[Harp-L] Open mic

["John F. Potts" <hvyj@xxxxxxx>]

I always carry a lo z mic and XLR cable with an on/off switch (and a  
pigtail transformer, just in case I have to go into an amp). I rarely  
carry an amp, unless I've been specifically told to bring one, or if  
i know there's no PA or no available channels in the board.

 Given the choice, I almost always prefer to go into the PA board  
instead of someone else's amp.  Typically, other harp players set up  
with way more distortion than will allow me to play as well as i am  
capable of playing, and more often than not they use bullet mics.  I  
can handle a rig like that, but i'd rather not have to.  Among other  
things, i have to slow down since all the overdrive and distortion  
gets in the way of clean articulation and separation between notes,  
and I personally find that most  bullet mics don't allow much variety  
in tonal presentation and response.  I can get the tone and response   
i want out of my mic using breath and mic handling technique going  
into the board if i can tweak a few knobs. So, if i have a choice,  
(and sometimes i don't)  i'd rather go into the board instead  of  
using some else's amp and mic, even if an amp and mic are available.

Except in the very rare situation where all inputs in the board are  
full, bands usually don't mind a guest harmonica player plugging into  
an open channel.  This is almost always true at an open mic jam,  
unless the band already has a PA mic set up for guest players, then  
use that.  Introduce yourself and ask the band leader, not some other  
harp player who's sitting in. It's better to say something like, "you  
have an open channel i can plug into?" instead of  "what do you want  
me to play through?" or "can i use that amp?"  If they don't want   
you to plug into an open channel, they'll tell you what mic to use.

Btw, if your mic doesn't have an on/off switch, get a a cable that  
does.  This makes it much easier to step off stage for a tune that  
doesn't sound good with harp and then get back up for the next tune,  
without having to fiddle with the board (or the amp) to shut down  
what otherwise would be an open mic.  It is  so much more  
professional to have an on/off switch, and the other musicians really  
appreciate it.  it also allows you to kill feedback instantly if you  
get too close to a hot monitor, which everyone in the room, including  
the band, will appreciate.

Carry your own mic and cord (preferably with an on/off switch), talk  
to the band leader,  and you should be fine.  Also, have  at least 7  
harps (A, Bb, C, D, Eb, F and G) so you can handle the most commonly  
called keys when you do get up to play. The band will appreciate  
that, too.

	JP