Spin off from
Doing the solo thing - what about security

quote:

Originally posted by playitforward:
This is a good topic that I am very intersted in. I don't have any great answers. My wife comes to maybe 50% of my gigs so in those cases we have a buddy system to keep an eye on the gear. I suppose he rest of the time I have been fortunate that I have not yet been ripped off.
Really, I have a problem with not taking enough breaks. Played 4 hours today at a beautiful oceanside venue and only took a 5 minute break. And that after a sleepless night. I am working on it. May need a 12 step program. I really appreciate the constructive suggestives on this topic.

Moved Reply:

PIF - I'm not big on breaks myself, especially playing solo; yes with the band though. I often play solo at restaurants, and when you stop, people leave! I'm there to PLAY...

Anyway, I hear ya!

Mike

Moved Reply:

quote:

Really, I have a problem with not taking enough breaks.

You have to take breaks, especially if it is outdoors and worse yet a 4 hour gig. I used skip them quite a while back and wound up getting dehydration and almost passing out. Luckily I stumbled into some bushes and broke my fall. It could have been down the concrete stairs and a concussion.

Not alcohol related and a very scary experience. Almost surreal.

Besides that, I don't care how good you sound, the audience needs a break from the same voice and sound. Break music can be a good thing. Several hours straight, especially with a Solo player, can be tough on the audience and the singer. There aren't many atta-boys in exerting yourself.

I'm with Mike on this one. I seldom take breaks, either. I'm being payed to play music...not socialize.

Take breaks, PLEASE SOCIALIZE!

Go table to table passing out cards and CDs and whatever else gets them to take a piece of you home. Set out a clipboard and a pen - start your mailing list (make sure it asks for an email address).

Venue owners like to see the entertainment work the room and make the audience feel like they are part of the show or event. It helps solidify the fact that they will return to this venue again and again.

Don't be the guy who goes on break and runs off to the green room (not to be disturbed).

You are working while on break, but its not by singing or playing an instrument. You are networking and its just as important to your business as rehearsals are.

4 hour club gig - I get two 30 minute breaks. Hour on, 30 off, hour on, 30 off, hour on and I go home.
3 hour gigs I try to work two 15-20 min breaks in.
2 hour shows - it depends. They usually have announcements or something that will break up the show for me.

How do you build a fanbase if you dont take a break and socialize!???

I work in a high tourist area. When you take a break you can lose at least half of the crowd. They go off to see what is happening at other clubs. I start at 9 and play the first set till 12. I have a good fan base for that reason. They know that I am giving them their money’s worth. I also talk to people from the stage and make contacts that way. When the season slows down I readjust what I do. In a listening environment I will take more breaks but my act is still from the stage. I am surrounded by Karaoke and disco clubs where there never is a break. It is very competitive here. I am also playing a lot of dance music and my crowd appreciates the fact that I keep it going. My 2 cents.

Very Interesting Topic!

Over the years as a musician and singer I always need to take a break to save my chops during a 4 hour gig. If we had a 3 hours gig we still took 2 breaks. People expect musicians to take breaks. Most Dj's don't take a break and that is one of the benefits of pre-recorded music, 4 hours of music in 3 hours I guess. I also play in a high tourist area and I call them the chew and "see you" crowd. They eat and then say "see you" and leave when you take a break. LOL! It is different here in God's Waiting Room. ( Florida). OF course if your playing a GB gig this is usually not the case)

AJ
Music is neither young or old.....it just "is"

You have several stakeholders when you perform and you can choose to think in those terms or ... not.

Some Stakeholders:

• You as artist, performer, vendor of merchandise
  
  
• Audience member as someone there to be entertained or some other motives
  
  
• Venue: The business entity that has hired you and/or
  
  
• Event: The social or business function that hired you, or the motive for having live music.
  
  

When I am really on my game I will think about all the stakeholders and consciously work to be aligned with all the various goals.

An Example:
If the business goal is to turn tables then I will take more frequent breaks. If the goal is entertainment then I will do things differently.

I may not be overly concerned about the various goals until there is a critical point. In some places the critical point is having a full house and people waiting. In some places a critical point is having empty seats.

I ask the venue management about their goals (fill the house, turn the tables, keep the patrons consuming, create an identity, or ...) so I can help them meet those goals.

If I like the place my goal is to get another gig. If I help the other stakeholders get what they want, I am more likely to be invited back.

ST

Very well put! Yes, the venue dictates the breaks. I have had banquent mgrs "ask" me to please take a break so the food could be served while the people are off the dance floor and seated while some places want the tables turned over. Very good Input on the subject ST

AJ
ps......I sure wish I knew how to size my pic's so as to add as attachment. I think I have to resize them but I don't know how.

Hi AJ,

quote:

Originally posted by AJ:
ps......I sure wish I knew how to size my pic's so as to add as attachment. I think I have to resize them but I don't know how.

