Re: [Harp-L] Old Boys' Network

[Joe Lempkowski <mr_jlemko@xxxxxxxxx>]

You should always expect to warm a chair for a while
when you go somewhere new and you are unknown.

The "Old Boys Group" are usually the people that
helped make the jam successful.  They are the
regulars.  They are there week in and week out.  They
buy drinks.  They entertain.  They are a known
quantity.  

Consider them a clique if you must, but what do first
timers with an attitude bring to the table?  

Having that attitude already displays and Us vs Them
mentality, which is not usually conducive to making
good music which requires some degree of
communication.

It's first time visitors with a couple of harps and a
sense of entitlement that make other musicians have
disdain for harp players.

I've been to jams where the attitude of some musicians
makes lives difficult for the jam host.  Depending on
the host, they might sit all night long and never get
up.

If you want to play, you've got to pay your dues. 
Sometimes, you get to be a part of (or the cause of) a
total trainwreck, sometimes, you'll get to play with
the good players.  

I find it's my best interest to keep my mouth shut and
not flash any ego at blues jams.  I do what the host
asks.  A good attitude goes a long way to getting to
play with good players.  Being nice pays huge
dividends.

A blues jam is a lot like life, when you're new you
have to prove yourself and being a jerk puts you in a
deeper hole that you have to dig yourself out of.

Have a great weekend!

Joe



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