In this blog post, Brian Jump explores the common failures of audience/performer interactions. He covers courtesies musicians owe audiences and ones that audiences owe musicians. To assuage this occasionally dysfunctional relationship, Jump offers a list of eight commandments to be observed while giving, watching, or paying for musical performances.
Introduction This blog post covers the practice of putting bread into musicians' jars. The first part is my opinion on gratuity. It explores when I think tipping is recommended, when I think it's not, and when I think it's obligatory. The second part is my consideration on the psychology of tipping. It explores tipping behavior through the lens of reciprocity. As always,... Continue Reading →
This month’s blog post is about my recent experience playing in a pit band. The gig, lasting a month, consisted of twenty-one rehearsal and eighteen performances over the course of two musicals: Alice In Wonderland and All Shook Up. For the first musical, Alice In Wonderland, I worked right from the piano-conductor score by making a harmonic... Continue Reading →
Introduction In this post, I've compiled a list of advice for the gigging musician. It's divided into three categories: (1) equipment and gear, (2) repertoire development, and (3) band dynamics. As a bonus, I've included a gig day checklist and a video tutorial. Equipment and Gear You should probably ditch your tuner. How else are... Continue Reading →
Introduction Everyone is happy, the band sounds great, you're playing fly lick after fly lick, your band-mates are amped up about the impending chorus, the crowd is digging your style—then, all-of-a-sudden... ...twang! Oh no! One of your strings has broken, and now you've got to deal with it. Most string-break stories go something like this:... Continue Reading →
Chasing the Chords 