I feel it’s always good to stop music for a period. No other source of music is acceptable, even my own. Aaaaaah, The break is needed so that they can renew. and there are times when you should not let up.

The ability to feel the group you are playing for is prime. I do not have a set break time or playing time. I do what is required to keep the people at a high level. I had a night when I played for 2 ½ hours without a break, they were going crazy – no time to stop.

When I book a larger job (contract)–Wedding ect---, It’s 40 minutes on and 20 minutes off. The option for continuos music, 55 minutes on 10 minutes off is an extra charge. Even here if the people are into what we were doing there was no clock.

An experience: I played a job 40 on and 20 off – After three hours of playing there was not one dancer on the floor. I was at a loss, I didn’t know what to do next. In the forth hour one young couple began to dance, the music was a in a swing tempo --- and they were dancing a poorly executed BOX STEP. They were a religious group – they did not believe in dancing.

Know who you are, and relay on your ability to read the group that you are playing for. In my guitar playing days I remember controlling the body movements of the dancers with my guitar – I accented they moved – I got crazy, they got crazy. Wow, what power, it’s hard to be humble.

My thoughts, John C.


[This message has been edited by bruno123 (edited 08-21-2006).]