In many tunes, there is a section known to musicians as 'The Bridge'. Usually it comes right in the middle of the tune - for example starting at Bar No. 17 in a 32-bar tune. Where the tune has an a-a-b-a structure, the Bridge is section 'b' and is also known as 'The Middle Eight'.
Sometimes, when bringing a tune to an end - and often following a vocal - the bandleader does not want to go right back to the beginning to play the whole thing yet again; instead, he or she prefers to finish off by playing just the second half. This means going back the the Bridge.
To signal this, the band-leader makes the shape of a bridge, using the fingers or the whole hand. Here's an example:
Here is Marla doing it:
And here is a fine example of Shaye (using forefingers to create a bridge) letting Max and Greg know they are to go back to the Bridge at the end of the chorus that is just finishing:
You can also see Shaye giving exactly the same signal and message at 3 minutes 48 seconds during this lovely performance filmed by my friend James Sterling:
CLICK HERE.
CLICK HERE.
