1.    No drum solos longer than one bar, unless the band leader is a world famous drummer

2.    Smooth jazz without vocals equals elevator music

3.    Play to enjoy – not to impress

4.    Beginnings and endings are all that really matter – make them awesome

5.    Keep it simple and with feeling – making music isn’t a NASCAR event

6.    Unless your Sinatra, keep the melody within the measures

7.    Feature only one solo instrument per song unless they’re only a few bars each – otherwise solos start sounding the same in every song

8.    Songs should never be longer than five minutes – learn more songs – keep the music fresh – its more fun for both the musician and the listener

9.    Introductions must be kept to a minimum – your there to make music not conversation

10.    Play songs that are easily recognized – well known vocals played instrumentally work out well – self written music unless spectacular in both melody and arrangement is not enjoyable

11.    Sets containing no vocals are boring and begin to all sound the same

12.    No practicing on stage – keep your instrument silent between songs