Wow! I never knew harp playing was such a tough-man contest! :-)
I have never worried about (or been aware of) all these power
relationships among bands and other harp players. I never think about who
might "outshine" whom. I just play for the enjoyment.
As for sitting in, I never ask. In fact, I never take harps to a show
unless I have been specifically asked to join the band on stage beforehand.
Let's be honest... Harp players have a HORRIBLE reputation among other
musicians (particularly guitarists) because of bad players who Guss the band
or pester for a sit-in. Browse any guitar forum for horror stories about
harp sit-ins. I am sensitive to that, so I never sit in unless invited
before the show. I never ask.
And I never allow unknown harp players to sit in with my band. When I've
done it in the past it has usually been annoying at best and a disaster at
worst.
Jams are for sitting in. If I want to sit in and show off, I hit one of
several excellent blues jams in my area.
-Rick
Will Vogtman <will_vogtman@xxxxxxxxx> wrote:
I almost never ask to sit in.
The exception . . . .
Some nights, I just need to play to get rid of an emotional storm. In that
case, I try to find some folks I know locally and explain the need to play.
These folks are usually friends by association, so I don't really consider
this sitting in.
At all other times, I wait to be ASKED to sit in. I have, on occasion,
started conversations with performers fishing for the invitation (asking
intelligent musical questions, or providing musically intelligent
compliments--nothing more explicit). But, if the invitation does not come, I
drop it.
Personally, I find it rude to ask. I don't impose this on others. I am not
offended when people ask to sit in.
Most of the time, when I do sit in, it happens like this . . . .
Someone in the crowd recognizes me and asks me if I have my harps with me.
Then, that person (NOT at my suggestion) tells the band about me. If the
band asks, I step up and play. At that point, I usually cut loose. If the
band doesn't ask, it wasn't meant to be.
I have held back on a few occasions when I knew for a fact that I
would/could outshine the host band. For example, I sat in with a band of
local high school students twice this summer. (I'm a math teacher by day.)
The experience was better than money can buy. The kids were flattered that I
even showed up. The parents were blown away. I did just enough to teach a
little--not embarrass. I've had a few other similar experiences i which I
held back.
Sitting in is delicate process. Neither party needs to be offended or
hurt. In order for this to happen, the host band needs to be provided with a
polite way to refuse.
Many may say that this approach lacks balls. I try very hard not to have a
need to exert my manhood in such a way. I have been too pushy/arrogant on
two occasions that I can recall--once out of pure ignorance (I really
thought I was in a room of players much better than me), once after a
serious conference with Mr. Daniels. On both occasions, I out shined many of
my peers. On both occasions, I regretted my actions within hours.
Furthermore, I have already participated in activities that require said
balls (football, track, wrestling). I found great satisfaction and release
in dominating others. I don't regret participating in such a way. However,
now that I have no physical outlet for such aggression, I have had to deal
with a considerable amount of undirected anger. I love my music. I do not
want my music to be a source of future anger and regret--EVER.
If you want to get into a "who's is bigger" contest, let's put away the
mics, and roll out the mats!
Will
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