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Playing in a trio...

wild.joz

Well-known member
Joined
Mar 19, 2008
Messages
1,934
Hi All,
My current band (2 guitars, vocals, bass, drums), is changing, as our singer/rythm guitarist is leaving.
We're going to try to keep going ahead as we have some gigs already programmed and signed for next spring/summer, but we'd like to keep it as a trio, with bass, drums, and me on the guit/vox.

First of all, i'm not a singer at heart, so I will have to work on that, but I'm willing to do so.

My question to you is:

What would be a nice setlist for a trio. Songs have to be in all styles of rock, from Blues-rock, Classic-Rock, Southern-Rock, to Heavy Rock. Think from SRV, ZZ Top, up to Pride & Glory (Zakk Wylde's first solo band).

The vocals should be not too high pitched as my voice is in a lower registry. i can go up a little, but not much. "Born to be Wild" is, for example, a song I can sing pretty easily. Led Zeppelin is unfortunately out of range...

Post any and all songs you think might fit :)

Thanks for the help,
WR.
 

Wilko

All Access/Backstage Pass
Joined
Mar 11, 2002
Messages
20,854
personally, I play three piece as though nothing is so different.

Just play whatever songs you want. It may take a while to figure out how to arrange them, but it will go a long way toward teaching you what is important, musically speaking.
 

fakejake

Well-known member
Joined
Sep 3, 2010
Messages
1,274
playing with less people is a great practice and is almost certainly going to make you a better player over time.
i play in a drumerless trio from time to time (bass, trumpet and me) and its a hell of a workout!
the nice thing at gigs is that the money gets better the less people there are!! :ganz
 

JohnH

Member
Joined
May 6, 2007
Messages
363
Things i sing and play with no other guitar needed at a pinch:

Rocking in the free world, My my hey hey, Cinnamon girl - Neil Young
Route 66, Jumping Jack Flash, Honky Tonk woman - R. Stones
Mary janes last dance - Tom Petty
Heard it through the grapevine
Cocaine, Crossroads- E Clapton
Hey Joe- J Hendrix
Blue hotel, wicked game,- Chris Isaak
Alright now-Free
Saw her standing there, ticket to ride, norwegian wood- Beatles

They are songs where the tune and vocals dont need you to split your head in two. Im a very basic player
 
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latestarter

Well-known member
Joined
Nov 9, 2009
Messages
4,173
I'm in two 3 pieces and we tend to change keys to suit our voices. Don't be afraid to do that... unless a riff doesn't sound right.

Maybe tune down .5 note too?
 

mistersnappy

Well-known member
Joined
Jan 20, 2006
Messages
7,321
Judicious use of effects can make something that seems hard to get across as a trio, easier. For instance, chorus has helped me "fill out" the sound on tunes where, if you did them real dry, would seem naked.
 

Hardrockmapletop

Active member
Joined
Sep 1, 2007
Messages
1,026
I've fronted a few three pieces, and like yourself, have a competent voice for Blues/Rock, but I sure aint no Robert Plant!

A few tunes that work well live in a Blues/Rock vein that I can get away with include,

Chevrolet - Robben Ford version
Good Mornin' Little School Girl - we did Johnny Lang's version
Nasty Habits - Tommy Castro Band
You Upset Me Baby - BB or JB version
Outside Woman Blues - Cream or Back Door Slam version
Just Kissed My Baby - Chris Duarte, although I prefer the original Meters version these days! :)

There's just a few to check out!
All the best with the front man thing! :2zone
 

John Stax

Member
Joined
Nov 7, 2003
Messages
110
I'd look into some of the catalog of Rory Gallagher as well..

Secret Agent, Moonchild, Public Enemy #1 etc.
 

Lenny

Member
Joined
Jul 23, 2002
Messages
967
Hound Dog is quite easy and effective, I had the idea after seeing John Lennon live on YouTube. Playing it in E.
 
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