It's possible to render a recognisable version of almost any song on a solo guitar (depending on your chops - which is where I come short). My suggestion would be to draw up a repertoire for yourself, based purely on what you would like to perform, then see how well they can be made to work as solo performance.

In some cases you may imagine a very alternative of a song that will still allow the audience to recognise what you're doing and maybe add a humorous touch because the arrangement is tongue in cheek or just generally audacious in some way or other. The Ukulele Orchestra of Great Britain are very good at this. They do "Anarchy in the UK" as a campfire singalong, and "Wuthering Heights" as a sort of pop/jazz swing number with male lead vocal and a call and response chorus. Great fun.

This sort of approach may also lead you away from the sort of usual one-man-and-guitar pub repertoire.

I've performed "Oops! I Did It Again" at TJ's (my version is a dumbed down version of Richard Thompson's performance from "1000 Years Of Popular Music") as well as a Gilbert and Sullivan song. I've also played Peter Gabriel's "Mercy Street" with a friend, so that was arranged for two guitars. The artist once known as Stratisfear has been known to perform a solo version of "Shoot Out The Lights" as well as Pink Floyd numbers arranged for acoustic guitar and trumpet. I've performed the Floyd's "Brain Damage" as a sort of country blues (which it pretty much is).

Many things are possible, and there is fun to be had for performer and audience.

Also don't get too purist. Use some effects if they might help. I said "effects", not "loops" or "backtracks". John Martyn used to use modulation effects (mostly chorus), echo, a swell pedal and even overdrive.

X-rated Bob wrote: It's possible to render a recognisable version of almost any song on a solo guitar (depending on your chops - which is where I come short). My suggestion would be to draw up a repertoire for yourself, based purely on what you would like to perform, then see how well they can be made to work as solo performance.

+1
Play what you like.
For the acoustic cover sets I've done (2-3 piece though, not solo) , we basically did rock and alternative, and even pop songs, most of which weren't originally acoustic arrangements. Soundgarden, Skunk Anansie, Pearl Jam, Queens of the Stone Age, CSNY, PJ Harvey. Even Coldplay ???. Some of them were left close to the original (well as close as I could play them) but it was fun to rearrange others (how well they actually turned out is a different story, but it's fun).

You'll be singing, so choose songs that you're comfortable delivering. Or rearrange them to suit.

Just an idea of my song list that I normally use in one of our local restaurants , younger crowd, different songs

1. Arms of a Woman –
2. Bicycle sonder ‘n slot –
3. Blowin in the wind –
4. Boxer
5. Bright eyes S&G
6. Careless
7. Catch the wind - Donovan
8. Country roads-
9. Die weduwee se kruik -
10. Dreamer –
11. Droomvrou -
12. Father and Son
13. Gambler
14. Hallelujah –
15. House of the rising sun
16. Kaptein Kaptein RKO
17. Kinders van die wind
18. Lisa se klavier
19. Lyin eyes
20. Night Train –
21. Onder in my Whiskey Glas –
22. Piano Man –
23. So Long Skipskop David Kramer
24. Son vanger
25. Streets of London –
26. Sounds of Silence –
27. Sweet child of mine –
28. The Rose –
29. Voshaar Nooi
30. Vreemde strand -

And James, there's always TJ's if you want to do a road test ?

Thanks guys, some good suggestions here. Was fiddling around on the guitar last night, looks like a may have a viable version of Thuderstruck ?

Yeah Bob, I like going along to TJ's though lately our band practice has been on Thursday, which is why I haven't shown my face in a while. Maybe time to visit again ?

VellaJ wrote: Thanks guys, some good suggestions here. Was fiddling around on the guitar last night, looks like a may have a viable version of Thuderstruck ?

Yeah Bob, I like going along to TJ's though lately our band practice has been on Thursday, which is why I haven't shown my face in a while. Maybe time to visit again ?

Only two more open mics this year. One is on Thursday coming. Last for the year is last Thursday of November when yours truly is running the night.

VellaJ wrote: Thanks guys, some good suggestions here. Was fiddling around on the guitar last night, looks like a may have a viable version of Thuderstruck ?

Nice. That should go down well at a pub?

... lately our band practice has been on Thursday...

Think about doing the Rumours open mic on a Tuesday then. The one the guys from Burning Blue are hosting. I think you played there with Peavey Park when it was on Wednesdays. As you probably found out, crowd size can vary a lot, but the guys hosting it are appreciative and encouraging.

Wherever you end up going, let me know if you need a couple of extra audience members ?

Psean wrote: [

Think about doing the Rumours open mic on a Tuesday then. The one the guys from Burning Blue are hosting. I think you played there with Peavey Park when it was on Wednesdays. As you probably found out, crowd size can vary a lot, but the guys hosting it are appreciative and encouraging.

Wherever you end up going, let me know if you need a couple of extra audience members ?

Is this acoustic as well. Who do you contact?

Squonk wrote:

Psean wrote: [

Think about doing the Rumours open mic on a Tuesday then. The one the guys from Burning Blue are hosting. I think you played there with Peavey Park when it was on Wednesdays. As you probably found out, crowd size can vary a lot, but the guys hosting it are appreciative and encouraging.

Wherever you end up going, let me know if you need a couple of extra audience members ?

Is this acoustic as well. Who do you contact?

Yup. Solo acoustic, full electric band. Whatever ? There was quite a variety when I was last there.


Email Cheynne: burningblueandfriends@gmail.com


Oh, and it starts at 7pm. Entrance is free.