I recently joined some musical friends at a local venue and played with the band all evening. It was great fun!
I chose to sit out of some songs entirely (if I can't constructively add to a song, I don't play), and just comped during many playing octave "organ" backing or occasional fills to add texture. The comping on this song is minimal and barely audible, though the solos at 3:55 and at the end turned out OK.
I really like the vocals and guitar on this! ----------
Doug S.
Last Edited by dougharps on Oct 05, 2018 12:05 PM
Probably totally unfair to judge based on this video, but it seems that the drummer was bashing much harder than necessary for that particular venue. Drummer controls the stage volume frequently, and his approach may push others to play too loud as well. When I had a drummer that tended to do this, I'd insist that he also have lighter sticks in his bag to help take the edge off if he couldn't control himself.
I enjoy playing with a drummer that also plays the "room" effectively.
Good strong vocals and you did just fine - low key (not harmonica key, but style), nothing fancy, good support, etc. ---------- The Iceman
While the drummer does hit pretty hard (I was right next to him!), I think the video may over-emphasize the volume of the drums in the mix based on the location and elevation of the camera. The band was using a mixer into 2 brand-new powered tower PA units by Turbosound, with one side monitor. Setting it up for this first use took longer than expected. I didn't have the opportunity to listen from various locations in the room. There was a guy moving around who was designated for running sound for the band.
In the video the harp is lower in the mix than I would have chosen, though harp sounded loud enough in the monitor.
Thank you for saying, "you did just fine - low key (not harmonica key, but style), nothing fancy, good support, etc."
Except for the occasional fast song with a solo where I let myself cut loose (not recorded during this gig), when I play in a band as a side man my goal is exactly that: "nothing fancy, good support."
I have often thought that this approach to harp playing in a band is something that should be addressed at SPAH or other workshops. Most of the workshops seem to be about expanding harp chugging, harp soloing technique and building chromatic virtuosity on harp. Not much is said about playing as part of an ensemble, comping and filling, and not showing off.
I grew into my approach to this style of playing in bands as a side man, and have not figured out how to present it to a group in an hour or two. ----------
