[Dixielandjazz] How Far Out Shoud Backup Go?

[Larry Walton Entertainment - St. Louis]

That's the idea Mike.  By the way we all play the wrong bridge or something 
occasionally.  I had a piano player scream at me one time because I took the 
out chorus of a tune.  That's the last time I ever worked with him.
Larry
----- Original Message ----- 
From: "Mike Woitowicz" <banjomusic at charter.net>
To: "Dixieland Jazz" <dixielandjazz at ml.islandnet.com>
Sent: Tuesday, February 06, 2007 11:38 AM
Subject: [Dixielandjazz] How Far Out Shoud Backup Go?


> Larry Walton said (in part):
>
> "...I personally prefer playing off of the melody and I always try to 
> bring the listener back to it if I have moved very far a field.."
>
> This is an interesting thread. As a banjo player and leader of my own OKOM 
> quartet (clarinet, banjo, washboard, tuba), I have to support the clarinet 
> and the bass line. I know my clarinetist (who takes a lead chorus and one 
> or more improv choruses) and my bass player (usually tuba) are listening 
> to the chords, and if I stray too far, we all get lost, and it's my fault. 
> So, I try and stay as accurate as possible, using an occasional "chord 
> melody line" to bring out the melody and help both the band the listener 
> understand where we are in the song.
>
> Some songs need more melody support in the background than others (in our 
> quartet setting). When I play with larger groups, I find the "chord 
> melody" support line can be less intense, but the chord structure still 
> has to be strong to keep everyone on the "same page". I don't play with 
> piano players much, but I would imagine that it would be easier with good 
> chord support by the piano.
>
> It's a challenge. I have had off days when my mind wanders and find myself 
> continuing a chord pattern turnaround into a completely song or even a 
> different key! Occasionally, it's because I'm watching a sweet young thing 
> strut by showing off her credentials. But more often, it's because I'm 
> thinking of the next song, or what ending we're going to use on this song, 
> or some other administrative task involved with leading a band.
>
>
> Mike Woitowicz
> The Banjo Barons Ragtime Band
> The Dixie Barons Dixieland Band
> www.banjomusic.biz
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