[Dixielandjazz] Bands & gigs & practicing - more

[Larry Walton Entertainment]

Practice time is always difficult and fits into two categories:

Gig practicing -- that is using gigs to keep in shape.  The bad thing about
this is that unless you play often you don't get better or if you do, it
will take a long time.  What you do is build endurance, keep
reading/listening skills up and you don't go backwards.  This kind of
practice also helps build up routines especially if you don't read.
Practice with the group is about the only way your ear will improve.

The second is getting out the Arbans or whatever you use.  It could be lines
or soli's in music that you don't play well and just drudge through it until
you can play it.

The second is the most difficult to do because it's boring and a lot of
other words.  Personally I lose focus and slack off after a period of time
but the good news is that because I gig pretty often I hold on to the skills
that I pick up although as I get older, endurance in the chops gets a little
more problematical.

I think most of us fit into the first bunch and slack off the individual
practice.

Larry Walton
St. Louis
----- Original Message ----- 
From: "Jim Kashishian" <jim at kashprod.com>
To: <dixielandjazz at ml.islandnet.com>
Sent: Sunday, October 02, 2005 12:57 PM
Subject: [Dixielandjazz] Bands & gigs & practicing


> Larry answered my last post with a few interesting thoughts, which I will
> rearrange for the purpose of my answers below:
>
> >The hobby guys have a different attitude and really don't care what they
> make.
> This is a "those & us" problem which has been addressed on DJML a number
of
> times, but under the guise (if I recall) of "weekend warriors vs
> professionals". An argument that will never, ever be happily settled.
Both
> types are going to exist in the same arena, and sometimes cross paths.
>
> >also at the end of the year the Tax man cometh.  So I have to keep books
> and records.  That sounds like a business to me.
> Yes, I mentioned I didn't like treating our band as a business, but
> obviously there are some matters that must be taken care of properly.  We
> pay an accountant to handle the tax matters of the band.  That frees us
from
> the business side, which none of us wish to be too involved in.
>
> >I think you are very lucky to be in a stable group but how many of your
> friends would survive >(musically) if the band suddenly disintegrated for
> whatever reason?
> I did mention that we are all present or past session recording musicians,
> and we mix with other musicians in that capacity.  However, the band is a
> set group.  We don't go out in a smaller or larger format, and I try to
book
> gigs around anyone's particular vacation plans, so we don't have to call
in
> a sub.  The drummer is the only one that needs to be subbed from time to
> time, really, as he travels with Spanish singers on tours sometimes.
>
> >You didn't say what size of a town you live in, but unless those
musicians
> have been circulating it might be tough.
> See above answer as far as the circulating thing goes.  We have all been
on
> the Madrid (Spain)professional music scene for 30 to 40 yrs.  Madrid is
the
> center for most Spanish recorded music & film with a population of 5
> million, and a very famous night life.  There are about 5 active jazz
clubs
> with bands playing nitely.  (Varying forms of jazz, blues, Latin, Bossa.)
>
> >Guys tend to group together and if it works they become clannish.
> Yeah, it's called "a band", and that's what the fans pay to see & hear.
>
> >You wouldn't fire one of your buddies even if someone else came along
that
> was much better.
> No, and that's why we also attempt to not have subs, as even if the sub is
> better, the band doesn't feel the same.  Your next question will be "how
do
> you keep it fresh, then?".  Well, that can be difficult, but we do it with
> key changes, tempo changes, a large rep...etc.
>
> I've noticed this thread bending towards something about practicing.  I
> believe you made some comment.  Practicing, as an individual, (at least
for
> trombone & trumpet) is a must.  Otherwise, the muscles in your lips won't
> respond for the next gig.  Nor, does the slide hand flow automatically
with
> the ease it should if you lay off for long.  Every day, even if just for a
> few minutes, is a must.  Which is what I must do now, before dinner is
> served up.  The bottle of red Rioja has been brought out of the wine
cellar
> about an hour ago, and the steaks are about to go on the grill!   :>
>
> There IS life other than music.
>
> Jim
>
>
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