The question is: What is your band's philosophy - do you take an outsider to play or how do you politely say no? I was able to play with blues legend Buddy Guy at his gig only by asking and giving a small sample with my harmonica. The audience was over 6000, mara
We occasionally have a guest sit in but pretty much if we know them or their reputation as a good player precedes them. ---------- Music and travel destroy prejudice.
We run a set list but call plenty of audibles. If we know you, and know you can play, we might even invite you out of the crowd. You'd probably know our music too...
If you couldn't keep time, you be sitting down as fast as you got up.
It depends on the gig. If we're doing a 3-hour gig at a bar with a lot of time to kill, sure hop up and play a tune. If it's a shorter featured spot probably wouldn't bring someone up spontaneously.
sometimes we allow---touchy with harmonica__"feedback" and most harp players are not as good as they think they are-[myself included] nothing more awkward than waiting for a song to end cuz the harp guy is terrible--oh he's waving his hands--acting cool, hes got the moves, but the sound is poor
But one thing I do think, if "I" ask, "no" is an acceptable answer--
The band members are the ones that have taken the time to learn the songs,practice, hussle the gig-work for small pay, load unload etc In other words they have paid and are paying their dues. so along comes another harp player who gets mad if he cant sit in.
In these cases, which happen all the time then he sits in a drunken stooper in front of the band-playing along with them--doorman will say 'sir' please stop playing or leave-- the customers are getting nauseous
sorry this is one of pet peeves 'when players get mad when the answer is "no" Get yr own band --u load and unload equipment-u hussle some gigs- work for little pay cuz u love the blues etc
maybe off topic a little, but never the less when yr mentioned as a harp player to a band "the eyes roll" cuz of all the experiences they've had---
Im glad u got to play, but we all need to realize that "no" is an acceptable answer
I have my own stories, but let me share a recent one of a buddy of mine--Jason Keene, aka Bluesbop, chummed up Gregoire Maret and wrangled an onstage invite--here is the YouTube . . .
In previous bands we have had people up, not "just" a harp guy but guitar or even horn sometimes, and it's worked well a few times. I invited a trombonist/waiter up once and he was a phenomenon. He and I were on the same wavelength. Having come up in a jam mentality my boundaries were pretty loose. Many times I was the recipient of an invite onto a stage early one. Manners are the most important thing followed by best efforts to add to a song. This current incarnation, we have something different going on and it does not lend as well to random guests.
I have invited someone up to play, but it was prearranged. I have encountered situations where complete strangers ‘thought I might toss them a harp’ and seemed surprised I didn’t comply.
I had a bloke once ask me if he could play some harp. I said sure, what keys do you have? He said he didn’t have any. I said “Well mate, you’re not spitting into mine”