[Harp-L] taking the plunge (long newbie story)

[Garry Hodgson <garry@xxxxxxxxxxxx>]

note: i know a lot of you on this list are way beyond this
stage, but maybe it'll bring back memories of your first time.
and maybe it'll inspire some of you newbies to take the plunge.


well, i finally did it.  i've been working on
to learn to play harp for maybe a year now.  i'm not
great by any means, but i'm getting the hang of it, and
have reached the not-quite-so-flat part of the learning
curve.  you know, the part where you can actually play
enough that it gets fun, so your learning accelerates.

i've been lucky enough to see a number of harp players
this year (kim wilson, rob paparozzi, jason ricci,
dennis gruenling, ...), and they've inspired me to
push ahead.  it was time to step up and...gulp...actually
play with somebody.

i'd scoped out the local blues jam a few weeks ago, and
it seemed pretty laid back.  it was a little intimidating,
since many of the players were *really* good. but they
seemed very tolerant of a new guitar player who was very
nervous, and struggling, and encouraged me to bring my
harps the next time.

so last night i gathered up my harps and my courage and
went back, to play this time.  i was really nervous, but
figured i'd be ok once i started.  i figured it was
a good omen that when i walked in, there was a guy playing harp
with the house band (there hadn't been during my reconaissance
run).  when i checked in, i was introduced to him, and we got
to chat a bit.  he was full of encouragement for me, and kindly
offered the use of his rig. he gave me a tour, we talked harps,
and then i waited...

then i got the nod, and off i went.  the guitarist wanted to
play "Scratch My Back", which i actually knew.  and so we did.
and it was great.  i'd never played with anyone before, let
alone in front of anyone (nor played amplified, for that matter).
but it was terrific.  the band was great, and it was very easy
to catch the groove.  i hung back a bit at first.  i was never
quite sure when i should be playing and when i should be staying
out of the way.  and after reading endless rants here about
obnoxious harp players, i erred on the side of caution.  but i'd
find myself playing quiet accompaniment, then look up to see the
guitarists staring at me, wondering when i'd start my solo.  oops.
i guess playing too little is still better than playing too much.

next we played "Mustang Sally", then a blues in F.  i played
well, better than i have before.  having the safety net of the band
allowed me to stretch out, and encouraged me to do so.  the mic (GB)
felt great in hand (i know what's at the top of my christmas list),
and the sound was terrific.  i had several "did *I* play that?"
moments.  by the time we were done, i was ready for a break, but
also very ready to come back.  it felt great.

all in all, a great night.  i didn't have real high expections of
myself.  i was there to learn, and to get over the hump of playing
with actual musicians.  and i did all that.  the fact that i think
i played well, and was told so by others, is just gravy.  i think
i know where i'll be spending my wednesday nights for the forseeable
future...

ps.  many thanks to all of you.  i've learned a lot here, and even
more by seeing some of you play.  you never know when something you
say or do can push someone over the brink to become something new.

----
Garry Hodgson, Technical Consultant, AT&T Labs

Be happy for this moment.
This moment is your life.