Re: [Harp-L] But when it comes right down to it,,

[BiscuitBoy714@xxxxxxx]

In a message dated 3/13/2007 9:39:43 A.M. Eastern Daylight Time,  
46long@xxxxxxxxx writes:
 
    Hey Blake, how's Cinci? I wrote a rambling thing about  overplaying and 
trying to be a pro this morning 'cause it felt good to do it,  but you bring up 
a very good point here. I've mellowed out enormously since the  last time I 
was really gigging all the time. ('bout 4 years ago) In the meantime  I think I 
have come to grips with backing people and not getting in the way of  the 
song. Lately I have concentrated on just making whatever or whoever sound  better 
and don't even do leads sometimes. Confidence helps here. I pretty much  had 
to fire, (if you want to call it that), a guitar player last week that I was  
working with on doing a duet of my originals. The guy's pretty good but it was 
 pretty much me backing him on my own songs. Lead, lead, lead, o yea what was 
the  chord structure? lead, lead, lead. All with metal grind going on pretty 
much  blues and country funk tunes. I guess payback is a b*&%*#. I admit that  
I have overplayed some but I never played over anybody's vocals or leads. 
Fills  are one thing but playing lead while somebody is trying to sing is 
absolutely  out of the question. Harmonica players have a tough row to how when 
playing with  bands sometimes but everybody loves to hear it so...........??? I 
guess it's  back to struggling to sound like a REAL guitar player so that I can 
be creative  when I sing and play harp/sax in my little studio until I find a 
partner to work  with. The education never stops does it?
       Randy

Yesterday, someone posted a clip with Big Walter accompanying a  "star"
singer. The poster commented on the tastefulness of his backing  licks.  I
agree, but herein lies the rub of backing licks. How many of  us have heard
players in a "backing" role - i.e. when someone else is  soloing or singing -
and they just keep wailing away. This isn't just a  problem for harp
players.  For me, though, especially when I'm playing  with a full band (duo
work is a whole different monster), I try to be very  conscious to let the
music, the melody, and the other players shine. Am I  contributing to the
good, or distracting from it. Lots of times, perhaps  more so these days, I
find myself in the role of "on-stage cheerleader"  with my harp and mic at my
side an not at my mouth when it's someone else's  turn to shine. No need to
clutter the musical palate.

I'm still  workin' on it. Just all part of my education.....

-  Blake


 
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