Gone Solo And Enjoying It!

[GreatGretsch]

Well, I played my first solo gig and it went great. I was booked again and we are talking about making it a regular gig!:)
I have played some pretty big shows with my band and didn't have as much nerves as tonight's little solo gig. After about three songs everything felt good and away things went. I am soooooo used to having a rhythm section to fall back on or to distract from any imperfections; like forgetting a word or two in the middle of a song. I figured if I screw up I'll just laugh it off and keep on going.
It was a very rewarding experience, but I don't plan on just doing solo stuff. Playing with a band is just as rewarding but in a different way.

The new Ibanez was great. It stayed in tune all night with one little tweaking about an hour into the set. I put a new set of strings on about an hour before the gig. If you remember from an earlier post, the Ibanez has black side-fret marks which are nearly impossible to see in low light. I put some white nail polish on them until I get some mother of pearl dots. I was very impressed with the sound of it going though my little Behringer GM110 amp with a 10" speaker.

[Jukebox]

cool, Congrats! Start saving for that Bose!!

[J i m m y]

Congratulations on the gig!
Glad to hear that everything went well. (Hey, you should abandon the pearl dots and install some blue LEDs. ;))

[GreatGretsch]

Congratulations on the gig!
Glad to hear that everything went well. (Hey, you should abandon the pearl dots and install some blue LEDs. ;))

I was actually thinking of getting some forever glow-in-the-dark gun sights or just some good glow-in-the-dark paint.

http://pistol-training.com/wp-content/uploads/2008/02/nightsight.jpg

[unbridled]

Tritium works well too!

Glad it went well for you. Solo gigs and full band gigs are both rewarding, just in different ways. I feel like I have more control over the crowd's emotions in full band gigs, but, I feel like I'm more appreciated in solo gigs. If I want to party and get a rush, I'll play a full band gig, but if I want to feel a connection, I'll look for a solo gig. If you decide you want to add tracks behind you, look for a Yamaha QY100. They aren't made anymore, but, the sounds and samples are outstanding. You have to play keyboard to be able to do any effective programming besides the factory presets, but, it's a good little unit.

[unbridled]

Tritium is what they use on those gun sights. It glows all the time and doesn't need recharged like other glow in the dark paints. mildly radioactive.

[J i m m y]

I was actually thinking of getting some forever glow-in-the-dark gun sights or just some good glow-in-the-dark paint.

http://pistol-training.com/wp-content/uploads/2008/02/nightsight.jpg

Now there's an idea!

[GreatGretsch]

if I want to feel a connection, I'll look for a solo gig.
The connection is definitely the reward! The feeling was like being a part of the crowd. You get that feeling at times with a band. But, with a band it's more like being on display.

Where can you get Tritium how do you work with it?

[GreatGretsch]

mildly radioactive.

That word scares me!!!!:eek:

[unbridled]

Just don't lick your gun or guitar, and you'll be fine.:D

[GreatGretsch]

I was just looking at the cost of doing that and it isn't going to happen. It's to much money for a few side dots. I'm going back to the mother of pearl idea. It will look better too.

[J i m m y]

MOP will look just fine. Strange that they'd go with black dots to begin with. :confused:

The LED thing is something that I've been thinking about for a while. I have a neck in my closet that would be a good prototype. I removed the fretboard so I have easy access to everything. Maybe put a very small channel beside the truss rod and run the wiring down to the body. http://i999.photobucket.com/albums/af118/JebusFish/Emoticons/ThinkingAboutSomething.gif
Throw in some of those blue LEDs that they install in Behringer pedals.
(You know, the ones that they can see from the International Space Station.
"Look, Aleksandr. J i m m y must be tuning up."
"You are right, Boris.")

[unbridled]

You guys crack me up.

Yeah, the tritium is pretty spendy. the MOP will look great. The side dots on that guitar are probably the low point on it then? Everything else on it seems awesome.

[GreatGretsch]

LED's would probably blind you. It would be like looking into a flashlight. You'll be seeing spots all night.

[J i m m y]

I was thinking of putting little lenses over them. And the more that I thought about it, the cooler it seemed. And then I considered the costs, the time, etc. Not so cool. :D

[unbridled]

The latest thing to do is use fiber optics for the dots and then the actual light can be in the body of the guitar and you can do all kinds of funky things with them like have them change colors etc.

