Re: [Harp-L] Old Boys' Network

[Ken Deifik <kenneth.d@xxxxxxxxxxxx>]

> Then the jam leader says, "Oh man, I'd have got you up sooner if I knew 
> you could play!"

Old boys' networks are highly underrated until we are part of them.  Then 
they're really useful - strive to get in any such network that would 
benefit you.  (This advice is not just for David Fertig, but for every 
member of this list including me.  I tend to forget my best insights 
minutes after I hatch them.)

I think this discussion about sign-up jams is fantastically informative for 
the entire list.  I would have to guess that lots of newer players would 
find these jams to be their best opportunities to play with (hopefully) 
good musicians in front of an audience, so it's best for such players to 
know they may encounter this kind of stuff.

Note to blues musicians: learning how to play in front of drunks is a 
useful skill.  Learning how to enjoy doing it - well, I haven't seen that 
course in the catalog.  But you WILL have to play for drunks throughout 
your nightclub career.  (Almost everyone on this list knows that very, very 
well.  I bring it up for the two or three who do not.)

And newer players who get the 1AM slot, even unfairly, should be glad they 
get to take their schooling in front of people who will not remember a thing.

However, if you (meaning anyone reading this) consider yourself the equal 
of the players in the Old Boys' net, remember that the only person who 
expects you to be any good is Mom - everyone else needs proof.  Speak 
up.  If you sign in for some jam time, ask if your early arrival will get 
you an early slot.  Let them know, respectfully and in your most 
professional manner, that you're a knowlegeable player with years under 
your belt, and that you can really entertain a drinking audience.  Let them 
know that you'd be willing to whip out your axe and play a few bars - don't 
just do it, be respectful and make the offer.

I presume there are two kinds of old-boy networks in the sign-in jam 
world.  In one, the person running the jam wants to make sure the audience 
is entertained - and if you are as good as you think you are and the 
jam-runner gets to hear it, then you'll get an earlier slot.  You're good 
for bidness.

But the other kind of network is about giving friends the good slots.  If a 
jam-runner hears you and still gives you a crummy slot, try to blow the 
minds of whatever audience you get (including the musicians on the 
bandstand).

Life isn't fair to people who can't become friends with those 
jam-runners.  If you can, then you're in his old boys' net and someone else 
gets 1AM.  If the jam-runner is an ego-stuffed turkey, and you're still 
getting poorly slotted the next time you play this jam, you are going to 
have to pay more dues than it's worth to get a good slot.

If that's the case, find another club to run your own jams at.

Final note to newer harp players: don't go into these sign-in jams 
expecting the worst.  Expect the best.  The best happens more often than we 
usually expect.

Ken