1st straight-thru bigband chart reading gig

[Lorenzini]

Hey Janek,
I did my first big band straight reading gig (got the charts same day) last week. It was hairy and reading all the obligatos, bass/piano unison lines and everything else was something else, but it came off really well.

I just wanted to report and let you know, and was wondering, what do you do to prepare for a gig where you are not able to prepare? I know that's a funny sounding question but that's literally what this was.

Thanks!

[Snarf]

My two cents is make sure you've always got your reading chops together. That's really just a constant skill maintenence/improvement thing. Other than that I don't think there's much more you can do.

[Lorenzini]

You're probably right. I was just hoping to hear something like "eat pasta & grilled chicken right before a gig".

[Phil Smith]

Originally Posted by Lorenzini

You're probably right. I was just hoping to hear something like "eat pasta & grilled chicken right before a gig".

This is the equivalent:

My two cents is make sure you've always got your reading chops together.

[Lorenzini]

Noted!
All this said, I play piano as a primary instrument and I've done countless big band gigs and pure reading gigs that come quite easily. Bass is different for me though because I haven't done it as much -- as well as the challenge of walking through all of the hits and stops. I suppose practice and experience really IS the answer!

[janekbass]

I think being prepared is a daily routine for me regardless of whether there's a gig or not. I try to be as consistent as possible in my playing and reading alike. If I know there's going to be something coming up in the not too distant future where I'm going to have to read a bunch of music I'll get a few books of music out that I haven't seen before and read through them to refresh my chops.... but actually, making sure I've eaten, am well rested, don't drink any booze before hand, and be fresh on the bandstand are really good things to go by. And I had penne ala vodka with grilled chicken for dinner last night!!! and am on my way to the Studio with this pop singer named JEM http://jem-music.net/ http://www.myspace.com/jem to rehearse for a tour we're starting on Monday so i hope I'm well fed and refreshed for this!

Easy,

Janek

[adri24an]

janek, can you tell us some pop, R&B,... records that you have played? i am curious to listen your playing in this styles!

thanks!