FW: (singin, jammin) Why not just call them "Guitar Jams"

["M. Erickson" <erickm@xxxxxxxxx>]

I know most inexperienced harmonica players don't want to hear it, but it's
quite true.  A lot of new
INEXPERIENCED players overplay.  It's like the only thing they hear is their
harmonica.  The thing to remember
is that there are other musicians on the stage, and they need their space.
At high volume, you can't play
constantly like Muddy's harpers did with their little 5 watt amps.  We have
to find our spots, and make sure
they don't interfere.

If you like to play constantly, try an acoustic jam.  If you bring a small
amp, you can have the best of both
worlds.

As we gain experience, we learn to work with the band.

To turn the tables and see things from the other point of view, how would
you feel if the singer sang or
talked over your solo?  "But that's boring - I can't just stand around
during all those long, long soloes".
;-)

But an experienced pro singer won't do that.

Now - with that out of the way, there are things we can do that will fit and
yet not get in the way.  Do you
know your music theory, and understand chords, rhythms, and such?  If so,
you can lightly comp chords (at a
reduced volume) when needed.  If the guitarist isn't doing very many fills,
you can add a few, especially if
you can do them tastily.

Yes, it may require a little restraint on our part.  But if we find ways to
make the MUSIC better, we'll find
that we're welcomed more often to sit in, and maybe we'll start getting
calls to come and sit in, or join the
band, or for sessions, etc.


LIVE tunes by The IronMan Curtis BonTemps Blues Band:
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http://d852737.u327.webnewport.com/songs/YouAreSoBeautiful.mp3
http://d852737.u327.webnewport.com/songs/ironman/PrettyWoman.mp3
http://d852737.u327.webnewport.com/songs/StormyMonday.mp3
Live video of IronMan http://www.studiocam.org/rplayer/rplayermc56.htm

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- -IronMan Mike Curtis http://www.ironmancurtis.com *Southland Blues Magazine
http://www.SouthlandBlues.com TU 8pm jam Starboard Attitude, Redondo pier
2nd & 4th Sunday, after football (9ish), The Crest, Torrance
Last SUN, LARHA HarpJam, Tia Juanas, Irvine


On Thursday, December 04, 2003 7:29 PM [GMT-7=PDT],M. Erickson
<erickm@xxxxxxxxx> wrote:

> I wrote:
>>> The biggest fault of inexperienced harp players is
>> that they play way too
>>> much. They step all over the singer and all over the
>> guitar solo. So just
>>> sit back, until it's your turn to solo. Don't try to
>> do the fills or comp
>>> the guitar solo. Just find the groove listening to
>> the bass and drums. When
>>> it's your turn to solo, play your guts out for 24
>> bars and then stop. Leave
>>> 'em wanting more.
>>
>> Jp: but this sounds
>> boring. if i'm on stage with a bunch of guys and i
>> can't play a lick except in my solos, i'm gonna get
>> peeved.
>
>
> My comments were meant for those fairly new and inexperienced with jam
> sessions. If you're good and experienced, you can do anything you
> want. But from what I've seen, green harp players over-play, big
> time, and is one reason guitarists and other musicians can act snotty
> towards harpers.
>
> There's a lot of vocal instruction out there. I'm familiar with "Born
> to Sing, The Vocal Power Method", by Elizabeth Howard and Howard
> Austin. It think it's great. They cover many styles. Taking a few
> lessons from a vocal instructor can be extremely helpful, assuming
> you get the right instructor.