harpdude61
2155 posts
Sep 23, 2014
7:27 AM
|
Can you be successful in a regional band setting as a "fair" player?
My band continues to be successful because I'm more show than blow. Great musicians around me, intense energy, a sincere love and appreciation for the audience, and dancing with the crowd carries me. I have fun! I go on stage with the mindset that I am a great entertainer and player and it works. Practice the 4/5 warble guys...jumping up and down in sync with hand wahs, and holding a high note for 40 seconds while the band brings it down. Have your guitar player use a beer bottle as a slide and bring the spotlight on it.
I take my wireless out and people start moving their beers cuz they want me to stand on their table and play. Have an energy shot so you will sweat. People love a workhorse.
Many songs that harp works on in positions 1,2,3 that the crowd loves. Move It On Over, Crossroads (Clapton style), Superstitious, Folsom, Every Time I Roll the Dice, If Ya Wanna Get to Heaven, Black magic Woman, most any ZZ Top, CCR, or SRV, Some Kind of Wonderful, Mustang Sally, Hound Dog, Roadhouse, Hands to Yourself, and of course the blues favorites that most folks know. ADVICE: Play songs people know.
Learn to talk to the crowd. Laugh together.
The best compliment I get is. "Man you really love what you are doing and I've never seen a musician have so much fun"!
What else? Promo out the arse. Anyone can post a FB show, but I spend hours sending personal messages to folks inviting them to my show and asking them to bring fun friends, the ladies night out group, the b-day party. I offer rides and designated drivers. At hotel gigs I get special rates for locals. I promote the party or event, not really as much the music.
I spend many a Sunday writing "thank you" notes to everyone my wife and I can remember that came to the show. Usually 4 or 5 hours. Her and the band help me remember peoples names. When someone comes to a show the second time and you greet them with their first names it means the world to them.
The general public could care less about an overblow or what position you are in. I often here "You are the best harmonica player I have ever heard". I laugh inside knowing how many of you play..but I grin and thank them. We gave them a great experience, so that is how they respond.
We have 25 shows booked thru next spring and have had no problem raising our rates a couple of times. Venue owners LOVE a party crowd.
We play within a hundred miles of home and by no means are getting rich. I have used the extra $$ to hire my mowing done so that's a HUGE relief to me.
Of course I practice every day hoping to get to a point where my playing will draw a true blues music lovers audience. I study the greats like Cotton and Ricci daily.
I started playing in my mid 40's so my time is now. So what if I have the party crowd instead of the blues connoisseur crowd. I'm in a band and having the time of my life!
----------
www.facebook.com/catfishfryeband
|
Honkin On Bobo
1265 posts
Sep 23, 2014
7:30 AM
|
I can totally relate........BRAVO.......GREAT POST.....best I've read in here in a LONG time and long overdue! You're my new hero Dude, couldn't have said it better myself.
Long live the catfishfrye band!!!!!!
Last Edited by Honkin On Bobo on Sep 23, 2014 11:09 AM
|
The Iceman
2117 posts
Sep 23, 2014
7:33 AM
|
Fun is where the fair is at!
----------
The Iceman
|
Diggsblues
1572 posts
Sep 23, 2014
7:35 AM
|
Don't be so anxious to become the "Artist" the greatest compliment and curse my old band Diggs Blues got was "you guys are a musicians band".
----------
|
TetonJohn
216 posts
Sep 23, 2014
8:11 AM
|
Before recorded music, there was plenty of music being heard -- and any time there was music being heard, the musician was right there! So, there must have been lots and lots of folks playing music and bringing enjoyment to communities. I'm sure many of these musicians were "fair." It's a wonderful, thousands-of-years-old tradition to be a part of!
Last Edited by TetonJohn on Sep 23, 2014 8:14 AM
|
LSC
682 posts
Sep 23, 2014
8:21 AM
|
Most excellent post, "Dude". Musicianship is great and certainly something that one should always strive for but in the real world showmanship trumps every time. But most importantly is Fun. If the band is having fun, and the musicianship is at least competent, the audience will have fun and that for a bar band especially is the point of the exercise.
Even among musicians I have found this to be true. I'm a pretty good player with my own style and sound but not even close to the true greats, of which there are more than one in my town. But the most commented on and long remembered moments even by other musicians are not the killer solo but things like climbing a lamp post in a town square with a wireless and soloing from the top, doing a bump and grind with a very attractive young lady on a slow blues, or one of the most memorable for me, inadvertently winding up with my face buried in the chest of a buxom lass on the dance floor who then proceeded to slap my face on both sides with the wonderfulness of what her momma gave her. Shrieks of laughter, whoops and hollers get me off more than, "Hey dude that over blow in 14th position on that lawsuit Harrison contrasting the counterpoint rhythm of the 13/8 was off the chart."
