Re: [Harp-L] Super Loud Bands

[IcemanLE@xxxxxxx]

Yup - you said load, I corrected it to loud, as "load" made no sense to  
me..
 
Money speaks volumes - take that off the table. Almost anyone can be  
"bought" - (Rent "The Magic Christian").
 
Saying people love it and you love it is nice, but doesn't really explain  
much aside from love - it doesn't answer the synergy, musical relating,   
musical dialogue, etc query.
 
There was a Florida Harmonica Competition a few months ago in New Smyrna  
Beach. The back up band was the wall of musicians/wall of stupifying volume 
in a  very small venue. I had a terrible time doing a few tunes and crashed 
and  burned, because it was TOO LOUD - couldn't hear anything on stage or 
myself in  relation to it except LOUDLOUDLOUD. Two dimensional. Couldn't get 
the band to  respond to "quiet down" hand signals or anything. (Funniest 
moment was my trying  for a solid ending to the last tune by jumping up in the 
air and hoping the band  would stop on a dime as I landed - hot sweaty Larry's 
glasses flew off his face  and across the stage as I tried to make my "big 
ending"). A night to  remember.
 
The other competitors played against this wall of sound, too. Everyone  
sounded almost the same. Winner was the one who jumped around the most and did  
the most John Popper style speed stuff. Not really a quality competition, 
but  seemed more in line with bikers, beer, broads and INYOFACE. I kin dig 
the biker  crowd wanting to rock and roll, but don't find it very musical or 
satisfying. I  know biker gigs can pay good money and many bands do so for 
the money or because  they get drunk on stage, too.
 
Aside from this aspect, I'm interested in how it translates to musical  
dialogue, creating, etc at a super loud gig.
 
How do I not play super loud and enjoy it?
 
1. I can hear all the musicians and the parts they are playing to add to  
the whole.
2. I can gauge how I add or detract to the overall sound.
3. I can start to lock in with some of the musicians as we toss musical  
ideas/rhythms back and forth
4. I can use musical force to create excitement without resorting to too  
loud - this in itself is very addicting.
5. A super loud moment may come and go, but will be all the more effective  
because the music breathes in three dimensions.
etc etc
 
 
In a message dated 5/6/2009 10:47:49 A.M. Eastern Daylight Time,  
buzzo@xxxxxxxxxxx writes:

Money is  great. I love the band.  Money is great.  I love to play loud.   
People love it.  Money is great
How can you play not loud &  enjoy it.  No disrespect you just don't 
understand.  I didn't  say too loud.  Oh by the way I said  load.;)

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