My first blues band gig

[-TH]

Well.. took me awhile and some courage to post these clips here. I had my first blues gig last november and I want some constructive criticism. There are two video clips from that gig. First one is a band introduction - funk and the other one is a blues solo.. Don't hit me hard ;-) I want to develop and hear some opinions.

www.tpu.fi/~h2theino/introduction.mpg
www.tpu.fi/~h2theino/blues_solo.mpg

Cheers,
-TH

[-TH]

Those video clips were too huge so the same stuff is here with audio only.

www.tpu.fi/~h2theino/introduction.mp3
www.tpu.fi/~h2theino/blues_solo.mp3

-TH

[Frank D]

Nice playing on the blues solo. If I walked into a club and heard you playing, I'd stick around.

[Dog Pants]

TH, I agree with Frank. Nice job! Sounds like a decent crowd too! We're you nervous as all hell, or was it like when you hop in the ring and all the nerves are forgotten once your nose gets smashed.... so to speak? Frank, if I walk into the bar and your already there, will you save me a seat mate? Sounds a little crowded from the audio. BTW I think it's your shout too. :D

[Frank D]

I'll save you a seat and buy you a beer, but the next round's on you, DP.

[rcwjd]

Th

Sounds to me like you had all the ingredients - altissimo, timing, nice growl here and there, a crowd into it - good time for all. :)

[-TH]

Thanks guys for encouragement! I really enjoyed playing in a blues band. My point is that I'm a "novice" blues sax player and I want to learn more. All the time I was trying to avoid those bebop-licks and play as "simple" as possible using just the basic blues-scale. I guess a good blues solo is about good feeling (soul) and timing. I have a bad habit of playing too much and being nervous when soloing. I guess that's just a matter of time and experience. The guitar player that night was HOT! He even played with his teeth ;-) Ouch. I have to grab some good blues recordings and start working with those. I guess there won't a time when a player is fully satisfied with his playing: this is a life-long learning experience.

-TH

[Steve on the web]

-TH : You're too humble. My ears tell me it's NOT a "novice" sax player's sound! "Simple"? Yes. But it's more powerful than a flash lick!

Good soul you get it. Bring it on! :o

[-TH]

Thanks Steve!

Humble?! Yes! That's me! I started playing the sax in 1996 and the first five years were time of fast development but now the last few years I've stucked in to a certain level. I want to learn more and I don't know what to do. This bothers me! I was hoping to get some ideas or comments about on what area to concentrate next. This was my first blues gig and for the next gig I want to get some new ideas. If that solo would have been a bit longer I would have ran out of ideas very soon..

Cheers,
-TH

[-TH]

In other words I used all my "weapons" (all the blues cliches that I know) in that one minute solo ;-(

-TH

[rcwjd]

TH-

Join us over on the large thread in this forum. You will be surprised at what you can pick up by participating in the "song of the week." If you don't believe it, go back to the first page or two and listen to a couple of the postings, and then listen to the same people now. We use blues scales all of the time - even if they don't sound like "gut-bucket" blues. They can translate to the type of blues you posted to give you some additional ideas. Check out Bayview's switchboard on his website. You find a wide range of blues based tunes there played by several contributers per tune. I'll bet you can get some good ideas to carry over into your own pursuits. :)

[Keith Ridenhour]

TH , you are a good player and have alot of chops and "tricks" licks at your disposal. Your challange (in my opinon) will be to save your technique and all the standard blues licks for later in your solo. Advice is cheap so here goes. First, try to state an idea and then develop it. You played alot of nice standard blues licks and then I waited for you answer yourself but you'd jump on to the next idea. You play nice stuff so don't be afraid to use your idea as a jumping off point for development. Second, your tone is real nice. Use it . Don't be afraid to play a slower idea that actually hangs on a note. When I heard your solo, I got the impression that you were additioning for a band and playing every lick you ever heard. Also, save your fast runs and the alt stuff for your third and fourth chorus as you build your solo. Just hearing this little snip I can tell that your time, tone and intonation are good so that is at least 70% of whats happening. I personally like your sound better than my own, and think that you have faster chops than I do so I'm just treating you like a friend. You sound good and can sound great with a few changes. K

[Keith Ridenhour]

PS, my email at pacbell is messed up so if you want more detailed information try kride18576@yahoo.com

[electricninja]

In other words I used all my "weapons" (all the blues cliches that I know) in that one minute solo ;-(

-TH

LOL

I know how that feels.