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Results for "Mr. P.C.'s Guide to Jazz Etiquette and Bandstand Decorum"
Antisocial Media, The Lick, The Scuffle Shuffle
by Mr. P.C.
Antisocial MediaDear Mr. P.C.: How much self-promotion is too much? There are people on my Facebook feed who invite me personally to all their gigs; even people I've never met! Then they post triumphant photos from the gigs, along with a barrage of videos and audio recordings. Would it be bad etiquette for me ...
Saxophone Solos, Trumpet Wars, Clichéd Endings
by Mr. P.C.
Saxophone SolosDear Mr. P.C.: Why is it that saxophonists have to fill every beat of every measure when they're soloing? Couldn't they leave an eighth note unplayed here and there? —Rest in Piece? Dear RIP: I don't think you're being fair to saxophonists. Compare them to the pianist, ...
Accompanying 101, For Your Consideration, Bandstand Violence
by Mr. P.C.
Accompanying 101Dear Mr. P.C.: I'm a pianist and have a question about reading charts. If I get a lead sheet that includes a measure with a very basic written rhythm in addition to the chord changes, how should I approach it? Should I: 1) Play the chords in the specified rhythm, and ...
Plight at the End of the Tunnel
by Mr. P.C.
Dear Mr. P.C.: We musicians are getting pretty sick of our playing, having to hear ourselves practice day after day. Seems like we're being discriminated against--shouldn't everyone have to get sick of our playing? This is an important reason for the government to allow venues to reopen sooner. It's the only humanitarian ...
Going Viral
by Mr. P.C.
Dear Mr. P.C.: I've read that vocalists are the greatest threat to spread Covid, since they're projecting their voice and all the germs in their throat around the stage and toward the audience. So I had what I think is a brilliant idea: To quarantine all vocalists and make them use their time in ...
The Four-Letter Word, Chatty Clubowner, Knobby Guitarist
by Mr. P.C.
The Four-Letter WordDear Mr. P.C.: How did it happen not everybody wants to be a cat nowadays? Recently I hear a lot of musicians describing their music as “no particular style," coming from thousands and thousands of their acoustic experiences, absolutely unique, not fitting in any particular genre.... And—most importantly—NOT JAZZ, nothing to do ...
Elusive Spontaneity, Mooed Indigo
by Mr. P.C.
Elusive SpontaneityDear Mr. P.C.: Everybody talks about playing spontaneously like it's the ultimate goal. I guess I'm good with that onstage, but how am I supposed to practice it? —Baffled in Buffalo Dear Baffled: First of all, don't set aside part of your day for practicing; that's the ...
Cursing, Gambling, Drinking and Smoking
by Mr. P.C.
CursingDear Mr. P.C.: Sometimes when a jazz musician is soloing, I hear him groan or even curse when he hits a bad note. But I never hear any squeals of joy from musicians when they play something they like. Why all the negativity? --Pollyanna in Pittsburgh Dear Polly:
Best of 2020
by Mr. P.C.
Dear Mr. P.C.: So with the ever-present question of “selling out," my question for you is this: Is it better to alienate your audience by playing complicated original music, or to lift their spirits playing standards you can't stand? --Dave the Dichotomist Dear Dave: If ...
Inside Out
by Mr. P.C.
Dear Mr. P.C.: I was playing bass on a trio gig along with a guitarist and drummer. I was comping during a drum solo and I suddenly heard “Quit playing!" from across the room. Now I don't always lay it down for drummers, but this guy did not know the form of any of ...
