Four Steps To Go From Playing Covers To Originals

Face it, every band starts out playing covers. How could you not? It's an easy way to practice because you can listen to the original and make sure everyone in the band sounds up to par, and it's easy to find mistakes. It's also great for crowds because they're going to know it! And when a crowd hears a song they love, they're going to be more interested in the performance as a whole. 

You might try to work in some original songs while playing a gig, but the crowd isn't diggin' it you might think it's just not good. Before you begin to think that way, remember that it’s not your fault that your material doesn't get the same kind of response. A hit record has usually been well crafted by a slew of experts, and it’s been burned into your audience’s consciousness over a long period of time. But here are some great tips to get your music up there with the big hits and have your audience wowed! 



1. Take what you think is your best song and work it up show-wise so it’s the best song in your set. This means that you concentrate on the dynamics of the song, the lighting, and the movement of the players on stage. Don’t know what I mean? Watch a concert by your favorite band or artist. At some point during the set (or several times even) the show will peak thanks to something that goes beyond just standing there and singing and playing. That’s what you want to do. I realize that it isn’t as easy as it sounds, but this is a step you’ve got to take.

2. Next, connect that song to one of the hot cover songs that you do that’s similar in theme and/or tempo, then play them together in a medley.  Keep working it until your song get’s the same response as the cover.

3. After you’ve gotten your audience used to one of your songs, use the technique to put a second, then a third song into your show. It’s a gradual process, so just be sure that your songs the show around them are as well-crafted as you can get them. It’s quality you’re going for, not quantity.

4. Finally, since you have to play cover song for the time being, don’t play them exactly like the record. Don’t be afraid to give them your sound. Remember that you’re audience is digging more on the familiarity of the song rather than how close to the record your performance is.


Just remember that your songs have to be good for any of this to work. Take the time required to write great music with strong lyrics. Put in the effort, it'll be well worth it!




Click Here for the original article