mario19550501 + Musician in West Hartford, CT

SEEKING

ABOUT

Presently taking time away from the music scene to address a family emergency. Please feel free to reach out to me, as I continue to be anxious to get back into making music.

Please read all the way through...

Music takes people away from, and above, the day to day grind. So, please don't make playing music a grind as well. You ain't the Al Jarvis Rock Music Orchestra, so get over yourself. I'm not intense about music, so don't be with me ... please.

Keep reading... I recognize that there is a difference between a highly skilled instrumentalist and good musicianship: If someone insists that "this is the way to play this", and it turns out that they've simply memorized some tabs based on original recordings, without recognizing that even the original composer plays it differently every time, then you're missing the heart of what the song is about.

Note that I'm truthful enough to admit that I'm not excellent; BUT ... I'm also confident enough to know that I'm very, very good. Just like a favorite meal that just keeps getting better the more you cook, I keep getting better the more I play with you.

I Sing (lead, solo, or accompanist), and I play electric or acoustic guitar (rhythm or lead); plus (limited) hand percussion. My primary instrument is my voice; after that I am a very good guitarist (I don't just strum, I add color notes and fills, I articulate ... which means that I know, or will find, the notes within the chords that distinguish the song you want played); I also take lead breaks, where appropriate AND always add fills that enhance the song.

I have a very strong work ethic when it comes to learning (mastering) songs to be able to fit into your music project: I listen to the song several times, then practice it 7-8 times on my own using purchased copies of the music score for each of the songs I am learning. After that we practice it TOGETHER, as a band, a good half dozen times using paper copies of the purchased music scores so I can make notes that direct me to play it the way you want it, so that it becomes like tying your shoes: ready for prime time. Go over how you want to play the song before we start; e.g., if you want to take an extended lead break, let me know ahead of time so I don't come in too early with vocals. Simply saying: "like the record" is not adequate.

If you want me to audition, let's talk first so I can get answers to questions like the following:

1) How did your band come about? Who formed it? Who is the leader? What songs did the singer choose? What songs did the bass player choose? What songs did the drummer choose? What songs did the guitarist choose?
2) How do your members get along? Does the guitarist hate sharing leads? Does your singer hate someone else singing along? If I play bass, do you object to my playing more than simple root notes? Let me know ahead of time so that I don't ruffle any feathers.
3) What are your criteria for a successful audition? Do I need to know all hundred songs in your set lists on the first night? Within a month? Etc.
4) When you say: "Come and jam, and we'll see where this leads", do you mean jam (fool around and have fun)? Or do you mean: get down to brass tacks, and we'll dismiss you if you so much as hiccup during a song.
5) When you say you're flexible, I expect that to mean: you're cool with changing things up so we all gel; do you mean something else?
6) Are you going to play songs all the way through, so that we only go through 10 songs the first time? Or will we do key pieces of songs, so that we can go through as many of the songs in your repertoire as possible the first time?
7) Etc. ... Let's talk first.

You can tell from my extensive comments here that I've been around the block. I also recognize the difference between great bands who ought to be getting more gigs, and bands that are simply good but seem to be getting gigs as well.

You have my permission to see me performing on my ReverbNation page: https://www.reverbnation.com/mariopetrella/videos; but note the following:

UPDATE: I intend to cull many, many recordings, simply because some are very old and expose how inexperienced we all sound (meaning, how little practice we applied before performing). This note is important, because it would be a mistake to judge me inadequate based on many of those earlier recordings.

***Important note about the Hartford CT Music Scene ***
If you're looking for a "walk on" musician in the CT music scene, please be aware that they're likely to cost you more than your entire band takes in in one night: It is a sad FACT, unfortunately, that the Hartford music scene is actually more sparse on talent than we'd all like: If you think about how players know the songs that they do, you'll recognize that they master the ones they like; after that, they learn others as they work in overlapping projects. Which means that, even after years of playing, there are quite simply very many songs that are not in a given musician's repertoire. In the Hartford / New Haven / Springfield / Waterbury areas it's ambitious to hope to have a "walk on" ... Those musicians work in recording studios in NY or LA, and would (should) expect to get 95% of the nights earnings, because they are that much better than we believe we are.

