Re: [Harp-L] Extended Solos

["Eric Garcia" <ericgar85@xxxxxxxxxxx>]

so if a solo falls in the woods and nobody hears it..........

i can sort of see your point with the "connecting with the audience",,
but does that mean if you are playing a song with a band and people
appear bored and leave you should stop??? it's the same thing.
the band is not a jukebox and neither is the soloist.. it doesn't matter
if he is playing a solo on a triangle, if he means what he is playing and is
proficient and articulate enough to express himself meaningfully for an
extended period of time,, then it must be allowed..
,, it may seem a little egotistical to those who want to see
"the band" all working,, but that also brings a dynamic to the performance -
like leaving home and coming back to your family..
..i know that was a bit much,, but point being,,.......... it's art.
and when you strip down the prejudices of the ego ,
i.e. "man, i'll never be able to do that, i need to practice or quit"
"that guy must love himself"
"i can do that but i don't"
or whatever... and just watch and/or listen quietly,
it's really cool and as pure as the harmonica gets.

eric in miami

> From: Mojo Red <harplicks@xxxxxxxxx>
> To: Chris Michalek <Chris@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx>, harp-l@xxxxxxxxxx
> Subject: Re: [Harp-L] Extended Solos
> Date: Sat, 14 May 2005 06:02:06 -0700 (PDT)
>
> Awesome discussion on long solos!
>
> Personally, I would never attempt a 20 minute solo
> as I know the only sound I'd hear aferwards would
> be crickets. I just don't have the chops to
> construct something that would hold up that long.
>
> As for Kim Wilson, Jason R. and others who have
> been mentioned (I've heard Mark Hummel go off like
> that a few times), I think that Gary O./Sonny Jr.
> has the right idea. It's got to connect with the
> audience or it's just an excercise in ego
> gratification.
>
> Now that may be sour grapes from someone like me,
> but it's true just the same. The audience has to be
> with you. That means that when you launch into a
> solo like that, you'd better pay attention to your
> listeners... if they're with you, then jam on, if
> they're looking board, or worse yet, leaving, cut
> it short!!
>
> I think for the most part, the only ones interested
> in the 20 minute solo is the guy on stage.
>
> Those are my thoughts, and I'm sticking to e'm.
>
> Harpin' in Colorado,
> --Ken M.
>
>
>
>
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