Acoustic Set?

Dave · 06-09-2003 3:16am #1

A friend and I were thinking of doing a few pub/college gigs with 2 acoustic guitars. Just wondering what would be some good songs for that kind of set-up?

cartman · 06-09-2003 5:55am

the perfect set imho

1. Revelate - The Frames
2. Older Chest - Damien Rice
3. July - Mundy
4. What Happens when the heart just stops - The Frames
5. Eve the apple of my eye - Bell X1
6. Amie - Damien Rice
7. Your Face - The Frames
8. Fitzcaraldo - The Frames
9. Hey Day - Mic Christopher..

Perfect Set:)

as you can see im a big fan off the above singers/band...:)

cartman

seamus · 06-09-2003 7:23am

Never too much of one band. At most 2 songs from one band in a set.

Best thing is a healthy mix of songs that are already recorded acoustic, and non-acoustic songs which can be played acoustic, preferably with a little bit of personal style thrown in.

Popular songs that wouldn't be expected are always good for a break in acoustic sets. You could do a Justin Timberlake song, for example, and mess about with it. It doesn't have to sound like the actual version, you don't even have to sing the same way. The more outlandish the better. For example. recently Mr. Waldron (Kharn here on boards) gave us an acoustic rendition of "I will survive", varying between fast and slow, heavy and light, singing and growling throughout. Very much appreciated.

ShriekingSheet · 06-09-2003 6:33pm

Originally posted by seamus

Popular songs that wouldn't be expected are always good for a break in acoustic sets. You could do a Justin Timberlake song, for example, and mess about with it.

I know its been dun before but I think Britney's 'Hit me one more time' is always a laugh! Great with two singers so you can do the 'aaaaand iiiii!' bit!

Im pretty sure its just

Bm F# D E F#

or something along those lines, just simple bar chords!

ShriekingSheet · 06-09-2003 6:42pm

Originally posted by cartman

8. Fitzcaraldo - The Frames

I like your music man!

All great songs but NOT EVEN THE FRAMES THEMSELVES could keep Fitzcaraldo in proper time (same with the dual vocals in pavement tune!) when they first released it- they didnt play it live for months even though it sounds simple enough!!

my advice - dont attempt it! far too dodgy no matter how good you are!

maybe 7 day mile instead or everybody likes star star?

At the risk of being REALLY obvious but iv seen guys do this and the real crowd pleasers are always 'Time of your life' and 'the day we caught the train!'

busker-ish i know but people love them!

ferdi · 06-09-2003 8:03pm

my own worst enemy by LIT, the acoustic version obviously - perfect for 2 guitars.

jamie by Dashboard confessional , or any song by said artist - brilliant

complicated by avril lavigne, love her or hate her, its still a top notch acoustic number

star star by the frames

macey´s day parade by green day - believe it or not, a fuppin brilliant song

thats life by frank sinatra - your own twist is essential of course

theres my two cents

Giblet · 06-09-2003 11:34pm

Why bother with this psuedo pop shit, do some skiffle style man, Bron yr Stomp or fucking Over the Hills and Far Away by Led Zep, or some crazy ass blues. Less amatuerish.

Cianan2 · 06-09-2003 11:40pm

I'd have to say Are You sad by our Lady Peace. Would sound amazing acoustic,and is a brilliant song. Check it out!!!

Dave · 07-09-2003 1:01am

Am in fairness Gib, we're looking for something thats a bit of laugh to play, stuff that people will know, can sing along to etc. And to be fair, I've only been playing the guitar a year, so something thats not overly complicated.

ferdi · 08-09-2003 12:32pm

Originally posted by Giblet
Why bother with this psuedo pop shit

cause people go to the pub for a laugh with a bit of fun music, not to be wowed by your vast musical range.

feylya · 08-09-2003 12:46pm

But then there are those of us who like to hear some amazing guitar playing coming from what seems to be just a pub band (at first glance).