My point, with this last comment is: REHEARSALS and PRACTICES ARE IMPORTANT ... This means that you don't just bang out a song, and decide after one take whether to keep it or move on ... You HAVE TO WORK ON IT for a few tries BEFORE you reject it.

Screen name:

mario19550501

Member since:

Aug 23 2014

Active within 1 month

Level of commitment:

Committed

Years playing music:

35

Gigs played:

50 to 100

Tend to practice:

1 time per week

Most available:

Nights

Influences

Please read all the way through...

My preference is rock music from the 60's, 70's, 90's, & 50's; but my background includes pop and show tunes going all the way back to the 1920's. There are many songs that I am familiar with, as I have an extensive collection of recordings that I have listened to innumerable times.

However, I have NOT been in enough projects to have played ALL those songs. So, if you are interested in adding me to your project, please provide me with a complete list of your expected repertoire. I will annotate that list so that you know which songs I feel that I do well, and which ones that I've never done, or never heard of. Additionally, just because I say I do it well, does not mean that I know it the way you do it. If we have to go over it several times over multiple sessions, then so be it.

***Important*** I am a very FAST learner; so if I don't know a song in your repertoire, we only need to rehearse those songs a few times, and I will be ready to gig with you ... But I need to take the time to prepare those songs WITH your band. This last point is REALLY IMPORTANT: If you want an audition, we'll need to go over your song a few times to get it the way YOU want it; I may already do it really well my way, but that doesn't mean I can't do it your way.

Thanks in advance!

***Important note about the Hartford CT Music Scene ***
If you're looking for a "walk on" musician in the CT music scene, please be aware that that would be an experienced session musician from the Big City, and that they're likely to cost you more than your entire band takes in in one night: It is a sad FACT, unfortunately, that the Hartford music scene is actually more sparse on talent than we'd all like.

Think about how players know the songs that they do: you'll recognize that they master the ones they like; after that, they learn others as they work in overlapping projects. Which means that, even after years of playing, there are quite simply very many songs that are not in a given musician's repertoire. In the Hartford / New Haven / Springfield / Waterbury areas it's ambitious to hope to have a "walk on" ... Those musicians work in recording studios in NY or LA, and would (should) expect to get 95% of the nights earnings, because they are that much better than we believe we are.

My point, with this last comment is: REHEARSALS and PRACTICES are IMPORTANT ... This means that you don't just bang out a song, and decide after one take whether to keep it or move on ... You HAVE TO WORK ON IT for a few tries BEFORE you reject it.

Instrument experience:

Vocalist:

Advanced

Vocalist - Tenor:

Advanced

Background Singer:

Advanced

Rhythm Guitar:

Moderate

Lead Guitar:

Moderate

Acoustic Guitar:

Moderate

Bass Guitar:

Moderate

Other Percussion:

Moderate

Other:

Moderate

Banjo:

Beginner

Mandolin:

Beginner

EQUIPMENT

Scroll down for List of Songs ...

Electric guitars, acoustic guitars, bass guitar, microphones, P/A mixer + amp + monitors, guitar amps, keyboard amp, 63-key electronic keyboard, various hand percussion instruments ...

Stay tuned for a comprehensive list of songs: it will include songs that I'm familiar with (have been asked to play in other projects), and songs that I actually perform. I will also include my preferences; i.e, if I don't find the song appealing, or if I'm excited about adding it to your repertoire.

Following is a list of songs that I have done, followed by a list of songs that I have rehearsed. Take particular note of when I last performed (or practiced) the song. Even if I say that I did it Well, it doesn't mean that I can simply step in and ace it on the first 1 or 2 tries, or the way you want it played. Also, please note which songs I don't particularly care for: it probably means that I won't give it the enthusiasm you want.

