Barley Nectar
859 posts
Jul 23, 2015
1:36 PM
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When in foreign territory, how do you approach a band that you would like to do a couple of songs with?
I usually start by asking about the bands gear at break. This tells the band member, preferably front man, that you have a clue. Afterwords ask if the band welcomes sit-ins. I'm pretty straight forward on this. If you look confident and smile, you have a good shot at getting up there. I usually say, ' and don't give me any slow freekin blues" when I get up. I don't mind slow blues, it's the generalization that bugs me. Sometimes this happens on the last set. That way if you suck, there is no harm done to the band. I understand this. This kind of stuff can lead to all kinds of opportunities. If things don't look good where you are. Move on and try again. Whether you get in or not, you have fun, hear some good music and meet people.
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Goldbrick
1073 posts
Jul 23, 2015
2:03 PM
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Thats interesting. Unless I know you - if its a paying gig you are not sitting in. Too many surprises and they are usually bad,
If its a festival type thing and we know you are a musician and you have your own stuff - just ask during the last set.
I personally never understood the desire to sit in with musicians who are working and dont know you.
Its like asking a mechanic if you can change a few spark plugs while you are waiting for your oil to be changed
I guess its because I am a drummer and everybody " thinks" they can play drums.
Was at a gig one time where a stranger asked to sit in on guitar-our guitarist wanted to catch a smoke so handed him his tele. Big mistake- the guy rips into a bend a pops the E string.
Good thing he had a back up guitar - or we woulda been screwed
I feel like if you wanna jam with new people there are lots of open mics around
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1847
2594 posts
Jul 23, 2015
2:17 PM
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Its like asking a mechanic if you can change a few spark plugs while you are waiting for your oil to be changed
i took my car in for an oil change once, it was a Vietnamese auto repair by my house.
they charged me $15.00 dollars to change the oil and a new filter, they gave me 3 beers while i was waiting.
sadly they did not let me help lol
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Barley Nectar
860 posts
Jul 23, 2015
2:45 PM
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I see nothing wrong with asking to sit in. Paying gig or otherwise. I am polite and respectful. If denied, that's cool. Nothing ventured, nothing gained!
Plenty of jams around...Not here...BN
Last Edited by Barley Nectar on Jul 23, 2015 2:47 PM
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Goldbrick
1074 posts
Jul 23, 2015
3:04 PM
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I can tell you in the Miami area lots of the paying gigs have dried up. Those that are still here pay about 1/2 of what they used to or want a guarantee of a following.
Two places that were here forveree- Tobacco Road and Churchills Pub have closed in the last year
But any night of the week you can find a blues open mic or karaoke.
Bar owners have found they can get free entertainment
Very discouraging
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TetonJohn
254 posts
Jul 23, 2015
4:34 PM
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I do think this is better: Don't ask.
At a gig a couple of weeks ago there was a guy from out-of-town who came over and made it clear he was a harp player and not a beginner; we talked harp-specific amps and such and his band from back home. That was fine; I thought he showed maturity and grace by not asking to play (perhaps he didn't even want to). We could have asked him if we wanted; he created the opening, that's enough.
Edit: This is not how I felt in my 20's when I was drinking most of the time -- and not in a band. :-)
Last Edited by TetonJohn on Jul 23, 2015 4:37 PM
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Littoral
1275 posts
Jul 23, 2015
6:28 PM
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TetonJohn, " I thought he showed maturity and grace by not asking to play (perhaps he didn't even want to)." I've been on both sides of that. I really don't sit in unless I know people and then it's one of the main reasons I'm there. I walk in and usually get a shout from stage to get the crowd fired up. Exceptions are when there's a good group at a venue I know but they don't know me. I'll never, ever, push it with the more likely option being that someone else will recommend me to the band and they may ask if I want to sit in. I will, if they can play, but I also don't want to get in the middle of a bunch of noise that can't be rescued.
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Prento
5 posts
Jul 23, 2015
7:16 PM
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I had a guy in a cowboy hat come and ask me if he could play some harp once. I said sure, what keys have you got?
He said none, so I said you're not spitting in mine then.
