Re: Advanced techniques and attitudes...

["IronMan Mike Curtis" <ironman@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx>]

Hi Jimbeau;

Excellent response.  Yup - harmonica players don't have a monopoly on
flakiness.  Not even close.  In fact, most harmonica players I know are a
bit more on the humble side than a lot of other musicians.

Also true that a lot of mediocre musicians don't have a good work ethic and
won't rehearse (or woodshed - which is probably why they're mediocre ;-)
However, (I'm sure you know) this isn't always the case.  As one gains
experience and a repertoire (especially in a rather specialized genre like
blues, jazz, rock covers, etc.), reading skills, and a good ear, one is more
able to walk into a gig situation and handle it.

A good example of this is Lee Oskar.  He doesn't have time to rehearse with
his band, so he has charts for everyone.

I was called about a week ago for a "guitar" gig last night (Saturday) with
a singer I'd just met.  I didn't know any of her material (except
generically).  She gave me a cassette of her CD.  I was able to listen to it
about five times, which (having a good ear) helped.  As it turns out, the
whole band was subs - Steve F'dor on keys, Hank Deluxe on skins, and Vince
(something-or-other) on bass.  There were a few clams, but generally
speaking, we pulled it off with panache.  But all of us have many years
experience playing blues and R&B - and we listen to one another.  We didn't
have charts.

I work with some other singers that have "books", and this makes it even
easier.

Charts make a lot of sense if your band is a bit larger.  With more heads,
there's more likelihood that someone won't be able to make a gig.  If you've
got the more difficult and unusual stuff charted out, it's easy to find a
sideman for the evening.

And I agree that a "chick magnet" car is cheaper (and easier) than running a
band, honing ones chops on esoteric techniques, and such.

From: "Jimbeau Harp" <jimbeauharp@xxxxxxxxxxx>
> >From: "Mike Curtis" <ironman@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx>
> >
> >While I'm sure a few people use advanced techniques for egotistical
> >purposes, I can assure you that most musicians who take the time to learn
> >and actually put forth the effort to master them do it out of a love of
> >music, and/or advancing harmonica and the artform.
>
> This is so true for all musicians -- not just harmonica players.
>
> Like others, I've had the pleasure of playing with some great musicians,
and
> I've played with some who weren't.
>
> Nine times out of ten, the people who were most willing to put in
rehearsal
> time to tighten up arrangements or learn new material were the more
advanced
> players.
>
> And, sadly, some of the players I've dealt with who didn't want to
rehearse
> because we were "good enough" for a particular club, were the mediocre
ones.
>
> Of course this makes sense when you think about it. Great musicians become
> great through diligence and hard work and open-mindedness.
>
> Mediocre ones stay mediocre because they don't exert themselves and they
> reject new ideas.
>
>
> >There are much easier ways to bolster a sagging ego than hard work.
>
> Considering how much work is required to put a band together and keep it
> working, even part-time, it's easier and probably cheaper to go out and
buy
> an expensive car if you want a quick ego boost.
>
>
> Jimbeau
>
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