Philippe
124 posts
Jul 24, 2011
5:35 PM
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Just had my first time on stage. I don't remember much of it, but I definitely want to do it some more. Played at a jam with the Al Wood trio. Everyone was incredibly encouraging (including Heart2Harp, who was there and sung/played fantastically earlier).
This leads me to 2 problems I encountered and a request for suggestions on how to fix it!
1. I had trouble hearing my own harp playing (could hear it but not very loud). It made it difficult to sometimes hit a single hole well (sometimes I had a bit of the 5 hole in with the 4 when I didn't want it, etc). Should I find ways to hear myself better (?) or perhaps work on technique?
2. After a solo or two my mouth was bone dry and pasty, so I had to alternate between TB and LP (would have hoped to do all TB).
Phil
(With a greater appreciation and respect for all stage performers)
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2chops
13 posts
Jul 24, 2011
6:43 PM
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Congrats Philippe. I had my 1st stage gig this past spring, and it was definitely both nerve wracking & addictive. I can identify with your 1st issue. As my 1st time was also my 1st time amplified, I was using the house PA system. No moniters, just 2 speakers on pole stands. I could only catch part of my sound through the speakers. Most of the time I was just straining to hear my self over the drummer, who was right behind me. I had a great time. But it was hard to hear myself through the mix.
Did you have stage moniters available, or were you just going through a house PA?
Ron
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jbone
582 posts
Jul 24, 2011
8:15 PM
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re: hearing oneself- there will be times like that Phillippe. and when that happens you just rely on doing what you know and trusting that if you play with conviction things will turn out fine. i have done this a time or two. hundred.
the trade-off is, you'd better know your harp very well. of course i like it much better when i have my harp rig and p.a. out and i have control over volume levels. but many times a band, esp if i'm a guest, will crank the volume on up and i can either deal with it or just not sit in. usually i'd rather sit in unless i don't want to do that particular material.
as for dry mouth, i wonder if you are normally a wet player or toward the dry side? because this could have been a nerve thing, being your first time out. if you are usually a dryer player you would do well to keep plain water handy, bring it with you on stage even, and don't hesitate to wet up when needed. alcoholic drinks will actually dry your mouth out.
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dukeofwail
32 posts
Jul 25, 2011
12:32 AM
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I use a soft foam earplug in one ear for "head monitoring."
Dry mouth is mostly anxiety. Do it some more and it will subside.
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Robert Hale
Learn Harmonica via Webcam
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Last Edited by on Jul 25, 2011 12:33 AM
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hvyj
1604 posts
Jul 25, 2011
6:09 AM
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This is one reason to know some theory and understand where the notes are on your harp. If you are playing electric, the reality is there will be times you just can't hear. An experienced player may be able to pick up some of the FOH sound as it reflects back from the far wall, but sometimes one cannot even hear that.
So...if you know enough theory to know what your target notes are and where to find them on the harp you are able to navigate even if you can't hear yourself. Not easy and certainly not fun, but it helps you function in those situations where you just can't hear well enough to play by ear.
Last Edited by on Jul 25, 2011 6:10 AM
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LittleBubba
75 posts
Jul 25, 2011
11:17 AM
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You can also try moving your location a little if possible. You get alot of ambient noise off the drums (as you've mentioned), and even moving a little ways can make a noticeable difference. Ear plugs are definitely a good thing to have with you at all times, as the duke also mentioned. You actually can hear the harp inside your head. You can also open up your cup a little and send some sound back at yourself, at the cost of effecting your tone some.
Keep in mind also that when you're the "newbie", they don't know you and they may not want you up in the mix too loud. With good results, they'll accomodate you better in the future.
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garry
76 posts
Jul 25, 2011
4:53 PM
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whenever i go to a bar, i order my one drink (manhattan) for the night and a large glass of water with a slice of lime. the latter comes with me onstage. the lime helps a lot. i'll sometimes bite into it before a set, just to get things going, but it otherwise just infuses the water.
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joeleebush
300 posts
Jul 25, 2011
6:03 PM
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Your mouth went dry because you were dogging it in the clutch...choking under pressure.
You can learn how not to choke, but it won't happen in front of friends or relatives. You gotta get out there with the wolves in the war zone and have them beat up on you some.
It's like shooting pool. After you've missed every money ball pressure shot in the world, every way possible....you won't choke anymore.
Or if you stand there with the bat on your shoulder and get called out taking the 3rd strike when a bunt would've scored a run and everyone jeers at you...you won't choke anymore.
It is an acquired skill and anyone can learn it...unless of course they're just a born loser geek and like to punish themselves.
Keep on punching, man.... if it's in you, it's gotta come out.
Regards,
Joe Lee
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"A man who will not FORCE himself to rise above his circumstances is doomed to a life of mediocrity"....Ty Cobb
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Joe_L
1376 posts
Jul 25, 2011
6:27 PM
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Now that you've been out there once, get out there and do it as often as you can.
If you spend time worrying about technique while you are on stage, you're going to be in big trouble. Get some experience. Quite often, what you hear on stage is not what is heard in the audience. Try not to worry about it.
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Philippe
126 posts
Jul 25, 2011
7:09 PM
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Thanks! Good suggestions. I'll get out and jam as soon as possible :)
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hvyj
1610 posts
Jul 25, 2011
9:08 PM
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"Your mouth went dry because you were dogging it in the clutch...choking under pressure."
Maybe. But if a player isn't used to sustained soloing and is playing hard, the mouth can get dry. I mean, after all, harp is a wind instrument.
I almost always have a glass (or bottle) of water nearby on stage when i am performing. Even if i also have a drink or beer, I'll usually have some water nearby, too.
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Greg Heumann
1194 posts
Jul 25, 2011
9:19 PM
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Same things happened to me when I started. I vowed never to get on stage without a bottle of water - however as I became more comfortable the instant dry mouth syndrome went away. On the other hand, we played to an outdoor crowd of 1000 last week in 95 degree relatively dry california weather - I drank several quarts of water over the course of the 2 hour gig.
As for hearing yourself - as you get better and more comfortable you WILL be able to play and know where you are better - but not hearing yourself is no good. I solved that problem by getting myself a BAA (big ass amplifier) so I never had THAT problem again either. Its all well and good to say study theory and know where you are on the harp - but if you're just starting out you may not WANT OR NEED to. You have to hear yourself! In lieu of having control over the band and therefore their volume, or a good sound guy who is watching out for you - there is simply no substitute for 4 Ten's or equivalent in an amplifier.
/Greg
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boris_plotnikov
580 posts
Jul 25, 2011
9:45 PM
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I had problems with extra saliva which sticked my reeds. And I stop drinking while playing and before gig and it helped.
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jbone
585 posts
Jul 27, 2011
3:49 AM
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@ greg- you said a mouthful man. nothing like a bassman 4x10 behind you! on the other hand, it was a long time before i had much power behind me on stage unless i was blowing into a vocal mic, which usually was thin as a little e string tone wise. i think that just maybe the adversity i had early on helped me develop an ethic of finding the best tone regardless of what mic, rig, band, sound guy, etc etc.
incidentally guys, for anyone who doesn't know- greg has a great site at blowsmeaway dot com, and builds wonderful mics both from scratch and with basket cases. he modded a mic for me 2 years ago that is going as strong as ever today. when it's time for a mic look him up.
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The Gloth
597 posts
Jul 27, 2011
7:19 AM
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Using an earplug in one ear to be able to hear what you play seems a pretty good idea. I'll try that on next occasion.
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