Getting In Charactor

[Bag's Groove]

I was just wondering what or if you all listen to any certain kind of music before a gig to get you inspired?

[jazzypaul]

Interesting question. Sorry I missed it the first time around. I fully admit, I have a very bizarre set of rituals for this one...

things to do or not do on the day of a gig...

1) don't warm up, don't practice: for horn players, this might not work so well. But I like the first notes I play at a gig to have a freshness to them. I haven't played in probably about 24 hours, and I have had a days worth of experience to influence me a little bit.

2) Never listen to anyone better than you the day of a gig: Yep, it's absolutely bizarre, but it serves a pretty practical purpose. You play what you hear in your head. If I'm listening to Jack DeJohnette all day, I'll want to slip that in. The gig might not call for that, or I might not be able to pull it off. Both are bad scenarios. So, usually, before a gig, I'm listening to Superchunk, Husker Du, The Velvet Underground, etc, etc, etc, but almost never jazz.

3) Eat something REALLY healthy. (a) it's good for you, and (b) the last thing you want is a case of the runs in the middle of a set. So, low carb, low fat, preferably something that tastes at least kind of good.

I know, I know, it's utterly ridiculous stuff. But, it's worked for a long time. Maybe I'm just weird. I dunno.

[markvi]

since i'm a sax player i'll occassionally listen to one of my favorites just to get that good sax tone together in my head. frequently i'll listen to jane ira bloom because i play a lot of soprano and i just love her sound . i avoid coffee and other caffeinated beverages late in the day because i don't want to get too edgy and if i feel a little nervous i'll have a glass of red wine (jekel merlot if possible) as soon as i get to the gig to help me relax. i play much better when everything is cool and relaxed. any tension at all detracts from my playing and if i feel tenseness in my shoulders or my knees i know that i have to relax more. usually, though, i don't need the wine.

[Bag's Groove]

jazzypaul; Interesting rituals. I'd have to say that the only one I tend to deviate from is not warming up/practicing on the day of the show...mostly because I'm a trumpet player and would be so SCREWED if I didn't. I'll mostly just run through a couple scales though late in the afternoon, or perhaps a riff or two from songs that I know well and can play in my sleep. As far as not listening to anyone better than me well....that's kinda tough at this point :wink2: For inspiration I might listen to say Miles or Coltrane (the Village Vangaurd sets have put me in the zone many a time), but closer to stage time it's all about getting the adreneline going. I've found that things like The Ramones, Morphine, or James Brown (one of the clubs we're more or less a regular act at has "Sex Machine" in the jukebox) can be a big help in that dept.

markvi; I totally hear you about the right choice of beverages. Caffeine doesn't really affect my playing one way or another though I tend to stay away from it closer to showtime when I'll either have a vodka tonic or a glass of red wine to loosen me up. On stage it's mostly just water...by the pitcher!