Re: Why not just call them "Guitar Jams"

["Paul Darko" <pauldarko@xxxxxxxxxxx>]

Frank, I think we've all run into this before. Unfortunately, some players;
guitar, harp and otherwise, think that just because they are good on a
particular instrument, they're somehow better or "above you" as a person.
I've run into this attitude many times in the years that I've been on stage.
It's funny to watch but it also still pisses me off occasionally.

The only saving grace is that I have also been lucky enough to meet and play
with musicians who are not only absolutely fantastic in their performance
but also very down to earth and supportive to up and coming players. The
solution is to avoid the first type and seek out and support the second
type. Have a good time and don't let it slow you down! It's all part of the
dance.
PaulDarko

- ----- Original Message -----
From: "Frank Turina" <fturina@xxxxxxx>
To: <harp-l@xxxxxxxxxx>
Sent: Thursday, December 04, 2003 12:20 AM
Subject: Why not just call them "Guitar Jams"


>
> I have been playing/practicing Blues Harp for about a year.  Recently, I
> started going to the local blues jams.  The first few times were great.
The
> host band was supportive and encouraged me to get up and play and I
learned
> a ton.  Then that particular band stopped running the gig, so lately I've
> been trying out some other jams in town (Denver).  OK, I've heard all the
> harmanoica player jokes, but didn't think they amounted to a full-blown
> bias.  Now I know different.  I'm learning and my ego isn't that big.  I
> know I don't sound like LW or Cotton. But even BEFORE I go up and play,
I'm
> usually treated like a second class citizen.  Tonight, at a place that I
> never played before, I heard the Jam's host ask the guitarists if they
> wanted a harp player to sit in - They said no, so I sat out the real
> electric blues set and they stuck me with an acoustic folk
singer/guitarist.
>   I floundered trying to play first position and third position to
accompany
> his minor keys.  I'm just starting to get comfortable in Cross Harp.
(After
> the first song, the host came up to the guitarist and said he was doing a
> good job "drowning out the harp player.")  It wasn't fair to me or the
> guitar player, who was very good.
>
> I'm not just writing to whine. I won't go back there, but  I love playing
> and I'm not going to quit.  My question is how do more experienced players
> deal with the situation?  How can I "cut my chops" on the Harp?  And Does
> anyone know of a harp-friendly jam in Denver?
>
> Thanks
>
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