harpdude61
444 posts
Nov 01, 2010
9:23 AM
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I got a call Friday about 8:30 pm from a friend in a local blues band. He said the harp guy couldn't make it and wanted me to fill in. The gig started at 9 but I only missed two songs.
The gig went well and I felt pretty good about what I did. I had my Ultimate 57 mic and Double Trouble amp and it seemed to blend well. It was a big difference for me playing all night rather than a token blues song or two with a cover band. I tried not to overuse my bucket of licks and varied my position play. Never played over vocals or another solo instrument...only some fills at the end of vocal phrases and solos. After the gig the lead singer gave me an envelope with $93 inside. I guess it was a milestone for me. My wife thought I had won the lottery.
During one of the breaks a man and his wife came over to me and introduced themselves. They own a downtown business and said they had been rehearsing there every Monday and had started a band called "Ol' Mojo". He said he liked my style and would love for me to come jam one Monday soon and see if I would be interested. The guys in the band I filled in with knew him and said his guys were very good players.
I am flattered but a bit unsure how to proceed. If I was 20 years old I would have jumped at the chance, but at 50 I'm little slower to commit to anything.
One of the things that bothered me was the smoke. TN has no smoking in any bar or club unless they enforce the over 21 rule. Smoking bars are few so they pack the place. I stunk so bad I dropped my clothes in the mud room and went for the shower. I only had two beers but had a terrible smoke hangover the next day. I felt like shit and my harps tasted like shit.
The guy that invited me to tryout with his band was puffing a big stogie all night...so I envision a back room in his business with 3 or 4 smokers and me.
I would love to hear from some of you experienced with joining a band. Is the smoke a way of life I must accept? Any tips on what I should watch for and how to answer commitment questions? Any wisdom on anything associated with this would be appreciated.
Blues bands are rare around here so who knows when I'll get another chance. My hope is that the smoke places die out.
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Kyzer Sosa
853 posts
Nov 01, 2010
9:38 AM
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harpdude, im just outside of nashville...i am a smoker, but do not like being any place where im inundated with it. smokers can get smokers hangover too. and its happened to me more than once. even when i wasnt smoking. having said that, ive also never played for cash...tips but no cash.
its a respect thing, really. I would go be your 20 year old self, brother. as you put it, who knows when you may get another chance. as far as the band smoking, when youre playing that aint a problem, cept the audience. not all tunes are harmonica intensive. if the problem is unavoidable, ask that the set list provide you with opportunities to take a breath of fresh air. if they truly care for your playing, i cant imagine they would give you no leeway.
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nacoran
3129 posts
Nov 01, 2010
10:03 AM
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It all comes down to how much the smoke bothers you vs. how bad you want to play. For years I couldn't go out much. I have a severe allergy to smoke. When I was a kid it was nearly fatal. But I live in NYS and they've thrown the smokers outside. It's been a new lease on life for me.
You can talk to them, say look, I respect your right to smoke, but I just can't take it. If they offer to make some accommodation, fine; if not you're right back where you started decided how much it bothers you. (You might also want to keep an eye on what way the legislative winds are blowing on smoking where you live, and if they are travelling to nearby areas that have tougher regs or playing under 21 shows maybe you could sit it.
OT Rant- You know what bothers me on the whole smoking issue... the FDA is regulating patches and smokeless cigarettes and nicotine gums more tightly than cigarettes. I have no problem with people getting a nic fix, as long as I can breathe too.
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toddlgreene
2015 posts
Nov 01, 2010
10:12 AM
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Besides the smoking issue(I'm right there with you, and cherish the no smoking or outdoor gigs when they come my way), remember this:if you're not playing for a living, you don't have to tolerate anyone's crap that you wouldn't tolerate otherwise, unless you're just that desperate to play. Also, there's a marked difference in the approach and sometimes the attitudes of folks who play for a living vs. those who don't and play music as a hobby or for a few extra bucks. Full-timers will want to gig as often as possible, and unless they've 'made it' oftentimes view gigs as just a job. Not to say they all do, but you will encounter that. I respect that, and always make sure we have the same goals/aspirations up front. I hope I never get over the joy of playing music-live or otherwise.
Beware of becoming a taxi driver for the band too!
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Todd L. Greene, Codger-in-training
Last Edited by on Nov 01, 2010 10:25 AM
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Joe_L
774 posts
Nov 01, 2010
10:12 AM
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Dude - you're 50. How many more years do you want to live? The remaining years aren't the good ones anyway.
All kidding aside, if you live in an urban area, put an ad in craigslist. I'm betting there are a ton of players who would have the same attitude as you about smoking. Find some of those people.
