[Harp-L] What to bring to a jam



 
  Here´s a question for those of you who attend jams, or just sit in every now and then.
    Let me give you the context: A while ago I was invited to play on a couple of tunes with a jazz band. No big deal, been there, done that, even with this same band.
    I got down to the club for their second set, as agreed, and when time was right I stepped up on the stage, which is roughly the size of a signet ring. Proceeded to one of two vocal mics, and nodded to the tuba player, who was standing closest to the house PA: "Please cut out all treble". He looked somewhat bewildered, then turned a knob, which eliminated all volume. "No, please, treble." I couldn´t physically without serious altercations get through to the board -- it was intensely crowded on the stage -- but of course perceived that he hadn´t the faintest what he was doing. "Can you turn that first knob back up to where it was?" "Ehh .."
    At this point some slight commotion from rest of the band, c´mon guys, let´s get started.
    I blew a note and realised that I was at least audible from the speaker closest to me, then cut my losses and just played when I was supposed to play.
    Afterwards I received some accolades, "thank you, thank you, very kind", but a friend of mine in the audience hinted that I was "a bit low in the mix". Which meant really low.
    Well of course I was, "but you could see for yourself, not a chance to do anything about it. Also, this crappy mic was ALL treble, and that´s the way -- ah-ha ah-ha -- i DON´T like it."
    So, what can a poor boy do?
    Bring my own mic as well?
    Do you do that?
    Hanging around for the sound-check could seem like a brilliant idea, but in this case meaning I would have to sacrifice my dinner at home + a bunch of Margaritas that I was really looking forward to. And for what? Drooling at the bar a couple of hours, doing nothing productive, just because I´m playing -- for free, mind you -- on a few songs.
    Bringing your own mic, of a "neutral" type, means that you have to be able to get through to the PA, but I could have fitted that in in a pause or something.
    However, this to some extent reduces the beauty of the diatonic harmonica: I put two or three in my jacket front pocket, "Ta honey, I´m leaving" and I´m all set, no hassle. 
    Of course this is also implies taking a splash into whatever equipment there is. There are some not very satisfactory ad hoc measures that I´ve tried now and then, pulling a hanky round the mic or whatever, not playing cupped on some mics (which I don´t like) etc.
   
    Any suggestions on a viable strategy for more or less impromptu situations?
   
   Cheers
   Martin

       



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