how do u guys prepare for a jazz perfomance the night AND the HOUR before the concert??

(there`s a lot of improvisation)


-Sue

Preparation for a jazz performance with a lot of improv takes place weeks and months before not the night or hour before the performance. It is what you do in the weeks prior to the performance that will actually show up because it will be already "under your fingers." There is no sense in cramming licks in the last day because you`ll end up thinking too much during performance and lose the whole concept of playing spontaneously.

On this note, what I do a night before a performance is fiddle around with certain changes and key signatures, but not necessarily the changes to the concert songs; I just try to go with the flow of what`s in my mind and not do any particular licks. One of the many beauties of jazz improvisation is the sense reacting spontaneously to the music, and that`s why I like to keep my mind clear before a performance.

I think it was Michael Brecker who said that he would practice a certain lick for two weeks, forget about it, and it will show up about 3 months later in a solo.

Dont change anything that you havent done in rehearsal. Last second changes in solos is a bad idea. Keep on breathing calmly and have fun. Oh and did i mention its a bad idea to change something at the last second....yea.....uh...have fun!