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LittleBubba
322 posts
Jul 24, 2015
8:41 AM
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Everybody's different, but I would never ask to sit in with a gigging band I didn't know... especially if they play very organized sets with little transition or "dead time" between tunes. I don't wanna impede the flow of their set, or the order of the setlist.
Also, I try to avoid getting up with a band who has a harp player that may not be all that good. I would never want to "show up" their harp player when it's his gig. There's plenty of opportunities to play that don't involve putting an unknown band on the spot.
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dougharps
976 posts
Jul 24, 2015
9:42 AM
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This is my take. Opinions may vary.
These days there are a number of local bands in my area who know me and invite me to sit in some during gigs. They also may ask local guitar heroes or singers to come up for a song or two during their gig. It adds spice to the show.
Before I became known locally sometimes another local musician who knew me (as well as knowing the band) would approach the band and introduce me as being competent, sometimes leading to me sitting in. We have a pretty close knit music scene here. Gradually I became known to at least one or two members of many of our local bands. This did not happen overnight. I had to continue to demonstrate that I added to the music and did not overplay.
When I sat in with Nigel Mack YEARS ago (not 10 or 12 years as I mentioned on another thread, maybe even 15 years ago or more??? Time flies...), he was previously unknown to me, and me to him. A local musician who knew him approached him before his last set to ask about having me sit in. Nigel had me up for a song near the end of the night. He kept me up for a couple more. It was great fun. He was complementary after the gig. He played better than I did, but I played competently, and we had some good exchanges, trading licks. It added to the show. The venue is no longer open and he doesn't tour here anymore.
Unless you have played harp professionally and have your own rep, or have a good introduction from someone the band knows and trusts, I wouldn't advise approaching touring pro acts (who don't know your ability) to ask to sit in. Gigging is all about the band maintaining and building its own reputation and satisfying the venue by putting on a good show for the audience.
Sitting in with Nigel and his band was a great opportunity in my musical development, and I owe thanks to the musician who introduced me, and I owe thanks to Nigel for taking a chance. Any band who invites an unknown harp player to sit in is definitely taking a chance!
Why should they risk their reputation unless they know you will add to the music?
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Doug S.
Last Edited by dougharps on Jul 24, 2015 9:46 AM
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Coyote
3 posts
Jul 24, 2015
2:09 PM
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Don't even ask. It makes you look like a loser. Save the bandleader the awkward embarrassment of telling you "No."
Sit-ins at gigs are for talented friends and touring pros. Go to a jam if you want to play with strangers. There are certainly lots of blues jams out there.
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6SN7
562 posts
Jul 24, 2015
2:15 PM
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Well BN, the questions needs to be asked, do you front your own band? Do you book gigs? Do you rehearse with that band? Are you a serious player who is going to make me and my band sound good or are you a show off?
This is the stuff I'd be more interested in, not you impressing me with gear knowledge. Heck, buy me a drink, compliment the band, whatever, but talk gear?
And if someone said to me, no freaking blues, who are you to set the agenda? NO sir, you play when I point to you, don't effing 'guss/wheeze/ overplay during others solos and don't you dare play while I sing. And you better play as an ensemble, support the other players and don't show off. Make ME sound good.
But if you insist on doing it,here's how I would swing it, make a connection with the other band. Know some one in the band or some one else that would know them. Frankly, the only way I have done this is by attending open jams through my area. I have sat many a long night waiting for my 3 songs and then played. And of you are good, well, the next time you will get placed with the better bands. And meet better musicians, and start networking. Make a personal connection with me, I don't a hoot if you own a 59 bassman or use a fancy pedal.
Last Edited by 6SN7 on Jul 24, 2015 4:08 PM
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drevv
3 posts
Jul 24, 2015
3:11 PM
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I think the best way is just to make as many connections and networking. My brother is a respected guitarist in the area so maybe it's been easy for me to jump up at some of his gigs.. but then again the most recent band he joined was after I invited him to come jam at their drummer's house.. Now they've got a great guitarist and I get invited up at most of their shows I'm able to attend.
That being said I'm a new player, in a lot of ways I think I'm just starting to be able to really 'play' so I try hard to not step on toes and am grateful for the opportunity.
