[Harp-L] How much do you need to hear yourself while gigging?

[Cljdm@xxxxxxx]

Hey all.
 
  I know this may sound dopey, and I realize it is important to have moniters 
or effectively placed amps, so one can hear themselves while playing. But 
what if you can hardley hear yourself  most of the gig for one reason or another? 
 Or even not being able to hear oneself clearly.  I find it difficult to play 
what I can play if I can hear myself clearly. Even though I know where I am 
on the harp, and can tell where the tune is going, if i can't hear what is 
coming out of my amp I get very frustrated.
 
  Of course this sometimes has to do a lot with loud guitars and drums, but 
that is a whole other issue. I have  learned how to cut through that, and I do 
most of the time. I am thinking of placing my amp right behind me and taking 
my chances on occasional feedback on my next gig. At least I will hear myself. 
I am finding out the acoustics of the room among other factors determine the 
ability to hear myself. So I guess I would like to know,  is it common for 
players to not be able to hear themselves and yet still play effectively? I mean 
by just knowing where you  are at on their instrument, is that enough to create 
what you want.   I find this very difficult and get a real empty feeling 
after a gig when I can barely  hear myself playing most of the night. Probably 
because I wonder how many mistakes I didn't hear.
 
On the other hand when the sound is right and the levels are audible to 
everyone, the creativity soars. 
 
                                    Best regards,
 
                                              Chris Mastakas



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