Re: [Harp-L] When to Lay Out

[IcemanLE@xxxxxxx]

Laying out or empty space may be considered a passive involvement with the  
music - killing time until you get to play harmonica some more. 
 
A valuable shift in awareness is to learn to actively play the silence,  
considering that the silence is just as important (some consider even more  
important) as the notes. After all, if it weren't for the silence between the  
notes, you wouldn't perceive it as music.
 
Another aspect to develop is to relax and embrace 'not-playing' while on  
stage, being secure in yourself and your abilities.
 
As artists mature, so many of them discover that it is not what you say,  
but what you leave unsaid or alluded to that makes the music so compelling.  
Spaces that surround your musical ideas and lines will actually create a  
stronger impact to the ear of the listener. 
 
Isn't it true, for the most part, when you are stuck in a conversation with 
 someone that won't shut up, that you often become disengaged and stop  
listening to what is being said?
 
 
In a message dated 4/27/2009 11:30:50 P.M. Eastern Daylight Time,  
gkester@xxxxxxxx writes:

it was  rare to find a harp player  
who knows when to lay out as well as when  to play. I've always tried  
to be judicious in my playing; looking  for the right phrase or set of  
notes to compliment the music, even  if it's short or relatively  
subtle. It was nice to have someone  recognize this. I think I have a  
fear of harmonica overkill. I'd  rather leave the audience wishing they  
could hear MORE harp, rather  than filling up every empty space. If I  
was Jason Ricci it might be  another matter, but given my own skills I  
sometimes take as much  pleasure in well-considered fill as I do in a  
solo (not that I'm  averse to those either!). I wonder if this is the  
case for other  players?


**************Access 350+ FREE radio stations anytime from anywhere on the 
web. Get the Radio Toolbar! 
(http://toolbar.aol.com/aolradio/download.html?ncid=emlcntusdown00000003)