Re: [Harp-L] Band Rehearsals -- What is your formula?

[MundHarp@xxxxxxx]

In a message dated 16/09/2010 22:46:10 Malay Peninsula Standard Time,  
bluesharpamps@xxxxxxxxx writes:
 
<<
Blues is easy, alright... It is easy to play badly. My philosophy  about
practice is a sports analogy:  When I played varsity sports we  practiced
hard as a team, and when we were well prepared we did  well.

How often does your band practice?  When you do practice, what  is the
formula?
>>

 
Blues is NOT easy...But YES it is easy to play blues,  badly!
 
The BEST thing is for a band to play 5 or 6 nights a week to an  audience, 
and then practice for 3 or 4 hours those  days that you are not  gigging.
When I've been touring with ...Gosh... Oh so many bands now... I have  
ALWAYS said "Let's learn AT LEAST one new song, or new piece every week. That  
keeps the music FRESH.
I'll be honest, I don't enjoy practicing very much. I'm simply  ADICTED to 
being in the "limelight!"
 
BUT practice is ESSENTIAL.
 
HOWEVER... Several times I've joined groups who have fallen into "PRACTICE  
MODE"... Practicing 5 or 6 times a week without giging. That  DOESN'T make  
the music better. It just makes the music stale.
 
Find an AUDIENCE... A pub, a coffee shop... Even in a subway station.
PERFORM... That will make your music good.
 
AND IF IT ISN'T, THE AUDIENCE WON'T HANG AROUND.
 
Best wishes,
 
John "Whiteboy" Walden
Cebu City
Philippines