Tilted Forum Project Discussion Community - View Single Post - Offer some unusual tips from your line of work

aberkok · 02-10-2009, 02:08 AM

Musician here:

Gigging:

1. Obviously, be on time. If the gig starts at 9p.m., you should have your gear set up by 8:45 or even earlier if there needs to be a band discussion over the set list, etc. On time is too late.

2. On accompanying: you are the accompanist, not the lead voice. When it comes to performance time, being right is not as important as making the lead voice sound right.

3. Have a set list. The best way to improve your live show is to have fast pacing between tunes. Also, if it is your gig and you have hired sidemen (i.e. it's not collaborative), don't ask your band "what they feel like playing." Just tell them.

4. Your time may never be good enough, but don't forget to relax.

Networking:

1. There's no need to bullshit or exaggerate about what you're up to. I once asked a drummer just out of college what his plans were and he replied by telling me he was gigging and in the studio "7 days a week," which wasn't answering the question. His time was lousy and I hadn't heard of him before and haven't heard of him since.

2. Be sensitive about the lack of money in music. Some stalwarts believe musicians should be paid by the clubs and don't work for under a certain amount. I respect that, but on the other hand, clubs can't or won't pay, and to reject them would vastly reduce the opportunities to get new music out on the scene. Whatever side of the pay issue you land on, it is important to realize that the community is made up of all sorts and you should respect the opinions of others.

3. Have a good handshake and don't be afraid to talk to other musicians. In fact, like in every other line of work, develop good social skills. My most recent beef: if you are facing someone, don't lean over and talk into their ear. Talk to their face! A guy did this to me last week and it was really annoying.

Teaching:

1. Our North-American culture has really bad time. There is an obsession with playing the right notes. That is why, when I am teaching a student, I almost never worry about pitch correction (I'm a pianist). They usually find it themselves and I save the smackdown for rhythm.

2. The balance between teacher interruption and letting mistakes go by is a difficult one to achieve but I err on the side of letting mistakes go by. Students need to have experience in the momentum of the piece. I can talk after they stop.

3. Counting out loud while you play is the best technique ever.

4. Students always have a higher capacity for repetition than I give them credit for... in the lesson anyways.

02-10-2009, 02:08 AM	#68 (permalink)
aberkok “Wrong is right.” Location: toronto	Musician here: Gigging: 1. Obviously, be on time. If the gig starts at 9p.m., you should have your gear set up by 8:45 or even earlier if there needs to be a band discussion over the set list, etc. On time is too late. 2. On accompanying: you are the accompanist, not the lead voice. When it comes to performance time, being right is not as important as making the lead voice sound right. 3. Have a set list. The best way to improve your live show is to have fast pacing between tunes. Also, if it is your gig and you have hired sidemen (i.e. it's not collaborative), don't ask your band "what they feel like playing." Just tell them. 4. Your time may never be good enough, but don't forget to relax. Networking: 1. There's no need to bullshit or exaggerate about what you're up to. I once asked a drummer just out of college what his plans were and he replied by telling me he was gigging and in the studio "7 days a week," which wasn't answering the question. His time was lousy and I hadn't heard of him before and haven't heard of him since. 2. Be sensitive about the lack of money in music. Some stalwarts believe musicians should be paid by the clubs and don't work for under a certain amount. I respect that, but on the other hand, clubs can't or won't pay, and to reject them would vastly reduce the opportunities to get new music out on the scene. Whatever side of the pay issue you land on, it is important to realize that the community is made up of all sorts and you should respect the opinions of others. 3. Have a good handshake and don't be afraid to talk to other musicians. In fact, like in every other line of work, develop good social skills. My most recent beef: if you are facing someone, don't lean over and talk into their ear. Talk to their face! A guy did this to me last week and it was really annoying. Teaching: 1. Our North-American culture has really bad time. There is an obsession with playing the right notes. That is why, when I am teaching a student, I almost never worry about pitch correction (I'm a pianist). They usually find it themselves and I save the smackdown for rhythm. 2. The balance between teacher interruption and letting mistakes go by is a difficult one to achieve but I err on the side of letting mistakes go by. Students need to have experience in the momentum of the piece. I can talk after they stop. 3. Counting out loud while you play is the best technique ever. 4. Students always have a higher capacity for repetition than I give them credit for... in the lesson anyways. __________________ !check out my new blog! http://arkanamusic.wordpress.com Warden Gentiles: "It? Perfectly innocent. But I can see how, if our roles were reversed, I might have you beaten with a pillowcase full of batteries."