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Barley Nectar
863 posts
Jul 24, 2015
6:39 PM
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do you front your own band? NO
Do you book gigs? No
Are you a serious player who is going to make me and my band sound good Yes
I have set in with a lot of bands that did not know me. They took a chance. They were not disapointed. I am invited back.
6SN7, you would not hear me play in your band, I can tell this by your response. But that's OK, I would probably enjoy the show...BN
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6SN7
564 posts
Jul 25, 2015
4:55 AM
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My response was not much different than a number of others here, Sure, i was a bit strident in my response, but hopefully I gave you a perspective to think about. I probably would enjoy talking to you very much.
Last Edited by 6SN7 on Jul 25, 2015 5:59 AM
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Littoral
1276 posts
Jul 25, 2015
7:11 AM
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hmm, I looked this over again and determined that there are a bunch of nice people around here. 6SN7 was the first one to be, more direct. BN, when I re-read your post what I get is you fishing for a chance to get on stage. I certainly get that but 6SN7's point is essentially about it being his band and they have a job to do. How is it that you can actually help? You can certainly screw it up. If you're really good it can make things more fun but that's about it.
Sitting in is all I got these days so I appreciate the question. Often it's almost a no win situation. One band in particular is really good and they'd like me to play often but can't afford to hire me unless it's a special event. I'm looking to find something steady, sure would help if I could sing.
And on talking gear. If you emphasise gear to me that's a red flag. And if you say anything close to "don't play no freaking slow blues" then I'd offer a polite version of no thanks. Although, if I have more time and plenty to drink I might be follow my mental WTF with wondering how someone could possibly not want to play Lonely Avenue or Double Trouble or St James Infirmary or I'll Take Care of You...?
Asking would be rhetorical, (much like what I've written here) because if a reasonable answer was likely you'd never have said it.
Last Edited by Littoral on Jul 25, 2015 8:26 AM
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LSC
737 posts
Jul 25, 2015
5:10 PM
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Back in the day, when I would change towns/countries a lot, it would be difficult as a harmonica player to find someone to play with when you were new to town and didn't know anyone. So if I heard a band I liked and I thought I could add something to the party I'd ask to sit in. But there are a few sort of "rules".
1) Be prepared to take no for an answer and to smile, say, "I understand. Like what you do. Have a good one."
2)Be good enough that you can actually add something. With harp it's pretty black and white. They'll either give you the,"You suck," look or be grinning all over the place and ask you to do another one. You should be very confident what the reaction will be.
3)Be prepared to get off after the first one and no more than a second if asked.
4)If asked what you want to play, unless you're a very good singer and know some standards, leave it to the band leader but be sure to have a few basic keys. If you're only carrying one key be sure to tell them what key you need the tune to be in. Sometimes they will try to tell you what key harp and tell you that is the key of the song. Like, "It's in C," When really it's in G.
If you are hip to these guidelines and find yourself wanting to ask, wait for a break to ask. Don't interrupt if the guy is obviously taking care of business.
I carry a folding harp case which contains 14 instruments, 7 on a side. All the same brand. All lined up with their shiny chrome cover plates. Looks like a surgeons kit. I'd walk up with a "Hi", or "Excuse me. Like what you do. I play these." I would then flip open up the case which lets the guy have a hint I'm serious and then before he can actually reply I'd say, "I promise not to embarrass you." If that is a true statement, it usually opens the door.
If you're then invited, don't be an ass, don't step on the vocals and remember less is more.
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LSC
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LSC
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Dr.Hoy
80 posts
Jul 25, 2015
5:55 PM
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I suppose it depends upon the situation, but I must admit that, to me, it seems a bit presumptuous, if not completely unprofessional, to ask a band to let you, a complete unknown quantity, get up on stage and perform with them at their gig.
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indigo
133 posts
Jul 25, 2015
6:31 PM
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As a harp player in bar bands i used to get approached quite often by guys asking to sit in.Usually they were drunk or stoned and clutching a beat up hohner bluesband or similar.You never seem to get guitarists walk into a bar clutching a guitar and asking to play.
