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It ain't easy finding people to play with when you're not a university student. So I finally decided to get out of my living room and join a big band. I figure this will:
A) Force me to get my rhythm playing solid,
B) Improve my reading, with all of the associated perks, and most importantly
C) Increase the chances of finding other (non-guitarist) musicians to play with in other settings.
Oh, and D) I'll playing in a swing band, which is pretty cool.
I had my first (3 hour!) rehearsal this morning. I definitely found myself outside of my comfort zone, but it went reasonably well and the bandleader hasn't fired me yet. I lost my place more than a few times, but managed to keep counting and find my way back.
Anyway, any hot tips, sharings of experiences, funny stories, etc. are welcome!
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03-07-2015 10:04 PM
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You're a brave soul....that's all I got...
I am sure other's will chime in with some cool experiences to share though. Best of luck!
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Consider yourself lucky, the opportunity isn't available to everyone deciding to give it a try. It's a great feeling getting to the level where you can carry your own weight in the rhythm section. Nothing will make you feel like a real musician more than being in a big group of people reading and playing some great charts, and your chord vocabulary will become the envy of other guitarists.
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now you will be able to say I paid my jazz dues.. I did big band every semester in college the bandleader's opinion was it should be a prerequisite for jazz combo.
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Originally Posted by cosmic gumbo
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I joined my first big band a few years ago for the same reasons. Opportunities to improvise are limited (other than choosing chord voicings and comping style), but it's a fun way to spend a couple hours each week. Sometimes I think of it as hopping on a treadmill once a week to stay in shape, but it's a little more creative than that.
Guitar charts often overprescribe the harmony, showing full chord that the horn section is playing. When I finally realized that I tried to simplify my chord choices, often just comping with just the 3rd and 7th or 6th. After thinning things down to the minimum, then I started to selectively add things back in. For example, when the band crescendos, I might add an extension on top, turning my pinky into one of the horns.
I've made some good friends there, met some good musicians, formed a couple of bands or jam groups with some of the better players, and learned of other opportunities from band mates.
I've also learned how important it is to have a good band leader and band mates who go out of their way to treat each other with respect. Without that it's no fun at all.
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I also feel very lucky to play guitar in a big band.
There are not a lot of big bands where I live in Canada, so it's a real privilege.
It's challenging, but always lots of fun.
I have a digital recorder to record rehearsals, then to play along with for practice at home.
It's really great to play dances.
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The big band I'm currently in rehearses weekly in a community center with a dance floor. At every rehearsal there are at least a few dancers who are willing to live with the occasional interruptions that are needed in rehearsal. Once a month the rehearsal becomes a casual gig with set list, dress code, and dancers paying a few bucks. Several times a year the band lines up more formal evening gigs. Playing nothing but dance tunes limits the repertoire, but it's still fun..
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Kirk -- yep, that's exactly the same setup as this band. Weekly rehearsals and a monthly gig for dancers. It should be a fun time... I haven't played an actual gig in a couple of years, and have never played a jazz gig, so this will be a new experience.
And it sounds like you're getting out of it exactly what I hope to, so that's promising!
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Well, after almost a year they finally came to their senses and fired me.
Just kidding (sort of). A new bandleader took over and decided to make some changes, shaking up the various sections. Unfortunately in all of the shaking, I was shook out in favour of a guy he's been playing with for about 20 years and who doubles on banjo.
Ah well, it was good experience. Met some good musicians, played a bunch of gigs, and flirted with the limits of my 40-watt Cube.
Good times.
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Originally Posted by Jehu
The MetroGnomes
I learned a lot in my stint with the Pre-Metrognomes, and I regret there isn't a "lower intensity" sort of ensemble in the area to play with.
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Originally Posted by Jehu
my old barber played trumpet with tito puente and xavier cugat. almost none of his stories are safe to share in a public forum. seriously, dude could've run an entire sub-forum on reddit.
but seriously, big band experience is really, really good. yr gonna learn to count.
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first , good for you! It takes courage to get yourself out there
the best advice I have is to drop whatever you are doing and shed the tunes between rehearsals as best as you can
nothing impresses a bandleader quite like being prepared at rehearsal
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Congratulations! Look forward to hearing how it goes.
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Congratulations! Look forward to hearing how it goes.
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Originally Posted by MarkRhodes
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Originally Posted by Moominpapa
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