RE: [Harp-L] acoustic jug band volume

["Steve McIver" <steve@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx>]

Ross,
    When I said semi circle it is more like a smooth arch. still facing
front just move the louder guy back a little or off to the side . Also check
out a few bluegrass jams,  they are masters at using the stage.
  -----Original Message-----
  From: b2becom@xxxxxxxxxxx [mailto:b2becom@xxxxxxxxxxx]
  Sent: Wednesday, September 14, 2005 1:45 PM
  To: Steve McIver; Harpl Post
  Subject: RE: [Harp-L] acoustic jug band volume


  Steve - good suggestion - normally I set up so I have a line of sight to
see the guitar guy's chord changes - Jug band music and the way our
guitarist free-forms it being unlike the12 bar blues where you can count on
the format - but may need to set up based on acoustic properties as you
suggest. We try to play with our backs up against a hard suface or in an
alcove that projects better, but all that does is make the aggregate sound
project  - I'll experiment - Thanks

  Ross
  -------------- Original message --------------

  > Ross,
  > Another suggestion would be to vary your stage plan until you find a
  > setup
  > that is more acoustically balanced. Move your positions around, spread
out a
  > little, set up in a semi circle - placing the louder instrument middle
  > back.
  >
  > Steve
  >
  > -----Original Message-----
  > From: harp-l-bounces@xxxxxxxxxx [mailto:harp-l-bounces@xxxxxxxxxx]On
Behalf
  > Of James Sterett
  > Sent: Wednesday, September 14, 2005 12:23 PM
  > To: harp-l@xxxxxxxxxx; ross@xxxxxxxxxxxxx
  > Subject: Re: [Harp-L] acoustic jug band volume
  >
  >
  > Ross, I play with a National Reso (brass) player and a mandolin player
as a
  > three piece. those instruments by their very nature cut. Add a washboard
  > in there and I really don't know how you can keep up acoustically.
  > Practice/rehearsal is one thing, but when we play gigs, we have a little
PA
  > for the vocals, and I use my vocal mic to play harp into. I don't hold
the
  > mic, it's on the stand, and I adjust my volume by moving closer and
further
  > to/from the mic. As far as making your harp louder, I've had some luck
with
  > increased projection by opening up the back of the cover plates and
putting
  > strips of micropore tape on the "wings" (the part where the cover plate
  > screws go through) of the comb for airtightness.
  >
  > jim.
  >
  > >>> "Ross Macdonald" 9/13/2005 4:06 PM >>>
  >
  > Help please - I play / busk in an acoustic jug band - a finger picker
  > guitarist on a really high end national steel resonator, washboard and
  > washtub bass. I play pretty hard to attain the volume that sounds loud
  > enough and right to me and luckily most songs are in C so I can play 2nd
  > position F harp that cuts through pretty well, but audience and friends
say
  > I need to be louder to be at the right balance with the guitar. Solos
are
  > loud enough, it's when I am chugging rythmn that seems to be the
problem.
  > Much worse problem on lower key harp songs, so I got an inconspicuous
Smokey
  > amp and use my Shaker Madcat mic to add a little punch - and still the
  > audience wants me louder. I play SP20s and Delta Frosts - Is this a
common
  > problem with resonator guitars? or is my finger picker just too loud? or
  > perhaps it might be the position of my harp relative to the audience?
I'm
  > stumped - The guitar guy wants the pure Memphis feel to the band (no
amps),
  > but it feels like I may blow a gasket if I have to blow hard enough to
be
  > heard without amplification.
  >
  > Any jug band street-buskin harp players out there with pearls of wisdom?
  >
  >
  > Ross Macdonald
  >
  > _______________________________________________
  > Harp-L is sponsored by SPAH, http://www.spah.org
  > Harp-L@xxxxxxxxxx
  > http://harp-l.org/mailman/listinfo/harp-l
  >
  >
  > _______________________________________________
  > Harp-L is sponsored by SPAH, http://www.spah.org
  > Harp-L@xxxxxxxxxx
  > http://harp-l.org/mailman/listinfo/harp-l
  > --
  > No virus found in this incoming message.
  > Checked by AVG Anti-Virus.
  > Version: 7.0.344 / Virus Database: 267.10.24/101 - Release Date:
9/13/2005
  >
  > --
  > No virus found in this outgoing message.
  > Checked by AVG Anti-Virus.
  > Version: 7.0.344 / Virus Database: 267.10.24/101 - Release Date:
9/13/2005
  >
  > _______________________________________________
  > Harp-L is sponsored by SPAH, http://www.spah.org
  > Harp-L@xxxxxxxxxx
  > http://harp-l.org/mailman/listinfo/harp-l
--
No virus found in this outgoing message.
Checked by AVG Anti-Virus.
Version: 7.0.344 / Virus Database: 267.10.24/101 - Release Date: 9/13/2005