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Chapter 13: Lovin’ It Live: A Jazz Concert Survival Guide
Throughout the course of a concert, you go through many emotions. So do
the musicians. What should you do to be sure you get the most from the
experience while showing the most respect for the players? I give you a few
basic tips in the following sections.
Respond appropriately to the music
You’re in a small recital hall with comfortable seats set on tiers with first-rate
sound and sight lines (for more info on the “perfect seat,” see “A Room with a
View [and Good Sound]: Assessing Venues” earlier in this chapter). But the
audience tends to be a little too conservative for your liking because when
the music gets hot, everyone sits in their seats like stone-cold marble statues.
Now, if I were a musician (well, a good musician), I would find it tough to rise
to the occasion. Many modern jazz players say that they’re proud that you
can hear jazz in concert halls once reserved for classical music. While your
behavior there may be more formal than in a club, musicians still need your
feedback.
So my first bit of advice is to respond to the music — out loud. Here are a few
examples:
� If a saxophonist plays a twisty line that gives you goose bumps, shout
out a word or two of encouragement.
� When the band gets grooving and the bass and drums lock into a solid
groove, clap your hands or stomp your foot in time, or at least wiggle
your head and shoulders.
� When a truly inspired performance comes to an end, be the first to get
on your feet and whistle or yell or clap. See yourself as a catalyst for
your section.
There are times when you should be quiet at a show too. If a solo pianist is
playing a soft, spacious ballad, try not to make noise: no whispering, talking,
cell phone ringing, seat squeaking — and especially no opening of candy,
gum, peanuts, or anything else that comes in that mortifyingly loud plastic.
Check the rules before you snap photos
Another question of etiquette is whether you can take photos at a concert. It’s
possible to sneak shots with a pocket digital camera, if you turn off the flash.
But you get better photos if you call the club or concert hall first and find out if
taking pictures is allowed. Most clubs and concert halls featuring well-known
jazz players probably won’t let you shoot. But smaller clubs may allow it.
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