I was fortunate enough to be invited to sit in a couple songs for a local blues band called "Jimmie D and The B-Movie Blues" a few weeks ago. Jimmie invited me last week to sit in most of a set and threw a few bucks my way.
Today at an outdoor music festival I was invited again and he e-mailed me the 12 songs I will be playing on, out of 15 for his whole set.
I've really got my fingers crossed that I will be invited to join this band. I've worked very hard the past few years with this as a goal. It has been extra hard to find my place since I prefer all blues and I can't sing a lick. (If we had a worst singer contest my money is on me.)
These guys have a local fan base and are weekend warriors like myself so it is ideal for me.
Any advice from you fine players that have been in my shoes or a similar situation would be appreciated.
I have a habit of keeping my eyes closed when I play and if I'm not careful I get too excited and can't be still.
They must like my playing but I want to do other things correctly as well...stage presence, ettiquete, interaction with the band and fans, etc..etc...
On a side note one of the songs he sent is called "My Home Is A Prison". I had never heard it, but when I found this youtube of Sugar Ray Norcia doing the song I loved it.
Sorry to say I had never listened to this guy. Sounds like he is singing in a bullet. Very cool indeed.
c'mon, dude. you gotta just be yourself with the band and the audience. you should have learned this a long time ago. it is this way with everyone you have relations with. if you force anything, people will notice.
with the band, remember you are just one of the b-movies. you are a sideman. if you try to show jimmy up, there will be problems. you are also the new b-movie. you are at the end of the pecking order. this aint to say that things cant/wont change but it takes time and you will have to feel your way thru it.
as for the audience, try to keep eye contact. if you absolutely cant keep yourself from closing your eyes, get some sunglasses; it's cliche but beats looking scared! smile at them to show them that you like having them there. and it is always better to be moving than standing still. it shows you are having fun and enjoying the music!
if you want to up your showmanship, i would strongly suggest getting rick estrin's dvd of tricks and tips. well worth the money. i play in 2 bands, am an advanced beginner probably, but get lots of compliments because i follow some of rick's advice. watch as much rick as you can. this guy knows how to play to an audience.
I agree with eharp! just be yourself! i had/have a habit of bending at the waist down for lower notes an up for higher notes! also close my eyes in the solos, i also agree about upstaging the lead singer, one band i was in some people (including the singers sister) said we only come to watch Fingers!! man this caused all sorts of aggro and ego problems.......the band no longer exists!! LOL.
Thanks eharp and fingers....The hardest thing for me is relaxing and being myself. Sometimes its after a couple songs before I get relaxed.
I like the "know your roll" advice. I don't think I could show him up if I wanted to. I just want to fit in and be a positive addition.
I will try to keep my eyes open. Just a habit, For some reason I think i can hear better with eyes closed. I guess since the mind is less likely to wander.
I will check out Rick's stuff. I feel like I need to do someting besides keeping my eyes closed and standing there..lol
Last Edited by on Jul 17, 2011 7:24 AM
it is alright to ask for some help/advice from the band. you may be better served if the band starts with songs that you can easily play. it gives you an opportunity to relax and get comfortable. dont worry about being a positive addition. you are going thru the tryouts now. if he didnt like your music after you sat in during a couple of songs you wouldnt be playing a whole set with him, right?? (unless you own a van, of course.)
and to be realistic- he may realize you aint what he's looking for AFTER you play the set. no big deal. you got to do something most folks will never experience. right?? if that does turn out to be the case, turn it into a positive. ask jimmy what he liked and didnt like. you may be able to use this information in the future.
@eharp! no m8! i am called Fingers by everyone including my own son! lol, just a guy who played pub/club bands for 12 years and has recently come back to the harp.
My band has people sit in often. Understand they are used to playing with out you, so let them do their thing. Fill the natural gaps and let em have it when they nod your way.
Definitely ask what they want you to do. Should I lay out or comp? Should I get off stage when I'm not playing a tune? Where should I set up? Am I too loud? What should I wear? etc...
If they asked you to sit in then you should be confident your playing ability and stage presence is fine. They chose you from what they've seen, so I agree with everyone and suggest you be yourself. Good luck!
Oh yeah... about keeping your eyes closed. It is very easy to know a soloist is inside their own head with eyes closed or staring off into soloist space.
After you have played a few bars and are sure everything is ok for you let loose, then don't stare down the band or they may be confused you are trying to signal something. If you're concentrating on your solo then they will know you are going to continue.
Make sure you open your eyes early enough in the progression to give the band a nod that you will be done with your solo after the turn around. The more obvious and wide eyed the better. If the band comes back in solid with the next part it will give your solo definition and make everyone look good.
Obviously,they like what you do or they would never have asked you. Just do your homework on the songs and try not to think about the "what ifs". If you let your passion for playing come through, everything should fall into place. Congratulations! Break a leg!