Anyways after a couple of bad experiences we decided no more sit ins.Those guys were really bad.Dylan harp over Born in Chicago anyone?
Then one night while i was indisposed in the toilet during a break (bad curry) our singer arranged for friend of a friend harp player to get up on our next set.
Guy looked and acted a bit dodgy to me but i wasn't feeling the best so i let it go.
Well if there is only one thing worse than a crap harp player playing your role...it is when the guy kicks your ass.
Play ? Jeez he sounded like William Clarke on one tune and Big Walter on another.
To add to the humiliation he spurned my G/B and valve amp set up and just played through the stage SM 58 to the PA.
If he had been a local instead of a tourist i'd of been out of a job.('cept i owned half the PA)
Moral of the story? If you are a harp player either option can go bad.
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shadoe42
326 posts
Jul 26, 2015
12:43 PM
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I have on occasion asked to sit in for a tune or two but never the first time I see someone and most times not even the second or third. Now with part of what I do sit-ins are not uncommon(out door ren faire gigs) but that is ALWAYS after they have already heard you play.
If I am in a bar and I have been talking with the musicians and it seems a good rapport after seeing them a couple times I will simply ask hey next time you guys are in town IF you are into that sort of thing I would love to sit in. You tell me what songs and I will work something up. I will even send you a recording and you can say yes or no.
Its rare though that I even ask because like other guys here I hate being asked. If I have been introduced to you and I have seen or heard you play that is a different story. Once it was even come hit me during a break and lets see if we can work something real quick.
Its a tricky issue for sure at times. Sort of a damned if you do damned if you don't. And sometimes magic happens.
Looks at how Adam hooked up with Mr Satan :)
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Dr. Rev. Mr. Cheeks Miller
My Electronic Music World
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hvyj
2709 posts
Jul 26, 2015
1:16 PM
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IMHO, it's very bad form to ask a gigging band if you can sit in. Talk music (not hardware) with them and let them know you play. If they are interested they will invite you to to sit in. If you are invited to play, make sure you have at least 7 harps. It's disrespectful to expect the band to play in a particular key because you don't have a harp for the key that gets called. Also, having a quality mic with a 25 foot cable is helpful because it allows the band to put you in an open channel so you are not taking up someone else's mic who may need to use it.
Last Edited by hvyj on Jul 26, 2015 1:20 PM
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garry
584 posts
Jul 26, 2015
4:00 PM
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hvyj said pretty much what i would have. I think that asking yourself up is really rude. It puts the band on the spot, whether they agree or have to decline. There are several local bands I routinely sit in with, but I never ask, and never assume I'll do so on a given night. If they call me up, I play, we have a good time. If not, I sit back and enjoy the show.
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1847
2596 posts
Jul 26, 2015
5:56 PM
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We are pretty spoiled here out west,
There are 5 or 6 jam sessions just today alone, pretty easy to find somewhere to play.
Interesting thing that happened a few weeks ago, I was headed home I decided to stop in a local watering hole to see if my friends were playing.
As I stick my head in the door they have a killer blues band playing, not the locals.
I have one foot in the door and one foot outside; I know if I walk in I will end up spending 30 or 40 bucks.
A sandwich there is 18 dollars; a glass of wine with a tip is 10 dollars
The band plays a song or two then goes on a break. I can go home and open a nice bottle of wine, or I can stick around, the heck with it, I am in. I got nothing better to do.
As I walk to the bar i hear someone say behind my back…. No you are not sitting in… I am somewhat perplexed, were they talking to me?
I look around there are maybe 12 people in the place, they all look like friends of the band, as the bartender
Hands me my glass of wine I tell her
I would like to close out my tab, I am only having one glass.
Did I ask to sit in?... nope
Did I have any “intention” of sitting in?... nope.. These guys were “serious” I just wanted to enjoy myself.
It totally ruined it for me; I was pissed to spend even 10 dollars.
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Barley Nectar
864 posts
Jul 26, 2015
7:18 PM
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Oh Well!
