nathanbatesbandjournal

[nathanbatesbandjournal]

Band Journal

Due to the stresses of Covid 19 our last gig will no longer be taking place.

The last few rehearsals with the band have been enjoyable and very efficient. Even in the rehearsal time we had I fine tuned my skills and my ear, bonded musically with different types of musicians and performed songs I never thought of attempting.

With a band of 10 people we had to choose songs that would compliment everyone's abilities but also challenges them. Some of the challenges are splitting guitar parts up among 4 guitarists. This was thought to be the most difficult but in actuality became very efficient and sounded very well together eventually.

After the last show we had, we wanted to perform upbeat songs with elements of funk and rock. Pop was essential because the audience needed something they were definitely going to know. It was then up to us to adapt to the songs and make them exciting to see performed by a 10 piece band.

I Want You Back - Jackson 5

For our first song we chose jackson 5 i want you back. This was a good idea because every age group will know this song and almost everyone is guaranteed to enjoy it. The guitar sections were split up between 3, with acoustic parts, an electric accompaniment and my parts with the main chucking note. The key was in F for convenience to the singers.

Never Too Much - Luther Vandross

Considered to be one of the lesser approved songs, Luther vandross’ never too much was the next tune on the set list. With soul guitar parts split into 3 with octaves and harmonies. The struggle was being able to convey the energy without making it sound too aggressive. The parts for the hook were played among us.

Big Love - Fleetwood Mac

Fleetwood mac’s big love was next. Having a big band in this case was a positive because we were able to achieve the rhythm section and the lead sections with ease and able to achieve a very mystical vibe. This I thought was one of the stronger songs on the set.

Bellyache - Billie Eilish

Wanting to have a pop song that we would feel comfortable putting in our set was Billie Eilish, with having dark tones and multiple harmonies we were able to achieve her sound and add flavour of our own, with guitar inversions and large solo’s. This was a good choice for audience engagement given her current popularity.

Hungry Like The Wolf - Duran Duran

This song is a classic, duran duran hungry like the wolf. This song was good for our band because having so many people filling out this song so it sounded large was not a problem. With classic tones such as chorus and a tonne of reverb we could emulate that sound.

Money For Nothing - Dire Straits

Dire straits money for nothing brings us in for a jam track that could get the audience rocking a dancing. In this song we were able to achieve the groove of the track and add improvisation around the clock. Harmonies and chord inversions were a must when adding elements of funk.

Do It Again - Steely Dan

Following similar styles our next track was do it again by steely dan. For this track it was a good idea placing it after money for nothing because this gave us an opportunity to merge the tracks and go into the next flawlessly, after time and effort we were able eventually to play it. This is fortunate for me because my guitar parts change ever so slightly between the 2 tracks.

Life Is A Highway - Tom Cochrane

An anthem for many of the young and old that would have been attending the gig, life is a highway by tom cochrane. Mirroring the guitar parts and adding layers of harmonies vocally and instrumentally we were able to make this song the potential highlight of our set.

Touch Me - Rui Da Silva

A dance song was a very experimental but otherwise excellent idea for a track to play at a gig. With a sing along that is almost surely going to attract every type of audience member and have them dancing to our mix of dance and funk cover of this track, mixing elements of ambient sounds and funky riffs this track was a highlight in our set.

Don’t Call Me Baby - Madison Avenue

Playing about finally with don't call me baby we were able to create a hybrid of dance rock. This was an enjoyable cover for us in terms of experimenting with tones and style, it also gave everyone a chance to add their own elements. More practice time with this song would have had it perfect.

The module gave me opportunity and skill in musicianship and technicality within covering a song and making it memorable, original to an extent and more than anything enjoyable. It also taught me how to play less and make much more of an impact, this was prevalent in songs like, touch me in the morning and big love.