[Harp-L] Stage Presence

[David Fertig <drfertig@xxxxxxxxx>]

When I first saw Canned Heat (late 60's, Baltimore) I guess it was Al Wilson playing harp, he'd go hide behind the  stacks of speakers when he played, and the audience loved his playing no less for it (perhaps more?)  As Maynard says Sonny Terry sat still (save his hand movements), and was a brilliant musical showman nonetheless.  

Frankly I don't buy the notion that one needs to look slick or act cool in some way for the audience, so long as you're clean, pleasant to look at, and comfortable.  

It's all about the music, no?  Yet if looking slick, or gyrating, hiding or hollering, wearing a tux or your pajamas, makes ya feel good, it should make ya look and sound good, too  - assuming you can play the music well!

Because no amount of costume or theatrics will make up for weak playing to a smart audience.

-Debonair Dave

From: maynard silva <kingalleycat@xxxxxxxxx>
Subject: [Harp-L] stage presence
Date: Wed, 27 Feb 2008 03:33:57 -0800 (PST)
To: harp-l@xxxxxxxxxx

 old Sonny Terry just sat there, and he  ALWAYS stole the show.
  the keys are  1 good music 2 believing in yourself 3 no wasted motion. 
 when its time to not play, don't. but relax. if it's a listening gig, listen, don't play with gadgets, if it's a dance gig move a little bit with the music, but whatever you do, listen . then when you play, ease yourself into the flow of the music and concentrate on the sound. if you want to be a dancer or a showman, do not let these things interfere with your concentration on the music. true showmen only use enough theater to bring people into the music.
  it isn't ME ME ME you're saying it's FEEL THIS MUSIC !