The Care and Feeding of Your Improv Musician

by Stan and Gina Serafin

So you got your troupe a musician.  This is a great responsibility and before you get your musician to your stage, you may need to “Musician-proof” your set.  Musicians often want to explore every corner of your house, and they usually want to put everything into their mouths.  Feeding is easy, as most musicians will eat almost anything (especially if it’s free).  Once you have taken care of these basic needs, you can simply adhere to the following tips to see your musician grow and flourish with your troupe.

1) Include the musicians in the warm-up.

While individuals may have pre-game rituals, it really is helpful to establish a sense of ensemble with the musical improvisors.  Start to view musicians not simply as accompanists, but as an extension of your group or even as additional cast members with whom you can interact.  Including them in a "group" warm-up helps to solidify a performing relationship.  Every instrument requires a particular warm-up, and you should be respectful of that warm-up and allow time for it.  If the musician asks for a few seconds of silence to tune their instrument, they will be eternally grateful.

2) Give them a set list.

They may glance at it once and never look again, but once is all it takes to cut out variables of miscommunication.  If they are relatively new to your group, you may want to explain each format to them so that there are no surprises for them during the show.  Extend the courtesy and it will be greatly appreciated.

3) Listen for musical offerings.

When a troupe member makes an offer, you have to make judgments as to the scene’s direction.  When a musician plays a passage, it is not simply the sonic tapestry behind which you are performing.  It represents real possibilities upon which to act.  Extending creative license to the musicians to work beyond the realm of incidental music can open up great possibilities.  That might include verbal banter, or even sound effects.

4) Ask for what you want.  Praise what you like.

"This theater has the acoustics of a bathroom, and we can't hear ourselves.  Can you lower the volume tonight?" ...  "I liked it when you played the theme from Sanford and Son during the Junkyard scene".  Mention to the musicians the details that are important to you.  "Notes" can apply to everyone.  Respect the musician’s ability to make musical judgement calls, but make sure they know that you have important things to say although you might not be musically trained. 

5) Introduce the musicians.

If there's a whole lotta lovin' going on during curtain calls, don't forget to spread the wealth of applause to your musicians.  If the musicians did their share, don't forget to have the audience "give it up for the band".

6) Include your musicians in your program with their bio.

Everyone appreciates seeing his or her name in print.  While musicians may not expect to see their name next to yours, they will certainly appreciate the courtesy of having their name and bio listed if you offer programs.  Not only does it verify their work, and offer a bit of press, but it shows that you respect the artistry that they bring to your show.

7) Talk shop.

It will become clear that there is a common language between your group and your musicians.  Let them in on your techniques, your philosophy, and your point of view.  They may readily do the same.  While musicians use musical language, you have improv and theater language.  In the end, performing artists are performing artists.  When connections are drawn, performances improve on a collective level.

8) Pay them.

We are all in it for the artistic gratification, but no one will ever turn down cab fare when they have equipment to carry.  Many musicians are in unions and are used to being paid.  Therefore, even if they “did you a favor,” the smallest monetary gesture could serve as a giant token of appreciation.

9) Invite them to join any group activity after the show.

Your improv musician may have another gig to run to, but on the other hand there is nothing like celebrating with a great group of people who just put on a great performance.  For that matter, the end of any performance is a good excuse to hang.  Many troupes may think that the musicians are wont to do their own thing, and while that may sometimes be true, bonding is important to any performance scenario.

10) Don't forget to "thank the musicians".

If you have responsibly paid attention to the first nine items, your improv musicians probably feel like a part of the family rather than hired help.  Thanking them is the simplest but most effective thing you can do to keep your musician with the group.

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