Song Title Singer & Preferred Key, Year last done, Done Well or Okay, Like or Pass
ALL MY LOVIN' Mario - F#m 2018 Well Like
ALL YOU NEED IS LOVE Geoff / All - G 2017 Okay Pass
AND I LOVE HER Mario - F#m 2019 Well Like
BARBARA ANN Geoff / All - D 2017 Pass
BLACKBIRD Mario - G 2019 Well Like
BLOWIN' IN THE WIND Mario (capo-2, G) 2019 Okay Like
BORN ON THE BAYOU Tony C – E 2017 Well Like
BORN TO BE WILD Tony C – E 2017 Well Like
BREAKUP SONG Jill / Mario – Am 2020 Well Like
BROWN EYED GIRL Mario - G 2018 Well Like
CALIFORNIA SUN Mario - D 2017 Well Like
CAN'T BUY ME LOVE Mario - A 2018 Well Like
CHERRY CHERRY Geoff 2018 Okay
CINNAMON GIRL Mario – D 2022 Well Like
COCAINE Mario – E 2020 Well
CRIMSON AND CLOVER Mario - F 2017 Well Like
CRYING Mario - C 2019 Well Like
DO FOR THE OTHERS Mario – G 2019 Okay Like
DOCK OF THE BAY Tony C – F 2017 Well Like
DON'T LET THE SUN CATCH YOU CM7, capo-4 EM7 2018 Okay Pass
DREAM LOVER Mario - C 2019 Well Like
DREAMY EYES Geoff - C 2017 Okay Pass
DRIVE MY CAR Geoff (Dale) - D 2017 Okay Like
EIGHT DAYS A WEEK Mario / Dale - D 2019 Well Like
EVIL WAYS All 2017 Well Like
FEEL LIKE MAKIN’ LOVE Tony C – D 2017 Well Like
FERRY 'CROSS THE MERSEY Mario - E 2019 Well Like
FOR WHAT IT'S WORTH Mario - E 2017 Well Like
FOR YOUR LOVE Mario - Em 2018 Well Like
FORTUNATE SON Jill – G 2020 Well Like
FORTUNATE SON Mario – F 2020 Well Like
GLORIA Geoff - E 2018 Okay Like
GOOD LOVIN' Mario - C 2017 Well Like
HANG ON SLOOPY Tony C – F 2016 Well Like
HANKY PANKY Mario - G 2017 Okay Like
HAVE YOU EVER SEEN THE RAIN Tony C – C 2017 Okay Like
HEART FULL OF SOUL Mario - Em 2018 Well Like
HEART OF GOLD Mario - Em 2017 Well Like
HEY JUDE Dale (Geoff) - 2018 Okay Pass
HOUSE OF THE RISING SUN Dale, Mario – Gm 2020 Well Like
I CAN'T HELP FALLING IN LOVE Mario - D (capo-2: C)2019 Well Like
I SAW HER STANDING THERE Mario / Dale - E7 2018 Well Like
I WANNA BE SEDATED Jill / Mario – E 2020 Okay Pass
I WANT TO HOLD YOUR HAND Mario - G 2018 Well Like
IF I HAD A HAMMER (capo-2: D) Mario - E 2019 Well Like
IF I WERE A CARPENTER Geoff 2018 Okay
I'M A BELIEVER Mario - E 2018 Well Like
IMAGINE Mario - C 2019 Well Like
IN THE STILL OF THE NIGHT Mario, D (capo-2, C) 2018 Well Like
JAILHOUSE ROCK Mario - E 2017 Well Like
JOHNNY B. GOODE Mario - G 2017 Well Like
JUMPIN’ JACK FLASH Mario – Bb 2017 Well Like
JUST WHAT I NEEDED Jill / Mario – E 2020 Well Like
LA BAMBA Mario - G7 2017 Well Like
