[Harp-L] How much rehearsal for covers?

[Robert Hale <robert@xxxxxxxxxxxxxx>]

COVERS
A fine guitarist friend invited me to join his project. He and I met twice
in his home to hear some of the tunes and sample my lap steel as well as
harp. During each phone conversation and face to face, I asked
about performance plans. "I'm not going to advertise a product that is not
ready," he'd say. Nothing on the calendar. Not even a target date or event.

EXPECTATIONS
I affirmed my excitement about working with him, and willingness to prepare
the tunes accurately. (Siegel-Schwall to Albert Lee covers) But when I made
the uncomfortable decision to decline full-band weekly rehearsals, he
thought I should have told him up front. I thought he could have stated
band practice as a condition of the offer. Keep in mind, he is a fine
guitarist with strong recording and touring credits. He's no babe in the
woods about performing.

BOOK IT!
By comparison, a bass-player friend was hired for a Boston tribute band
show in Nevada, with one afternoon rehearsal before the several weekend
performances. I'll do my wood shedding at home, but I'm not willing to meet
for months while 4-5 others learn their parts. "Call me when you have work"
may sound arrogant, but I feel it's appropriate. I work several casual
calls a month on this basis. (I do rehearse for an original-music project
when there's a full calendar of work ahead)

Your experience, please?

Robert Hale
Learn Harmonica by Webcam
Low Rates, High Success
http://www.youtube.com/DUKEofWAIL <http://www.youtube.com/user/DUKEofWAIL>
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