Hand signals.

Song navigation:
Closed fist = take it out
Crossed fingers or touching the bridge of the nose = go to the bridge
Waving a finger in a circle in the air = take another solo/go around again
Pointing a finger at a player = you've got the next solo
Tap the top of the head = go back to the top/beginning of the song
Tap own chest (usually a singer) = I've got it/I'm taking a verse

Changing keys on the fly:
Make a "C" shape with your hand = key of "C"
One finger pointing down = 1 flat (2 down = 2 flats, etc)
One finger pointing up = 1 sharp (2 up = 2 sharps, etc)

Lol Chris!

robyn

My problem is when the leader of the group will decide to do a different song next than what is listed on "the list".  He will come over and have to SCREAM at me to be heard above the music, and I still can't hear him.  He's done this many times, I've told him I can NEVER hear him, so....

I just smile and nod my head.

we used to keep set lists A & B.

'B' was the default we went to if the first 3 tunes went over everyone's head. it guaranteed a steady stream of tunes in common time.

the hand signal was a whirling forefinger 'round the ear, to indicate 'these people are too dumb to get it!'

sadly, we had to default to B more often than not!

THANKS!  makes a LOT of sense ... that's what I was looking for.  I hope it goes over with the rest of the crew.

The band was playing to a packed house one weekend night - We had been in that place as the house band for 3 or 4 months when this happened, but the guitar player, a young stud (in his own mind) who had been subbing for the regular player for a couple of weeks got a terrible case of "I'm too cool/sexy/hip/good to pay attention.  He was a good player for sure, but this paticular night he drank way too much and was out to impress all the women in the world.  After several stupid stunts - jumping on a table next to the stage, trying to spin his guitar around his head, and almost strangling himself with the cord, etc. I had had it.  He got lost doing a long and loud guitar lead and I couldn't catch his attention to recover the train wreck.  I went off mic and yelled his name, which got everyone's attention but his, then threw my stick at him, bouncing it right off his head (I was mad, but I didn't mean to hit him in the head).  He was so shocked he just stopped playing and tripped over the cords falling on his a$$.  The keyboard player was watching and took over the lead and somehow we came together and slid into another song.  The three of us, bass, keys and drums, had played together for several years and it seems eye contact was all we needed and we pulled it off.  Mr. Guitar Wonderful got the message and mellowed out right away, ate some humble pie and profusely apologized after the set. 

This is not the best way to communicate, I'd rather have more subtle methods. 

I thought about that possiblity many time after that happened . . .  I realized I was probably not in a completely sober place either and was acting as out of control as the guitar player.  I determined never to let myself get in a head space like that again and I mean both drinking and getting mad . . . (and I haven't).