LET IT BE Mario - A 2019 Well Like
LITTLE LATIN LUPE LU Geoff - D 2018
LITTLE RED RIDING HOOD Tony C – Em 2016 Well Like
LITTLE SISTER Geoff - E 2018 Well Like
LOCOMOTION Lorraine – C 2017 Okay Okay
LOUIE LOUIE Geoff - D 2018 Okay Like
LOVE HURTS Jill – G 2020 Well Like
LOVE HURTS Mario – C 2020 Well Like
LOVE ME DO Geoff / Mario - G 2018 Okay Like
LOVE POTION #9 Mario - Em 2019 Well Like
MR TAMBOURINE MAN Mario - D 2019 Okay Like
GIMME SOME LOVIN' Mario – A 2018 Well Love
MY SWEET LORD Geoff - Am 2018
NIGHTS IN WHITE SATIN Mario / Dale - Em 2019 Well Like
NORWEGIAN WOOD Geoff - D 2018 Okay Like
O DONNA Tony C – D 2016 Well
PROUD MARY Tony C – G 2017 Okay Like
ROCK AROUND THE CLOCK Mario - A 2013 Okay Like
ROCKIN’ IN THE FREE WORLD Mario – E 2020 Well Like
ROCKIN’ ME BABY Tony C – B 2017 Well Like
RUNAWAY Mario - Am 2018 Well Like
SATISFACTION Mario - E 2018 Well Like
SECRET AGENT MAN Mario - Em 2018 Well Like
SHE’S NOT THERE Mario - Em 2018 Well Like
SOLITARY MAN Geoff 2018 Okay Pass
SMOKE ON THE WATER Tony C – G 2017 Okay Like
SMOKIN’ IN THE BOYS ROOM Tony C – D 2017 Okay
SOMEBODY TO LOVE Nicole – F#m 2017 Well Like
SOMEBODY TO LOVE Mario / Dale – Em 2017 Well Like
SOMETHING Mario - C 2018 Well Like
SOUNDS OF SILENCE Mario – Dm 2019 Well Like
SPOOKY Mario - Em7 2019 Well Like
STROLL Geoff - E 2017 Okay Like
SUNSHINE OF YOUR LOVE Tony, Mario – D 2017 Well Like
TEARS IN HEAVEN Mario – A 2019 Okay Like
TENNESSEE WHISKEY Tony C – A 2019 Okay Pass
THE LETTER Mario - 2017 Okay Like
GET BACK Geoff - 2017 Okay Okay
THE END (Instrumental) - A7 2018 Well
THIS BOY Mario / Dale - D 2019 Well Like
THIS MAGIC MOMENT Tony C – C 2019 Well Like
TO LOVE SOMEBODY Mario - A 2018 Okay
TURN THE PAGE Mario – Em 2018 Okay Like
TURN, TURN, TURN Mario - D 2019 Well Like
TWIST Dale - A 2017 Okay Okay
TWIST & SHOUT Dale - ? 2017 Okay Okay
UNDER THE BOARDWALK Mario - G 2017 Well Like
VENUS Dale / Mario - Em 2019 Well Like
VENUS Mario - Dm 2019 Well Like
WALKING AFTER MIDNIGHT Nicole – C 2017 Okay Pass
WHEN WILL I BE LOVED Jill / Mario – E 2020 Well Like
WHILE MY GUITAR GENTLY WEEPS Mario - Am 2019 Well Like
WHITE RABBIT Nicole – F# 2017 Well Pass
WILD THING Geoff - A 2018 Okay
WIPE OUT (Instrumental) - G 2018 Okay Like
WONDERFUL TONIGHT Mario - 2017 Okay Like
WOOLY BULLY Mario - G7 2018 Well Like
YOU GOT TO ME Geoff - D 2018 Okay
YOU SHOULD PROBABLY LEAVE Nicole – F#m 2017 Okay Pass

