 The Clarinet BBoard
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Author: allencole
Date: 2012-09-09 23:01
I'd be interested in knowing what break schedules are like for bands playing clubs or casuals in various areas. My understanding has always generally been:
2 hours - 1 10min break
3 hours - 2 15 min breaks
4 hours - 3 20 min breaks, or 2 30 min. breaks
6 hours - 5 30 min breaks
Trying to educate a bandleader who isn't used to gigging as we know it (don't ask, unless you have time on your hands) and there is no union agreement covering the work. (and please don't turn this into a Union pro/con thread)
I am not a union player, but would like to avoid undermining what I perceive as established working conditions.
What would YOU consider standard?
Allen Cole
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Author: David Spiegelthal ★2017
Date: 2012-09-09 23:13
I didn't realize it was so formal. Most of the groups I work with take about 15 minutes break after 45 minutes of playing, or maybe 20 minutes if we do an hour set --- pretty much irrespective of total gig length.
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Author: Katrina
Date: 2012-09-09 23:35
My band typically plays 45-50 minutes and then takes a 15 minute break regardles sof the length of the gig. This does occasionally vary based on the clientele, type of event, and energy of the crowd.
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Author: Merlin_Williams
Date: 2012-09-10 11:58
15 minutes of break time for every 45 playing.
Jupiter Canada Artist/Clinician
Stratford Shakespeare Festival musician
Woodwind Doubling Channel Creator on YouTube https://www.youtube.com/c/WoodwindDoubling
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Author: Nessie1
Date: 2012-09-10 16:07
I'd go along with this - one of the bands I'm in typically does two hours gigs but takes about 30 minutes off in the middle i.e two 45 minutes sets with a half hour break between them.
Vanessa.
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Author: allencole
Date: 2012-09-11 04:23
Okay, Vanessa's schedule wins!
This all started with a 2.5 hour gig where we took 5 minutes after the first hour, and then 10 after the second hour. The 10 I could live with but two hours solid of screaming klezmer with only 5 minutes in between--gotta stop that. (plus everything in the band but me is amplified and cranking)
Don't know about you all, but my town has seen an explosion of niche bands playing two-hour gigs in coffee shops, and the upcoming generation of musicians seems well-resigned to the poor pay. I don't see myself making a mint as a working clarinetist, but I see no reason to throw working conditions out the door with the money.
Thanks for your input.
Allen Cole
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Author: tictactux ★2017
Date: 2012-09-11 06:24
Besides - a break is not just meant for the players, the audience too needs one too every once in a while. Cheer with your friends without disturbing the music, respond to calls from Mother Nature, ...
I find loud conversations during a gig rude, so give those chatterboxes a break. :-)
--
Ben
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Author: Nessie1
Date: 2012-09-11 12:19
The kind of thing I am talking about is either an evening gathering where there may be a break for everyone, including the band, to get some refreshment or an outdoor summer event where there may be various other kinds of entertainment doing spots as well e.g we take a break and the morris dancers do their thing or whatever. Similarly, the band gets something to drink and eat.
Vanessa.
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Author: tictactux ★2017
Date: 2012-09-11 13:37
Oh, I was referring to Allen's niche bands doing two-hour sets in coffee shops.
I remember a one-week class in a remote hotel, and Sandor And His Huns were entertaining (cough) us every day during lunch break...
--
Ben
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Author: Carol Dutcher
Date: 2012-09-11 19:56
Our band does this.
1 hour, no break of course, but we always hang around and talk to people afterwards. It is nice for PR.
2 hours, we take a 10 or 15 min break depending on the response (good, 10 min. not so good, noisy, 15 min.) We still hang around awhile afterwards.
Since we do dixieland and front line does not play steadily, it is up to the rhythm section and piano player, and what they feel like. Sometimes our piano player, bless his heart, plays during the break. He will do boogie or ragtime.
Carol
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