Re: [Harp-L] Open mic

[Joe and Cass Leone <leone@xxxxxxxx>]

> ----- Original Message -----
> From: "Randy Power" <randy@xxxxxxxxxxxxx>
> To: harp-l@xxxxxxxxxx
> Sent: Monday, February 16, 2009 11:12:20 AM GMT +08:00 Beijing /  
> Chongqing / Hong Kong / Urumqi
> Subject: [Harp-L] Open mic
>
> I just went to an open mic night, hoping to sit in on a couple  
> songs. I
> asked the first harp player if I needed an amp and mike to sit in.  
> He said
> that he and the other 2 harp players always bring their own  
> equipment. Is
> that common practice? Could he have let me sit in using his mike  
> and amp? Or
> should I just bring a mic and amp next time?
>
> Thanks,
>
> Unhappy I didn¹t get to play tonight....
> -
Ok Randy, that jam is doomed to failure. The whole purpose of a jam  
is to keep a flow of customers coming into an establishment. They  
can't depend on regulars only because there will be some nights when  
various people can't make it. I.e. daughter's birthday, picking  
someone up at the airport, cold/flu, car trouble. AND jammers bring  
friends/family. It's good business.

These 3 harp players bring their own equipment? Doesn't the house  
have a PA?. Just use their mic. As for the harp players, they were  
just like you once and were tickled pinkish to get THEIR chance.  
Somewhere along the line, they heard that they were decent players  
and now they are into themselves. They bring their own stuff because  
they are intent on projecting their OWN sound. Ergo, it's all about  
them.

They are busy thinking about themselves and are thinking internally.  
You became an external distraction. There are 3 of THEM and you are a  
5th wheel. He/they COULD have accommodated you. They SHOULD have  
accommodated you. That's what a jam IS. Whose running this jam  
anyway. It couldn't possible be them, could it? At our jams everyone  
plays. It doesn't matter how good or rotten you are. We're there for  
YOU. We're PROMOTING music instead of merely using it for our own  
gratification.

Now, here's your catch 22. IF you complain to the management, it will  
only alienate them (maybe the band are friends?). If you DON't push.  
you're out in the cold. This is one of the reasons why I never went  
pro. You have to put up with too much bovine excretia over too many  
years, tolerate too many people who suffer from 'Anus Orifice  
Affliction'. Some call this paying your dues.

Not trying to be arrogant here, but I call it insulting.

smokey-joe (valet to the Punjab of JavaPour)
> -
>
>
>
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