Boost your performance by aiming for a perfect copy: key points to watch out for in a cover band
“How do they play that song?”
“How can I recreate that sound?”
I’ve put together the key points that cover-band members and beginner instrumentalists need to perfectly copy a song.
Tips for perfectly copying a song
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Kankopi is simply an abbreviation of “kanzen kopi,” meaning “complete copy.”
It is to replicate the performance techniques of professional singers and musicians as closely as possible.
Here,Not merely imitation, but faithfully recreating each element while understanding the expressive nuances of professional performance.With that in mind, I’d like to introduce where to focus in order to achieve this perfect replication.
transcribing by ear
transcribing by earTo discern the actual sounds being performed in the piece.
Of course, when you’re a beginner, it’s fine to practice while looking at the band score.
However, if you rely only on the score, actually searching for the essential sounds while playing gets pushed aside.
As you become more advanced, some people say, “It’s faster to transcribe by ear!”Focusing on the sound and listening to it repeatedly is important for making a perfect copy.It will be.
Exploring tuning
In recent music, besides standard tuning, a variety of other tunings are used.
First, you need to figure out the tuning of the song you want to copy or cover.
Unlike the piano, stringed instruments such as the guitar and bass have a distinctive resonance on open strings (when no frets are pressed).
Rather than just tracing the phrases, I judge the tuning by listening to the breaks in the sound and the riffs.
- Are you using a capo?
- Are you down-tuning it?
If you keep doing more and more of them, you’ll be able to do it.
Reference:How to tune a guitar: a clear, basic method
For drums, focus on the pitch.
- The sound of the bass drum
- The pitch of the snare sound is
- Degree of openness of the hi-hat
- What is the size of the cymbals, and how many are being played?etc.
Reference:You can clearly understand how to tune drums.
Perfectly copy the position
On guitar and bass, even for the same pitch, there are various ways to finger it in different positions.there is / there are
On drums, the nuance of the sound changes depending on where you strike.I will do it.
The way a voice sounds changes depending on the distance between the vocalist and the microphone.
In this way, by being mindful not only of the phrases but also of the positions, it becomes easier to capture the nuances, and I think you can perform in a way that’s closer to a perfect copy.
Reference:[Immediately Useful] How to Create Guitar Phrases Using the Pentatonic Scale
Length of notes and how to add nuance/vibrato
String instruments have many subtle nuances, such as the width of vibrato and the speed of bending.
Please listen to it repeatedly and give it a try.
Ideally, it would be best to faithfully reproduce not only the phrase entrances and breaks, but even the lengths of the sounds.
- phrases such as melodies and riffs
- The resonance of the drum kit’s toms, the sustain of the cymbals
tone color
I think people who regularly use a lot of effects pedals will find it easier to judge.
Be especially mindful of the song’s high-energy sections (such as the intro, chorus, and guitar solo).
By the way, during my student days,When listening to real sound sources to craft a tone, use a louder volume than usual.I heard (it) there.
When crafting tones, the effect of pedals and similar gear changes depending on the volume, so it’s easier to check using the actual playing volume of the guitar.
Conversely, when checking the pitch of a phrase or melody, it’s easier to hear at a lower volume.It is.
Naturally, the way it sounds changes depending on the phrase,Check while actually playing the phrase you want to playI recommend continuing to do so.
Reference:Understand guitar effects pedals: essential basics that help you craft your tone.
Reference:How to create a dotted eighth-note delay and why it’s so appealing
What instruments are being used?
Professional artists,A thorough understanding of the characteristics of the instrumentBased on that, I am selecting the instruments.
For example, with electric guitars, the type—such as Les Paul or Stratocaster—changes not only the entire body but also the pickups and construction.
Of course,The tone color, attack feel, and the response of the sound also differ.
However, since it’s quite difficult to own many guitars like a professional, as long as you can identify which sound it is, there’s room to adapt.
Example: If you want to get a Les Paul sound from a Stratocaster → Cover it with effects and amp EQ to make the tone thicker, etc.
Reference:Types and characteristics of electric guitars: Basic knowledge for guitar beginners
Harmony, chorus
What kind of harmonies are used varies from song to song, but if you can reproduce them here, the piece will become even more captivating.
FirstBe mindful of checking where you come in and which pitch you’re harmonizing on.Then, let’s start by listening to the song over and over.
Once you can hum it, I think you’ll be able to reproduce it by practicing it many times.
The same goes for choral parts sung by a large group.
Overall volume balance of the band
For songs with vocals, adjust the levels of the other instruments so the singing can be heard clearly.
When you're performing, it's really hard to listen objectively.Record and check the overall volume balance.Let's do it.
Lastly
It’s not that you absolutely have to make a perfect copy, but in the process,Various innovations by professional musicians have been uncoveredI think it will continue to be done.
Experiencing complete note-for-note copying serves as a truly practical learning resource for mastering playing techniques and band ensemble skills.
The discoveries and insights you gain from there will shape the music you are about to create.
I’d prefer that you don’t try to do everything perfectly all at once, but instead proceed step by step, checking each part as you go.
When you do a cover band again, I’d be grateful if you’d remember me.