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kevin
Total Posts: 86
Joined 11-13-2003 status: Experienced |
Hey Everyone, I’m wondering if anyone could shine some light on the subject of horn player breaks for me. I play in a seven-piece classic rock horn band where the horn guys, although very talented, are a bit up in age and having a bit of trouble getting through a 60-90 minute set without the band playing a 4-piece song or two to give them a break. This is the first real horn band I’ve played with. I don’t have a problem with this but was wondering if this is common with most horn bands. This is pretty much a part time band. Do the big acts give their horns a break? I believe the band Chicago does one or two non-horn songs in their sets.
Thanks for any input.
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Bad_Mister
Total Posts: 36620
Joined 07-30-2002 status: Moderator |
There are general rules for music performance - But no one (and I mean no one) wants to play 60-90 minutes without a break. Standard gigs have sets that are divided into 40 minutes ON and 20 minutes breaks. That’s considered a typical set. Not only humane for the musicians who have to play, but for the listeners who also require a sonic break. That said, mileage varies band to band, you probably should just work it out with the musicians involved. |
milari
Total Posts: 179
Joined 01-25-2009 status: Pro |
Yea dude I use to get mad because I did 90 minutes and they did 60 and the set list would have them sit out every other song and this was a 20 something year old band. What we made them do is rap, pay precussion etc until a real horn song like “doin the butt” came up |
kevin
Total Posts: 86
Joined 11-13-2003 status: Experienced |
Thanks for the responses. I don’t want to go off-topic so quickly on this post and would still like input on my original request for experience with horn player breaks. I just want to address the 40 on 20 off thing. I did it for many years. THAT was nice. Most summer festivals however, are now running band after band and are requiring one 75 or 90 minute set from each act. The bars also seem to be leaning towards two 75 or 90 minute sets rather than three shorter ones. I guess their thinking is that when the band stops, people leave. I’ve attempted to explain to several club owners that there is another side of the coin. During breaks we don’t hide backstage or outside. We use the break time for some PR work. We walk the crowd and personally thank those who came out to hear us. We promote ourselves as well as comment on how “nice this club is”. Please keep the responses to my original question coming.
Thanks
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Bad_Mister
Total Posts: 36620
Joined 07-30-2002 status: Moderator |
That’s why there’s a musician’s union. Yeah it is off topic, sorry. People leave when the music stops, hmmm. That’s not a good excuse - tell the owner. |
kevin
Total Posts: 86
Joined 11-13-2003 status: Experienced |
Unions are good but I’m in a large metro area. The club owners own the rules. If you don’t want to do two long sets, another band will and you won’t work. |
jan bruijn
Total Posts: 4952
Joined 04-30-2005 status: Guru |
Playing 60 or 90 minutes without a break is insane. Horn plays need to rest there lips and mouth now and then otherwise the embouchure get ruined. Jan |