----------
LSC
----------
LSC
|
scojo
487 posts
Sep 23, 2014
8:53 AM
|
Great post HarpDude, but you are much better than "fair"!
|
1847
2211 posts
Sep 23, 2014
9:10 AM
|
What else? Promo out the arse. Anyone can post a FB show, but I spend hours sending personal messages to folks inviting them to my show and asking them to bring fun friends, the ladies night out group, the b-day party. I offer rides and designated drivers. At hotel gigs I get special rates for locals. I promote the party or event, not really as much the music.
I spend many a Sunday writing "thank you" notes to everyone my wife and I can remember that came to the show. Usually 4 or 5 hours. Her and the band help me remember peoples names. When someone comes to a show the second time and you greet them with their first names it means the world to them.
once you hit the big time, you can relax
and totally leave all this extra work completely up to the promoter.
just show up, he will have a great pick up band that will know all the grooves.
you may not need to have your own web site.
”just step in your shoes and take your pay"
----------
money as debt
|
dougharps
735 posts
Sep 23, 2014
9:13 AM
|
YES!!!!!!!!!
LOCAL LIVE MUSIC!!!!!
Great post, Harpdude!
----------
Doug S.
|
atty1chgo
1142 posts
Sep 23, 2014
10:42 AM
|
Congratulations! One cannot argue with success. You're having fun, doing what you love, and making a little bit of scratch. But as for me, unless the band members are friends of mine, or I am out of town and stumble into a place where the only game in town is a decent but not great band playing in a club, I will not seek out a band that is more show than blow. Sorry if I sound like a snob, but I would rather watch and listen to the highest level of musicianship available.
|
Jim Rumbaugh
1026 posts
Sep 23, 2014
10:52 AM
|
Let me recap what Dude said..... and I agree 100%
1) play familiar tunes the crowd knows
2) play "good enough", you don't have to be the best
3) be an entertainer, interact with the people
4) do your "not musical" homework. Tell people to come, thank people for coming
all good advice
----------
theharmonicaclub.com (of Huntington, WV)
|
HarpNinja
3926 posts
Sep 23, 2014
2:10 PM
|
Can you be successful in a regional band setting as a "fair" player?
ABSOLUTELY! I would argue that more fair players end up successful than dynamos. There are many reasons for this, but primarily, and you nailed it, is the focus on the big picture of performance than showing technical skill.
----------
Mike
My Website
My Harmonica Effects Blog
Rock Harmonica Lessons
|
atty1chgo
1143 posts
Sep 23, 2014
2:14 PM
|
And yes, Iceman, some of us DID catch the Firesign Theatre line that you posted, from "I Think We're All Bozos On This Bus".
Last Edited by atty1chgo on Sep 23, 2014 2:14 PM
|
BronzeWailer
1461 posts
Sep 23, 2014
2:23 PM
|
Very inspiring, harpdude. Sounds like you are getting the success you deserve due to hard work! I will take the party crowd every time....
BronzeWailer's YouTube
|
jbone
1767 posts
Sep 24, 2014
4:43 AM
|
Catfish, you and I are somewhat similar. I don't dance on tables but we both deliver all we can. My motto for years has bee Raw Real and Right Now. Rehearsal, good. Jam night, good. Bag of tricks, good. But there are a lot of players more technically better than I am. Does this worry me? No. Why? Because when you connect with a few people in an audience- 2, 20, 2000, to me you have succeeded.
Are you having a good time and delivering a good product? Do people relate to the material and your delivery? Have you connected? Can you get past the bumps that life puts in the road? If you can answer yes, you are a success.
It sounds like you are well organized and have a very workable plan going. No need to change horses if the steed you have is taking you places!
Jolene has become the promoter for our duo mostly and she does a good job of it. A lot of our gigs have come from her efforts lately. Neither of us are "star" quality. We deliver what we deliver with some good skill and real conviction and true joy. THAT is what's contagious to an audience.
I have never played a scale. Sue me! I barely know a blow bend from an overblow. Yet people like what comes out of my amp and Jo's amp. Made a mistake? keep going. Volume issue? Fix it and go. Smartasses in the crowd? Blow them off and go on.
You already know this, Cat. Hats off to you. I recall last year or so when you started with these guys you're with. Look how far you've come!! Bravo!
----------
http://www.reverbnation.com/jawboneandjolene
https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100000386839482
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wa7La7yYYeE
|
Honkin On Bobo
1268 posts
Sep 24, 2014
5:43 AM
|
jbone,
I just went to your youtube link and got the message "video unavailable".
