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Dirty-South Blues Harp forum: wail on! >
Etiquette for Sitting In
Etiquette for Sitting In
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LittleBubba
127 posts
Dec 12, 2011
3:01 PM
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I would never ask to sit in on somebody's gig. It's their gig. You can destroy their set flow.
Sometimes I'll even decline to play when asked, if I know I'm a much better player than their harper. I don't subscribe to "head-cutting", and I don't wanna show up somebody else's harper when it's his gig.
Last week I got asked to go see some buddies play and was told to bring some harps. I left my case in the car, and didn't get up until the harp player asked me, 'cuz he wanted to play rhythm guitar the rest of the night. I played all but the first set, and we had a blast.
Also, one very effective tip: If you're asked up, play one or two tunes well, and then start packing up. If they're having fun, they'll make you stay. It feels good to get yanked back up on stage.. those guys will remember your modesty, and it will give them a nice "out" if they want it.
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6SN7
195 posts
Dec 12, 2011
3:15 PM
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I am glad you enjoyed the show. Sounds like KW sized you up pretty quick, why shouldn't he, he has been at it a long time. I tried to get backstage to see the T-birds when I was a kid, the door guy told to eff off, only gorgeous girls were allowed! I guess he didn't want to chat about TBing or 3rd position!
I have not had good luck playing with "walk on's", unless they were a "known quantity." Even that can be a problem. Keith Richards once sat in with a local band I know at the Lonestar cafe many years ago. Old Keef plugged in and proceeded to blow out the speakers in the fancy ass tweed amp they owned. After he finished , he wandered off and passed out. Ovey!
You did the right thing, an informed decision as Ninja said.
Last Edited by on Dec 12, 2011 3:17 PM
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bonedog569
439 posts
Dec 12, 2011
5:30 PM
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As per usual - I'll likely kill this thread -but here goes
I would not ask a harp player I wasn't pals with to sit in on his gig, -
One harp player per gig is plenty, - and as LBubba said - it's his gig.
If I'm asked or invited that's another story.
I would ask a band that didn't have a harp player though, and have many times, - when I really thought I would add something good to the mix.
I'd ask between sets and follow the Lil Bubba's walk off rule.
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gene
981 posts
Dec 12, 2011
5:49 PM
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JD,
ome people are shy (like me) and could never perform in front of people. You, on the other hand, have enough gonads to consider sitting in with a harp star in front of lots of people. I'm very envious of that attitude. It seems to me you could have a future with your harps.
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MagicPauley57
115 posts
Dec 12, 2011
6:55 PM
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now and again , i have sat in with a couple of bands , but i don't usually go out to see a band with harps in my pocket .
A couple of years ago , a blues and harp duo had a gig at my local , They're playing this sunday , ( Canary wolf) , both are gentlemen , John ( smiggy Smith and Nick , anyway , i got chatting with them on thier break, and talking about blues etc , people we like listening to etc , i mentioned i too play Harp and guitar etc , thry said , how about dashing back home and bringing my resonator down , i played a couple of numbers with them . They said next time bring my harps .
so this sunday i'll be joining them for a few songs as when they want me to . i always wait for them to ask me up as it's their show , not a showcase for me .
I also play every week at a local jam , most if not all the musicains are working , the standard is very good , some just come down to listen , some to play . there's none of this , book your place or pay to get in and wait for your spot . it's mostly acaoustic ,being a sunday , and not just blues , it's anything , and if you are in the area of maidstone in kent of a sunday night at the white horse , you are most welcome !
just to add
I remember reading about Paul Butterfield and MIke Bloomfield when they used to go to the clubs and bars in the 60's to watch thier idols , they just sat there in awe of them , and listened and learnt what was needed , to play like them , soon , the likes of john mayall or clapton would visit , There's one clip of Buddy Guy saying that they used to hide thier liquor and didn't drink around them because before they knew why they were there , they thought they were undercover cops or drugs checking the out for a bust .
also They were made to feel safe when muddy waters would bellow at the crowd , not to touch them or they would have to answer to him !
lastly . , I played this gig for my old friend in brighton for his wife's birthday party , it was great to catch up and get the old band together for a one off , and as it was the drummers birthday as well , all the better !
anyway we were half way through playing , howlin for my darling , ( i was on guitar for that one ) , i just gave my mate richie a nod for his solo , and this guy came from nowhere , and grabbed my vocal mic , and started to solo over richie's guitar solo , i'm thinking WTF ? if he was exceptionallly good i wouldn't have minded so much , but just to get up with out any warning is not good ettiquette in anyone's book of rules !
but then when i thought he'd left the stage and i'm playing the intro for the next song ,hes there again ! i have to quickly signal to leave my mic alone as i have to sing into it ,like now!, so kindly do one!
i'm not rude to people per se , but sometimes people have to be hinted to go forth and multiply !
