[Harp-L] Re: Asking to sit in

[Michael Easton <diachrome@xxxxxxxxxxx>]

Many players in this area bring their axe out when they go to see  
bands. In the mid to late 90's they went so far as to bring their axe  
and amp in
and set it by the stage. I've even done that since it was the norm for  
a few years. Once most of us found our way into blues bands it  
stopped. Back then
there were more blues players out of work then gigging. The blues  
scene was just starting to explode here and everybody was itching to  
perform.
They leave them in their car or van now but sit-ins are still pretty  
common.

Some bands are loosely structured so a sit in won't mess with how they  
arranged songs.
Others, like the band I'm in rehearse every week to get the material  
tight. If we do see someone worthy of inviting up
we go outside our set list so everyone plays loose. We've never  
invited someone to sit in that we didn't know or have
knowledge about but that's just us. Every band is different.

My own personal take is that I leave my harps at home when I go to see  
a band. That eliminates any desire to sit in.
 Unless I've arranged it with the bandleader ahead of time or he  
said, "Mike, come on out to our gig tonight and bring some harps" they  
don't come out.   That way I don't have to sit in the audience all  
night waiting to play on the last set.  If I feel like leaving early I  
can.  In the 70's when I wasn't that proficient I would be allowed to  
sit in but it wasn't  until the last song.  I would have gone home had  
I known I had to wait that long to play. I wasn't into the band or  
their music so much as  wanting to wank off on stage.  Maturity has a  
way of changing things.

Richard is right in his comment about sit-ins.  I go to see the band  
and usually find sit in's distracting. Sometimes it's my cue to leave  
the show. Even if the players are friends their styles are usually  
different otherwise they would be playing together.

The old band I was in hosted a Monday night sit-in at a bar.  Some  
players would come in and patiently sit until their turn but they  
would not listen in order to gel with
the bands sound. They just stewed in the thought of how they were  
going to blow everyone away with their over the top chops.  One guy  
was a heavy metal drummer that only knew how to play lead drums. It  
didn't fit well with the Muddy Waters song we were playing. It was one  
long drum solo from start to finish.

My advice is if you want to sit in and are granted the privilege to do  
so, LISTEN TO THE BAND, not the ego in your head while you are sitting  
in the audience. Then go up and surprise them with how well you can  
gel with their sound.  The better you can gel the longer they will  
usually let you play.


Michael Easton
www.harmonicarepair.com