I dont think of you hogging the thread if you tlk about what you do to add variety to the mix when you play. But you are probably correct that a pedal discussion probably necessitates another thread to thoroughly explore it. Frankly, I have had them and chucked them as being a bother and noisey. But I have seen others use them quite well, so there is something good in them!
6SN7 - sorry to go OT (although this thread is going round and round) - but you mention doing horn lines on a chromatic, which is my current thing I'm trying to work on. Do you have any examples of what you do? Ta.
MP would sound great even if he was playing into a tin can with a wire coming out of it going into a megaphone, with or without the bourbon. And, btw , I didn't say this type of rig that he's using never works. However, personally, I prefer big boy amps, but YMMV. Oh, and if you are as good as MP, you can probably get plenty of gigs just playing blues.
Oh no , but if and when I ever grow up I want to be like MP! My secretary is convinced that I suffer from Peter Pan syndrome...ya know, we're only young once. But immaturity can be forever!
Last Edited by hvyj on Dec 16, 2015 7:33 PM
I sang last nite at a gig. First time ever. Did Ghost Riders. I sucked but I was so into it that the joint went nuts. Ya, I think you should sing if you can. it will surely help you playing...BN
@6SN7 - Of course, I was being sarcastic. Rusty, RW and Marty are friends of mine. I've played with all of them. I really trust their judgement. I respect them as musicians and people.
If a person wants to be a better player, you get better by playing with better players. If a person plays Blues, it's hard to find better players than those guys. Additionally, if every harp player disappeared tomorrow all of those guys would easily find gigs.
Most of the most frustrated harp players out there are people who feel they rarely get a chance to stretch out and play. This problem is easily rectified by learning to sing a few songs and learning to lead a band. You'll be rewarded, if you conquer your fears.
When Cotton left the Muddy Waters Band, he was asked why he left. He said that he wanted to play what he wanted and he wanted to stretch out more. If you're happy where you are, stay there. If you want to move forward, learning to sing and leading a band aren't bad skills to have. It's not that hard. Bruce Willis can do it. Why not you?
I'm sure that if someone asked Kid Andersen or Rico McFarland about Rusty's ability on the guitar, they would have only good things to say.
@av1901: My carte blanche Thursday night gigs are at a venue in Toledo, Ohio called YE OLDE DURTY BIRD. A lot of my other gigs are also there with other ensembles. I play there regularly, but they rarely book my blues band. Their booking calendar just opened up for next year and I am waiting for more dates. My blues band most recenntly played at THE LONGHORN SALOON in Toledo and plays next on January 9 at TREO RESTAURANT'S ONE2 LOUNGE in Sylvania, Ohio. I also sometimes play at Treo with a couple of my duos. I just got a new gig at a black nightclub called LYRICS LOUNGE in Toledo that looks like it's going to be for next Wednesday. I don't know where u live but if you are close by, I can give u more specific info if you want to stop by. We'd love to see you.
I don't consider myself a great player or anything. Fortunately, most of the musicians I play with are way better than me. I don't have a CD and I don't. regularly record myself. I'm not into the instrumental kaereoke thing that seems to be so popular here l on MBH. But axblack female vocalist by the name of Michelle Shelton has a vid on her FB page of a tune from a show I played with her as sideman. I should probably record myself more, it would probably help me improve my playing. But I don't get the alleged importance of the singing thing. The ONLY singing I do is some background vocals with my blues band when absolutely necessary. I mean, sure, it's always helpful for a musician to be able to sing, I'm just not any good at it and have no aptitude for it. I get around on harp well enough to gig. No one in their right mind is ever going to pay me to sing.
Last Edited by hvyj on Dec 16, 2015 7:38 PM
My first guitar partner insisted that I not sing, even though he didn’t sing himself. The second guy insisted that I sing, because he didn’t sing himself. He told me I needed to be a better singer though. He was right. My harp teacher told me that singing was the weak point in a lot of blues bands around Sydney, and that poor vocals are often an obstacle to otherwise outstanding musicians getting gigs. So I took the plunge and started singing lessons in my early 50s. Singing does help the harp playing, especially in terms of breathing properly and throat relaxation. As I get deeper into learning how to sing, I’m constantly reminded that it is another instrument. There are many techniques and methods for getting over weaknesses, of which I have many. So far, my teacher has had a fix for all my problems. Resolving them is partly in question of practice and partly one of mentally balancing all the various elements that go into producing the “right” sound for what I’m trying to do. Meanwhile I enjoy singing, and spend several hours a day just that — while walking the dog, riding my bike, driving the car, to the chores — or practicing my scales and other exercises. There’s nothing to lose and much to gain by having a crack, so I recommend those of you that are dithering about taking lessons to give it a go, especially you young whippersnappers under 50.
