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Direct Segue—SaxophoneMan’s Blog |
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Last modified 09/12/08
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09/12/08—Charlie Parker I was recently talking with a guitarist friend of mine about the great Charlie Parker. He had said some players don’t listen to him because he’s not modern. HOW RIDICULOUS! Yardbird Parker is as modern as or any of the new players. People are still trying to figure out how he did what he did. It was like he came down from Mars, did his thing, and then left. There are many who have learned from him (including me) but no one has yet transcended his artistry. Anybody who wants to be a jazz musician needs to listen to Charlie Parker. 07/12/08—Summertime gigs It’s that time of year again to play the outdoor gigs and it’s going to be HOT! Here’s my take on ways to be prepared: · If it’s not a covered bandstand don’t take the gig. Maybe if you’re younger and you like heatstroke and sunblisters on your face you’ll take exception to this one. Anymore I insist on a canopied area to play in. If you absolutely must take a gig in the open sun (ahh, the life of a musician), be sure to use sunscreen, wear a hat, and keep plenty of water handy (a small frozen bottle of water is nice — maybe even under your hat). · Don’t play the good clarinet in the heat. The wooden clarinets don’t like the heat or the lack of humidity (or too much humidity if the gig is down in the sunbelt). Play the plastic clarinet and leave your R-13 at home. You might even leave the good saxophone at home too. · Avoid alcohol — I could write an essay about this one (and maybe will later). You’ll just end up getting super dehydrated and your playing (and you) will suffer for it. · Constantly listen for the intonation. In the heat, wind instruments will go sharp, stringed instruments will go flat, and electronic instruments will stay the same. · Bring clothespins or better yet get the big clips that are transparent plastic. You never know when the wind will come and blow your charts out into the audience. · Don’t freak out about the sound. It’s always hard to hear the mix on an outdoor gig. Just play your part and know that the sound folks are doing their best to make it sound good out there first — and on stage second. |