Perhaps not "unbelievably bad" but just bad, which is bad enough. Beginners level. Audience´s standards of what to expect from harmonica players are deplorable.
I'm not sure I'm fond of the riff he keeps going back to for this particular piece of music, but if this is 'unbelievably bad' you've lead a charmed life and dodged the horrors that can be live harmonica (or live music in general). Something that came up after it, "There ya go" by Beats Antique had some nice horn work in it.
edit: looking up the Beats Antique track, it seems to feature John Popper.
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Last Edited by nacoran on Apr 04, 2013 4:45 PM
I would not say "Unbelievably BAD" I might say disapointing.
So I'll use this as place to make a few points. Let's look at what was done right
If you want to sound good, be surrounded by people better than yourself. (he is) There is more to being a succesful musician than being a good musician. (he is) When in doubt, keep it simple, in rhythm, and in tune. (he did)
I found it pretty boring,lacking feeling and to my ear , a bit out of tune. But there is so much good music to listen to -I can be a bit too intolerant when I hear this type thing
The combo reminds me of a band that gets a slot at the local club. Nothing, well, flashy, but they have lots of friends and family that drink and they can turn out an audience of 100. The club owner loves the fact he lights up the register and makes it ring. Its not all about the perpetuating the idiom when doing a gig, its keeping folks in their seats or dancing and drinking and eating. That's business baby!
Last Edited by 6SN7 on Apr 05, 2013 4:53 AM
I would have liked it if he'd done some 3rd position playing and paid attention to dynamics. It was hard to tell his rhythm stuff from an actual turnaround since volume and note saturation were pretty much the same. I am a 40 year player and in this guy's defense, I was lackluster for the first 20, until I humbled myself and became more a student than a player. I have learned so much in recent years.
If he's out making a buck and learning, that's just where he's at. Breaking even has always been an elusive goal to go for. ---------- http://www.reverbnation.com/jawboneandjolene
In my city lives this guy, he get good gigs, and long tours over the country.
I am OK whit bad players, because we all learn at diferent speed, but I am looking for a guitar player to play whit me for months and I cant get one, despite that I practise every day, try to play the trough the changes, working on my OB, ultimate, tryng to be a good player and nothing, and this guy play every week.
Players that aren't proficient on their chosen instruments often get more gigs than more accomplished players. It's usually because they are prepared to do the work, they chase up contacts, will often perform for less money, have good stage patter, play songs crowds know and don't just indulge in massaging their own egos with ridiculously long extended solos and are just generally a lot less flaky than "musicians". The sad reality is that many, many musicians don't, can't or won't "work" to get steady gigs. To get gigs is hard work and takes a lot of leg work, patience and you have to be very determined to succeed. Getting gigs is very similar to selling via cold calling. Most people can't take the constant onslaught of being knocked back and get bored really quickly of that kind of work.
Last Edited by Kingley on Apr 05, 2013 11:16 AM
My son is a very decent singer song/writer guitarist and knows his music. I can play him some interesting licks but when I throw in a simple warble his eyes light up as if I've been holding back the good stuff.
I think the general public's perception of what constitutes good harmonica playing is surprisingly low.
I have been listening to Michel Herblins CD's recently and he really is excellent, but it's wall to wall harmonica and if I listen to his stuff with a non harmonica player - it's a case of enough is enough. Shame :( ---------- My MBH Profile Grey Owl YouTube Grey Owl Abstract Photos Website
Me gusta los hombres Zapatilla mejor de el otro grupo en un primero mensaje. Un grupo Zapatilla tienen un poco chispa y humorismo. No estan muy profesional pero no malo
I second Kingley's comments. You gotta put yourself out there by jamming, busking, knocking on doors. Also a good way to meet other musicians. You never know who's listening either. Someone could be thinking, "It would be cool to have these guys play at my 50th/cocktail party/café." These have all happened to me. I'm not the best player but getting better over time. Getting along with others is an important aspect of playing with others too. I have played with some excellent musos who burn their bridges... Who hasn't seen something in an art gallery at least once and thought "I could do that?" Don't think about it. Just do it. You WILL have fun. My 2 cents....