See: Posting Pictures - shrinking to fit.

Hi St

I downloaded Powertoys resize....but I can't find it! But when I right click on a picture there is a resize menu. Did Poertoys automatically put it there so I can stop looking?

Thanks!
AJ

AJ,

You are all set. No need to look any further. Right click and follow the prompts.

quote:

Originally posted by AJ:
Hi St

I downloaded Powertoys resize....but I can't find it! But when I right click on a picture there is a resize menu. Did Poertoys automatically put it there so I can stop looking?

Thanks!
AJ

quote:

I start at 9 and play the first set till 12.

Hi Roy,

That is starting to sound like a sweat shop. No offense, but 3 solid hours of one player has got to be tough on the audience. No one has a 3 hour attention span.

I have heard you play, sing and listened to your CD. It is good stuff, but unless you are changing off on things to break things up, that could give a bit of listening fatigue, with no breaks for 3 full hours. You can't be drinking much liquids, so watch the dehydration.

quote:

quote:
I start at 9 and play the first set till 12.



Hi Roy,

That is starting to sound like a sweat shop. No offense, but 3 solid hours of one player has got to be tough on the audience. No one has a 3 hour attention span.

I have heard you play, sing and listened to your CD. It is good stuff, but unless you are changing off on things to break things up, that could give a bit of listening fatigue, with no breaks for 3 full hours. You can't be drinking much liquids, so watch the dehydration.


JoelsTimeTravels.com JoelHeck

Hi Joel, I filled in for Roy a week or so back and I can attest to what he says. Once you get the momentum going...keep it at that level, because if you walk out the door and look left or right there is another club that needs the business and rent on the beach is expensive.
I did 4 hours as Roy said, with a break in the middle to grab a bite and return the beer I rented and then a break-ette towards the end. They danced from the very first song to the very last...Roy trained em well!

I also agree with what you said..for sure!

I played a bar many years ago and when I asked about breaks the man told me: "Ya got yer break when I hired you!"


Leo
http://www.youtube.com/user/palmtreesgalore

I think this all depends on the situation. I've taken breaks only to come back to the mic and find all of the momentum from the audience gone.

If a majority of the audience is not paying attention, then I'll take a break. If they are responding (singing along, laughing at jokes) then I'll skip breaks if possible.

"Different Strokes . . . "
Respect

quote:

I think this all depends on the situation. I've taken breaks only to come back to the mic and find all of the momentum from the audience gone.

This is my situation. If I ,or whoever is playing, take a break thrn 1/4 to a 1/2 of the crowd has left when you come back from a break. They have moved on to "Where The Action Is"

Hey Joel - I keep a sugar free cough drop between my cheek and gum. It actually works great and keeps a flow of lubrication going. I also drink water. It is matter of pacing yourself but once you get use to playing like that it is no big deal. You would be suprised at the beifits you get from playing a long set. Keep in mind this is a dance room, I have 3 disco's within the block as my main competition. I am the only full time live music down here almost all year long. When I play the listening gigs I work those rooms a little easier.

quote:

If they are responding (singing along, laughing at jokes) then I'll skip breaks if possible.

That is a very good point, still not 3 hours worth, but if they are actively dancing, etc then it makes a lot of sense to keep the momentum going. When the crowd is with you, then the time flies.

I just played 2 afternoon/evenings poolside down in Sanibel for the ParrotHeads. They are a captive audience, but they also socialize to the point of distraction. Sometimes they are so busy talking and catching up, that the music is just background sound. The exception being "Why don't we get drunk and...", then they may join in. Many Buffett songs tell a story and they just aren't paying attention that long.

What I did remember a short time later, is why I hate Sanibel. OMG!! The "No-See-Em" bites are still itching. The event was in a screened enclosure, but putting the gear in the car after dark and walking to the Condo, those darn bugs really get you. I can't believe they could be soo bad.

quote:

because if you walk out the door and look left or right there is another club that needs the business and rent on the beach is expensive

I noticed that down in Sanibel/Captiva, One guy singing Buffett and across the street another singing Blues Brothers. Whatever floats their boat, the competition is heavy in these spots. I just got too used to The Villages lifestyle and most places, insist on breaks. It might be the sound techs thing or whatever, but it works for them.

After Sanibel, I wonder, how bad are the bugs out on the beach in Georgia? Maybe that's why the people keep dancing and moving. Sanibel was terrible!! I am still itching from the "No-See-Em's" and I was in a screened pool area. I guess they get you going to your condo or loading your gear in the car.

Joel I played in Sanibel, Captiva and Fort Myers Beach for years before moving. Some great memories for sure!!

You know I took breaks and people didnt go across the street and leave, but these werent dancing places but more listening/hangin out/ eating drinking places. One place in particular would tell me I have a "phone call"...That would mean "Get off the stage we need to turn tables!!"

I guess it all depends where you are.

BTW Those No-see-ums can be a pain.