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Dirty-South Blues Harp forum: wail on! >
Working with a vocalist....first time help?
Working with a vocalist....first time help?
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Irish Soul
15 posts
Jun 29, 2017
7:09 PM
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I was in a parking lot last night with my fair share to drink (not common) and I decided playing some harp was a good idea. I was approached by two adult women.( No Moon Cat it ain't headed where you think haha)
One asked me would I play for a singer. I said I don't think I'm who you want as I have no experience but harp, slide guitar and sax.
Long story short her card checks out , she is a singer that does get paid for local venues. Still insists she does want to work with me although I am inexperienced.
Help? I have NO idea when playing alone with vocals except I try to find her key....other than that I am lost. Anyone who is experienced in this area, I would consider any solid insight a personal favor. Thanks
Last Edited by Irish Soul on Jun 29, 2017 7:14 PM
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BronzeWailer
1994 posts
Jun 29, 2017
7:28 PM
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Don't play while she's singing. Play less unless she asks you to play more.
PS, congrats! May it lead to many beautiful moments.
BronzeWailer's YouTube
Last Edited by BronzeWailer on Jun 29, 2017 7:29 PM
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jbone
2307 posts
Jun 29, 2017
10:01 PM
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So it's just you and the singer? Rare. My wife and I are a duo and it works well. She plays guitar and sings, I blow harp and sing.
We have done a bit of a cappella vocal/harp stuff here and there, old spirituals.
Bronze is correct, the harp should support vocals, accent the end of a line here and there and maybe play a solo when tapped, and the minimal approach is always a good idea to start.
Best of success to you!
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Irish Soul
17 posts
Jun 30, 2017
3:28 AM
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Thanks guys,...@ jbone....I was thinking the same thing.....unless she plans to ad instrumental verses or something.....I think I may know more later today, as she said prior to holiday weekend she would be in touch.
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Jim Rumbaugh
1264 posts
Jun 30, 2017
9:13 AM
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My 2 cents on working with vocalists.
Most of them do not know what KEY the song should be played.
Do not be afraid to recommend going up or down a 1/2 step or whole step to a common key. If the singer insists on a specific key they are either 1) very professional and exact or 2) don't know what they are talking about and just think it's important to be exact. (I have not run into the first type yet)
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theharmonicaclub.com (of Huntington, WV)
Last Edited by Jim Rumbaugh on Jun 30, 2017 9:13 AM
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hvyj
3359 posts
Jun 30, 2017
9:26 AM
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Are you SURE it will be just you and the singer? A singer gigging without accompaniment (which, presumably is what she would have been doing) is VERY unusual.
Anyway, assuming that is the situation, she may have no idea what key she sings in on which tune. You both need to work that out and determine the keys of the tunes ahead of time. This is crucial.
Now, she must hear something in what you are doing that she likes and can relate to artistically/aesthetically. So have confidence and don't radically change what you are doing.
I assume she's not looking for you to chug chords behind her. So, you will be playing fills. DON'T fill every available space. Let the music breath. Of course, don't play when she is singing UNLESS she wants you to, and if so, do that at LOW VOLUME.
Most important: You MUST play to the chord changes. David Barrett has some vids on YouTube on this . Check those out.
Does the singer have a PA? Will you be playing through it? Does it have reverb? Do you have a mic?
Do NOT use a bullet mic. If you use an amp do NOT set up for distortion. Use a relatively clean mic and if you use an amp, use a relatively clean amp.
Some small PAs sound like shit for harp. A little reverb or delay is helpful whether you are going into a PA or an amp. If you can provide more specifics on this stuff, I can give you more specific advice.
Another thing: Watch your volume. No ever lost a gig for not playing loud enough.
Last Edited by hvyj on Jun 30, 2017 10:36 AM
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hvyj
3360 posts
Jun 30, 2017
9:53 AM
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@Jim Rumbaugh: In my experience the vocalist's range is the determining factor for what key is called and the band has to adjust to the vocalist. True, some of them don't have any idea what key they sing in, but if they do, the musicians' job is to play in that key and arguing about is an easy way to lose the gig. The musicians' job is to make the singer sound good.
In this regard, you need to carry harps for all keys that are likely to be called and spares for the most regularly used keys. If a harp in a key you only use for 1 or 2 tunes jams, everyone can work around that one way or another. But if a harp in a key you use for a half dozen tunes jams, you better have a spare.
Last Edited by hvyj on Jun 30, 2017 9:57 AM
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Jim Rumbaugh
1266 posts
Jun 30, 2017
10:13 AM
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@hvyj I agree it's our job to make the singer sound good, but when I hear, "I do this song in C#", and they say can't do it in C or D. Then I stand my postion that they are either VERY professional or don't know what they are asking.
I know I can go up and down in keys and frequently find I have been singing in the wrong key for too long. We have a talented singer that tells us, pick any key and I'll make it work, and she does.
If you can't go 1/2 step up because it's too high, or 1/2 step down because it's too low. You have a singer with a limited range, or a song with too much range.
I also know the golden rule, "the guy with the gold makes the rules". That may determine the key more than the the singer's abilities.
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theharmonicaclub.com (of Huntington, WV)
Last Edited by Jim Rumbaugh on Jun 30, 2017 10:15 AM
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hvyj
3362 posts
Jun 30, 2017
10:29 AM
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If I started to try to tell the singers who hire me what key to sing in, I wouldn't get very many call backs. That's why i carry a full set of harps in all keys.
And yes, C# and F# (or F# minor) sometimes get called for tunes that weren't recorded in those keys and I've had to play Purple Rain in C and in A as well as the original key of Bb. I'm usually working with musicians who are much better than me, so i count my blessings, try to do what I'm asked for, and don't make a fuss.
I've made the observation here many times before that a harp player gets many more opportunities to play if he can conform to what the rest of the band is doing rather than complain and try to make the band conform to what the harp player is comfortable with. But, YMMV.
Last Edited by hvyj on Jun 30, 2017 10:53 AM
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