Re: RE: Jam Session Etiquette

"Chris Michalek" <chris@xxxxxxxxxxxx> · Mon, 17 May 2004 09:07:39 -0500

I never had issues with letting people sit in with my group. Letting
somebody jam however, did depend on the venue - if it's a nicer place
then no chance but if it were just a regular then I didn't care.
Inviting people on stage usually worked to my advantage as far as the
audience is concerned. I've had people come and tell me they are one
of the best harp player in the world - perhaps in their "gussing"
style - so I would invite said individual up and tell the audience
that so and so says - he's the best in the world.  If he falls on his
face - then he's made himself the fool.  If he's great then I give
him another song or two.  If it's somebody that truly is one of the
best in the world then I'll give him my rig and take a break....

We all have to start somewhere.

>
>
>
>---- Original Message ----
>From: garry@xxxxxxxxxxxx
>To: harp-l@xxxxxxxxxx
>Subject: Re: RE: Jam Session Etiquette
>Date: Mon, 17 May 2004 09:29:28 -0400
>
>>
>>"HR" <party_man1@xxxxxxxxxx> wrote:
>>
>>> When I'm asked by an unknown musician if he /she can come up 
>>> and do a song , I say lets talk about on the break , then on the 
>>> break I take that person outside of ear shot and have them do a 
>>> little audition , from there it is a crap shoot whether I let them
>on
>>>  if they are shaky at best , and let them down politely and say 
>>> " You need to do a little wood shedding my friend " And also 
>>> explain why its critical to have a good showing on their first 
>>> night out if they want to get on stage again . I also say it is 
>>> not fair to the musicians who work with me to have some 
>>> one who is not ready to go on stage and jeopardize a gigs 
>>> length . I have had those who I turned down thank me later 
>>> after they improved and I had them on stage .
>>
>>it seems to me this whole discussion boils down to this: respect.
>>respect for the player, for the rest of the band, for the music.  if
>
>>they came back to thank you, it's because you showed them this
>>respect, and in the process, made them better musicians.  not
>>just by virtue of going home and practicing, but by making them
>>understand that by stepping onstage, they are taking responsiblity 
>>for the quality of everyone's experience.  and if they are not yet
>>good enough, the responsible thing is to wait until they are, and
>>work hard to become so.  and that's quite a lesson.
>>
>>
>>----
>>Garry Hodgson, Technology Consultant, AT&T Labs
>>
>>Be happy for this moment.
>>This moment is your life.
>>
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