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mercedesrules
56 posts
Nov 01, 2010
10:23 AM
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.....Anti-smoking legislation is anti-private property/liberty. Only clubowners should decide this matter.
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harmonicanick
970 posts
Nov 01, 2010
10:43 AM
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Dude - you're 50. How many more years do you want to live? The remaining years aren't the good ones anyway.
That's Joe's take..
here's mine..
Dude - you're 50. How many years do you want to play in a band?
Have they asked you to audition? If so when you are there tell them about the smoke, wow them with your enhancement of their sound, and go for it!
I am 59 and this is the best time to play in a band and get paid for it. Never turn an opportunity down without trying, good luck
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OzarkRich
295 posts
Nov 01, 2010
10:52 AM
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It's all a matter of how long and well you want to live. I used to be fanatical about avoiding smoke, even to the point of alienating friends and family (and almost to the point of losing my wife); both to avoid it because of my kids, and to set a good example for them.
I've now reached the point where I don't care anymore about how long I'll live, I just want to make the most of whats left. And it's easier to tell people "I told you so" (as I've done with a couple family members on their death bed) than to convince them in the first place.
You'll eventually get used to the extreme smoke if you deal with it on a regular basis (at least once a week). I still try to avoid it.
Ironically my wife now has asthma that can be triggered by just the odor of smoke on someones clothes. I'm now willing to frequent places that she wanted me to go to with her years ago but now she can't!
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earlounge
197 posts
Nov 01, 2010
11:07 AM
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Wow it's been a long time since I thought about this issue! I mainly gig in New Jersey and NYC, which both have anti-smoking laws. This month (November) actually marks 2 years since I quit smoking, and needless to say I am thankful we have these laws. I absolutely hate playing in PA where they still smoke inside. I feel your pain.
My advice is to try it out, but be upfront with the band. If you can't handle it after playing out then quit. If you are upfront about it then the band can't be too pissed.
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Diggsblues
579 posts
Nov 01, 2010
11:07 AM
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Smoking at gigs is the one big draw back.
Philadelphia has anti smoking laws which is
great too bad I have any gigs. LOL
It's become a health and labor issue.
The old places that didn't have good ventilation
were the worst. This place called South St.
Rhythm and Blues was so bad that by the
third set my eyes started to burn.
Now that's an unhealthy work enviroment.LOL
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Emile "Diggs" D'Amico a Legend In His Own Mind
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harpdude61
445 posts
Nov 01, 2010
11:35 AM
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Several good points here and they all got me to thinking. I assume all these guys in the band are like me, have a regular day job and enjoy blues as a hobby.
I wouldn't expect more than 2 or 3 weekend gigs a month.
I guess you could say I need to audition but the band founder and equipment owner wants me in..again, I don't know how these things work.
None of my friends or family smoke so alination is not an issue, but I doubt many would show at last Fridays venue.
The advice I needed to hear is be up front and honest and find out the deal. If the practice room is non-smoker friendly then I guess I could stand a smokers club once in a while....but I won't suffer for 3 hours every Monday night practicing in a cloud.
I want to play blues and enjoy life to the fullest. I guess i should go jam and meet the guys, and be honest and upfront. I'm sure band chemistry is a hard thing to predict as well.
We have several nice clubs around here that are non-smoking but have smokers patios or decks with heaters and such. I'll see what they have booked.
I will quit as soon as it seems like a job. When it is not fun I'm done.
Thank all of you so much for taking time to respond to my post.
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harmonicanick
973 posts
Nov 01, 2010
12:46 PM
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you got it Dude, as soon as you don't enjoy yourself speak out or quit the band.
I was fired from my last band because I had the audacity to criticise the set list which had stayed the same for 2 years:)
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hvyj
784 posts
Nov 01, 2010
8:14 PM
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Well, keep in mind that being paid to play is a whole lot different than sitting in. Besides the greater length of time performing on stage (which can be taxing), if you've got a gig booked you've got to show up on time, set up, and play whether you happen to be in the mood or not. But that's what makes you a professional--the ability to deliver a competent musical performance even when you really don't happen to feel like it.
It can be a drag playing with lousy musicians. But if the other musicians in the band are good, you should do it. It will be a wonderful learning experience, and what can be better than being able to play music with good musicians and actually get paid for it?
