Re: [Harp-L] what makes a good professional player?

[Joel Fritz <jfritz666@xxxxxxxxxxx>]

Jason Stolaruk wrote:
> As I am considering trying to make a career out of playing harmonica, I 
> am very interested in hearing any answers to the following question: 
> what makes a good professional harp player?
>
> Here is what I already know (some things that I have come to realize I 
> should consider, as well as some things that I figure I've got going for 
> me).  Realistically, I can't expect much money (I figure that if I make 
> enough to wear clothes, eat, and sleep somewhere sheltered, then I will 
> be lucky).  I will have to be willing to engage in a great deal of 
> self-promotion.  I will be up against tight bar managers, etc.  It will 
> help me a great deal to sing (which I can do, though there is a lot of 
> room for improvement in that department... however I am confident that I 
> can and will improve with practice).  Although I primarily play blues, 
> it would be a great idea for me to become versed in a variety of styles, 
> in order to make session/studio work more feasible.  I am willing to 
> relocate and tour.  The moment a band breaks up or I have to leave a 
> band for whatever reason, I ought to get involved in another band right 
> away.  I think I would very much enjoy teaching harmonica as well.  I am 
> clean and sober and intend to stay that way (I say this because we all 
> know that many musicians are not, so I have to figure this is a great 
> asset).
>
> A little more about me...  I am 26 years old and have been playing harp 
> and other instruments for about 10 years, and I've constantly been in a 
> variety of bands for all that time (but primarily as a hobby, with some 
> paying gigs here and there).  I love almost all kinds of music, though I 
> keep coming back to blues and the harmonica (which I excel at far more 
> than any other instrument).  I am reaching a point in my life where the 
> timing is good for me to try to give this a go.  For many years now I've 
> been rather haunted (hehehe, is that the right word?) by thoughts such 
> as, "You can do this... you can give it everything you've got..."  But 
> to be honest I still have a lot to learn about playing itself (I suspect 
> you will see more questions from me about technique in the near 
> future... practice practice practice)!
> So you see where I am.  Having said all of the above, if anyone can 
> offer something in response to my original question, I am all ears.  
> Particularly I am interested in what makes a good pro in terms of 
> personality, particularly in the context of band relations/politics (I 
> suspect things can get real sticky the minute a band makes the leap from 
> playing as a hobby to playing for money).  But I am interested in 
> hearing any kind of response on or off this list.  The prospect of 
> trying this is really exciting but a little frightening at the same 
> time.  I feel like if I don't give it a shot, I will regret it for the 
> rest of my life.  If it completely flops, perhaps the regrets will be 
> much less...
> In any case, thanks for reading this long post.

Last night I was talking to a friend who's a pro.  He is going to do a 
Midwest tour next month.  He just got back from Europe.  He has several 
cds out and is well respected.  When he plays local gigs he can hire the 
best local musicians. One of the things he said was that it was easier 
for him to get gigs in the Midwest than it is here in the Bay Area.

Another thing he mentioned is that while he manages himself, he's not 
terribly good at sales.  He described the way another local big name 
talks to club owners vs. the way he does it.  Other Harp Player says 
things like "You have a chance to book a nationally known blues act." My 
friend isn't so good at the hard sell and feels uneasy about 
professional management.

His wife once said to mine (she was kidding--mostly) "Someone's got to 
work." He's in his mid-forties and has been in music since he was in his 
twenties.

I think the lesson here is that in most cases talent isn't nearly 
enough.  If you're a complete freak and get to know a few people, others 
will want to play with you and you'll make a name.  Otherwise business 
skills, salesmanship, and (gakk) good work habits--show up on time, 
sober, and put on a good show--are very important.  Luck doesn't hurt 
either.



--
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