I think it's honest to say that no-one is immune to this phenomenon. I have been in situations like this over the years so maybe don't "suffer" as much as I used to. And the same applies if you are playing in front of an audience made up of blues musicians or harp players in particular.
The tendency is to overplay and "show what you've got." Not a good idea of course but difficult to surpress.
This has never happened, so imagining: I'd be self-conscious -- knowing that this person knows what I am NOT doing vs. the typical audience that is aware only of what you ARE doing. That self-consciousness could pull me out of the musical moment and make my playing less responsive to the needs of the moment.
I play best when I don't use so much of what I like to call my "front brain", and sort of let the music play itself. Any distraction from that can spoil the moment--but heck, you get to play for Kim Wilson, isn't that a treat?
Wow. Good question. If Corky Siegel showed up at my gig (fat chance), after I got his autograph I would try to climb onto Gnarly's bandwagon and just let it flow without trying to analyze my performance on the fly. I guess I would cut back on the cheap tricks I employ from time to time.
Where I live, it is highly unlikely that any of the big names like Wilson, Parrott, Barbeque Bob Maglinte, etc would ever show up. But I always play as if they would be there. Same goes for crowd size. Whether it’s 2 or 200, I always give the best of what I have in me on that given day. Hopefully if any of them did make an appearance, I wouldn’t get too nervous and choke. Or worse yet, overplay with lousy tone and phrasing. ----------
After a momentary nervousness when a great player shows up when I am playing I usually settle down pretty quickly. I tell myself that while I may not have all their technique and ability, I DO have a valid musical viewpoint and competent chops.
I just focus on making my music to the best of my ability, and it is OK. The great players I have encountered while playing have been friendly and accepting of other players at other levels of performance. ----------
First I would go "Oh shit," then I know I would, quickly, channel it. If anything was different I would probably make sure the songs called covered my favorite territory.
A few years ago I did a "mini tour" here on the East Coast with Bob Corritore and Mich Kashmar - both heavyweights in the blues harmonica community. We played a few club dates and a big festival... I think - for me at least - it was important to remember that we each have our own styles and I tried to not let their presence prevent or change me from "doing what I do." At the end of the tour I think that we each had a greater understanding and appreciation for each other's style.. I love both of them and their playing - Bob NAILS old school Chicago and Mitch had such a creative and inventive West Coast style (chromatic and diatonic)...
Ah: Even though I know (on an intellectual plane) that emotionally connecting with an audience through my playing is much more important than impressing or not impressing a harp player they become florescent reminders of the poverty of my talent when they drop by a show. That's the psychology of playing that shadows me but never stops me. Interestingly I am relatively indifferent to anyone in the audience if it is a minor song where the music completely defeats my psychology! Also this fear is harmonica-player exclusive.For example: I've played in front of and with Quincy Jones a few times and loved sharing the verve...It's also a victory to declare that harp-player-phobic or not I play on (Gotta pay the rent). d ---------- Facebook
1) I play different LIVE, than I do at home 2) I play different LIVE, when a hot shot player is in the room (and usually flub a few notes by over reaching) 3) I play different when a pretty girl is smiling. (can't help it. I'm just an over ambitious dog)
Hmm... Very likely as: The other day I attended a jam where very few Harpists come. Midway through a solo I spot someone in the crowd wearing a Little Walter T-shirt and I almost stumble to a full stop. For a T-shirt! That's why you should never open your eyes when playing |D ---------- Pistolkatt - Pistolkatts youtube
I teach students to play from the center of their abilities (whatever level that is) and not let external factors influence them. Easy to say, a bit harder to instill. ---------- The Iceman
My answer is yes, I would play differently by virtue of the fact that I'd be more on my P's and Q's, so to speak, I'd be intensely focused on playing up to my full potential. I know we all think we do that at every performance, but some degree of complacency, for lack of a better word, is sure to creep in occasionally.
i know from experience that having a star in my audience doesn't change me as much as,say,having my wife or someone there. ---------- www.shakeylee.com
In answer to iceman's original question: Hell yeah! If I know that good harmonica players are in the house, I almost always find myself pushing a little harder, trying to play runs that begin as something they're sure they know and then morph into something that neither they nor I expected.
Last Edited by kudzurunner on Oct 20, 2015 6:56 PM
I always play my best, no matter who's in the audience. Maybe I'm conditioned to having great harp players in the audience, though... I'm a regular at Aki Kumar's jam and, on any given night, guys like Rick Estrin, Andy Just, or Kim Wilson might make an appearance. Still nervous--almost always nervous--but I've screwed up in front of great players so many times that it's ceased mattering. ---------- Marc Graci YouTube Channel
4 or 5 years ago, I walked into a local club for a blues jam, and there was Kim Wilson (along with Kirk Fletcher) sitting at a table eating a steak and green beans. When the house band called me up to play, I was quite nervous and intimidated to play in front of Kim, but I didn't intentionally play any differently - probably just less loose and grooving due to my nerves. The whole time I was up on stage, I never glanced at the audience in Kim's direction, fearing that he would be shaking his head in disgust. :-)
Kim left the club about the same time I was leaving the stage, so I never knew what he thought about my playing.
Having survived that experience, I changed my perspective and figured that if I can play in front of Kim, I can play in front of anyone. Since then, I've further expanded my monster player comfort zone by doing some Skype lessons with Dennis Gruenling. These days, I can play in front of pretty much anyone without worrying about it.
Last Edited by harpoon_man on Oct 21, 2015 5:38 AM
Just remembered something - Years ago when coming out of the closet after not playing for a while I went to one of D.Barrett's "Masterclass" weekends in San Jose. It was packed with pros and amateurs and there was a contest held with Dave, Winslow, and Lee Oscar judging. Lee's roommate was insisting I sign up having flown all the way in from NYC. I deferred and signed up - then when he wasn't looking I crossed out my name. Then Lee's friend caught me and I signed up again. An army of talented competitors and a panel of Olympians...It was bowel loosening for me to get up there. There were 3 places in the (I believe) 2 night contest. Iceman won first, and I won second or third! Lesson learned! Have the balls to believe in your voice! ---------- Facebook
So, I've had this happen in various ways, most pretty early on in my playing, and the short answer is no. ---------- Mike My Website My Harmonica Effects Blog
I usually play what the song requires. I remember playing a gig and Chubby Checker was right below me checking out the band and I didn't play any differently. He stole our drummer at the end of the night. A harmonica player might make me play differently. I was asked a harmonica club jam to hold back. LOL ----------
Judges at Barrett's harmonica contest were Lee, David and Gary Smith - no Winslow, although he was there hanging out (or as an attendee). ---------- The Iceman
Well no, not differently, but undoubtedly more attentively than I might otherwise. Kim Wilson? I think I always do my best but some things just get your adrenaline up. Kim would do it, as would the presence of any pro I'm familiar with.
