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Grumps
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I found this from 2011 and dropped it in another thread, but figured it might be helpful elsewhere. These are my rules and what I've learned over the years sitting in with rock and pop bands. Some of these rules may in fact be helpful in other musical environments, but mostly they're geared for that unique opportunity saxophonists have playing more modern music.
Here we go...
I find that many rock groups that don't have a saxophone player will be happy to have a sax player sit in. If you're a good ear player and can follow some simple rules, you might find yourself up for an entire set or even more. Here's what I'd suggest for such situations:
1) As I mentioned earlier, don't just straight up ask to sit in. Catch the band during a break and be genuinely complimentary. Mention that you play, and if you've got a regular gig or group, you can drop a name or mention a club where you play. Don't make it seem like bragging though. Make it more matter of fact. If at this point they don't ask, "hey, do you have your horn with you?", then leave it be and enjoy the next set as a spectator.
2) Let the band pick the tune for you to come up on. If you can only play certain tunes and you want them to play one of the ones you know, or play in only certain keys... then you're not ready. It's rock and roll for cryin' out loud, and if you don't know the tune by ear, they're generally easy to pick up so long as you can play in standard rock keys (mainly E). When they ask what you can play, you answer "anything you guys want me to play on," otherwise keep your horn at home. Asking what key they do a song in is okay, but don't always expect a quick answer here and be ready to pick it up on the fly.
3) Unless you're playing a set horn part to a tune the band picks, ease into a song. Be sure not to play over vocals, and if you're going to add rhythm, don't dominate. If let's say there's a part, line or hook not being covered (let's say there's no keyboard player, but there's a keyboard line), blow that and you might get some looks from the group like, "hey, way to go man!".
4) Guitar players like to solo first, so don't be surprised if you don't get that first nod. When the guitar player solos (or anyone else, for that matter), take the mouthpiece away from your mouth, hold your horn and wait. Don't play rhythm, don't play background, don't play anything. Wait and be patient for your turn, and show some respect. This is very, very important.
5) When you get to solo, now you get to do your thing. Remember though, it's rock and roll. You can be jazzy, but don't play straight up jazz. Also, don't go out in the crowd or do anything stupid. Just play and get into it on stage. Be sure to listen to the group as they back you, and answer them if they give you some nice cuts. Be part of their group, as it's not your show. Also, when the tune comes to an end, don't steal the ending. Be prepared to lay back and hold an appropriate note, or not. Listen to what's happening and don't step on anything the group might be doing to end the song.
6) When your first song is done, thank the group and be prepared to walk off. Only stay if they mention another tune and say, "hey, can you play this?", or they otherwise keep you on the stage. If you get a second tune, be prepared again to leave the stage if need be when it's done. Only stay for more if you know for certain you're welcome to. If not, thank the band again and make a gracious exit. As with an audience, it's always better to leave them wanting more than having had too much of you.
I've been sitting in with rock bands since I was sixteen, and these are some of the things I've picked up over the last several decades. Sure, I learned the hard way at times, but the point is to learn that any band that let's you sit in is doing you an extreme favor. Be sure to show some appreciation and be aware that you're not overstepping any boundaries.
Here we go...
I find that many rock groups that don't have a saxophone player will be happy to have a sax player sit in. If you're a good ear player and can follow some simple rules, you might find yourself up for an entire set or even more. Here's what I'd suggest for such situations:
1) As I mentioned earlier, don't just straight up ask to sit in. Catch the band during a break and be genuinely complimentary. Mention that you play, and if you've got a regular gig or group, you can drop a name or mention a club where you play. Don't make it seem like bragging though. Make it more matter of fact. If at this point they don't ask, "hey, do you have your horn with you?", then leave it be and enjoy the next set as a spectator.
2) Let the band pick the tune for you to come up on. If you can only play certain tunes and you want them to play one of the ones you know, or play in only certain keys... then you're not ready. It's rock and roll for cryin' out loud, and if you don't know the tune by ear, they're generally easy to pick up so long as you can play in standard rock keys (mainly E). When they ask what you can play, you answer "anything you guys want me to play on," otherwise keep your horn at home. Asking what key they do a song in is okay, but don't always expect a quick answer here and be ready to pick it up on the fly.
3) Unless you're playing a set horn part to a tune the band picks, ease into a song. Be sure not to play over vocals, and if you're going to add rhythm, don't dominate. If let's say there's a part, line or hook not being covered (let's say there's no keyboard player, but there's a keyboard line), blow that and you might get some looks from the group like, "hey, way to go man!".
4) Guitar players like to solo first, so don't be surprised if you don't get that first nod. When the guitar player solos (or anyone else, for that matter), take the mouthpiece away from your mouth, hold your horn and wait. Don't play rhythm, don't play background, don't play anything. Wait and be patient for your turn, and show some respect. This is very, very important.
5) When you get to solo, now you get to do your thing. Remember though, it's rock and roll. You can be jazzy, but don't play straight up jazz. Also, don't go out in the crowd or do anything stupid. Just play and get into it on stage. Be sure to listen to the group as they back you, and answer them if they give you some nice cuts. Be part of their group, as it's not your show. Also, when the tune comes to an end, don't steal the ending. Be prepared to lay back and hold an appropriate note, or not. Listen to what's happening and don't step on anything the group might be doing to end the song.
6) When your first song is done, thank the group and be prepared to walk off. Only stay if they mention another tune and say, "hey, can you play this?", or they otherwise keep you on the stage. If you get a second tune, be prepared again to leave the stage if need be when it's done. Only stay for more if you know for certain you're welcome to. If not, thank the band again and make a gracious exit. As with an audience, it's always better to leave them wanting more than having had too much of you.
I've been sitting in with rock bands since I was sixteen, and these are some of the things I've picked up over the last several decades. Sure, I learned the hard way at times, but the point is to learn that any band that let's you sit in is doing you an extreme favor. Be sure to show some appreciation and be aware that you're not overstepping any boundaries.
