Re: [Harp-L] Re: [HarpTalk] Playing at Jam Sessions

["Rick Davis" <bluesharpamps@xxxxxxxxx>]

At blues jams, don't play at all between your solos.  The host and the other
jammers with think you are the best harp player on earth, and you'll sound a
lot better not feeling your way around another voice or instrument.  You
also will preserve all your best licks for your solo.

The ONLY time you should add "fills" around a vocal or instrumental solo is
after it has been rehearsed that way, with the understanding and permission
of the other artist.  Otherwise, it will sound like a blues jam, and you
will sound like another lame blues jammer.  But if you play very sparingly
and tastefully, you'll be a rock star.

And as for the song 40 Days and 40 Nights, I prefer the version on Muddy's
"Fathers and Sons" album, with Paul Butterfield on the harp.  Butterfield
also plays hard through the whole song, but he's Butterfield and we're not.
Many harp players at jam sessions give us all a bad name because they THINK
they are Paul Butterfield.

Wait for your solo.  Hit your good licks and wait for your next solo or for
the big ending.  You'll get lots of compliments, maybe even comparisons to
Paul Butterfield!

-Rick Davis



On Thu, Sep 18, 2008 at 9:19 AM, John Balding <John.Balding@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx
> wrote:

> Robert McGraw wrote:
> ...one of the problems I think we all see from too many harp players,
> especially intermediate players, is playing too much, all the time. I
> certainly was guilty of that...with me, at a certain point in my
> playing, having listened to Chicago style a lot, I had heard the greats
> playing pretty much all the time behind vocals, and I thought that's
> what I should do...
>
> As David Brown pointed out, jams attract a lot of newbies who are
> inexperienced with the group setting. I don't fault them for that,
> 'cause we've all been there. But, as hypocritical as it may be, I still
> get annoyed playing next to "the next Stevie Ray" while I try to
> tastefully add fills and runs behind the vocals.
>
> I love 40 Days and 40 Nights by Muddy Waters with Little Walter on harp.
> LW plays constantly throughout the song behind the vocals, but it never
> sounds out of place. In light of this thread, I had to consider what it
> was about that song which made it work so well when other like-scenarios
> don't.
>
> I think the answer is that the band was experienced and knew how to back
> each other, not just back the vocals or the lead guitarist. In the case
> of 40 Days, the guitar laid low while the harp took on the guitar
> responsibilities, so-to-speak. If the guitar had been driving equally
> hard, the whole thing would have been a mess.
>
> Unfortunately, in most jam sessions, the stage is rarely populated by
> seasoned musicians exclusively. My rule of thumb at jams, open mics,
> etc. is to lay low for the first part of the song and see where the
> whole thing is heading. I pick my "opportunities" based on what I gather
> during that time. If it is obvious that I am in a sinking boat, I just
> play subtly and fill when I can; or maybe do the "pantomime" thing until
> it's my turn to solo. I have had people come up to me afterward and say
> "I could barely hear you." I usually respond with: "Then I was still too
> loud!" :o)
>
> It is better not to play (be heard), in some cases, than to be perceived
> as "part of the problem". If it is a lost cause, hang on until the end
> of the first song and then thank the vocalist, guitarist (whoever the
> "lead" person is) and excuse yourself to the bathroom, answer your cell
> phone, or whatever. Be graceful. Be conscientious of how your actions
> are perceived. No eye-rolling as you leave the stage, etc. I try not to
> insult players in any way for two reasons: (1) That was me at one time
> and (2) I've seen players come back to jams in a year's time and cut
> heads like nobody's business. One of my favorite local guitarists is a
> guy whom no one wanted to be on stage with two years ago. Now he's
> turning down offers because he's obligated to too many bands. You never
> know...
>
> John Balding
> Tallahassee, FL
>
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