laurent2015
23 posts
Feb 29, 2012
10:13 AM
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I'm novice on this forum, but noticed most of you have played or are playing with a band.
Do you have consistent advices to grant, before running into that adventure?
Suppose I tell a bluesband that they miss an harmonica player, and that it could bring profit for them to have one:
what should I be prepared to (no question of money or business, only pleasure).
What happened with you when first meeting
-and playing with-a band?
If it didn't work, could you tell why?
Thanks a lot.
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MrVerylongusername
2259 posts
Feb 29, 2012
10:20 AM
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Be prepared for a lot of negativity and even hostility - especially from guitarists.
In my experience, bands that want a harp player have a harp player or will be trying to find one.
Bluesbands that don't have one, more than likely don't want one.
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LittleBubba
197 posts
Feb 29, 2012
10:34 AM
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Learn to sing, if you don't already, and learn about 50 good blues tunes with harp; then you can front your own band. Otherwise, you'll always be lookin' for work unless you form your own band with a good friend for a frontman.
If you just wanna be a sideman, you still gotta learn alotta tunes, jus' to show your value. If you also play keyboards, that's a plus.
In general, the poor pay for club bands has motivated bandleaders to keep the lineups small, i.e. no harper.
Guys who only play music for a living will think in terms of how much they can keep for themselves.
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Tuckster
987 posts
Feb 29, 2012
10:34 AM
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My 1st band was with friends. I was a real novice and the others were a bit ahead of me on their instruments & had more band experience. We just did it for fun,which is a good attitude to have for your 1st band.
If you've never played with other musicians and are just a "living room" player,be in for a rude awakening.
Even if you are skillful on the harp,playing with others completely changes everything. I still cringe at some memories with my 1st band. But I'd do it all over again,because I gained experience and learned things from my mistakes that I couldn't have learned any other way.
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nacoran
5318 posts
Feb 29, 2012
10:37 AM
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Get out and play open mics. If you play well, you'll get asked to sit in and maybe that will lead to something, but you'll also see other musicians looking to start a band. Find some you click with. It's all about making connections.
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Nate
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Fingers
151 posts
Feb 29, 2012
10:50 AM
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I dont know if its just me but i found it easier when i played with a band! it sort of inspired me! has anyone else found this?
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eharp
1737 posts
Feb 29, 2012
11:04 AM
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my first band was with an established band. i was friends with the drummer and he kept telling me he could get me on stage for a couple of songs.
the band was hesitant but i was good enough at what i told them i could do which was comps and fills.
from there i hooked up with an internet site called meetups.com. this is a site for groups of folks into everything from book reading discussions to knitting to vegan cooking to musicians. i found an acoustic musicians group. from there a band was formed.
open jams are are good place to get some experience. but be forewarned- some open mics are really good musicians and may not take kindly to newbies, or are so popular that it may take several visits to finally get a chance.
when you get into a band be prepared for the conflicts that go on, such as egos, directions, goals....
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MrVerylongusername
2261 posts
Feb 29, 2012
1:02 PM
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Another thing.
Generally speaking it's better to be invited to sit in than to ask to. That's why it's good to get yourself known on the local scene by playing at open mics and jams.
Don't be a Gus!
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BronzeWailer
412 posts
Feb 29, 2012
1:17 PM
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What Nate said.
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nacoran
5320 posts
Feb 29, 2012
1:28 PM
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Fingers, I've found that too, but that may be because I just play harp and sing, so having a band playing with me fills out the sound. I've only run into one other harp only player in my area (and stupid me I didn't get their number).
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Nate
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Jehosaphat
185 posts
Feb 29, 2012
1:32 PM
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I've just joined a band after a 15 year lay off.I don't sing and lay out on about 25% of the songs.So I made a deal that i'd get 50% of the others take.Two of the other guys are young, married and have kids.Myself and the Bass player don't need the money.50$ wouldn't change my life style.LOL
First thing to consider imo is this band going to be fun?Are the other guys solid with no prima donnas.If its not fun it is(poorly paid)work.And presumably you are already doing that.
Being on a stage blowin' Harp with a good band is about as good as it gets .Go for it.
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Fingers
152 posts
Feb 29, 2012
2:00 PM
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@narcoran i dont sing but was harp player with 3 bands over 12 years! i just found that i just played what i felt instinctivly and let go! call and response with the guitar and singer! always seemed to go down well.
Not in the SW of England are you by any chance?
