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Results for "Mr. P.C.'s Guide to Jazz Etiquette and Bandstand Decorum"
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 ...
Talking While Playing, Sub Division, and Translating Scat
by Mr. P.C.
Talking While PlayingDear Mr. P.C.: You are in the middle of an improvised solo, eyes closed, really in the flow, when someone walks up and starts talking to you. What do you do? Sure, I can have a conversation while strumming the chords to a pop song or some repetitive part, but while navigating ...
Bits and Bytes
by Mr. P.C.
Dear Mr. P.C.: Do you really have to suffer to be a great artist, or is that just Hollywood BS? --Pete L., Chicago Dear Pete: It's absolutely true, and that's why you should always seek out and play with the worst musicians possible. Dear Mr. P.C.: ...
Do the Math
by Mr. P.C.
Dear Mr. P.C.: Here's what I don't get. Say you're the leader on a $400 quartet gig, and the club owner offers you a 50% raise, but “changes his mind" a week later and cuts your pay by 50%. You wind up with less than you started with--$300! ($600 -$300) But then look at ...
Count-Off, Off of My Cloud, Going Off
by Mr. P.C.
Count-offDear Mr. P.C.: I have a question. What's the difference between “counting it off" and “counting it IN" ??? I know it's “counting off the beat" and “counting IN the band," but it's still weird to me. —K.M., Seattle Dear K.M.: Actually, the opposite of counting a ...
