This is an excerpt from my book, “The Useful Musician”. Available on Amazon
WHY IT MAKES YOU MORE USEFUL:
The parts you play will start fitting in better. Also, you’ll be easier to work with.
WHAT TO DO:
Dole out your clever stuff very, very sparingly. You’re not the smartest person in the band, you’re not the cleverest, and nobody cares about all the cool licks. Sorry to ruin your fun, but play what fits. Play what the song needs, what makes the song better. If you can do that AND be clever, well, take the occasional shot. Congregations don’t care about clever, dancers don’t care about clever—they just want something that moves them.
THOUGHTS:
I have played some really clever stuff onstage at clubs or churches, and watched as nobody noticed. My dance band would work hard at something really great, really hard to play, and then watch everyone head to the restroom, talk amongst themselves, order more drinks, etc.
Working hard to be clever will make you hard to work with, because the core of it is your own enjoyment, and not that of the listeners.
Jazz is different. There, you can clever it up to your heart’s content. You’ll also be playing to about 15 people and getting paid enough money to cover gas and pizza. In other words, it might be cool, but it’s not useful.
theusefulmusician.com 