Stories from the Road: Expect the Unexpected Part I
I sometimes find it difficult to maintain updates on my blog. Especially when the topics I’ve limited them to are based on teaching and the challenges that I’m currently facing are more performance based. So, I’ve decided to bridge my performance experience as teaching advice in the form of a parable.
During the summer months I play in a GB (general business) band that sometimes travels out of town. This past weekend I ended up in Atlantic City anticipating a weekend of playing and hanging out with my fellow bandmates. It seems that it is only during these out-of-town jobs that we have a chance to bond and learn a little more about each other. As in most GB situations, the musicians involved are also committed to other situations making time a valuable commodity that doesn’t allow for socializing.
This particular gig started as any other with a car pool and a long drive through really bad weather with even worse traffic conditions that turned a three-hour trip into a five-hour ordeal. Fortunately, we left early enough to allow for this but little else. We found our hotel and checked in with about half an hour to get to the sound check for the first gig.
Gig 1: Too Tired to Worry
The first gig has a fully-loaded backline (amps, PA, and drum set) so, even though we’re running a little to close to the edge for comfort, we have a pretty quick setup. We then find out that there is no sound check but that the first song will be used as a sound check. Well, with so much having happened up to this point, we simply didn’t have the energy to argue and saved our energy for the performance.
The MD (music director/band leader) counts off, “1, 2, 3, 4!” and we’re off. The energy is high, the backbeat is thunderous and inviting, the three female singers start dancing, and the bass begins to make everybodys’ booty shake. The dance floor gets busy and fills fast. The music helps us let out all of our frustrations and we leave the days’ aggravations on the bandstand. We played well and sounded good.
But, there was still one more gig to go…