RE: [Harp-L] 'A' harp cutting through, telling guitarists to turn down

["Bobby \" BlackHat\" Walters" <bobby@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx>]

I agree that getting the guitar players to crank it back it pretty much a
lost cause.   The whole concept of dynamics is completely lost on many
players.  I too finally opted for a bigger amp (Bassman) so I could compete.
But even with the larger amp I work to keep the volume reasonable.  I have
listened to many bands and watched people get up and leave because of the
volume.  If you see folks stuffing napkins in there ears, that should be a
hint.

I attribute it to two reasons.  

1.  Older players can't tell because they are already deaf from years of
playing too loud.

2.  Youngsters don't know any better because noone is teaching them any
better.  They get together with other youngsters and just keep trying to out
crank each other.  It's a case of the soon to be deaf leading the soon to be
deaf...and so the cylcle continues.

BlackHat
http://bobbyblackhat.com



-----Original Message-----
From: harp-l-bounces@xxxxxxxxxx [mailto:harp-l-bounces@xxxxxxxxxx] On Behalf
Of Roscoharp@xxxxxxx
Sent: Sunday, October 03, 2004 6:53 PM
To: harp-l@xxxxxxxxxx
Subject: [Harp-L] 'A' harp cutting through, telling guitarists to turn down

Chris Michalek writes:
"D harp 3rd position cuts through adequately. Or tell the guitarists to turn
down"

Hey list,
I see this advice all the time on this list, & in real life this is just not
practical.  In the best of all possible worlds, you could get guitarists,
bassists, drummers, et al. to turn down at will. Not in this life.  I play
in a rock band. The music is loud. Too loud. The guys in my band are
generally easy to get along with, but do not want me telling them how to
shape their sound. 
Even if they turn down temporarily, the sound will creep back up. 
  I don't like it at all, but that's the way it is. It was even worse when I
was playing with horns. A trumpet next to your head is louder than most
guitar amps.  I have learned that the best defense is a good offense. My rig
is LOUD. I am not completely happy with the way it sounds, but at least I
can be heard. 
The idea that you are going to get a guy with a huge investment in amps &
guitars to turn down so you can hear your harp is usually not realistic. If
you play in a band that plays loud, you have to learn to deal with it. 
Otherwise, find a different band. 


later, Rosco
maybe august
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