Re: [Harp-L] Another Gus

["Bill" <bill.eborn@xxxxxxxxxxxxxx>]

"would I be better to use a small amp behind me plugged or mic'd
through the pa to act as a monitor?"

Yes - why not have a chat to whoever's organising the jam and explain the 
problem and try and work out a plan - this is an absolute curse for 
harmonica players

I thought that Gus stands for Geniune Uninvited Squawker - I read that here 
and having met a few Gusses in my time, giggled a lot.  I don't see it as a 
negative stereotype more of a self-deprecatory in-joke.

I wonder if there's a similar name for a type of (usually) sax player at 
jazz jams who after you've called out the tune and said 'I'll take the 
head', meaning I'll play the melody ON MY OWN, plays along anyway in a vague 
attempt at unison with their horn pointing straight at your ear so you can't 
hear a damn thing and completely drowning you out.

Bill
----- Original Message ----- 
From: "Email" <email@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx>
To: <harp-l@xxxxxxxxxx>
Sent: Tuesday, November 10, 2009 8:25 AM
Subject: [Harp-L] Another Gus


> I'm with you on this one Rick, having only recently summoned up the 
> courage
> to get up at jam nights I'm sure I've played a few bum notes on occasions.
> Whilst I do not get up and blast away in any key I do ask which key the 
> song
> is in before selecting the appropriate harp.  At present, I only play the
> songs I know and am confident that I can hopefully contribute something to
> the musicality of the moment.
>
> One of the problems I have is standing back behind the pa speakers it is
> sometimes difficult to hear what I am playing.  Do other players have this
> problem and would I be better to use a small amp behind me plugged or 
> mic'd
> through the pa to act as a monitor?
>
> I am also quilty of playing along with the band in another area so the 
> main
> audience cant hear me.  This I did to help me gain confidence of playing
> along with a band, and before you say whats wrong with backing tapes, I 
> have
> tried them and don't like using them.  I have now stopped this practice by
> the way.
>
> So please don't treat players who may be struggling with nerves or lack of
> experience etc as a Gus.  Get to know them, talk to them, try to find out 
> if
> they can really play and give them encouragement. If after that they cant
> hack it or refuse to listen and still go their own way, then so be it,
> another Gus is born.
>
>
> Regards
> Chris
>
> We are all Gus, at some point.
>
> Why do we promote this negative stereotype that is so insulting to harp
> players?  This is a theme commonly seen on guitar player forums, where the
> disdain for nearly all harp players is obvious.
>
> Either we are all Gus or there ain't no Gus.
>
> -Rick "Gus" Davis
> The Roadhouse Joe Blues Band
> The Blues Harp Amps Blog
>
>
>
>
>
> _______________________________________________
> Harp-L is sponsored by SPAH, http://www.spah.org
> Harp-L@xxxxxxxxxx
> http://harp-l.org/mailman/listinfo/harp-l