[Dixielandjazz] It's live!

[Jim Kashishian]

Jack Mitchell wrote (referring to a particular "trick" he saw by a musician:
>the first time he did it it was completely impromptu, taking the others by
complete surprise. The crowd loved it.

That's usually the way it happens, Jack.  And, the audience reaction tells
you this might be something to hold onto & do again.  Same thing happens
with the creation of head arrangements, although in this case, it is the
reaction amongst the musicians that makes you realize that it should be done
again.

It's live music, and both the musical content & the audience reaction should
not go unnoticed by the performer.  Hold onto the good stuff, dump what
didn't work.  That's what keeps it fresh & evolving!

I attempted, live, the "slide between the toes" thing during a gig years &
years ago, having heard that Bob Havens had done it.  (I'm not sure whether
he did or not!)  It worked & I've done it ever since when the audience is
hot enough. 

If one bothers to look past what I am doing, they might just notice that the
solo I am playing is equal to what I might have done if the slide had been
in my hand.  If I was only able to make "elephant-in-heat" noises,
then...yes, it would be merely a clown thing.  But, that is not the case,
and I feel I can hold my head high & enjoy the applause.

There is another phenonema here, also.  It is hard for a bandsman to realize
that what one might feel as "oh-not-again" about something during a set, the
audience is mostly new & seeing the band for the first time.  So, what goes
on for them is exciting.  The musicians can draw from that excitement,
making what ever "routine" thing they have going becomes something fresh.
And, for the fan that has seen the band a million times, I often find that
if I leave out something they expected to see or hear happen, then they are
disappointed.  

I'm not sure I've expressed my thoughts well enough with that, but it is
something a musician who plays a lot must constantly remind himself
subconciously....it may be old hat to you, but you're playing for others,
not just for yourself.  I would include songs with that, meaning I don't go
along with the idea that "oh, no, we're not going to play The Saints again
'cause we played it yesterday".  Play it again, and change it a bit for your
own entertainment. That way it is fresh & live, and everyone is happy!

Jim