[Dixielandjazz] on stage delays (of a different sort)

[Patrick Cooke]

I'm glad you brought that up, Dave.  If you've ever been a dancer, you know
the feeling just standing there while the musicians goof around.  And if
there is no dancing, it's still awkward, because the audience feels there is
some kind of action on the stand they are being left out of.
      I would say get a list of tunes together before you get on the stand
with the keys already decided.  If the players need charts, they can pull
them before you start the set.  You can insert requests as needed.
     Long pauses between tunes are awkward and unprofessional.  Just imagine
you're on TV or radio, and there is no announcer or commercials to fill the
gaps.
      Pat Cooke


----- Original Message ----- 
From: "david richoux" <tubaman at batnet.com>
To: "dixie" <dixielandjazz at ml.islandnet.com>
Sent: Wednesday, January 28, 2004 12:41 PM
Subject: Re: [Dixielandjazz] on stage delays (of a different sort)


> The subject line of this thread reminded me to ask this list about
> something that came up during a performance by the Churchill Street
> Reunion band last Sunday.
>
> This is directed at all the performing musicians and audience/dancers -
> your opinions all count!
>
> What is the "best" interval between songs in  live performances - a
> minute or less, 2-3 minutes or what? Sometimes the intervals seem to
> stretch way past 5 minutes while the musicians search for sheet music,
> discuss the key signature and arrangements or have side discussions
> about the weather, sports or other such small talk.
>
> On the other hand, some bands go from tune to tune so quickly there is
> no time for the musicians (and dancers) to catch their breath!
>
> Also, generally how long should the breaks between sets be?
>
> Any  "rule of thumbs" for this problem?
>
> (I am usually not the band "leader" so I try not to set the pace either
> way, but I notice quite a lot of variation in timing for the different
> bands I play in.)
>
> Dave Richoux
>
>
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