How does one start the first steps of playing in public....

[EFlat]

I want to start checking places and doing some trial by fires. But I need to start real slow...take some baby steps.

Any advice on how to get in on the scene w/o making a complete fool of yours truly....?

Thanks.

[Sigmund451]

Im starting to wonder the same thing in the comming year. My thinking is to hook up with someone with a little more experience (like on piano) and check out local coffee shops...many are nonpaying gigs but its a start. You can go to jam sessions but some of those can be pretty intimidating.

[BlueNote]

Lol.. my first time playing in public -- aside from school concerts -- was at a jam session with professionals. However, the place was empty, so it was a little less stressful... and there were only 5 musicians, and it was the house band (where I met my private teacher), and only 2 listeners, who were in the bar, so they weren't really keyed it.

I would go with the coffee shop thing like Sigmund mentioned. No one is really paying attention to what you do. And even if they are paying attention, you'll sound great to their ears (assuming they aren't experienced jazz musicians listening).

I would also recommend trying to do some busking (playing with a friend or two out on the sidewalk at some outdoor market, case open for tips from passerbys), but I would give that second thoughts because it is pretty cold out, and there is nothing worse than playing with stiff fingers and the wind blowing all around.

[Dave Wright]

HI Eflat
The worry of making a fool of yourself is always much greater than the reality of it happening. Try to relax and remind yourself why you're doing it - because you love it. 99.99 percent of people you will ever play in front of in public will not be to your standard on the saxophone and therefore not in a position to judge or for you to worry.
Jams might be a good place to start, and if you want to take a short solo and hide behind the speaker to start with then do it there are no rules. Like you said- take some baby steps and it will get easier.
Most importantly enjoy it, magical things can happen playing live.
Couple of beers never went a miss either.
Cheers