[Jukebox]

Go on the cheap, tape a flashlight to the neck!:D

[J i m m y]

Fiber optics? Who in the world is doing that? :eek:
I like it. That would be pretty neat. Imagine your neck looking like one of those Rickenbacker Lightshows.

[unbridled]

Here's a tutorial on the fiber optic bass neck:
http://www.talkbass.com/forum/showthread.php?t=502922

And an add-on fiber optic system:
http://www.fretlord.com/fretoptix.htm (the same company also does LEDs and glow dots)
http://www.fretlord.com/images/FretLightZ/FretOptiXWEB.JPG

And, here's Mikes fretboard flashlight!:
http://img3.musiciansfriend.com/dbase/pics/products/4/4/9/549449.jpg

[J i m m y]

Wow! Thanks for the link. That's a great read.

[unbridled]

It is neat, isn't it?

There's a high end bass maker doing that too, but I can't remember who. Maybe Sadowsky???

[GreatGretsch]

Well the solo thing seems to be working out. I now have a steady job at the local coffee house. I play every other Thursday. When the town has special events like car shows, I will have extra bookings there too. The place is nice. When the weather is nice, I will be playing outside area. If the weather sucks, I'll play inside.

Now that I feel a bit more comfortable, I'll start booking some clubs.

[unbridled]

Awesome! So, what time have you been starting?

[GreatGretsch]

I play from 6ish to 8:30. Pretty easy hours. I don't know about the event weekends yet. They will probably be during the day during the event. The town does things like car shows, Chili cook-offs, benefits, and even Jazz weekends. They do these things to attract people to the business area of our little town.

[unbridled]

That's gotta be nice to do gigs at those hours.

Sounds like a fun place!

[Jukebox]

What is the name of the place that you are playing at? I have friends in your area.

[GreatGretsch]

That's gotta be nice to do gigs at those hours.

Sounds like a fun place!

It's weird starting before 10pm, but it's cool that my kids can actually come and see me.

He is trying to do some fun and different things for his customers.

What is the name of the place that you are playing at? I have friends in your area.

It's called The Cheesecake Cafe` in Irwin, PA.

[Jukebox]

Ok I will tell her, she is the head of homeland security.

[GreatGretsch]

She'll love the place. It has great desserts, food and coffee (yes, in that order). The place is a hidden little gem.

[jeffed]

Congrats on the solo gigs. You mentioned an interest in guitar-controlled synth. I not spruiking for Roland or Wayne Joness but here's the address of a demo you may dig - http://www.joness.com/ebay/2010/Warmoth_Black/MIDI-STRAT-VG-99.mov

[GreatGretsch]

Thanks for the link! It may make recording easier.

[dan P]

GG...if you have some music on utube let us know !

[GreatGretsch]

No, I don't have any on Youtube. I am too embarrassed to put anything up yet.:oI am my own worst critic.
I will soon have to post some as a part of my demo package. My wife will probably tape a few shows and I'll pick some material from that.

[Jukebox]

I told my friend in Washinton ( homeland security chick) about you and she is going to look you up, she's in Mpls right now and I'm suppose to meet her this weekend but I'm to busy.

[GreatGretsch]

Thanks Jukebox! Tell her to come hungry because the desserts are great. She should feel safe at the Cheesecake Cafe`, the owner is a Pennsylvania State Trooper.

It's a lot different playing to people with a sugar and caffeine buzz. I am used to drunks spilling beer on my equipment and passing out.

[J i m m y]

It's a lot different playing to people with a sugar and caffeine buzz. I am used to drunks spilling beer on my equipment and passing out.

That would be an interesting change.
I, too, look forward to any videos that you may post.

[Jukebox]

I think you should post some of the stuff you have been doing!

[GreatGretsch]

Here is a link to the place...
Cheesecake Cafe` (http://www.cheesecakecaffe.com/)

[GreatGretsch]

I have been trying to design a flyer for my gigs...
This will have to do until I come up with some other ideas.
http://geargoggle.net/attachment.php?attachmentid=762&d=1272254068

[unbridled]

I think it's good. It gives them all the information they need and is directed at the right audience.

I also like the choice of picture. So many solo artists are using just a face shot, which means nothing to someone who doesn't know them. By putting identifyable guitars ( I mean identifyable shapes, not neccessarily brands) in there, you are catching the eye of folks who'd be interested in those types of music.

[Jukebox]

Thursday night at 6:30pm should be at the bottom of the poster. INMO

[GreatGretsch]

I think it's good. It gives them all the information they need and is directed at the right audience.

