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Originally Posted by talcito Hi Wilmer:
This weekend I had four grueling "salsa" gigs in NYC(the bands were so loud you may have heard the gigs at your home in Brooklyn  ). I made it thru these gigs without any problems.
However for the last two days I sound just terrible. I have all this "dirt" in my sound---Its as though someone put peanut butter in my leadpipe. If I had any gigs today or recordings I would be in deep trouble.
I have two questions for you. First, what is the quikest way to recover from these type of "heavy blowing" gigs and secondly how do I avoid "blowin out" my chops in the first place.
Thank you! |
I wish I could offer an elixir to instantly give you an extra octave or lots more dbs of volume, but I can't.
That Clint Eastwood line about knowing your own limitations comes into play.
I worked with "Old Man" Lamar Wright in a show band in Atlantic City. We played three shows a night and on Saturday, four shows. The fourth show started at 7 am Sunday morning. Each show was preceded by a dance set. Lamar was as strong at 7 am as he was at 10 pm earlier that evening. Oh, and Lamar was in his mid sixties. I was a teen aged kid.
I watched him like a hawk. How could he be so fresh......and so old? I was playing a Bach 1. That was mistake number one. I was playing everything too loudly,I was a very macho kid. Lamar reminded me that I had Con Edison on my side and to use my head.
Cat Anderson was working on the same gig. Cat was playing with an organ group in the front bar of the club.
When our show finished, the patrons were funneled into the room that Cat's band was playing. Lamar was playing so hot that Cat refused to start until we had left the bandstand.
Lamar showed me by example that efficiency and intelligence is the answer to all endurance questions.
I changed to a Bach 3C. I started shaping phrases. I listened to the lead, and tried to compliment his playing rather than bury it. I played smarter.
That is my answer............You MUST always think before you play.
Wilmer