[Harp-L] re: loud bands

["Jim Alciere" <jim.alciere@xxxxxxxxx>]

When one member in the band starts to turn up, everyone turns up. Then
you lose the subtle dynamic nuances--an important part of artistic
expression. Instead of playing loud, try finding your space in the
rhythm. In a really good band, like Muscle Shoals backing up Aretha,
or Bob Marley's band, just about everybody plays their own part of the
beat, no instrument playing on top of another instrument--the bass
hits the one and three (or not on the one as in the case of Bob
Marley), the guitar hits the two and four, the horns and keys are
hitting the "and"., They'd work the groove around the vocals . Listen
to a song like RESPECT--hear how there's a solid riff but somehow
Aretha sings in the spaces between the riff, almost no one is playing
when she sings. Listen to the bass and drum jam at the end of Bob
Marley's I SHOT THE SHERIFF. That's just a perfect example. When
everyone has their own space, everyone can be heard.

Also find your space in the frequency. If there's two guitars playing
in the midrange, play high, and vice versa. Again you have your own
space so you can be heard.

Don't be afraid to take it down, have the whole band just lay low,
play real soft, real basic, then when you charge back in, it's
exciting it's fun. Changes are what makes music music.
-- 
Rainbow Jimmy
http://www.spaceanimals.com
http://www.myspace.com/theelectricstarlightspaceanimals