I also like the choice of picture. So many solo artists are using just a face shot, which means nothing to someone who doesn't know them. By putting identifyable guitars ( I mean identifyable shapes, not neccessarily brands) in there, you are catching the eye of folks who'd be interested in those types of music.

Thanks Monte. I don't like having my mug on flyers and such. I may even take on a stage or nick name for the same reason.

[GreatGretsch]

Thursday night at 6:30pm should be at the bottom of the poster. INMO

You may be right. I wanted to keep it simple and not too cluttered so everything gets read.

[Jukebox]

I think it would look better at the bottom, You have the to to busy.

[GreatGretsch]

I see what you are getting at.

[Jukebox]

The top just seems to busy, I think it would improve the sign if it was at the bottom???

[Jukebox]

Here are mine:

[dan P]

allright ! put the darn time on top/bottom and be done with it...lookin good though.....

[GreatGretsch]

Here are mine:

Very simple and to the point. I like them.

[Jukebox]

If you get to much it gets too busy and confussing

[GreatGretsch]

The gig went fantastic tonight! The weather was nice enough to play outside. My wife took some video. In the next couple of days I'll try to post some videos.
It looks like I'm getting more shows at some other venues. There were some people there that are excited to hire me for their venues.:D The town wants to hire me for some events that will be happening over the next couple of months. I want to be selective taking those gigs and be faithful to this job. I don't want to take business away from them.

Thanks for all of the support and encouragement guys!!!!:)

[Jukebox]

It's time to look at the Bose System!

[J i m m y]

Hey, congratulations, man. That's awesome in every way. Just make sure that you slip some Danzig into your set. Maybe give it a folk rock arrangement. ;)
And I'm sure that we're all looking forward to videos.

[GreatGretsch]

It's time to look at the Bose System!

I've been thinking about it. I have so much pa equipment now that adding more to it seems like throwing money away.
I used one power amp (2,400 watts), a monitor (facing out) and a small pa board. I barley had the amp on. The sound was pretty good:). I know the Bose systems sound nice and would be one less trip to the car. I just can't justify spending $1000 for more pa equipment. I could trade my strat for one, but I would rather put that money to something fun like a new guitar. It's something to think about.

Hey, congratulations, man. That's awesome in every way. Just make sure that you slip some Danzig into your set. Maybe give it a folk rock arrangement. ;)
And I'm sure that we're all looking forward to videos.

Thanks Jimmy! If I have some time tomorrow, I'll try to put them on Youtube.

[GreatGretsch]

OK...I finally decided to post a youtube video.:o

Here you go Boom Boom...Out Goes The Lights (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=A2Ff4Nmt3qA)

[GreatGretsch]

OK...Here's one more.:eek:
Walk On The Wild Side (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BrsqMYxjy-Q)

[GreatGretsch]

I'm on a roll now...
Maggie May (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iDk3Lt_zE80)
You can tell my wife has seen me a million times. You can hear her talking most of the video.:D

[Jukebox]

Ray, they all sound pretty good to me, even with the yacker:D

[J i m m y]

Nicely done, GG. And I like your arrangement of "Walk on the Wild Side."

[unbridled]

I'll take a look at them on the other computer this afternoon.

It sounds like I'll be doin some solo shows this summer. Only $50 a gig, but better than nothing. I better study up on my guitar work a bit.

[GreatGretsch]

Do you do a lot of solo stuff Monte? I could use some tips. I see I was rushing a few of my tunes. It's probably a mixture of nerves and adrenalin.

[unbridled]

I used to do a lot and the biggest thing I've found is to make sure to mix the tempos up. I found that, if I do mostly acoustic stuff, the tempos start being very similar.

I also use a capo every once in a while, even if it's just to raise the tune a half step. My vocal range is such that my comfortable keys are G and D, but songs start sounding too similar if I do everything in those keys, so, I'll raise the keys a half or full step just to mix it up a bit. When playing live, most people's vocal range raises a bit, just from nerves, and their tendancy is to play higher and faster than normal so, capoing gets the tune up where it's easier to sing.

Also, it's easy to rush tempos when playing live so, I try to err on the side of starting slower than normal. Most audiences won't notice if you have to speed a tempo up because you started too slow, but most will definitly notice if you have to slow down a song because you started too fast.

