I am often asked if I can help a “play along” group sound better and how the leader can be more effective. I came up with this way of explaining the leader’s role:
Think of a sheepherder and his herder dogs. The role of the herder and his/her dogs is to keep the herd together. When a couple of sheep wander off, the herder’s job is to bring them back to the others. Without that control, soon the herd would split into smaller herds and become unmanageable. Their job is to have an overview of what’s going on, notice these things happening, and correct the problem before it becomes too big.
The herder knows which direction to take the herd, so he/she pays attention to their location so that the herd can be lead in the proper direction. He/she looks ahead and anticipates what is needed. As beautiful as the surrounding landscape may be – the sheepherder can’t kick back and enjoy the scenery as much as they’d like to, as their job is to keep a watchful eye on the herd.
So to the leaders of play along groups – remember that your job is to lead the group.
As you guide your players through the song, you need to be able to detect when one or two players stray from the beat or the arrangement of the song, and bring them back to the rest of the group. Sometimes a gentle reminder of “We’re at the chorus” will do, or some other indication of where they should be. Sometimes you need to indicate that everyone should vamp – repeat the main chord over and over – until order can be restored. Bring those stray sheep back to the herd so the larger group can continue on the right path.
Like the sheepherder that has to choose which valley to guide the herd to, your job is to anticipate the upcoming change from verse to chorus, and let everyone know what to expect. Sometimes it happens by itself, but at other times, everyone needs a cue. That’s your job.
As much as you’d like to get everyone started and then pick up your instrument and sing along – as leader, you need to stay on guard all the time. If you want a break to play and have fun – ask for someone else to lead.
This doesn’t mean that you can’t have fun and participate – it just means that your primary role is to lead.
Your herd depends on you.
Thoughts?
All In Good Time 
August 18, 2017 at 10:32 am |
Ages ago I lived on a huge sheep farm in NZ with 20,000 sheep. It was incredible to watch just 2-3 dogs work a group of sheep (a few hundred at a time). Each dog had a ‘job’ – one to lead the direction, one to follow behind the herd, and one to take off after that one or two sheep who decided to go elsewhere. They were commanded by distinct whistles of the shepherd for each dog, which direction to go, when to stop, etc.
I love your analogy because it fits! With one caveat…. once inside the next paddock, someone needed to close the gate, and much like a play along, having clear direction for the ending of a song can make all the difference in how it sounds. And, clean endings seem to make everyone smile and feel proud of what they just played!