[Harp-L] The guy over there made the mistake, not me!!!

[JON KIP <jonkip@xxxxxxxxxxxxx>]

On Jun 5, 2012, at 10:27 AM, harp-l-request@xxxxxxxxxx wrote:

> .. I suppose that if you're doing pro session work, you do whatever it takes to always be right, otherwise someone else will get the call next time.
> 
> Of course, when in doubt, do gliss!  And don't make a weird face like I do when you land in the wrong place, just gliss some more. 
> 
> Thanks for the astute observation, Jon ;-).
> 
> - Slim.

That's good advice Slim, as usual, especially since you agreed with me.....And might I add, that you're a very astute fellow, a great player of several, if not all three,  musical styles, in all 3 useful keys, major, and that other mode, as well.......a Great Musician, indeed, and It's a blessing to know you.... EVERYBODY likes you.....a very generous man, indeed......one of the few people with NO faults, a credit to your upbringing....really I mean it...

 (Hey Slim, can I borrow fifty bucks? thanks)

..yeah, I left out "and he's too smart to fall for my effusively  kind  words and way too smart to send me money"  but at least I gave it a shot...

It can be difficult to not inadvertently "turn yourself in" as being "The Guy Who Took Us Into Overtime By Making a Mistake " (which is both good and bad, viewpoint-dependent) by making a face or even saying something about WHY you made the error..it's human nature.

 HOWEVER, some very successful studio players I've worked with in the past 45 years or so,  have developed a "Plan A" for when they screw up a take.

 Note that we ALL have done that, screwing up an important take,  with the exception of whatever violin player the contractor is sleeping with at the time, since SHE is beyond criticism for making errors, should she ever make any, which, by definition, she won't. Unless that mistake is getting caught sleeping with someone else....in which case, she is automatically re-rated as an amateur player and moves, losing her home, her kids' college fund, and becomes a waitress in a Denny's.... and NOT one of the Good Denny's.

PLAN A - DEFLECT
Plan A is very simple... when you screw up, you look to a person close to you with that "Geesh, you missed THAT??" kind of look....You can also make some noise or other, tongue clucking, putting your head in your hands shaking it in  feigned disgust at the amateurish skills of your co-worker.......whatever it takes to turn the attention elsewhere.

You'll find that practicing in front of a mirror, developing The Look is helpful, and time spent on that certainly qualifies as Practice Time.


I actually invented a Plan B, which is the Reverse Deflect, but I can get into that later if anyone cares... which, at this point, even I don't.


Ok I'm done... .and yes, I posted this because I was being unsuccessful at learning a passage and the computer was here 

it's called AVOIDING PRACTICE, jon


ok, I'm guilty, will go back to work now.