What's the best thing about gigging?

[Hardbopjazz]

Write your stories here.

[7/4]

Getting paid.

[7/4]

the babes.

[7/4]

positive response.

[SGUD missile]

actually, since I'm retired and just cut my first big band CD last summer, I found myself actually doing the occasional live gig with the recording crew ..( my first ones in over thirty years , in fact ..)

I'd say the best thing is just hearing the band ROAR back at everyone ..and hearing the music LIVE again ..

that and (hopefully) an appreciative crowd!

[Popper Lou]

Passing the joint around. Not that I ever done that.

[Jim Alfredson]

The best thing about gigging is playing music! That's why I do it in the first place, not to party or drink or smoke dope but to play and play well.

[Popper Lou]

The best thing about gigging is playing music! That's why I do it in the first place, not to party or drink or smoke dope but to play and play well.

Just a joke, never do that stuff myself.

I agree with you 100%. It's the music. Sometimes when I am playing I actually can hear what I will be playing 4 or 5 bars later. When you're on, it's very special.

[Hardbopjazz]

When you're on, it's very special.

What do you do when it just not happen? You still have to play. People did pay to come hear the music.

[Sundog]

I like the fact that as a band we have a collective personality that is not necessarily like any one of the individual members. It's totally a unique entity unto the band, that really only comes out in "live" situations. It's a cool thing to experience.

Also, playing out live really forces you to live in the moment. You have to, or else you would never get through. Once you more or less surrender to this fact, it makes things so much easier and better. It's really a pretty important life lesson. I suspect that we all could stand to live a little more in the moment. B)

[Harold_Z]

Aside from the bread and the superimposed fun associated with various collateral activitiees ...all that stuff...There is something special that happens when you are really locked in and the esp is really happening. It's really difficult to put in words but it does happen, (Not too often - most gigs are STRICTLY for the bread) - but when it does happen - it's smokin' !! ...and that's the REAL BUZZ that giggin' can give you.

[JSngry]

The best thing about gigging is finally getting to be yourself, doing what you're supposed to be doing with your life, if it's a gig that allows for that.

Even if it's not, it usaully (but not always) beats the HELL out of having to do something, anything, else.

I'm currently doing a "straight" job, as well as gigging. The people on the "job" are all nice folk, and I'm treated with respect and all that, but IT'S NOT WHAT I'M SUPPOSED TO BE DOING WITH MY LIFE. If I could make all the money my family currently needs by playing gigs, I'd do absolutely nothing else.

I tell you this right now, as God is my witness - when the kids get fully grown and taken care of, I will never work another straight job in my life. May God strike me dead if I do.

Seriously.

[Joe G]

My sentiments exactly!

And BTW, playing with Organissimo is a gig that most definitely lets me be my(bad)self! B)

I want to thank you falettin' me be mice elf, agin!

Edited July 17, 2004 by Joe G

[jazzhound]

you can play louder than in your house.

[jazzypaul]

the best things about gigging?

Locking in with the tenor player on a figure you've never heard him play before.

Hearing the bass player say, "hey, let's try playing Nardis in 7" and nailing it.

Seeing people get out on the dance floor when things get funky.

Seeing metalheads recognize For Whom The Bell tolls, even as we play it at 180.

Seeing the metalheads stick around for the Joe Henderson tunes.

Getting applause for originals.

Overtime Pay.

getting lost in the moment and realizing you've just played something that you couldn't nail in the practice room.

Seeing old bandmates' jaws drop when the new band plays something infinitely better than the old band did.

Getting paid for doing what you love at the end of the night.

Hearing complete strangers say nice things to you.

The list goes on and on, my friends...

[freddydwight]

you got it, jazzypaul. playing music and getting paid, and having those out-of-body experiences that happen only when you're playing live. besides, mitch who runs the bar down the street where freddy gigs, gives us hamburgers and beer. that helps, too.

B) freddy

Edited July 29, 2004 by freddydwight