I also used to just bring a kick drum every once in a while and would keep tempo with it while playing. I found it helps me keep from rushing if I can hear me tapping more. If you don't want to do that, you can take a box that's comfortable to tap your foot on and mount one of those piezo contact mics on it to give you a rhythm instrument that's not too visable to keep from getting seen as a novelty "one man band."

Another huge thing is to have fun. In such an intimate setting as a solo gig, the audience wants to feel a connection with the performer and the best way to do that is to seem happy. I play better when I remember I'm having fun. Fun is what it's all about, anyways!

[unbridled]

Good videos, looks like you're having fun!

I wanted to see the GreTsch!

[GreatGretsch]

Thanks for the tips Monte...All are things that I pretty much know, but need to put into practice. I will take special note on starting songs slower. Speeding up and playing too fast are my big downfalls.

What do you think of the Bose L1 systems? I have tried them out at GC along with a few other personal systems and I was impressed. I just don't know if I am $1,000's impressed.

[GreatGretsch]

Good videos, looks like you're having fun!

I wanted to see the GreTsch!

If you look to the back left, it's there. I used it for a few songs at the end of the evening. It was there for backup. I just plugged it directly into the board. It was OK sounding, but I'll have to bring my VAmp next time.

[unbridled]

I love the VAmps!

I have never cared for any of the Bose systems. Mike will probably ban me for saying that.:D

They are just too much of a "one trick pony" for me because I do more full band stuff than solo stuff and I can make use of conventional PA equipment more often. The problem with the Bose systems is you have to make sure you are far enough in front of them for them to work well. Also, seperate monitor mixes are nice because I like to hear certain things more or less than the audience. If I use a sequencer for some tunes, I like to have the into click track through the monitors but not the mains. Just too limiting for me. I will say they do what they are designed for VERY well, just not for me.

[unbridled]

If you look to the back left, it's there. I used it for a few songs at the end of the evening. It was there for backup. I just plugged it directly into the board. It was OK sounding, but I'll have to bring my VAmp next time.

OK, I should have said, I wanted to see you playing it!

[GreatGretsch]

I love the VAmps!

I have never cared for any of the Bose systems. Mike will probably ban me for saying that.:D

They are just too much of a "one trick pony" for me because I do more full band stuff than solo stuff and I can make use of conventional PA equipment more often. The problem with the Bose systems is you have to make sure you are far enough in front of them for them to work well. Also, seperate monitor mixes are nice because I like to hear certain things more or less than the audience. If I use a sequencer for some tunes, I like to have the into click track through the monitors but not the mains. Just too limiting for me. I will say they do what they are designed for VERY well, just not for me.

I have enough pa to cover most situations and clubs. I was thinking of using the Bose for just as you see in my videos. Me and an acoustic guitar.

OK, I should have said, I wanted to see you playing it!
I'll make sure we get some video of it at the next gig.:)

[unbridled]

Cool, sounds good.

A Bose would do alright in that situation.

[GreatGretsch]

Ok...I bought my name.:eek:
I can be found at www.raymoretton.com (http://www.raymoretton.com)

I was messing around last night just to get the page up and running. Nothing will probably stay, I just wanted to get it up an doing.

I would like to incorporate some videos and I will take a lot of gig photos so people will come to the site and see themselves. I need to make sure that my contact # and email are on there too.

I will listen to any suggestions as to what people like and dislike in a website.

Now.....throw your ideas at me!!!:D

[J i m m y]

The only thing you need now is a photo of you holding a custom J i m m y creation. ;)

But seriously, I think it's great that you took the plunge. In this day and age, a website is validation.
Personally, I think that the home page looks a little busy right now. I'm sure that everything will change once you add to your page. That's just one of the first things that I noticed.
Nice going on the schedule! You're in demand. You even got a gig at a private party?

(Oh, maybe a section on the gear you use?)

[Jukebox]

The website looks good. It's great to have the scheduling there also. How did you do with the Bose? Are you getting use to them yet?

[GreatGretsch]

I like the idea of a gear page and will probably add one.
I agree that it is very busy. I just wanted to get it up and running and throw a bunch of ideas on it. What you see is a very rough brainstorming draft. I did the actual layout of the site in less than an hour.