Thought you ought to know.
|
harpdude61
2157 posts
Sep 24, 2014
5:45 AM
|
Fantastic responses! I sure appreciate them all! Thank you!
When I think of Dirty South Blues or the Jukes of the past I bet it had to be more about the party than precision music. Sure they drank and partied. It IS the culture of blues music. My guess is a top shelf Chess Records artist was a rarity in most jukes and they were usually filled with regional artists and jammers.
Fun is the bottom line. In the middle of Hound Dog we slow down to half time, I do the leg move, and a reference to Elvis asking Forrest Gump to show him that move again. They love it!
----------
www.facebook.com/catfishfryeband
|
Michael Rubin
969 posts
Sep 24, 2014
7:13 AM
|
I am in the middle on this.
In my opinion, most bands that are just about the music fail. Showmanship is huge. I enjoy being silly and often create a different schtick for every band I play with. Just the other day I was on my knees bending my back over while wailing away, wearing a suit while the other musicians dressed like punk rockers.
Personally I love watching bands with high showmanship.
However, what really moves me is incredible musicianship. This does not necessarily mean overblows or any specific technique. It is difficult to define, but loosely means playing with a perspective that is clear and being presented through the sounds being made and not made.
I believe that I hold no responsibility towards entertaining an audience. I hold no responsibility to playing good music. I play music and stand on stages because it is my nature to do so and whatever the outcome is, so be it.
That said, I enjoy entertaining and trying to play things that I consider have high quality.
|
Honkin On Bobo
1269 posts
Sep 24, 2014
7:21 AM
|
"I believe that I hold no responsibility towards entertaining an audience."
---------------
Good to know, and something to keep in mind, when considering whether to spend money to attend one of your shows.
EDITED TO ADD: As I reread your whole post I guess I'm more confused than anything. You say you hold no responsibility to entertain, yet you like to entertain and you apparently go out of your way to do so? So as I said I'm confused.
Last Edited by Honkin On Bobo on Sep 24, 2014 7:42 AM
|
harpdude61
2158 posts
Sep 24, 2014
7:38 AM
|
Michael...most musicians are not the typical music show fan. You included.
Sure, I get a high when everything is clicking and we are playing well...but it is nothing like the high when people start dancing, cheering, whistling, and having a ball.
If my only joy was in playing well for my own ears, then why leave the house?
My "rush" in music comes from seeing other people enjoy themselves.
Early on a couple of band members wanted this or that for their own benefit. I told them they were 4th on the list. They said what??
Priorities..
(1) The audience. Entertain them above all else.
(2) The music. Make the quality, mix, volume, etc. as good as possible.
(3) The band. On and off-stage interactions and actions should be considered as "the band". What you do is about the band.
(4) The individual...Your needs matter, but let's talk about it at the next practice.
----------
www.facebook.com/catfishfryeband
|
Michael Rubin
970 posts
Sep 24, 2014
7:58 AM
|
Harpdude,
Believe me, I love entertaining and being entertained.
However, playing music well is not for my own ears or other's ears. It is for playing music well.
And you are correct, that can be done and hopefully is being done without leaving the house. And on the stage. Why leave the house? Because it is in my nature to do so.
Honkin', there are plenty of things we not not responsible for but enjoy doing. Got friends? You are not responsible for spending time with them, but I bet you enjoy doing it. Release your responsibility towards entertaining and playing good music and I will bet your ability to entertain and play good music will soar. Your self imposed sense of responsibility is likely what's holding you back.
Now, I have two children. I am responsible for their well being. That's a different thing.
|
Honkin On Bobo
1270 posts
Sep 24, 2014
8:09 AM
|
Michael, thanks for clearing that up. It's always interesting to understand the inner motivation of a musician and how they define their relationship with the audience.
Last Edited by Honkin On Bobo on Sep 24, 2014 8:14 AM
|
1847
2216 posts
Sep 24, 2014
9:20 AM
|
just curious, if someone is in the audience,
say 47 shows up, has a few beers,
and asks to sit in,is that something you are comfortable with?
----------
money as debt
|
1847
2219 posts
Sep 24, 2014
4:18 PM
|
it was a hypothetical question
i have never been to Tennessee
so i dont think i'll be showing up
perhaps you have never encountered
that situation?