ShriekingSheet · 09-09-2003 10:34am

Originally posted by ferdi
cause people go to the pub for a laugh with a bit of fun music, not to be wowed by your vast musical range.

ha ha ha ha!!

The Preacher · 09-09-2003 10:52am

After many years of being annoyed by people to "bring your guitar" along to parties / piss ups etc. and being asked to "play something we all know" I learned a set which includes the following:

Couple of simple Beatles tunes ( All You Need is Love, Help, With a Little Help from My Friends )

Bowie: Everyone knows Space Oddity. And if you want to be really hip you can learn The Man Who Sold The World and teach The Kids that no, actually, Nirvana didn't write it.

Something byThe Monkees - I do I'm a Believer

REM: Losing My Religion, Man on the Moon

Oasis: Wonderwall has been done to death by a thousand buskers so you might want to avoid that. Live Forever, on the other hand, is a ****ing class song and a doddle to play if you're not that experienced.

U2: One. Five chords. What more do you want ?

Johnny Cash - Folsom Prison Blues. You'll please both the hip student types who buy his recent albums for the Nine Inch Nails covers AND any old farts who happen to be sitting in the corner looking for a singalong.

You'll have to decide what limits you're going to put on the whole crowd pleasing thing though. I personally put myself through the torture of learning Hotel California, The Boxer and American Pie but you may wish to draw the line there.

nellieswellies · 09-09-2003 11:00am

Rolling stones Angie
Pink Floyd Wish you were here
Lynard Skynard Sweet home alabama ( abit tricky)
Eric Clapton Layla (Acoustic version obvoiusley)
Eagles Hotel California (tricky)
the animals House of the rising sun
Cat stephens wild world
christy moore Anything
Oasis
U2 one

And so on and so on

www.mxtabs.net

nellieswellies · 09-09-2003 11:04am

But then there are those of us who like to hear some amazing guitar playing coming from what seems to be just a pub band (at first glance).

you should check out a band called threes company they play in the Three Rock Bar (in the bar) on a Friday or Saturday night (I cant remember which) 3 guys on acoustics they are magic I've been playing the guitar nearly 20 years and I'm always amazed by these guys (its all covers).

The Preacher · 09-09-2003 11:06am

Originally posted by nellieswellies

Pink Floyd Wish you were here

www.mxtabs.net

Excellent suggestion. How frustrated was I when I tried to learn this and discovered the vocal key didn't suit me? Very.

Hotel California's not that tricky unless you're planning a note perfect rendition...I can busk it and f**k knows I'm no Eric Clapton. :rolleyes:

The Preacher · 09-09-2003 11:07am

Originally posted by nellieswellies
you should check out a band called threes company they play in the Three Rock Bar (in the bar) on a Friday or Saturday night (I cant remember which) 3 guys on acoustics they are magic I've been playing the guitar nearly 20 years and I'm always amazed by these guys (its all covers).

Where is this place ?

nellieswellies · 09-09-2003 11:10am

South side, Balinteer, Behind Marley Park..... Its on the same road as Lamb Doyles Pub if thats any help

ShriekingSheet · 09-09-2003 11:11am

Originally posted by The Preacher
Where is this place ?

Rathfarnam, South Dublin

Right beside Marley park

nellieswellies · 09-09-2003 11:16am

Thet wasent very helpful was it just go here

The Preacher · 09-09-2003 11:21am

Thanks folks !

I'll definitely be checking these guys out.....always interested to see how people can make the usual covers interesting.....

[nicK] · 12-09-2003 2:03am

all of those songs are great etc etc, can anyone list some really "fun" songs to play at partys etc..

songs like "hit me baby one more time" .. Tenacious D - "****e her gently" are always good for a few laughs..

any more...?..