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Goldbrick
1076 posts
Jul 26, 2015
9:08 PM
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@ 1847
At those drink prices they cant be attracting too many musicians. The guys I know are upset if a beer is $ 3.00
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99
42 posts
Jul 27, 2015
4:05 AM
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I do not play with a band so sitting in is the only time I get to play out as there are no jam sessions where I live. First, I would never ask to sit in with a band that is playing to a packed house. Second, if you can not add anything to the band, why would you even ask. There are certain situations that I ask to sit in. It is usually an acoustic single or duo, late at night with a thin crowd. I can honestly say I have had great success in these cases. Stay in the back and don't play over the vocals. Wait for the nod to do a solo and leave after one song unless they ask you to stay longer. Thank them for the opportunity.
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1847
2600 posts
Jul 27, 2015
9:24 AM
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everything is expensive out here gas last week was $4.50
a gallon.
i will be boycotting that bar from now on.
ironically, one of the best places out here for drink prices is .....
the goldbricke inn lol.
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Diggsblues
1872 posts
Jul 27, 2015
10:14 AM
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I never liked letting people just sit-in with my old band. People pay good money on drinks and food to hear quality music and not drunk playing our of key. I usually direct them to the open mic.
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1847
2601 posts
Jul 27, 2015
10:38 AM
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this is too funny...
my sister just called, every year her friends go fishing in alaska, they come back with a thousand pounds of fish
they hire 4 bands to play and have an old fashion fish fry.
she is on the phone with them and asks...
can my brother sit in?
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barbequebob
2982 posts
Jul 27, 2015
12:12 PM
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In over 30+ years of player, most of them being a pro, NOT ONCE have I EVER asked/demanded to sit it at all!!When I was getting ready to become a bandleader, the pros I were with all told me this one thing that, unfortunately, I've come to find out to be the cold, hard, brutal truth damned near 99% of the time and that being that ANY musician that asks/begs/demands to sit it usually is gonna be a really crappy musician and to put it in a brutally honest way, the vast majority who ask often have a helluva lot more balls than ability and those pros also warned me that the musician you can almost always count on to be the first to do this are usually going to be harp players who are usually with friends and they usually tend to be too drunk or too high trying to impress their friends, and that is very similar to what Indigo describes and those are the same players guaranteed to give harp players a bad name.
Before I let any harp player sit in, the first thing I want from them is to hear him outside during the break and I listen to him FAR MORE CLOSELY than most musicians participating in an open jam ever will because my so-called "smell test" for a harp player is this:
a.) the harp player's acoustic tone CANNOT EVER SUCK and then:
b.) even more importantly, HIS TIME BETTER NOT SUCK EVEN FOR A FREAKING NANOSECOND!!!!!!
Why? From the last part, the average non pro's player's time often sucks really bad and whenever there's someone on the bandstand whose time sucks, not only do they make themselves look like total s**t, they make everyone else look worse than they do, and so that means the band has to work 1000 times harder to prevent you from not only embarrassing yourself, but everyone else around on the bandstand. And in no uncertain terms, REGARDLESS of what instrument you play, IF YOUR TIME SUCKS, YOU ARE AUTOMATICALLY A CRAPPY MUSICIAN.!!! Why?? That's the one thing crappy musicians always have in common and you can lose a crowd VERY quickly when someone like that is on your bandstand.
Working with someone sitting in who has crappy time is FAR from being fun, it's a freaking huge amount of DRUDGERY, and having been experienced in dealing with stuff like that will often leave a band at the end of the night TOTALLY FREAKING PISSED OFF, let alone yourself, even more so if you happen to be the bandleader.
I've also been in situations where the contract with the club owner STRICTLY FORBIDS SITTING ON OF ANY KIND with the exception of either a national/regional/local big name draw and a number of those club owners won't think twice about docking the band's pay because you broke the contract and even one said to me, "I ain't looking for a mother fucking clown show with your goddamned friends and I ain't one damned penny for that shit!!!!" This is not a lie at all and I knew he meant business because he made damned sure I got an easy view of the pistol he was packing.
If that person who sits has crappy time, I've personally seen where after just two songs, the club emptied out in a freaking hurry.
