What Songs and Setlists do I Need to Know to Play in Nashville?

[@sue08401]

Pretty much the same thing we had to do in the old Jersey Shore scene. What was interesting was it was DeJa'Vu when I got a gig with a publisher in Nashville. I decided to retire when my publisher passed. You are giving great advice. Only add on would be to learn all the chords in all 12 keys on the neck without retuning.

[@aaronapter]

I totally agree! And also get used to being prepared to do things like tune a half step down for certain artists

[@mitchmadness4376]

Subscribed and long comment alert...Yo Aaron, thanks for your time. I have a YT channel mostly about car stuff so I-know it takes a long time. I was Nashville's newest drummer on March 8, 2024. I got off the highway and of-course went straight to Broadway and I was so psyched that I didn't even care about spending 25 dollars to park for a couple of hours ! I am typically not the kind of person to approach a stranger and bother them, but I wanted to see what info I could glean from a drummer while he was on his break. Dude's name was Kevin. I wish I knew his last name. he was REALLY nice to me and is a fantastic drummer. He basically filled me in on much of what you talk about here and I was astonished. I didn't know any of this stuff. I figured I would come here, try to put a band together or join one, learn 40 songs and start playing-out. I didn't know anything about how you need to know the "Broadway" songs and how it seems there are not really cohesive "bands", just guys sitting in with each other and basically winging it. It's very interesting, however as the "new guy who knows everything" I will say that I don't really like it. Yeah, I'm gonna learn the songs (I already know 200-ish), and I really look forward to hopefully getting in on that scene but my desire is to be in, or start a band. Guys who practice and play together and sing GREAT, pre-arranged harmonies. If you're having to stare at a phone and figure-out s**t while you're playing (and God bless you guys for being able to DO that) it almost has to cut down on your ability to have as much fun and stage presence as you would if you just knew the songs. It's important for you guys to know that I am 63 years old (I look 30 though) and I have not played with other guys since I lived in Hollywood 30 years ago. I've done a lot of home recording since then though. ALL of this stuff....the phones, the electronics, in-ear monitors, etc is new to me. I-guess I kinda made my points and I'm hoping to elicit honest and frank comments. I'm in a really good spot. Other than my beautiful bride passed-away 4 years ago on this day (May 8, 2020), I live alone right near downtown. I am retired and they actually pay me to stay home, so money is at the bottom of the list of my priorities. I've been lucky to have played with some REALLY talented people in my life, and that's what I really want to do again. I'm looking for property to buy where I'll be building a home that will include a studio and rehearsal space. I'm actually going back to Connecticut tomorrow, gonna repair my other car and drive it back here with more stuff including my drum gear. Thanks again, Aaron and thanks to everyone for listening. -MItch

[@aaronapter]

There's quite a bit to unpack there, my friend! My best advice is to hop on my youtube channel weekly chat at 3:30pm CST and ask away!

[@mitchmadness4376]

@@aaronapter What do you mean there is a lot to unpack ? (kidding). What day of the week do you usually do your chat? Lastly for now....I am back "home" and will driving back to Nashville with another load of stuff, but can't take my whole kit yet. My intel says that I need snare, foot pedal, cymbals, throne. I'll bring heads, spare parts, etc. Do you agree with this, and what about cymbal/snare stands ? Thanks again and I will leave you alone now.

[@aaronapter]

@@mitchmadness4376 sorry about that! It's Sundays... as in 15 minutes from now!

[@BobbyCulpepper.srv3fender]

Thanks for the shout out and the video response! If i had a follow up question it would be, if i moved to town how would i get in to playing in broadway? assuming i was already doing my song homework.... also if it matters, im a guitar player, but enjoy your channel and perspective

[@aaronapter]

Another killer question! I'll come up with a video for that one as well. I generally try to make videos more geared towards musicians as a whole and not just drummer. But if you have guitar questions, shoot em over! In the meantime, check out this video, which is a good example of how I've gotten gigs..kzbin.info/www/bejne/gKaYd2OKaruEe8kfeature=shared

[@danielmessiasmoraesneto3698]

Hey Aaron, it's me again! Following your channel closely. Great topics you're covering here. One personal question if you may. How long did it take for you to feel comfortable in playing a whole "shift"? Thanks again!

[@aaronapter]

There's a great question. This video should give you some insight. If you have more questions, let me know! Thanks! kzbin.info/www/bejne/oKC6pZRnbMumgtEfeature=shared

[@aaronapter]

Here you go @BobbyCulpepper.srv3fender Thanks for the question!

[@vincentdenali256]

This is a topic for another video. It’s controversial but are any of the acts running tracks? Does it depend on the artist, venue, stage or is there just a unwritten rule to NOT use backing tracks? I’m just curious. Thanks

[@aaronapter]

It all depends. On Broadway though… I’ve never seen anyone using tracks. There is literally only 15 minutes between sets to swap out gear and soundcheck!

[@rickhancock3398]

Learn the "Nashville 100" and add about another 200 off genre hits. Everything else you can wing.

[@blujay9191]

Looking at the kit behind you, It looks like you're left handed. How does that work as far as ability to switch things around? E-kits seem like they would be especially problematic. (edit .. or is this clip just reversed?)

[@aaronapter]

I'm a righty! I think it was just reversed ¯\_(ツ)_/¯

[@blujay9191]

@@aaronapter .. Thanks for taking the time to reply. I was thinking that it would be just about impossible for a lefty drummer to do what you do and I'm guessing you'd agree with that.

[@aaronapter]

@@blujay9191not true! I actually know a few lefty drummers in town. I can connect you with one if you’d like. In fact one of the lefty drummers in town, John Root, actually has a drum services company called Get Rhythm that services the kits for several of the Honkey Tonks in town. He plays on Broadway just like me… when he’s not out in the road drum teching for Brooks & Dunn.

[@blujay9191]

@@aaronapter .. Thanks. The consideration is appreciated. I was mainly just curious. I'm retired and just host jam sessions now.

[@geetaR615]

I see bands on Broadway and virtually every song someone is pulling up the chords on their phone - more than 10% of the time verses must know 90% of tunes? I don't see this at all, besides Roberts or where the band has been there forever. Also most bands appear to keep songs in recorded key or move them up or down 1/2 step to be in G/bread n butter keys, more or less transpose away from flat keys unless they're tuned in Eb. I've been a professional Guitarist for 40 years, I moved to Nashville last year and been sitting in downtown and meeting great cats, your videos are informative however It doesn't' appear that tragic if someone is scrolling a tune on their phone, it's almost a rarity to see a band with zero tablets/phones mounted on mic stands besides the OG cats down there. I enjoy your clips when you use dynamics which is 50/50 down there too, alot of bashng going on.

[@aaronapter]

Check out my past live streams with Nick Cross… no tablets or phones! It personally doesn’t bother me. Same with different keys or modifications to a song. Everything is relative to the situation! There’s a wide variety of backgrounds and approaches here, and I do not believe there is ONE way to do it; I’m all about adaptability to making the gig work for everyone!

[@geetaR615]

@@aaronapter I love Nick! I catch him Sundays at Laylas all the time, he's genuinely a really nice & humble person, too. I actually enjoy the laid back approach of people looking up tunes and pleasing the audience for whatever it takes to get the song played. Keep shedding and trucking along my friend!

[@nickcross2684]

@@geetaR615thank you

[@richardirvin6155]

this guy took a long, windy time to say "anything go's" and give little or no useful info.