I've been in small bands all my life. What we do is not just playing music, it's entertaining.
The last big band I was in was when I was still in school in the stage/jazz band. Then I joined a 4 piece as a sax player who learned to double on guitar, and bass (I already knew drums) and toured the country, eventually being the opening act for major stars and almost 'making it big' ourselves.
It's important to look the part. My philosophy is to look the way the audience wants to see you. A tuxedo crowd doesn't want to see you in a Hawaiian shirt, and when playing outdoors in a marina, a tux is inappropriate.
How you conduct yourself on stage is important. Look like you are enjoying yourself, even if you are having the worst day of your life. That's easy for me, no matter how tough life is, once the music starts playing, I'm in my bliss. Entertain them with whatever is appropriate for the gig. Actually, I rarely have a bad day, I'm doing what I love to do for a living with a wife who is also a fine entertainer and my very best friend.
Play at the right volume for the audience as well. I know of bands that won't get hired at the yacht clubs that book us because during the dinner set they play too loud. During dinner, we play at about 65dba and play gentle music with a fair share of instrumentals. Then when dinner is done, we crank it up to a gig-appropriate level.
It's also important to play the right songs, and do your best to play them at the right times to give the audience the best experience you can. Through the years I learned how to read the audience pretty well, song by song, and have a good idea what to call next (we don't do set lists).
We are not there only for ourselves. We want to please our audience, and in return they please us with their enthusiasm. And after the gig we have money for our needs. It doesn't get much better than that.
Most people on this forum probably already know all this, so 'scuse me for rambling
Notes
The last big band I was in was when I was still in school in the stage/jazz band. Then I joined a 4 piece as a sax player who learned to double on guitar, and bass (I already knew drums) and toured the country, eventually being the opening act for major stars and almost 'making it big' ourselves.
It's important to look the part. My philosophy is to look the way the audience wants to see you. A tuxedo crowd doesn't want to see you in a Hawaiian shirt, and when playing outdoors in a marina, a tux is inappropriate.
How you conduct yourself on stage is important. Look like you are enjoying yourself, even if you are having the worst day of your life. That's easy for me, no matter how tough life is, once the music starts playing, I'm in my bliss. Entertain them with whatever is appropriate for the gig. Actually, I rarely have a bad day, I'm doing what I love to do for a living with a wife who is also a fine entertainer and my very best friend.
Play at the right volume for the audience as well. I know of bands that won't get hired at the yacht clubs that book us because during the dinner set they play too loud. During dinner, we play at about 65dba and play gentle music with a fair share of instrumentals. Then when dinner is done, we crank it up to a gig-appropriate level.
It's also important to play the right songs, and do your best to play them at the right times to give the audience the best experience you can. Through the years I learned how to read the audience pretty well, song by song, and have a good idea what to call next (we don't do set lists).
We are not there only for ourselves. We want to please our audience, and in return they please us with their enthusiasm. And after the gig we have money for our needs. It doesn't get much better than that.
Most people on this forum probably already know all this, so 'scuse me for rambling
Notes