Fil
130 posts
Apr 04, 2016
6:35 PM
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What are the common hand signals for leading a band? I have a general idea of some, but would appreciate comments from more experienced folks. Also, counting in to start a song. And "from the V" and "from the IV"... What basics do I need for an open jam? Thanks.
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Phil Pennington
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Mirco
396 posts
Apr 07, 2016
7:04 PM
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I've never heard of a band starting from the IV. Most common openings are:
"all in" - everyone starts from the 1
"from the V" - everyone from the V
"from the turnaround" - everyone from the turnaround
Less common are things like:
"meet me on the..." - the bandleader will start wherever and then the band will join in on the specified chord
"stay/hang on the I" - the band will just vamp on the I, then start the form when the leader starts singing or playing
"four for nothing" - the band plays the I for four bars and then starts the 12 bar form
Your best success at a jam, if you are calling/leading the songs, is to pick things that are not too complicated. ("All in from the I.")
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Marc Graci
YouTube Channel
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MindTheGap
1432 posts
Apr 08, 2016
3:41 AM
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Thanks for this. I would still like to hear about hand signals. What I need is something for
- Please stop playing, it's someone else's solo
- Do that again (e.g. take another round of solo)
- Softer/louder. And 'much softer'.
- Slow down (either coz everyone's speeding up, or an actual rallentando)
- The end is coming up, get ready
- Stay on this chord
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Last Edited by MindTheGap on Apr 08, 2016 3:42 AM
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Killa_Hertz
974 posts
Apr 08, 2016
4:41 AM
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Hmm. Interesting. Maybe u should make them up? Idk just an idea.
A better idea may be to post this in the main forum. Those guys are surely better suited to answer. I'm interested to hear what they have to say regardless of if i have a use for them or not.
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Mirco
398 posts
Apr 08, 2016
4:34 PM
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I can help with some of these. I can share perspective of a West coast player, but some of these are different depending on location and your communication style.
Understand that, if you are giving the band signals, then you are either the songleader or the soloist. In no other situation should you signal the band.
-Do that again (take another 12): the soloist should be looking at you towards the end of the 12 bars. If I want them to keep going, I would nod at them and rotate my hand like you do when asking someone to elaborate on a point.
-Softer: Hand at your side, palm down. Maybe move it down several times. Also effective is using your body, like crouching down or hunching over.
-End is coming up: If you are the band leader, you should generally be facing the audience. Communicate the end is coming by turning to the the band. They'll see your shoulders pivot.
When you get to the very end, you're signalling some sort of a break by raising your hand slowly. Four beats before the break, begin raising your hand, and then bring it down on the break.
Stay on this chord- Raise your right hand with the appropriate number of fingers. Keep it up as long as needed.
In general, if this is not your band, keep things as simple as possible. At a jam, if a song requires something like vamping on the I or some weird breaks, tell the band beforehand.
Go to bluesharmonica.com and look at Dave's lessons on Performance Training.
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Marc Graci
YouTube Channel
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