Last night I played a gig with some LA-based musicians and the music was demanding (of the funk, fusion, church type…in fact, the hardest tune was called “Funky Fusion Church”).
The music was sent to me a few days ago (to learn) but I’ve been extraordinarily busy scoring series’ for the WIGS channel, recording and developing lessons for my video lesson website and figuring out what to do with this new album I have (currently lacking a label or funds to promote/tour it myself)…so…I was behind the curve in my preparations for this gig.
So I did it. I pulled into an empty parking lot in the valley, got out my soprano sax, and did a little shedding in the car. It was pretty cool. I think I’ll try it again.
Thanks for the idea, Marc!
When my band was on our last big tour (9 members, 3 cars, 10 days, 4 states) on of the longer legs the bari player pulled out some manuscript and just started writing. I asked what he was doing and he replied “composing, I try really hard to write ideas down in the car, and when I next get to an instrument I like to find out how close I got to what I hear in my head.” i can honestly say that guy writes some pretty interesting stuff. Since then, because I take a lot of public transport I like to do a lot of practice in my head where I really try and focus on taking what I hear in my head and try and translate it to my fingers- I try and do this in a few keys as well to assure that I’m not lying to myself. I’m sure it’s better with a horn in the hands but I don’t think other bus riders would enjoy listening to my practice – even if my neighbors lie to me and tell me that long tones and harmonics sound amazing.
I used to sit in class in high school and write things out on manuscript paper. I couldn’t wait to get home and see what all my theoretical lines sounded like.
You should’ve had a video or audio for it! That would be cool.
Maybe next time around. 🙂
For those who spend some time daily, driving in your car to work, here is a practice trick, for those, who do not know it by now, that will put to good use your travel time: Grab just your mouthpiece and earplugs. (extra set(s) if travelling with others). You can work on whole tones pp<ff, abbreviated scales, and play along with a tune on the radio/cd. A grat way to build & maintain your chops.
Hello everybody,
I’m so proud to have brought a useful idea to you Bob!!! I was so amazed seing the picture of you in the car with the soprano. To answer Jim, I have started to play just the mouthpiece, with ear plugs otherwise it would turn you duff, but it was a little bit boring, I found much more fun to play the soprano, there is so much you can do with the radio on or the metronome, at 60 of course…
I advise also to get some ear plug when playing the soprano, I think it’s better for your ears.
To answer Jeannie, so far I the only guy playing in my car, other read newspaper, smoke or ladies adjust their make-up !
Have fun in the car !!
Marc