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jbone
428 posts
Nov 02, 2010
4:35 AM
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i smoke but very rarely on stage. it gets totally in the way of the flow of making music to me. anyone- no matter how long or much they smoke- can defer smoking for a 45 minute set and take it outside or to the back of the club while on break. IF they are serious about doing music whether as a weekend warrior or a full time avocation.
i'm fortunate that most of the time the people i play with either don't smoke or don't smoke on stage. when a club is poorly ventilated it can be a drag even on a smoker who is also playing harp.
the dilemma is, do you want to play with "good" musicians enough to defer your desire to not smoke? or be exposed. i came up when this was not an issue, everywhere you went people smoked and thought nothing of it. if you think about all the other crap that's put in our environment and never spoken of- chemicals from building materials, cleaning fluids, auto exhaust, fertilizer, insecticide, etc ad nauseum, how big a deal is some tobacco smoke? ever played around a campfire? regardless of who's smoking what and where, you'll end up getting home with wood smoke in everything you own.
i took some big chances in my early days. not just with smoking or other choices of what went into my body or those around me but playing in some pretty rough joints. alcohol to me is a much riskier thing when mixed with semi-sane people. a big drunk crowd can be a much more dangerous thing then some second hand smoke. but i was driven and dedicated and i have no regrets.
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harpdude61
448 posts
Nov 02, 2010
6:21 AM
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UPDATE....I did go last night jam and sort of tryout.
The practice room was huge with a high ceiling and though the other 3 guys smoked it didn't get near me at all.
I thought the music was great. THey played a lot of Muddy and popular blues songs, several ZZ Top and southern rock which I jam to a lot anyway (some good ZZ backing tracks on youtube btw).
The guitarist/singer knows his blues. He told me about working in a music store in Jersey as a teen in the 70s when Brownie McGhee walked in seeking equipment repairs. He knows every Howlin Wolf song.
I was invited to play a gig this weekend, but not into the band. They want to bring me in as a guest. My thinking is they want to see if I go over well enough to justify splitting $$ 4 ways instead of 3.
I'm fine with this. Call me, if I want to play, throw me enough for gas,food, and a couple of beers and I jam a couple of sets. No set-up, no breakdown just bring my amp and plug in...and if I say no that is cool too.
I'm happy for now. I also have two bands that use me as fill in for their regualar harp player.
Now I know what it feels lke to be a substitute teacher...just waitin on a call.
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clyde
68 posts
Nov 02, 2010
7:30 AM
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hey dude, don't sell yourself short. if you play you should get a full split. if you don't, i think it would get old real quick.
as far as "call me, if i want to play....that'll get old with the band...most guys who come when they feel like it .... don't get called.
if you get the chance and feel like there is any way you could play with the band full time...do it...at least for a while. there is nothing quite like it.
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harpdude61
449 posts
Nov 02, 2010
8:28 AM
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Good advice Clyde..I'm sure if I played my heart out and was well received, it would bother me not to get a full share.
I did sense that these guys were serious about their music. I'll play one or two gigs and see what happens...if I feel violated I'll make the all or none pitch....lol
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Shredder
201 posts
Nov 02, 2010
12:50 PM
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Duane,
I've heard you play before, they are foolish if they don't reconize your talent and ask you to join the band. I'm 51 and enjoy playing in a band.I could see it getting old if we gigged 2 or 3 times a week, I work 40 hour weeks already at my day job.
Yeah the smoke is an issue with me also. The clothes can be washed but my harps taste like smoke for days after the gig.
I agree with you, give it a shot with the option to drop out if your not happy with the way things are going. If they take you in you should get a full cut.
Be carefull that they don't take advantage of you.
I have had experince with "let's buy a ton of new gear and pay it off as we play" you usually get the short end of the stick when the band breaks up or you split.
The money split is a big deal with some bands. I've been ask to set in with bands a few times and I most always get the line,"Your the best harp player I have ever heard and I would love to have you in the band but I'm already splitting the take 4 ways but your welcome on my stage any time" B/S!!
I say give them a free one to show them that your worth your cut and if they can't see that leave them.
I don't know about the lead guitar player, some times it's an ego trip that keeps you out of the band because you intimidate him.
Just have fun while your still able to.
Mike
Last Edited by on Nov 02, 2010 12:51 PM
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jbone
430 posts
Nov 03, 2010
4:34 AM
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re: smelly harps. 91% alcohol, NO SCENT, will clean just about anything out of a reed plate.
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harpdude61
451 posts
Nov 03, 2010
6:23 AM
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Thanks Shredder!
This forum is great. you guys are giving me insights that I would have otherwise had to learn the hard way.
I noticed at my fill-in gig that it bothered the lead guitar if I got applause after a break. He probably averaged 3 breaks to my 1 thru the night.
I may not understand everything but logic tells me you would want to be in a band with great players. Ideally, I want a band where everyone plays better than me, but they can see I'm driven to catch up. Egos can't be good for the music.
Never thought of equipment issues. Much still for me to learn.
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