Juke at a Jam
David,
What would you tell a pickup band if you were doing Juke? Just say "shuffle in E", count it off and go? That's what I did at a jam last night. It went really well and was a lot of fun. But I got a zz-top rock shuffle feel from the band when I was hoping for something ligther and jazzier.
Also would you give any kind of signals for the 5th chorus? It's not really a stop-time, but it almost feels that way. I could just improv something else for that chorus. It felt a bit odd with the band just plowing straight through that section. But I really like that chorus.
I've been asked to do it again on Sunday with a pro band. There won't be any rehearsal, but they're sensitive musicians with big ears so I'm trying to think of something concise but helpful to say before counting it off.
Steve
Thanks David. It sounds like it will be challenging to get the harp out of my mouth in time to say break on beat four but I'll work on it. Do I just signal for the break on bar 1 (beat 1)? Or should I try and signal to get the band to do their hits on the downbeats of bars 2 and 3 also? I tried signalling the breaks last night but nothing happened. ;)
It wasn't ugly last night - the drummer and keys were swinging for real, the guitar players were doing a more of a rock shuffle but keeping their volume down, the bass was decent, everyone was listening to me and trying to do something appropriate. But it was a jam session - not gonna be perfect. But the guys on Sunday, I know they can do it for real if I can bring it.
Steve
One more thing - how do you approach solos? I gave everyone a solo last night (it's a jam session) but that does make the song go on long. I felt like the crowd was really into it at first but interest started to wane as the solos went on, and then picked up at the end.
Steve
Very cool. The opportunity to play Little Walter material is 100% dependent on the band you're playing with... if they can swing, then you're good... otherwise, you get a heavy-handed approach to blues, like what you got, and most the time it's an ugly thing. "Juke" is a fairly safe song though, I'm glad you were able to make it work. Yes, say Shuffle in E from the One and count them in. Maybe you could say after that, "let's keep the volume down... light and swingin'."
I do recommend you signal the break, but it's challenging... you play the 6+ (with a little bit of 7+ or you can change it to an octave) on the "and" of 3 in Bar 12. Breaks usually have their emphasis on the downbeat of Bar 1 in the following chorus (where the band plays their hit for the break). This makes it tough to signal and play. Try playing your 6+ on the and of 3 and then on 4 say "break" and then continue playing your part... practice this with the original. While you do this, look at the band.
Fill me in on how this works Sunday!