One thing that drives me crazy is players who get into their own little world, and don't look at the other guys in the band; I can think of numerous times when we've been trying to get the drummer's attention to cue a change and he's got his eyes shut or he's looking down at his feet. No onstage communication is a recipe for disaster. When we audition new guys, its one of the biggest things we're looking for. Make sure that you don't lose yourself in the music too much! Otherwise just be yourself and don't overplay.
thanks mr.long...... Sometimes when i do a break i look at the leader to see if he wants me to do another....he may be taking this as a "give it back" signal....I will ask a few questions before the gig
I agree with myverylongusername, other than his very long user name :). They apparently like what you do as a player enough to ask you back more than once and to expand your role. Remember that before you start getting too anxious.
For the rest it's pretty simple really. Be aware of what's going on around you at all times so that there is communication. Don't step on the vocals or a solo from someone else -less is more -but when it's your time, step up and make a statement.
As far as the audience interaction thing, you're not the front man so that ain't your job but it if you watch major league sidemen they will be at least looking at the audience. The sunglasses route is cliched but if it helps until you get more comfortable go for it. You might try tinted as opposed to full on dark just to be a bit different.
Oh and for Pete's sake, dress for the gig. Even if the rest of the band doesn't. You don't have to go all Elvis but something beyond what was lying on the floor next to the bed when you got up. It shows you care. Find a style if you can but even just your basic black I find always works well.
And finally, and possibly most importantly, be easy to get along with. As BB King once said regarding the rare occasion he has to hire a player, "I look for what kind of a man is he. I can make a musician. I can't make a man." ---------- LSC
By all means catch up with studying as much of the music they do as possible -and record it. If Mr Earl with Nordica was new then my skeptical meter would start some wondering. Suggestions, pick a few times to really step out -then back off . Always support the flow. It's pretty much just like good sex.
LOL $20!! now that is a class woman! harpdude did no one mention the women that come with harp playing? ......enjoy the gig.
Last Edited by on Jul 17, 2011 11:51 AM
Don't get carried away and overplay. They like what you do, so be yourself and do what you do, but when in doubt, lay out. Underplay rather than overplay and watch your volume--your sound level should blend and be balanced with the rest of the band. PAY ATTENTION. Don't close your eyes or you may miss cues. You are part of the band, so don't be off in your own world.
Don't try any new gear. Use what you've used when you've played with them before.
As far as stage presence is concerned, If you don't know what else to do when you are not playing, smile and move to the music.
Try to stay relaxed, don't force anything and have fun.
1. Keep your eyes open and watch the band leader. Unless you are playing with a band where everything is highly rehearsed, there will be a lot of improvisation. There will be communication happening that will be non-verbal. If you eyes are closed, you'll miss a lot of cues.
2. Play what fits. Play as little as possible, so when you play a lot it'll make a statement.
Duane, just be your self. Your a good player and can hold your owne. Pay attention to whats going on stage. The missed cues mentioned really hurt the show. Ted and I enjoyed playing at Roosters with you, just keep on doing what your doing. If it's ment to be it will happen. You never know whos in the crowd watching and listening if these guy's done't pick you up. Mike
Excellent advice on all these posts. Thanks to all. Worth saving for sure.
The show was well received. Jimmie D smiled at me after a couple of my breaks which I took as a good sign. His last words were "my drummer will be out of town for a couple of weeks...we should get together and rehearse some when he gets back".... o.k.
Stuff I noticed.... *Jimmie just gives a quick glance when he wants you to take a break..and he does it very late..better be ready. *He moves to the next song quickly. I had a set list with keys but while I'm wiping sweat, getting water, and switching harps.....he is telling the band how to start the next song. I had to start getting water and laying out the harp for the next song while Jimmie was doing a solo.
*It was hot but these guys had on nice slacks and shirts. I had a mixed wardrobe in my car, thank goodness.
*I never played during vocals or another instruments solo. I played some fills in the gaps between vocal lines. Sometimes it seemed effective to do fills on the second vocal verse.
*I had my own monitor and a sound guy that knew his stuff. He worked with me on miking my amp and making sure I could hear myself without feedback. Amazing how much better you play when you can hear yourself.
* Jimmie, the drummer, and the bassists were all great. They made me feel like I belonged. Not sure about the keyboard guy? I didn't feel the love.
* Sometimes he would give me more breaks in a song than I expected and I worried about overusing similar licks...good ole 4 hole draw to wail on...lol
* It is a totally different beast playing 11 songs in a row with an established band...compared to a couple songs at a blues jam. It was a blast, but almost did feel like work at times.
hvyj...I tried to pay attention and not lose focus. Keeping my eyes closed is a hard habit to break.
Joe l...I wanted to wear sunglasses but when they all put theirs away I did too.
Thanks Shredder...still can't play "All Along the Watchtower" the killer way you did!
I guess if it works out I hope all these little thingys become second nature so I can relax more and just play.....a little to much thinking on my part but that's understandable.