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The Gloth
638 posts
Mar 01, 2012
12:26 AM
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Going to jams and make connections is a good way to get in a band.
Once you're invited to join at rehearsal, an important thing to do is a list of the band's songs indicating which key the songs are in ; so you don't have to search for the right harp everytime.
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Baker
214 posts
Mar 01, 2012
1:54 AM
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I agree with all of this advice. The first band I joined is with friends, we gig a lot but mainly do it for fun. We do get paid, fairly well sometimes but it's not the main motivation. We often get paid in food and drink.
With other bands I play in I have been asked to join, mainly from people seeing me play with my first band, or from being out and about, playing a jam nights, meeting and jamming with people at festivals etc. As has been said before it's all about making connections.
I wouldn't recommend trying to convince a band that they need a harmonica player. If they want one they will be looking for one. The best thing you can do is be out there and they'll find you. Or start your own band.
@Fingers I totally agree. I think playing in bands is one of the best things you can do. Having to work with other people, having time to work things out and refine your parts (rather than playing at jams "on the fly") has made huge differences to my playing. It forces you to make decisions, try new things and get out of your comfort zone.
Last Edited by on Mar 01, 2012 1:57 AM
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laurent2015
24 posts
Mar 01, 2012
3:37 PM
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Great.
I learnt a lot from each post.
Thank you.
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nacoran
5325 posts
Mar 01, 2012
7:00 PM
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"Not in the SW of England are you by any chance?"-Fingers
No, I'm over in Upstate New York.
You know, I discovered an interesting thing about call and response, particularly when I've written something with just harp and vocals. If you play a harp line and then do a response with a vocal, no one thinks it's a big deal. They don't even really notice it's call and response. When you do it vocal first, then harp, people sit up and notice- hey, look, he was able to play what he just sang on harp!
Just a funny little song arrangement thing I noticed.
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Nate
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jbone
812 posts
Mar 02, 2012
5:19 AM
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having a place to show one's skills is pretty important if you're looking to work with others in music. open mic or jam nights, house parties, on a street corner, any of these ideas and others can get you noticed by potential partners or employers.
very much first is, what do you have to offer? if it's harmonica and it's good you may get a nice sideman sort of opportunity. if you play other instruments as well you may insinuate yourself more deeply in a band, like tambourine, bass, backing vocals, washboard, etc etc. i learned early on in my public playing career(avocation), that singing and leading the band part of the time can be a double edged sword. on one hand it does make your value rise and can get you into positions that harp alone can't, you get to lead, you help pick material, and you get some spotlight. BUT it can lead to much more visible errors when you make a slip in front of the crowd, and it can also bring out the envy and control issues of band mates you'd never suspect had hidden agendas. music can bring out the best in people as well as the worst. you will develop a unique and realistic perspective on your own and others' capabilities. you will develop a thicker skin and you will learn to choose your battles. i'm not trying to be militant here, these are just things i've learned for myself or seen first hand. the rewards are immeasurable when you find that one partner or band who you can work well with and make great music with.
i am lucky as all get outta town that way currently.
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Lonesome Harpman
72 posts
Mar 02, 2012
8:51 AM
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NACORAN: What local jams are available in the Albany area? I was thinking of coming home in the summer to visit my old neighborhood. I used to play a lot with Charlie Smith, does he still do jams?
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SonnyD4885
198 posts
Mar 02, 2012
9:01 AM
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thats the trouble with guitars they don't feed on new acts but only the spot light and if there the guitarist and front man don't even ask they will tear you up and won't let you in but thats just me
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LittleBubba
199 posts
Mar 02, 2012
9:25 AM
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There's another category: I've played with "throw together" bands, where a touring standup guitar player/singer will need a bass player, drummer, and mebbe a harper. Usually the bandleader is a grizzled old vet who does plenty of solo standup gigs, but needs a band to satisfy a clubowner's requirements for a 3- or 4-piece band.
These guys will be very controlling ( not nec. bad ), very communicative on stage, even to the point of shooting comments on mic, and they know exactly what they want out of you.
IMO, they're great to play with, 'cuz you learn alot. You may never feel all nite that they'll cut you loose, but when they want a harp break, you'd better deliver, and you'd better notice when they send you around one more time. And, above all, don't tramp on their vocals or play too much.
You have to be decent, not nec. great, to play with these guys. They don't want you to be a star; it's their show. You have to be networking to get these gigs. I've done most of 'em for nothing... just for the education...OH, and you get to say that you played with them.
