Yet even all that study and memorization is not enough once on stage--improvisation is vital. When an actor casts a significant glance or points a finger, or hints at something through the shaking of a sleeve, or the stroking of a beard, the music must be spot-on to "bite the tail" --match the gesture with the appropriate sound effect.
但是上了台光憑死背還不夠，更要能隨機應變，當演員眼一瞥、手一指，或透過呼喊、抖袖、撩須等暗示，馬上就要能「咬尾」﹘﹘以適當的鑼鼓點銜接。對於兩者默契之重要，梨園甚至有此一說：武戲時如果鑼鼓點沒打好，有可能摔死演員。