Barley Nectar
475 posts
Aug 08, 2014
11:43 AM
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As a free lance player I am, on occasion, asked to set in with a band for a couple of tunes. I find that due to not being warmed up and sound system issues, my performance is sometimes less than stellar. I do get the sound man to tweek a vocal mic to my generic settings when possible. (H-4, M-5, B-8) Do you fellows have some way of getting prepared for these occasions? This is often, spur of the moment...BN
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The Iceman
1911 posts
Aug 08, 2014
12:09 PM
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Warning - another controversial Iceman Concept...
There is a unique approach to performance that is hardly ever spoken about, much less taught nor accepted.
It starts with a shift in mindset regarding practice/performance.
Instead of separating by putting a "backward slash" between those two words (as seen above), one can start to eliminate one in favor of the other. In other words, every time you practice, you treat it like a performance, moving away from the practice/performance divided mindset.
This doesn't mean you eliminate practice. It just puts a different orientation to it.
It also starts to erode away that mindset of needing to warm up before playing. One can begin playing "right out of the gate".
Once one can accept and embrace this, it builds up your personal confidence so one can move into total performance no matter the situation...even with sound issues.
This is not a blanket solution nor will everyone even believe it, but it does work for those open enough to change their paradigm.
Other than that, I always tell the sound man to roll off the highs, boost the lows a bit and leave the mid at 12:00. I also check on the effects and will have them usually back off.
Don't get me started on the difference between main and what is happening in the monitors...
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The Iceman
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Frank
5078 posts
Aug 08, 2014
12:31 PM
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Goose, can you please define - "freelance player"? I think I may know what you mean, but not positive how you exactly view its meaning... thanks :)
Ps... Isn't Practicing as if Performing a universally accepted concept / old news for most players - as in, it is a well known way to prepare for the stage etc. ?
Last Edited by Frank on Aug 08, 2014 12:45 PM
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LittleBubba
304 posts
Aug 08, 2014
12:34 PM
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If you have time, make some quick communication touches with the bandleader or musicians. For example, if the band has an organist or sax players - instruments that a harper can tromp on accidentally - let them know that you'll be looking for visual cues from them as well as the bandleader. Musicians are rightfully scared when a harper comes up, and visual communication can save you. I always try to put myself just offline between the bassist and drummer if I can still see the bandleader. If you sound good, the sound guy'll push you up usually. Or if you're playing through a vocal mic, have 'em do the check without you bein' all the way into it; that way, if you want a little volume, you can tighten up your proximity. You can play through a 58 eq'd for vocals if you don't cup it too tight, or if you cup around the mic.. not "on" it.
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KingoBad
1515 posts
Aug 08, 2014
1:58 PM
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Does "setting in" mean you help them set up their equipment?
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Danny
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Barley Nectar
476 posts
Aug 08, 2014
2:31 PM
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Freelance player,: a good player who has the ability to set in with a band and cover the grove, regardless of the genres. Also a player not committed to a band or group by choice...BN
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Komuso
380 posts
Aug 08, 2014
3:18 PM
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@Iceman
"Warning - another controversial Iceman Concept...
There is a unique approach to performance that is hardly ever spoken about, much less taught nor accepted.
...
In other words, every time you practice, you treat it like a performance, moving away from the practice/performance divided mindset."
Huh?
I'm with Frank. This is a well known, well spoken, well taught & well accepted concept not just in music but in many domains. It's the essence of simulation based training.
In the US military it's called "Train as you fight, fight as you train".
It's also the cornerstone of Sports Psychology for both physical and mental training for competition.
The whole point of training/practice is to rehearse your core domain skill to a point where it's intuitive and you are not overloaded by the "real world" pressure factors, causing you to choke, make bad decisions, and perform badly.
That said, you can only simulate the "real thing" to a point as the "real thing" has a host of other pressure factors which impact your performance. It all depends on the fidelity of the simulation environment that you use to put yourself into the "real world" performance space, as well as your previous experience which you can draw on to mentally simulate it.
But there are also strategies to help prepare for these so you can react flexibly in real time.
One of the key ones is to be able to breathe calmly, relax, and assess what's going on in order to choose the best course of action under "real world" pressure (amp breaks, mic breaks, harp notes stick, drum machine fail, audience hate you, drunk harassing you, etc etc)
Some interesting links:
Sonny Rollins - You can't think and play at the same time
When Practice, Practice, Practice Isn’t the Answer
Can Musicians Overthink Their Practice and Performance?
Deliberate Practice and Performance in
Music, Games, Sports, Education, and
Professions: A Meta-Analysis (PDF)
Stage Brave Interactive PDF eBook
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Paul Cohen aka Komuso Tokugawa
HarpNinja - Your harmonica Mojo Dojo
Bringing the Boogie to the Bitstream
Last Edited by Komuso on Aug 08, 2014 3:32 PM
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The Iceman
1912 posts
Aug 08, 2014
4:21 PM
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Oops.
actually, it wasn't that well known to me, but I understand this reality.