The main reasons for the page is for more gigs. I can use it to share my resume for potential jobs. I will get better videos and mp3's on the site. I have a potential job in Florida that needs to see some video before they can hire me. That job will pay for our famiy vacation.:)

[J i m m y]

Florida? Sounds nice.
For an hour's work, it looks great.
I forgot to mention-and this would be good since you're utilising the site to rack up bookings- that you should probably add an electronic press kit. That's the future. Er, present, I guess. :)

[GreatGretsch]

I was asked to play a show every saturday. Our town closes the streets down, and have a small farmers market every saturday. I may have requested too much money. I think I heard someone fall of your chair when I told them how much I wanted. I think, I deserve the amount that I asked for. But, I will settle for less.

[J i m m y]

Well done. That's a great offer.
If you're good at something, fleece 'em for as much as you can.

[GreatGretsch]

Well done. That's a great offer.
If you're good at something, fleece 'em for as much as you can.
I don't want to fleece them, I just want what the job is worth. Having a steady gig is always nice, though.

[unbridled]

Remember to take your expenses into consideration, which most folks do, but then also remember you are offring a professional and exclusive service. Good luck!

[J i m m y]

GG, I'm hoping to see some brand new videos. Maybe one of you rocking "Ball and Chain" at a summer show. That would be awesome.

[GreatGretsch]

GG, I'm hoping to see some brand new videos. Maybe one of you rocking "Ball and Chain" at a summer show. That would be awesome.

I've been a bit bored with that tune. "99 to Life" works well on acoustic. "Bad Luck " works good too.

[J i m m y]

I can see those working well. I've just had "Ball and Chain" in my head for a week straight and it seemed like a tune you could pull off.

Did they accept your monetary stipulations or are things till up in the air?

If you guys plan a summer vacation, I know a few places that you could rock with an acoustic. ;)

[GreatGretsch]

I need to call them back to see if we can make a deal. One that works for both of us.
We are heading to new jersey this year for vacation. Cool idea though. I was working at the beach this week. I love the ocean.

[J i m m y]

What's in New Jersey?

[GreatGretsch]

What's in New Jersey?

The beach and boardwalk.

[jeffed]

How's the weather there in your neck of the woods for outdoor gigs? It's getting cool here as soon as the sun goes down - low 60s fahrenheit.

[GreatGretsch]

How's the weather there in your neck of the woods for outdoor gigs? It's getting cool here as soon as the sun goes down - low 60s fahrenheit.
the weather is getting much better. I should start playing my outdoor gigs, very soon. I will be playing every thursday at the local restaurant again this summer.

it's nice to see the trees with their leaves back on. my grapevine is starting to sprout. the lawn has been mod 3 times now. spring is in the air.

how cold is it in your part of Oz?

[jeffed]

Around the coast, where most of us cluster, it's temperate by your standards - very rarely falls to freezing point in mid-Winter except in the alpine regions down South where we get heavy falls of snow for excellent skiing. As in your country, the desert areas are hot in the daytime but cold at night, even now, in Autumn. Either way, people die of exposure there every year. (Tasmania is considerably colder.) It's a big country. June is a good time to head to the sub-tropical North and further to tropical North-East Queensland and the Great Barrier Reef islands, months before the monsoonal rainy season hits again - "The Big Wet".

[jeffed]

Whoops! Sorry - I've hijacked your thread. Back to your solo gigs coming up...

[trace2u]

Do you do any Willie Nelson or John Fogerty material, GG, in your live act? Creedence - Proud Mary, maybe?

[jeffed]

Something rockier by Fogerty - "Summer Of Love"?

[GreatGretsch]

Creedence or Fogerty would be a great addition to the set list. Maybe "The Old Man Down The Road". I'm not sure if I could do justice to a Willie Nelson song. My father-in-law would love it if I did. He comes to most of my shows. Maybe "Angel to Close To The Ground".

[jeffed]

Oh, yeah! Good choice!

[jeffed]

With the warm weather there, are you back entertaining the folks at the Cheesecake Cafe, GG? Any outdoor or other gigs coming up? What happened with that closed-street event? Did the powers-that-be meet you on a fair fee for your group on that?

[GreatGretsch]

Thanks for asking jeffed. The weekly gig wanted me to play for almost free.The weekly gig at the Cheesecake Cafe will probably start next week.That's almost enough for me now. A few more club gigs on top of that a month would be perfect.

[jeffed]

Here's a new take on "Superstition" that may appeal to you - guitar instrumental only - just add the words. (Already on your set list?)

uov5cRxzytE&feature=related

[GreatGretsch]

That was awesome...Thanks!