Leatherlips
143 posts
Oct 11, 2012
2:04 PM
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Played at an open mic session last Wednesday night and things were not good.
I had arranged to play with a guitarist who had worked out 6-7 numbers we could do. So I do my homework and come up with what I think is sounding pretty good.
Up on stage there's a new drummer, a new keyboard player and a new bass player. Yep, you guessed it. Not a great mix. I sounded like crap as I could hardly make out what was going on, plus the fact I had written down the wrong key for one of the numbers.
Anyway, I think I did a great job on 'My Babe', so that kind of saved things somewhat. Still hung my head in shame though at not being able to do better with what I had.
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rdfindley56
24 posts
Oct 11, 2012
2:26 PM
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I can feel your pain! I went and sat in with a band last night and got thrown a few curves.. A lot of tunes outside of the standard 12 bar format, plus a few minor keyed songs that I couldn't find a harp for to save my life. Fortunately the band was tight so rhythmically it was a breeze, but I was starting to feel a little repetitive on my solos. Like you, there were some good moments but I was licking my wounds a bit afterwards. I always try to look at these situations as making you better.. as painful as it is sometimes.
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Rick Davis
794 posts
Oct 11, 2012
2:44 PM
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I bet most of the people at the clubs thought you guys were great. We are way too critical of ourselves. When I hit a clam note -- I mean a really bad clunker -- I hit it again and say to myself, "hey, it's jazz." Nobody knows, they all think it was part of the solo.
Don't react when you make a mistake. Don't shake your head or shrug or slump or anything. Just keep playing your thing. Smile sometimes! People will tell you how good you were.
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-Rick Davis
The Blues Harp Amps Blog
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rdfindley56
25 posts
Oct 11, 2012
2:51 PM
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That's what I did.. Just kept rolling without a flinch. The real test in my case will be if I get the gig..
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Rick Davis
796 posts
Oct 11, 2012
2:52 PM
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good luck, man....
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-Rick Davis
The Blues Harp Amps Blog
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Leatherlips
145 posts
Oct 11, 2012
2:50 PM
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Hey Rick, that's funny about hitting a wrong note and play it again for effect. lol.
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Rick Davis
798 posts
Oct 11, 2012
3:27 PM
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True story. I do it all the time. An old blues guy gave me that tip a long time ago... I've heard others say it since.
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-Rick Davis
The Blues Harp Amps Blog
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1847
284 posts
Oct 11, 2012
11:45 PM
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"don't let the same dog bite you twice"
if you hit a bad note get off of it
you are only a grace note away
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ruffdog
17 posts
Oct 12, 2012
2:28 AM
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I was always told, "There are no such things as Bum notes, It's just Jazz"
So True!!!
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Steamrollin Stan
592 posts
Oct 12, 2012
3:07 AM
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This is why i'm a closet harp guy, i just could not handle being a dud, we are our own worst critics, and i know i often play "ok" but not just yet, your game to keep on doing it, but the feeling of playing out and doing ok must be inspiring.
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jbone
1078 posts
Oct 12, 2012
3:55 AM
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"being a dud" translates a couple of different ways imo. if one does the work before hand and then gets on stage and forgets his lessons and barges forward in a wrong key, sure that's a dud. if one pauses to react badly to whatever may be going on on stage- ie stopping, or shaking the head, yelling at a band mate, etc etc, that's a dud.
i've learned over a lot of years hanging at jams, accent the positive. DO hit that wrong note again and act like you meant to do that. DO let the rhythm section slide unless you know how to guide them in a better direction. keep song choices simple, it's a jam after all.
for me the jam stage was where i found a ton of my chops and tricks. there is absolutely no substitute for playing live with whomever is in the room and on a stage. some of those experiences will be difficult and some even painful, but perseverance will pay off. you will play with those who are more accomplished than you and with those who need your patience and compassion. you will find opportunities to set the tone for a song or a set. will you rise to the occasion?
last jam i was at, the guitars were far too loud. when that's the case i just do my best unless it's my stage or show, then i either ask the guitarist to turn down or thank them and give them the hook. i ran a jam for a season in the 90's and it was a powerful experience. i found that i am a list sort of guy and i rarely play favorites. i also found that we must be able to laugh at ourselves or we may go insane. patrons, jammers, and staff of a place can all be your best friends or worst nightmares depending on how you yourself deal with the problems that arise on and off stage. i once had to go into the audience and ask a guy to quit playing harp- loudly and not very well- while the band was playing. he had one harp and used it for everything regardless of key, and he stayed in 2nd position. and he did have a set of lungs.
i have plenty of stories but the point is, we as individuals and musicians have to find a way to get along regardless. sometimes this does mean quietly leaving and making different plans. sometimes it means standing up for ourselves in an assertive but not aggressive way. i myself can get loud if i want to but mostly i don't. i am one who will do the best i can in a situation but if i don't get a bit of respect i will just not come back or will bide my time and stay off a stage for a while. things do change sometimes at a given jam, and players change or improve, so to stay away over one incident does no good and may keep you from having a good time and learning cool stuff.
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http://www.reverbnation.com/jawboneandjolene
https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100000386839482
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wa7La7yYYeE
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Jehosaphat
319 posts
Oct 12, 2012
4:29 AM
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@Jbone
amen bro.
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