----------
money as debt
|
harpdude61
2161 posts
Sep 24, 2014
4:52 PM
|
1847...We get requests every show from people wanting to sit in. It is TOUGH! I hate to say no. Our rule is, unless we know you and have practiced with you, then no. We hate this rule, but went thru some nightmares bringing people up. Some beg, some are beautiful babes, many are drunk, but the one that SUCKS is when the venue owner sends them to the stage, grabs your mic and introduces them, and tells you to let them sing.
If you let one up you hear "well you let him up". It can become an open mic if not careful.
People that have had me up in their bands before I had a band is an exception. I know they can bring it.
The only harp player that wanted to jam was one of my students. I'm sure if Mooncat or any player that I'm a fan of showed up I would have them up.
Another exception is private parties.
It is not easy at all for me to say no.
----------
www.facebook.com/catfishfryeband
|
shadoe42
307 posts
Sep 25, 2014
7:28 PM
|
Its a good rule. You can even get burned by folks you know.
The one thing I look for above everything else... is the performer real?... Meaning are they believing in what they are doing?
I have returned to see groups that most would call fair simply because they put a lot of heart and feeling into what they were doing. soThey gave you everything they had and then some.
I often tell others who ask my advice two things. 1. I'm probably the wrong guy to ask ;)
2. You have to believe in what you are doing. But at the same time, don't buy the hype. Fans will put you on a pedestal quite quickly. Watch that you don't start thinking you deserve to be there.
Now that doesn't mean be confident. Oddly quite the opposite, Again believe in it but don't buy into it.And by that I mean always remember no matter how good you get, there is always someone better.
If they are still there I also advise that above all keep a professional demeanor, be where you are supposed to be and do what you agreed to do. Try to make as few waves as possible. That way when you DO need something your reputation for professionalism makes them want to take care of the problem. I have seen this time and time again.
So yea you can be a fair player and still do well. But as has been said already...fair is subjective. Ones man's fair is another man's wow. And vice versa
----------
Dr. Rev. Mr. Cheeks Miller
My Electronic Music World
|
99
39 posts
Sep 25, 2014
7:35 PM
|
I think that there are so many harp players out there that don"t know the unwritten rules when sitting in with a band and that ruins it for all harp players. Little things like not playing over the vocals, not waiting your turn, and playing throughout the tune really upsets a band. I can't blame the group for saying no. I do not play in a band and my only outlet is to ask to sit in. I can truly understand if they say no. Now once the ice is broken, one song usually turns into a full set for me.
|
JInx
901 posts
Sep 25, 2014
7:50 PM
|
goofy bar bands have their place, but i draw the line at Mustang Sally......check please
----------
|
The Iceman
2142 posts
Sep 26, 2014
1:22 AM
|
Two comments...
1. If owner wants someone to sit in and they are none too good, it is a sign of professionalism to be able to roll with this punch. After all, unless your band is concertizing, bigger reality is it is the owners' venue.
2. Mustang Sally still remains a huge crowd pleaser.
----------
The Iceman
|
LSC
683 posts
Sep 26, 2014
7:54 AM
|
Michael, I'm curious. I'm reasonably sure you insist on getting paid for performing yet you say you believe you hold no responsibility to entertain or provide good music. You further state that believing there is a responsibility to provide entertainment and/or good music can actually hold back ones progress as a musician. This begs a couple of questions. What do you think a musician performing live is paid to do? Do you think a bar owner or promoter would be getting value for their money if we just stood there unmoving and played a bunch of rubbish? Should the public be happy to pay to see someone not entertain but rather fulfill their personal desire or imperative to simply stand on a stage and noodle some notes?
Personally, I have felt quite strongly for decades that entertainment, whether through showmanship or musicianship, is in fact the job for which musicians have been getting paid for thousands of years.
I remember being in the middle of a very nasty divorce war and living out of my car. I went to see Ronnie Hawkins one night and all my troubles were forgotten, blown away, and the dark clouds cleared for a time. I happened to run into one of Hawkin's backing singers, a very attractive lady as it happens, in the bar of the hotel they were playing. When I told her I walked in before the show feeling like crap but how the band made me feel so much better she smiled and said, "Then we did our job."
----------
LSC
|
The Iceman
2144 posts
Sep 26, 2014
8:10 AM
|
Similar experience.
Last month I flew to Detroit where my mother is not doing too well. Was sad, but went to see Rick Estrin at a blues club. Told him my woes and he said he would see what he could do to make me forget them.
He sure did, for the evening.
----------
The Iceman
|
1847
2222 posts
Sep 26, 2014
8:15 AM
|
i bought you a Chrysler-Plymouth 1966
you're cruising up and down pacific coast highway,
you wont even let me shift.
mopar sally, girl you better slow that chrysler down.
you've been running all over town
----------
nanothermite
|