I've even had a situation where the club owner demanded that I let this harp player sit in, and to be polite about, the most accurate description of it was that of a non stop suck fest. Horrible tone, horrible time, didn't know when to shut up, even playing too loud when the dynamics were brought down, essentially the type of crap I"d have to deal with if I hosted an open jam, and afterwards, I was ready to kick his goddamned sorry ass.
There are some who think that a pro is gonna be jealous and all that and don't want someone upstaging them, but that's actually the minority.
I just don't let anybody sit in and if I don't know anything about you at all outside of how you're trying to sell yourself as a great harp player, my feeling is more like most pros I know, and that's going to be a NO and don't even think of getting the slightest bit rude to me at all or consider yourself dead freaking meat.
Like most pros, if I do know something about you, the word I'm gonna take about you isn't the average person in the audience or who frequents jams to play, but other pros who are real sticklers for detail, people like some buddies of mine like a Jerry Portnoy, Annie Raines, Kim Wilson, Steve Guyger, Paul Oscher, pro players who REALLY know their s**t and once I INVITE you to be on my bandstand, I expect you to be at your best and I'm totally unafraid of being upstaged.
There have been times I've gone to see bands and purposely NOT have a harmonica with me because all I want to do is just sit back and chill, and maybe hang out and that's it and I've said no when some bands requested me to sit in.
@Barley Nectar -- to be brutally honest with you, it says 95% of your bandstand experience is coming from open jams, which can be nice for a while, but at the same time it's also the easiest way to learn how to be a crappy musician because unfortunately, that's what you're too often surrounded by. I suggest that you go the the so called snob jams/pro jam/special invite type of jams where the caliber of the musicianship of the jammers are often going to be much higher and you're gonna be around musicians that will rarely have crappy time and then you can make some connections to help get you some real pro experience, something you'll NEVER get when the majority of your playing time are the usual open jam scene.
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Sincerely,
Barbeque Bob Maglinte
Boston, MA
http://www.barbequebob.com
CD available at http://www.cdbaby.com/cd/bbmaglinte
Last Edited by barbequebob on Jul 28, 2015 11:24 AM
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PropMan
59 posts
Jul 27, 2015
12:27 PM
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Bob is 100% on this. I have NEVER had the guts to ask anyone to sit in and potentially ruin their gig. I have been ASKED to sit in for a set and even that can be daunting-- I just keep my head down play as little as possible and stay out of the way.
I didn't know exactly how terrible I was until playing in my first "pro" jam. When I looked to my left and saw Jr. Watson standing there I almost crapped my pants. I ended up trying way too hard and really messed up the groove. My time SUCKED. Nobody said anything but I knew I had a LOT of work to put in before trying THAT again. I had spent years working on tone and technique and none of that mattered in the end. After that afternoon I finally got it that I'd be better off playing really simple shit with good time and decent tone because if you can do that you can hang with ANYONE.
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barbequebob
2984 posts
Jul 27, 2015
1:25 PM
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@Prop man -- Junior Watson's one of the BEST in the business as far as guitar players backing a harp player and this is one of the guys I tell other guitar players to listen to in order not only to play behind a harp, but rhythm playing in general, let alone his own great solos. In an instant, you got yourself a lesson on just how important time is and how it doesn't take much for a harp player with horrible time can screw up a groove in a hurry.
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Sincerely,
Barbeque Bob Maglinte
Boston, MA
http://www.barbequebob.com
CD available at http://www.cdbaby.com/cd/bbmaglinte
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Joe_L
2631 posts
Jul 27, 2015
5:54 PM
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What wrong with slow Blues?
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The Blues Photo Gallery
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Dr.Hoy
81 posts
Jul 27, 2015
6:33 PM
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I've been wondering that too, Joe L. I love playing slow blues.
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Bilzharp
97 posts
Jul 28, 2015
6:54 AM
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Re: slow blues, Barley said "I don't mind slow blues, it's the generalization that bugs me." Although I wouldn't take the same approach, his original post wasn't all that ambiguous. I think he's taken a little harder hit than necessary but obviously he touched a nerve and I'm grateful for the post. It's definitely given some food for thought.
