Re: [Harp-L] accompanying--playing in a band

[Richard Hunter <turtlehill@xxxxxxxxxxxxx>]

"jim.alciere@xxxxxxxxx" wrote:
<Notes are only a small part of playing.

Listening is the first and most important musical talent.  Listening is where you find out what's good and what's not, and it's where you interact with other musicians.

The biggest difference between pro and amateur players isn't how well they play.  Plenty of amateurs have technique that's more than good enough to get their ideas across.  The difference is how well they listen--how well they put themselves into the moment and the music, which is all about hearing and responding to the other musicians onstage (and the audience too).

I have seen an amateur get so wrapped up in his own playing that he continued playing for half a minute after everyone else on stage stopped.  The cure isn't more practice.  It's listening harder.

Thanks and regards, Richard Hunter
 

author, "Jazz Harp"
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