is one) where there are spots that allow for, and even benefit from, some improvisation.

I like both, but discipline is a part of professional music-making. I like being a part of something that's much bigger than I am.

[Bob Hoffnar]

After playing in Bands where every part was rehearsed and solo sections were worked out in harmony or counterpoint, my playing improved but my enjoyment decreased. Especially after the group recorded an album and we were expected to sound just like the record when we played live. It became more of a JOB than a JOY. …….
.

I’ve had the pleasure of touring with some great bands where I played the same parts every night. It was never boring or unchallenging. The parts where often extremely simple so I would focus on expression and articulation. I found that the music lives in the details. How many different things can I say with small adjustments in my thumb pick attack within a simple phrase ? To keep my brain working I would play the exact same phrase on different places on the neck or on a different neck. I would focus on the singer and try to play with the same inflection. There is so much there to learn it was a perfect opportunity to dig into the important stuff.

Since I’m more freelance now learning parts for a $100 subbing gig can be a drag because it takes to much time. If I’m not into the music or the band is a bunch of loud drunks it’s hard to get enthusiastic about it.

[Dennis Detweiler]

It sounds like we all have had the same experiences and come away on the same page. The joy of aging with seat time.

[Bill Terry]

...or the band is a bunch of loud drunks ..

You played with those guys too??? LOL

[Dom Franco]

it's called "playing" music or "Playing" steel guitar...
I have "worked" at a dozen or more "day jobs" so I could PLAY music...

However: I was also a full time musician, sometimes for years or decades at a time, and it was of course my JOB. And yes there is a lot of satisfaction in working out parts and playing them exactly, but after a while I'd find myself not enjoying the gigs as much. And sometimes after a band breaks up or the contract ends, I would have to "free lance" and it would be more fun (although the dollars were few and far between)

I am not complaining though, I actually have enjoyed all the gigs and band rehearsals, and I wouldn't trade the experience for any amount of money. (Being a musician is not valued as well as some other professions, and is not compen$ated as $uch so it must be done for the love and creativity of the art)

Thanks for all the replies, and again I am not complaining, I am just expressing in retrospect how each different musical setting makes me feel.

I also play a lot of solo gigs now, so I can do anything I want to... So I have worked out many parts and try to replicate them every time, but I also leave a verse or chorus open in each song to Improvise.

Cheers!

[Dennis Detweiler]

I played a Branson show for a few years. We'd rehearse about 20 songs for a two hour show. Everything rehearsed down to the nitty-gritty. No deviation. Comedy routines also, but a little wiggle room for creativity. It didn't take long to become mechanical to the point that I could be playing and thinking about something else. Stifling a yawn on stage made my eyes water. I worked a part-time self employed job during the day and head to the theater for a 5pm quick rehearsal and 7pm show. Very routine every day. Sometimes during the course of the tourist season we'd eliminate a song or two and add a different one. Roadwork in the off season. Steady work, but a grind.

[Tony Prior]

I enjoy either or ALL scenario's . I understand completely what Dom is saying, but, as a player we should find a way to enjoy what we do because the AUDIENCE is different and may very well have expectations which we may overlook.

A good friend said to me a while back when he would sit in with us,

1) we should always be prepared for the unknown
2) we should always LOOK our best
3) we should always PLAY OUR best


I have been playing only on Telecaster for the last year or so, we play some pretty POPULAR songs where the solo's are known to the entire world. While I feel I play some pretty good versions of original solo's it does require FULL attention each time , if I was bored and not paying attention I would really mess them up. Mud on the Tires, Peaceful easy Feeling...I just view each of them as another practice session for me , a challenge.

I feel the same with Way To Survive on Steel !

But I understand what Dom is saying.

[Fred Treece]

We’ve probably all been in that band who’s leader says something like ”I want us to do the song our way,” which usually meant the band was incapable of covering a popular song accurately, or didn’t even really understand what it was about the original recording that made it popular to begin with. Furthermore, the chops to do a decent alternate version most likely weren’t there. It’s a cop out, UNLESS you actually have the skill and discipline to do a reasonably accurate cover.

It’s an interesting topic, but I am not surprised to see most responses leaning toward getting equal satisfaction from both types of musical situations. Having also been in show bands as well as pickup bands like probably most other responders here have, I concur.

[George Biner]

The Eagles' music needs to be presented meticulously because the appeal is in the arrangement, harmonies and in the number of times you've heard it on the radio. Chicago's music is similarly complex -- there is not much call for improv in these acts.

But if you are the Grateful Dead, or the Allman Bros., or the bluegrass band down the street, it's a whole different story.

Different methods for different bands -- neither good nor bad and both ways are a ton of fun.

[b0b]

So Playing live or in the studio, in a cover band, or doing original material with a well practiced group, or attending a local Jam session, it's all good but I find that I enjoy Improvising with other musicians who play well enough to listen and play off of each other.

Absolutely. Play freely with other like-minded musicians. That's the sweet spot.

[Bob Watson]

Dom, I agree with you 100%. Well said!

[Roger Rettig]

In my opinion, Fred Treece's comments are pretty close to the real truth.