I'm solidly in the camp of the "let them ask" advisors but I haven't always been. There were a few times when, after chatting with the bandleader about song choices I liked, their sound, local music scene and yes, sometimes even gear, I said "Hey, if you do something in G or D that's begging for a harmonica, I've got one." Usually it worked and usually the band made me stay up for another song. Two songs or, at the most, three is all I want to play with a band other than my own (except at a jam) so just carrying one C harp works for me. Sometimes a D harp in addition, as that adds A and E as keys I can play solidly. Yeah, I can muddle a solo in 1st,4th or 5th but generally prefer not to unrehearsed. I still occasionally do all of the above except the part where I invite myself. Most of the time I just sit back and enjoy the band on my night off.
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Joe_L
2633 posts
Jul 28, 2015
4:05 PM
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I guess I don't understand the "generalization" about slow blues. Playing slow blues are bad ass. I think they are harder to play.
Well, here is my take on sitting in. If someone asks you onto their stage, you play the role they want you to play. If they want you to lead (and you can do it), you lead. If they want you to accompany them, you do it.
If they want you to lead, the ball is in your court and you get to pick the tune. If they want you to accompany them, you accompany them and don't complain about the tune selection.
I never ask to sit in. I consider it rude. If I'm asked, I consider it an honor. I don't always say yes. It demonstrates that a person has some faith in my abilities. I've been pretty fortunate to have been asked to sit in by some fantastic players.
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The Blues Photo Gallery
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Coyote
4 posts
Jul 28, 2015
8:24 PM
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Every time I go to a club I get asked up to play. I rarely do it. I'm there to hang, not perform. I'm not rude about it, I just decline and say I didn't bring any harps. My band gigs out frequently enough that I don't usually get the jones to jump on stage with anybody else. I'll sometimes do pro invite jams and worthwhile benefit jam shows, but I prefer to play with my band and do the songs we've rehearsed. Sometimes I think other musicians ask me up just out of a sense of professional courtesy or obligations from working together in the past. I'd rather just watch them do their thing, unless there is somebody in the house I want to impress.
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Rubes
958 posts
Jul 28, 2015
8:34 PM
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In my younger days.....I wish I knew then like I know now....
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Old Man Rubes at Reverbnation
Dads in Space at Reverbnation
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harpoon_man
111 posts
Jul 29, 2015
6:00 AM
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I think it's generally rude to ask to sit in. When I was playing in bands, we had harp players ask to sit in fairly regularly, and we almost always told them "no thanks, but come on out to the jam session we host every Tuesday night".
The last time I was asked to sit in, I attempted to exit after 1 song, but the band insisted I stay up for 2 more after that, and the leader asked me repeatedly to come back and sit in the whole gig the next night. RJ Mischo asked me to sit in awhile back, and I did 3 songs if I recall - his bass player at the time was a former bandmate of mine. That's the only time I sat in with a national act.
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Barley Nectar
866 posts
Jul 29, 2015
2:42 PM
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Well folks, if you are playing a gig somewhere and a 265 lb. 60 yr old construction worker with curly hair asks to sit in with his harmonicas, it may be me. After 42 years of playing, I doubt I'll change my ways. (:>)...Love ya all...Goose
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1847
2605 posts
Jul 29, 2015
2:50 PM
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ok fine .... no slow blues
ladies and gentlemen, we have a very special guest
with us tonight.
i just have one question, do we have any j geils fans in the house
i said do we have any j geils fans in the house
I SAID DO WE HAVE ANY J GEILS FANS IN THE HOUSE
crowd goes wild.
put your hands together, whammer jammer let me hear you barley.
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Barley Nectar
867 posts
Jul 29, 2015
3:49 PM
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LOL, thanks man. I've been waiting a long time for that! Might not be perfect but the crowd will dig it.
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99
43 posts
Jul 29, 2015
7:35 PM
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WoW! Kind of surprised at the tone of this thread at times. Look, ask the band if you can sit in. If they say no, then you don't. If they sat yes, then you do. So simple. It's not like you are asking to sleep with their girlfriends.
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garry
585 posts
Jul 29, 2015
8:43 PM
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You're putting them on the spot.