Last Edited by on Mar 02, 2012 9:27 AM
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Fingers
153 posts
Mar 02, 2012
11:26 AM
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I put an add on a local music shop window calling myself an expirienced harp player! got called to an audition and the rest is history, funny thing i got a call 2 years after i stopped giging that add was still on the window lol, i did 5 gigs with that band and had a blast for old times sake, but then hung up my spurs.
I just play for myself friends and family now.
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nacoran
5333 posts
Mar 02, 2012
12:27 PM
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Lonesome Harpman, there are a lot of open mics. I know Pauly's Hotel has a blues jam on Mondays. I haven't made it down for one yet. I don't know about Charlie Smith, I've only just scratched the surface of the local scene, but there are some good blues guys around.
I can look into it some more and get back to you. :)
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Nate
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MP
2074 posts
Mar 02, 2012
2:28 PM
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what should I be prepared to (no question of money or business, only pleasure).
well, i suggest you start your own band w/ like minded people. if they like playing for the sake of playing that's great. but....if not,
there are two sure fire ways to keep a band running. they need paying gigs and rehersal often. these go hand in hand. if the are paid at gigs they are grateful and will practice for future gigs.
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MP
doctor of semiotics and reed replacement.
"making the world a better place, one harmonica at a time"
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jbone
815 posts
Mar 03, 2012
5:34 AM
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MP said a mouthful. wife and i at this point are focusing more on putting the next project together, this time with bass and drums. we have no plans to field this outfit in public unless one of the new guys finds a gig or 2. the market here is very provincial.
it's more to get wife more time as sole guitarist. we plan to do public domain stuff mostly, more of an exercise than as a moneymaker. it's stuff we've wanted to record with a band for a few years now.
at this stage of the game i'd rather do a project like this here and there and play at benefits and on the street as a duo. the rat race is for a younger man imho. arthritis is a handshake friend of mine on a regular basis.
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laurent2015
28 posts
Mar 03, 2012
7:44 AM
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BLACK HUMOR to cheer you up, but not to be taken seriously:
Illness can sometimes be an advantage.
Look at a friend of mine, he has Parkinson.
Well his harp thrills are outstanding.
Uh? OK---> OUT.
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S-harp
11 posts
Mar 03, 2012
8:36 AM
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With good thoughts already mentioned above, I'd like to add a couple of things.
I've found that you need to know your preferences when it comes to tone and volume, especially when playing through PA-systems. It's easy to get drowned in guitar and with bad EQ-settings and monitoring on top of that. In my opinion the harp should be on top of the soundscape, but of course not interfering.
You need to tell the guy behind the mixer(if there is one) your tone preferance and that harp is a dynamic instrument, meaning playing volume will differ from hardly heard to very loud, so he will leave some peak headroom and won't ride gain during playing.
During soundcheck my trick is to play at, say 75% volume, to be sure to have punch enough when needed.
Stand your ground and don't listen to the guitarists, they don't know what they're talking about when it comes to harp ... (I know, I'm tired of guitarists)
Always playing single notes when backing is interfering even at low volumes and wears the band and the audience out. Instead, it is helpful to think of the harp as an airy brass section or organ when backing. This will blend in nicely, add to the groove and make your single note solos really stick out when it's time. Listening to and learning from brass sections and organs can really elevate and broaden backing playing ...
Come prepared to rehersals and gigs. Harp players sometimes don't get much slack cut.
Helping out getting gigs is good.
Singing? Well, backing vocals does the trick. Tambourine is like telling the audience, "Look, I've got nothing better to do!"
Self-sufficient is good ... get the stuff needed. It's not always great to start out with ... " Do you have a SM-57 and cable I can use?"
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The tone, the tone ... and the tone.
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laurent2015
29 posts
Mar 03, 2012
9:56 AM
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More and more accuracy in your posts...
Something evident is that rehearsals will be the most important, because, you know what?
I'll ask the band to learn to play blues or rocks I know and that I'm sure they don't know, for instance "Help me" or "Smokestack Lightnin' (Yardbirds)
or "Midnight Rambler".
We'll have thus to hone each other.
The other stuff is that it could happen in Asia, in a beach resort somewhere in Thailand, an area where blues harmonica is almost unknown.
You see that I'm not looking for easiness, and that's far from beeing in the pocket, but it's my current dream.
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