Komuso - "react flexibly in real time".
Eastern philosophy in calming the mind...breathing, movement, coordinating everything as one.
(actually, calm mind while breathing through the harmonica is an enjoyable way to play)
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The Iceman
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Komuso
381 posts
Aug 08, 2014
5:06 PM
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There's no need to go all Mr Miyagi Iceman;-)
Breathing as the key to thinking under pressure is pretty well known too. This TIME article is a little breathy (ha! Pun intended!) but illustrates it quite well:
The #1 Secret Astronauts, Samurai, Navy SEALs, and Psychopaths Can Teach You About Good Decision Making
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Paul Cohen aka Komuso Tokugawa
HarpNinja - Your harmonica Mojo Dojo
Bringing the Boogie to the Bitstream
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Frank
5083 posts
Aug 08, 2014
5:26 PM
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I thought he was summonsing a more Kung fuish feel :)
Last Edited by Frank on Aug 08, 2014 5:32 PM
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slackwater
68 posts
Aug 08, 2014
5:38 PM
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I set(sic)in a bit but, it's never spur of the moment,
it's pre arranged. I turn up at set up time and set up and sound check then my stuff just sits there till I'm on.
Warming up? Well, the other guy(s) are warmed up, that's a plus.
I never walk into someone else's gig carrying any of my gear unless they ask me to. Sometimes if I'm expecting that things might end up in a jam with "guests" (I'm reluctant to use that word on this forum but that's what they're called) asked to join in I might have some gear in the car, just in case. Anyway, if it's jam'n it doesn't really matter because that's for the enjoyment of those playing more than anything else.
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Komuso
382 posts
Aug 08, 2014
5:38 PM
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You must want the wise sayings compilation!
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Paul Cohen aka Komuso Tokugawa
HarpNinja - Your harmonica Mojo Dojo
Bringing the Boogie to the Bitstream
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Frank
5085 posts
Aug 08, 2014
5:46 PM
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BN - you seem to be more of a session player, with that description, or should I say you could look into session work type stuff as a freelance player?
Last Edited by Frank on Aug 08, 2014 6:08 PM
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JustFuya
385 posts
Aug 08, 2014
6:12 PM
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Featured Guest?
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Frank
5086 posts
Aug 08, 2014
6:36 PM
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Last time I was a featured guest - my friend calls me up and introduces me as one of the greatest blah, blah, blah, blah, harmoncia blah, blah blah, - those introductions always crack me up...I make it a point to reassure the audience, "I'm just a hack with a harp for Christs Sake" lets get real here, and then the band breaks into a Pink Floyd song or something and I pretend I give 2 shits :)
Last Edited by Frank on Aug 08, 2014 6:38 PM
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6SN7
449 posts
Aug 08, 2014
6:49 PM
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i did a gig recently ans they introduced me as Peter Noonan.
When I politely informed Mr. MC, he said, "oh, I was once in Flordia and saw Peter Noonan in a bar and he was great."
What a douche.......
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JustFuya
389 posts
Aug 08, 2014
8:12 PM
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There are douches-a-plenty but stage time is priceless. You can't turn a dickhead but you can turn heads in a crowd.
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Barley Nectar
477 posts
Aug 09, 2014
7:35 AM
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Good info here guys. Thanks...breath...a lot...BN
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Littoral
1133 posts
Aug 09, 2014
8:11 AM
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Life would be easier if there was a general answer to this question but every situation is different enough to require a seriously different answer.
Generically, if a PA vocal line is free I switch to my SM57 with volume control, drop the (vocal) level 1/3, back off the highs and no effect. That's quick and easy to switch back. The next "easy" step is to include a pedal.
Otherwise? I recon every band I sit in with before I play and get it right however the situation warrants. That usually means I won't sit in the first time -and that's good business. I don't sit in a lot with bands I don't know but if I go out to see a band I'd really like to sit in with I'll have everything necessary in the car.
Last Edited by Littoral on Aug 09, 2014 8:16 AM
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jbone
1727 posts
Aug 10, 2014
4:29 AM
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If we're out seeing a band we know, or even sometimes someone we've heard good things about, my harp case will be in the car. IF the occasion arises I will bring my stuff in and blow through what's handy.
There are times we both sit in if asked. One place we play every couple of months, we show up a week early and do a short set for the act that night While they take a break, and the next week we take a break and the next week's act does the same. Not exactly sitting in but the first time it happened it was a surprise.
Here's the thing: I'm not any kind of trained in Eastern thinking, but over many years I have learned to be ready if asked to come up and contribute. I have also learned to be ok when that does not happen.
Early on I would sit wound up like a bear trap waiting for a chance to play with a favorite band. I was a stage junkie. And during that time I was not very well versed in the necessary manners. Eventually, after a few rejections, and after some near disasters, I began to grow up and use those manners.
Sitting in with folks is indeed a privilege and a responsibility. It should be appreciated and honored as a true compliment and gift from a band or leader.
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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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