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indigo
134 posts
Jul 29, 2015
9:48 PM
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Some people i know would offer up their girlfriends rather than have me sit in.
Some of the girl friends i would ditch my L/w harp train for.
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TetonJohn
256 posts
Jul 30, 2015
7:54 AM
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99 said "...So simple..."
This thread suggests otherwise, right?
Take heed. Remarks in this thread should be taken as a warning that one may be perceived by many as a hack/pain in the butt merely by asking; it may work against you in the long run (right or wrong). There are ways to "open the door" to an invite w/o asking; but perhaps such skills (like musicianship) are not widespread (there must be youtube lessons and woodshedding for this, too).
Also, it's good to know the context of how harmonica carriers are perceived (generally not very well). I try to be, so to speak, an ambassador for the harmonica; trying to improve our image among other musicians. In a sense we are all representing our fellow harmonica players -- please represent us well.
Of course, I could be all wrong and making it way more complicated than necessary (too many paranoia-inducing hobbies!).
Last Edited by TetonJohn on Jul 30, 2015 7:57 AM
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hvyj
2714 posts
Jul 30, 2015
9:38 AM
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It's not just harmonica players. TRUE STORY: the bass player for my band is also in the house band with me for the Sunday jam. There's a sax player who frequents the jam who's an experienced and pretty decent player who has played in cover bands for years. The bass player invites him to sit in with our band at a gig which I did not think was a good idea. There is regular extended soloing by the guitar and harp on most tunes while the bass and drums typically lay down a driving groove..
The sax player is used to more structured musical situations. His solos were fine. But he gets real excited because the band is rocking hard and he wants to be part of it, so after his solo he continues to play and noodles through the rest of the tune, with no ascertainable musical ideas and-leaving no space, just making a mess because some tunes have defined fills and I am forced to either blow over his noodling to play them or just lay out because he's playing so much clutter and is totally oblivious to how badly he's fucking things up. I chewed the bass player out for allowing this to happen. Didn't say anything to the sax player but I'm going to if he shows up at another gig expecting to sit in.
Last Edited by hvyj on Jul 30, 2015 9:40 AM
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barbequebob
2987 posts
Jul 30, 2015
10:23 AM
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@Barley Nectar -- I'm gonna describe that attitude in a very brutally honest way, and that's basically acting like a freaking jam hack nobody wants on their bandstand instead of being more like a real pro. Basically, you're just making a total ass out of yourself. Word gets around MUCH faster than you think and the only thing you're doing for yourself is putting a GIGANTIC hurting on your reputation. For somebody who just said they were 60 years old, you'er acting more like an 18 year old with no real gigging experience who's being to big for his britches.
@hvyj -- I have very similar concerns as do every pro about situations similar to that and if you're requested to sit, you blend in and never forget that this is the band's gig and NOT the gig of the one sitting in. I wouldn't have waited for the next time for this happen again because I'd be giving him a ration of shit he deserved right away. That sax player acts more like the way jam hack harp players too often do and this fool doesn't understand the meaning of laying back.
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Sincerely,
Barbeque Bob Maglinte
Boston, MA
http://www.barbequebob.com
CD available at http://www.cdbaby.com/cd/bbmaglinte
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GMaj7
730 posts
Jul 30, 2015
3:34 PM
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Ever notice.. this happens all the time.
Harp player sits in for a song.. and asks for one of the standards..
Stormy Monday, Folsom, Georgia...
He knows 15 licks and uses them all up in on the one song.
His buddies go crazy and the crowd erupts..
He goes home and shares on the forum how he showed up the band and everyone clapped like crazy.. He was almost embarrassed..
Of course.. the poor band has to have enough interesting material for a 3 hour gig.. but Mr. Sit In.. showed them all up..
Sit ins are fun.. but.. tricky..
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Greg Jones
16:23 Custom Harmonicas
greg@1623customharmonicas.com
1623customharmonicas.com
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Barley Nectar
868 posts
Jul 30, 2015
4:11 PM
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Well Bob, my Dad often says " if you take the boy out of the man, you end up with a grumpy old bastard". Dad is a wise man...
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