Reads to me like your in !!! I knew you could do it. About the keys player, yeah Iv'e had that feeling in the past also from diffrent players. The key board is worried you will be cutting him out of the spot light. Iv'e had the same experiance with keys in the past, they play the same fills I do on harp. Be polite and let the cards fall where they may. I think you'll come out on top. Mike
Duane-I know you've got the chops and the right attitude, and it sounds like you did well.
As for the keyboard player, he is probably accustomed to playing fills, and suddenly you're doing them, so he may feel threatened. Don't sweat it. I've played with keys before and have usually had the unspoken agreement of giving each other a nod to play fills/solos. Unless he's just a complete dickhead, this should work. If you get called up again, talk to him before hand, and suggest that you look at each other and trade off(unless the band leader is calling all the shots, then follow his lead). I've gladly given up solos to someone else just to keep the peace. ---------- Todd L. Greene
Sounds like a good gig and that you did your job in a professional manner which was recognized by the leader. Well done. Seriously. Well done. No question in my mind, after the prelims and a full on gig that went well and you get invited to rehearse, you're in.
Some of these things like how long to solo will get worked out in rehearsal and over a little time. And don't worry about the keyboard player. For a start maybe he just has a reserved personality. Maybe he's got worries that have nothing to do with you. In any event ou don't have to be best buds with everyone in a band, just get along and respect each other.
Playing a full set with a band is way different than a couple of songs in a jam...duh. 11 songs? Hell, that's a walk in the park. If just doing one set one night feels like work how do you feel about 2 or 3 rehearsals a week combined with 2 or 3 nights gigging? Or say a 3 or 4 set night, which is more the norm for a bar band?
I got spoiled in Europe with decades of never doing more than 2 sets. When I came back to the States and got hit with 4 set nights I wasn't too thrilled but I'm glad I did it because now I know I can do it, on my own if I have to, and if they pay a LOT of money.
I'm still not real happy with 3 sets but it's pretty common. But hell when I was young and dumb and starting out we once had a six week run of six nights a week doing two residencies, one starting at 9:00pm and finishing at 2:00am, then driving across town to one of the roughest parts of LA and doing the other 3:30am till 6:00am. I'd put blankets on windows to get some sleep than start all over. The band wasn't actually very good and no question it was a grind but it never felt like work. Hell, at least I wasn't a drummer. I didn't even use an amp. Just a bag of harps. I wanted more than anything to be a working musician and that was what I became. And I tell you what, I got light years better as a player in a pretty big hurry. Given back a lot of years in age, I'd do it all over again.....if the band was better. ---------- LSC
You Nawlins guys are the best. Thanks Mike and Todd!
I should give the keyboard guy a better shake. He may be the quiet type or have something going on in his personal life.
@ LSC...man..sounds like you have been aound the block. I'm sure 11 songs does not seem like a lot to you, but to a part time noodler that does not have an extensive library of licks...it is a lot. I appreciate you sharing your experiences and your kind words.
Most live music around here books a band for 3 hours with two 15 minute breaks. I could work up to that a couple times a month.
"Sometimes it seemed effective to do fills on the second vocal verse."
Yeah. sometimes it's very effective to let the song build some energy and momentum before you come in. Amplified harp is a pretty intense sound. Unless there's an intro you need to play, holding back a little while before jumping in can give the music a nice flavor.
As far as the keyboard player is concerned, most keyboard players tend to be relatively knowledgeable musicians. Most harp players tend not to be. If you want to develop a good musical relationship with the keyboard player ask him about what chords he is playing on certain passages and how he is voicing them.
Keyboards can take up quite a bit of sonic real estate and there's sometimes just not as much freedom to select what you are going to play on fills when there's a keyboard since you have to be careful about what the keyboard player is doing so you don't clash. It's not just a question of space. Playing with a keyboard player sometimes restricts (or makes you be more careful about)your note selection. It's different than than playing with just a guitar. You have to be more attentive and more careful. Some keyboard players are better at playing "in the cracks" than others.
Playing a full gig is much more physically and musically demanding than just sitting it. It also can be more psychologically demanding since when you are being paid to play, you've got to show up at the scheduled time ready to play and play well whether or not you happen to be in the mood for it. When you are just sitting in, you don't have to show up and play unless you feel like it. Big difference.
Most gigs around here are 4 hours with three 15 minute breaks. Could you do that for 2 or 3 nights in a row if the band got busy with bookings?
Hvyj...Great post!...and it does give me a lot to think about.
Actually the frontman, Jimmie just called and said he would like to meet with just me before the next gig or practice. He made me a CD of most their songs. He wants to go over signals, when to and not fill, etc..etc..
He also said he would like a harp intro to a couple of songs...That will be something new for me as well. Damn, can't hide then...lol
He is a super nice guy and said he loves harp in the blues.
We'll see how things go.
Hvyj...they do all have day jobs like myself. One practice a week and two or three weekend gigs a month is what it sounds like.... Thanks again.
