Re: Obnoxious category / Honking patrons / Kevin's

[jterrasi@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxx (Joe Terrasi)]

Sorry this is late, but I've been away from the list for a few days, but
this is a topic that I feel pretty strongly about...

FJM writes:
>People who play in bars while you're playing are your customers and
>should be tolerated (not encouraged) if at all possible.  Now if it's an
>acoustic gig they should be caned maybe shot should be reserved for the
>second offense.  FJM

With all due respect, I strongly disagree.  If you were playing a gig and
the local tuba player came in and started jamming in the audience, would
you put up with that?  If not, why will you put up with a harp player of
equal rudeness?  Fact is, I've never seen ANY players of other instruments
pull that crap.  What is it in the evolution of a harp player that breeds
that kind of behavior?

Tim writes:
>I have seen this all too often as well, and the really bummer about it is
>that it really enforces those negative stereotypes of the harp. You know the
>ones..........a harp isn't really an instrument, harp players aren't
>musicians, etc.. .

Yeah Tim, I hate that too, but I'd have to suggest that at least some harp
players are the culprits for creating this image.  Note the point above: no
other musicians would wander through a bar playing along, but I've seen
plenty of harp players do it.  It makes them out to be more than simply
rude.  It shows them to lack common sense and professionalism as musicians.


I agree as well with your points about musicians who EXPECT harp player to
have no idea what's going on.  The problem is, there must be a reason they
expect this.  They've probably run into one or more harp players who have
no clue.  This also accounts for many bands' reluctance to let harp players
sit in unless they know them well.

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