I am wondering if it depends on the age of the dancers ?
younger audiences seem to need the loud music, thumping bass, lights, etc.
Older people just seem to need the music, sometimes just the music in their hearts.

Dave,

I was wondering what all those folks were doing on the dance-floor! I guess I'll have to re-think my performance strategy.

Cheers,

Gary

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Travlin' Easy

AGe has a HUGE effect on the acceptance factor with electronic musicians. There is no doubt that the 20-30 yr olds are less likely to dance to an arranger pattern with out enough "influence" ..... alcohyl, mating rituals etc.
With age comes wisdom ........ and tolerance ..... and tact.
At least, one HOPES!

By asking for directions.



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Khoi huk ngam sud tee huk kon diow.

every aturday night i jam using my Korg arranger with alive bassist live guitarist live sophonist and another keybosrd. Usually i only use the drums,percusion and horns tracks on the arranger.So long as every one hears the drum tracks and follows my lead it all works great.

...not the way I heard it !
( not sure what you said next .... wanna translate. please? )

There is something about the self-sufficiency of arrangers that tempt many of us to go solo and try to make ALL the money! But the cost, IMHO, is too great. Music is a form of communication, and the audience is the LAST in the chain.

First of all, the communication between the musicians is the one thing that turns a sterile rendition of a tune (you've got to play up a storm to cover up the endless repetition of the short arranger patterns) into a musical conversation that will be different every time you play, and hold the interest of an audience. Especially a repeat audience, that has heard you once already......

Secondly, a musical partner (enough of this talk about hiring sidemen, try to find a partner that you respect) will challenge you, take you places, musically, that you don't go by yourself, and introduce you to songs and even styles that you wouldn't touch by yourself.... All important things if you wish to grow and improve as a musician.

And finally, strength through numbers! Two makes moving PA and heavy keyboards a lot easier, two makes negotiating with management easier (harder to intimidate BOTH of you!), two halves the workload on your voice, two makes poxy vocal harmonizers less necessary.....

And don't forget, your arranger is STILL a very capable regular keyboard, splits and layers, forget about it! There's no reason (unless you really AREN'T playing well enough to cut it!) to not take it and play with a full band every now and again. It is all to easy to forget what TRUE music making is, the more you understand your role in a real band, the easier it is to play what is appropriate when you ARE playing solo.

No man is an island...... don't wall yourself off from the real reason you went into music in the first place - the camaraderie and joy of playing music with others......

I LOVE playing solo...30 years of playing in groups has been enlightening for the most part, but it hardly compares to the joy of being in complete control.

I have on several occasions, worked with a sax player, and a few times with a guitarist, but I didn't buy my arranger to play with other musicians...I bought it so I could play solo.

Sure it's lots of fun to jam with others, and I have done it many times, but for paying gigs, I would think it a bit foolhardy to gig without several rehearsals...and that creates complications.

I'm more interested in making a living at this, and, with the way clubs are paying nowadays, the more people in the band means less money in the pocket.

Kudos to those who can afford it, and have the luxury of great players they can call upon and who can fit in perfectly at a moments notice....whatever floats your boat.

I've always been a loner, and I can do without the camaraderie...I didn't get into music for that reason...I got into it because it was a passion...and a way to get girls.

Keeping it simple with a lightweight arranger and sound system has made it a profitable and rewarding experience for me.


Ian

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Remember to leave good news alone.

I get SO many offers from other musicians to "work together". Sax men, guitar players, drummers, singer, etc. While I am a little flattered, the real reason they are wanting to do this is because I'm working, and they, for the most part, aren't. In other words, they need me to make a duo, but I don't really need them. Even if I were able to double my price, it is still a lot harder to accommodate another picker than it is to do a solo. Also, most would want an even split, even though I would be making the bulk of the music, supplying the pa, getting the bookings, etc.
I do enjoy interacting with other musicians, I just have found I make more money going it alone, and with less work involved. When a job demands an extra body or two, I just hire a sax player of guitar player for a set fee, usually $100. and keep the rest myself. It's my profession, but a sideline for most musicians. I've found I can get really talented sidemen for very little money. (But I do like to be fair with them).
So when I am approached by another musician, I now tell them, "Sure, my minimum price is $___. Let me know when you book something for us and I'll check my calendar."
DonM