List of songs I've rehearsed ...

Song Title Singer & Preferred Key, Year last done, Done Well or Okay, Like or Pass

ALREADY GONE Mario 2015 Well Pass
ANGEL FROM MONTGOMERY Pam (capo-2, D) 2014 Well Like
BEAT GOES ON Dale / Mario - Like
BAD CASE OF LOVING YOU Pam – E 2014 Okay
BAD MOON RISING Tony C – D 2017 Okay Like
BLACK MAGIC WOMAN Jae – Dm 2014 Okay Like
BORN IN CHICAGO Billy B 2014
BOULEVARD of BROKEN DREAMS Tony C (capo-1, Em) 2017 Okay Like
BREAKDOWN Tony C – Am Well Okay
BUT IT’S ALL RIGHT Billy B 2014 Like
CALL ME THE BREEZE Billy B 2014 Pass
CHAIN OF FOOLS Pam – C 2014 Like
DOO WAH DIDDY Geoff (Mario) - E 2017 Okay
EVERY LITTLE THING SHE DOES Geoff - A 2017 Okay
FOR YOU BLUE Geoff - E 2017 Okay
FURTHER ON UP THE ROAD Billy B 2014 Like
GAME OF LOVE Geoff - Like
GET OFF MY CLOUD - E Like
GET READY Hugh – E 2014 Like
GIMME THREE STEPS Billy B 2014 Pass
GOT A LINE ON YOU Pam – B 2014 Like
HAWAII FIVE-0 THEME (Instrumental) - Okay
HEARD IT THROUGH THE GRAPEVINE Pam – Bm 2014 Well Like
HEATWAVE Pam – C#m 2014 Pass
HIDE YOUR LOVE AWAY Mario - G 2017 Okay Okay
HIT THE ROAD JACK Pam – Am 2014 Well Like
HURT SO GOOD Pass
I SHOT THE SHERIFF Jae – F#m 2014 Okay
I'M INTO SOMETHING GOOD Dale - C Okay
I'VE JUST SEEN A FACE Geoff - G 2017 Okay Okay
IT DON'T COME EASY Mario - D 2017 Well Love
KANSAS CITY (capo-3, play A) Mario 2017 Okay Like
LONG TALL SALLY Geoff - A
LONG TRAIN RUNNING Pam – Gm 2014 Pass
MAKE IT WITH YOU Dale – EM7 2017 Okay
MY GIRL (capo-4, play CM7) Pam – C 2014 Like
MIDNIGHT HOUR Geoff - E Okay
MIDNIGHT SPECIAL Tony C - G 2017 Okay Pass
MONEY Dale - ? Okay
MUSTANG SALLY Jae – C 2014 Pass
NO MATTER WHAT Mario 2020 Well Like
PINK CADILLAC Billy B 2014 Pass
PRIDE AND JOY Tony – E7 2016 Well Like
PSYCHOTIC REACTION - F# Love
RAMBLIN' GAMBLIN' Geoff (Mario) - C Okay Like
RHIANNON Pam – Am 2014 Like
ROADHOUSE BLUES Tony – E7 2016 Well Like
ROCK & ROLL Dale - Okay
SHAKIN' ALL OVER Geoff - E Like
SISTER GOLDEN HAIR Tony – (capo-4, C) 2017 Okay Okay
SMOOTH OPERATOR Pam – Dm 2014 Pass
SOME KIND OF WONDERFUL Jae – B 2014 Pass
STRAY CAT STRUT Jae – Am 2014 Okay
STRANGE BREW Dave – A7 2014 Like
TAKIN' CARE OF BUSINESS Geoff / Mario - C Okay Like
TAXMAN Geoff (Mario) - D Okay
THE LONG AND WINDING ROAD Dale - E Pass
TIME OF THE SEASON Pam – Em 2014 Like
YOUR MAMA DON’T DANCE Mario - 2013 Well Like
WELL ALL RIGHT Dale / Mario - D Okay Like
WRECK ME Billy B 2014 Okay Pass
WILD NIGHTS Pam – C 2014 Pass

MUSIC