ShriekingSheet · 12-09-2003 4:51pm

Originally posted by Scrappy]-[Nick
all of those songs are great etc etc, can anyone list some really "fun" songs to play at partys etc..

songs like "hit me baby one more time" .. Tenacious D - "****e her gently" are always good for a few laughs..

any more...?..

if your at a party with a loada pop chicks who may not appreciate a heart felled rendition of, say, 'fake plastic trees' or 'volcano' try 'keep on movin' by five (i know, i know!!) but its actually a good laugh to play and everyone can shout along!
its just D Em7 C add9 G

ill think of more and post later

Giblet · 12-09-2003 4:56pm

Interesting, a modified version of Sweet Child of Mine can be played over that chord progression.

ShriekingSheet · 12-09-2003 5:06pm

Originally posted by Giblet
Interesting, a modified version of Sweet Child of Mine can be played over that chord progression.

WHATT??

how would the minor chord fit in SCOM???

i dont hav my geeetar to hand so ill take your word for it!

[nicK] · 13-09-2003 3:53pm

Originally posted by ShriekingSheet
'keep on movin' by five (i know, i know!!) but its actually a good laugh to play and everyone can shout along!
its just D Em7 C add9 G

perfect!

.. any more?

ShriekingSheet · 13-09-2003 6:39pm

Originally posted by Scrappy]-[Nick
perfect! .. any more?

well other songs u should try (but u gotta learn the words!) are Hotel Yorba by WhiteStripes

I dunno what key he does it in but the highest key I can sing it in goes E A B A

I dunno if you like the stone roses but if u do they have an acoustic song on 'the second coming' album called 'tightrope' which is fantastically fun to play if you are into that kinda stuff! You need 2 decent singers esp. one for the false etto backing!
The guitar is tricky-ish if you wanna play it the same as John Squire does but can be easily simplified to just E A and D patterns!

I find people tend to really like Mundy's 'July' but i dunno if you'd be into it. Loadsa people seem to know it. Cappo on 5th fret low E tuned down to D. A normal D shape chord will then make a G and the C is a funny shape but easy enough to work out (get back to me if any probs!) Also the 'Mexico' song is great too -cappo on 3rd and just D A Em G

Yellow by Coldplay is an obvious reliable- Im sure u know some way of playin it but i noticed the actual way he duz it watchin them live a while back. Tune the little E to E flat and the first chord is B played on the 7th fret with the bottom 2 strings open -down to F# in the same shape and then E. Chorus is E G#m F# all plaed with e and b strings open. lovely.

I know more poppy/piss take stuff but just cant think of it!

ShriekingSheet · 07-11-2003 5:52pm

ok I was asked to dig this back up and add to the list!

Further possibilities are 'Have a Nice Day' by the Stereophonics which everybody knows and is a nice bouncy pop song. Its just A then A/F# (like the start of fake plastic trees or wheres the sun by aslan if you know them?) while you can muck about with the B string on the 2nd fret and open for the 'bah ba dah ba ba ba dah dah' bit! Then theres G and D after that and thats pretty much it!

One song I don't know how to play but heard guys do it and it was brilliant is 'Ass-hole' by Denis Leary. Really funny! Kinda along the same lines as the 'cows with guns' song, again i dunno how it goes but its deadly!

'Bohemian Like You' is good and easy to play! - you just need to guys to sing the dual vox.

As much as I would recommend avoiding oasis songs I do like playing 'Digsy's dinner' and the 'goodbye im going home' song from 'Definitely Maybe'

Epitaph · 07-11-2003 6:12pm

Originally posted by ShriekingSheet
One song I don't know how to play but heard guys do it and it was brilliant is 'Ass-hole' by Denis Leary. Really funny!

Heard that song for the first time in years yesterday - great song if the two of ye are going singing.

U2's With Or Without You is p i s s easy.
Pink Floyd's On The Turning Way really kicks up a notch towards the end, but not many folks know it and the a capella part at the start might trip you up

Their Learning to Fly is straightforward too, if you omit the really REALLY long snooze-a-thon 2/3rds of the way through (the bit with the air-traffic controllers).

Don't Look Back In Anger...? Be ok with 2 guitars, IMO.

Smashing Pumpkins' Blank Page is a gorgeous acoustic song as well.

Acoustic Set?

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