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FMWoodeye
121 posts
Dec 12, 2011
8:30 PM
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I was playing a fairly large room in Las Vegas some years back, and Paul McCartney was in the audience. Everyone knew it. I knew Paul because I had helped him with a song or two back in the day, and I told him he was welcome to come up if the mood struck him. He came up and played keyboard and sang a song, and the audience loved it. At a break, Jason Ricci came up with a pitcher of Margueritas and asked me to break down some licks for him. I drank the Marguertitas and helped him out. He then asked if he could sit in for a number. I told him that the house discourages this. Yeah, we did it for Paul, but he's a Beatle. He explained that he was with a new woman and it would help him to get laid. I told him I would let him up, but I wouldn't take it easy on him and let him steal the show. Anyway, we played One Way Out, and I gave him the nod for his solo, gave him 36 bars. He did a fine job, as always, and the audience responded favorably. Then it was my turn. I started out with a power slide and a 4 hole draw and cranked it up from there. Out of the corner of my eye I saw Jason slink off the stage with his head down after 24 bars. At the end of my solo, the audience went wild. At the next break, Jason's date came over and said he had left and she had nowhere to stay that night. I accommodated. I heard later that they had gotten back together but had broken up after she called out my name while they were having sex. OR...maybe I dreamt it.
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12gagedan
148 posts
Dec 12, 2011
9:36 PM
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JRNB: 2X, Mighty Flyers: 7X. I get invited after serious hero-worship that borders on stalking. I miss Jason and Rod. Both changed my life.
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Reverend Jimmie Jive
37 posts
Dec 12, 2011
9:52 PM
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I once played Harp Between 2 of Kim Wilsons solos...It happened this way. Kim and the Tbirds played, then they took a break... another band played the stage during the break... the guitar players amp started screwing up badly,, I was doing Security behind the bandstand.. and observed a preamp tube was loose in the socket,, so I reached up to the stage into the amp and reseated it, the guy, looked back,
saw that, and the harp sticking out of my shirt pocket,, and waved me up.. I solo'd.. about 1000 people applauded,, as Willie sang in "Pancho & Lefty" : "Out of kindness I suppose" Then we all got off and Kim went back on.. so In a way, yes, I solo'd between 2 of Kims Solos... LOL !!!
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andysheep8
11 posts
Dec 13, 2011
7:20 AM
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I once got to sit in with local legend Al Clark, (killer player}. He said "if you're no good after one number i'll say you were great and goodbye; if you're ok we'll let you do a couple -but if you're really good then you can get lost, don't want you showing us up!"
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LittleBubba
128 posts
Dec 13, 2011
10:00 AM
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disclaimer to my earlier post: IMO you don't want to be rude either way; you can be rude by declining an invitation without adequate explanation as well. I've turned down invites when I was out with my wife 'cuz I've made the mistake before of abandoning her at the table for too long on a "date nite". She loves to hear me play in public, but she'll pick her spots.
Also, if it takes alcohol on your part to loosen up your fear of sitting in, try to realize if you've had too much and shouldn't play.
It's mostly about two things: having fun for all parties (you,band,crowd) and doing a little networking. You got to pick your shots well.
If you are playing enough already (jams,practice, your band, open mics,etc.), then your motivation to sit in won't be just so you can play period...it'll be for better reasons.
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LSC
120 posts
Dec 13, 2011
12:31 PM
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Why could KW ask you not to play and why would he ask you not to play after asking if you had a harp with you? I would suggest that it's possible he might have asked if you had a harp on you A) to see if you were serious enough about the instrument to be carrying one at all times or B) and more likely, in response to your question about the lick or C) both of the above. He may have wanted to point to whatever hole, because it is easier to illustrate or because if a lick is in muscle memory it's hard to recall just which number holes were used, especially post gig.
In any event, with where you're at now as a player, if a player like Kim Wilson says something like, "Don't play it." or "Knock three times and whistle Dixie," the only thing you need to "get" is he had a damn good reason and he was right. Your only job is to say, "Yes, sir. Thank you. " and figure out why you didn't think of that yourself. I've been schooled by a couple of legends in this way and have been grateful forever.
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LSC
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