Re: [Harp-L] RE: Harp keys cheat sheet - further uses of the Cycle of 5ths

["Abner Galdos" <cdgaldos@xxxxxxxxxxxxx>]

Thanks for your 2 cents David.
Yes we do use the same PA system. And the same speakers... 
I will continue to play the same way I have always played, soft when I need to, stop when I have to, and go off when I want to...If Super Dave does not like it, that's his problem... I open my house when John  comes over and we practice... Super Dave said no due to our cats.... So I told him John and I can go to his (Dave's) house.. so far no invite.... 
John use to go to Super Dave's house to jam, now John comes to my house to jam and practice... 
The funny think about this whole thing was that the Women in charge of open mic tricked me into going on stage.
She asked me just to go up with the guys so she can take pictures.... Well I just got into the music when John asked my what key I had.  Lets just say she never took the picture.  
I told her that was a good trick and her response was simple " I will keep on tricking you until you just go up on your own..."
She see's what's going on, she likes me ( and my sound) and her father (R.I.P) use to play the harp.
I'm going back to work in a couple of weeks, and my involvement with Harp L will start to diminish.. Unless they extend my leave... trust me I want to go back, even if its on limited duties.... I have done all I can around the house. And my wife want me to start dusting, cleaning, moping, cooking, you know wife stuff.....
Keeping the house spots less,,, you know like a house husband....

abner (Blueyes, its been grand)

  ----- Original Message ----- 
  From: David Nalepinski 
  To: Abner Galdos 
  Cc: Bill ; harp-l@xxxxxxxxxx 
  Sent: Thursday, June 04, 2009 2:28 PM
  Subject: Re: [Harp-L] RE: Harp keys cheat sheet - further uses of the Cycle of 5ths


  My two cents on the harp/guitar ethics...

  Sounds like a classic case of a guitarist that has a bad history with harp players.  Often times as a harp player is building their rep and building chops, they get very rare opportunities to play with live bands.  Because of this, they can try to hang out all their material to take advantage of the opportunity and forget about the arrangements-- you should play some rhythm, jam some leads, rhythm, skip the next lead for the guitar.... I think some guitar players look at harps as competing for air time.  Lord knows these guys are spending as much time working on their craft.  I sometimes run into ones that have this bad taste in their mouths.  This problem can be compounded if you are playing through the PA.  Then you are sharing speakers with vocals-- and the two do not mix well on the same speaker cone.

  With that said-- it seems Super Dave should relax a little if this is a true open mic night.  Trying your hand is exactly what they are for.  So- be confident... but be mindful of the situation you are in with other band members.  Better to leave them begging you to play more, than thinking you are playing to much.  Be very careful of playing more then quiet rhythm when a vocalist is singing.  Be sure to share the leads... Next time-- Play a couple bars of lead and say, "take it Dave!"  Then he'll know you share and dig him (even if you don't).


  On Thu, Jun 4, 2009 at 11:43 AM, Abner Galdos <cdgaldos@xxxxxxxxxxxxx> wrote:

    Bill thanks for the info.
    Last night I was at open mike and one of the guys ( Chris)gave me some songs to learn and what key the songs are played in.
    Chris wants me to be on stage with him.
    I did go up and play with a Suzuki Fire Breath in the key of A and played for songs with one great gal with a sweet southern accent. Playing and making eye contact was great...
    One guitarist (John) would play songs only in my harp range, John  knows for me to  change the harp I would have to go find it a different key
    He has no problem with me complimenting his singing and playing... the 2nd guitarist ( Super Dave ) did not... he wanted me to back off when the other guy was singing and would tell me to stop playing... So I would  back off  but  keep on playing but away from the mic..

    After I was done, several musician came up to me and told me I had improved in 3 month and were very proud of me.
    Richard ( from Harp L ) was also impressed..
    Here is the funny part...
    I was told buy Richard and a lot of other people at the bar, that when I back off they could not hear me... and some of them told me they motion to me to get closer to the mic.....

    so, here was my dilemma and the 2nd guitars was the one a few months ago that took the mic away from me  and gave me such a low sense of self esteem that it took me a very long time to go back up and play...Not this time...

    So this sucks, I know I'm not in their playing skills.  But if people like my playing why should I stop...
    Richard also played last night and I have seen him with other bands... Richard is a very good harp player and has given me a lot of good advise.. Richard told me I have good tone and my bends are getting there....

    If it were not for Richard constant advice and encouragement I would have gone into that stupid low confidence mind set.
    Thank you Richard...

    abner (Blueyes, I will play next week )