Re: [Harp-L] Long Train Runnin' song key

[Bill Hines <billhines4@xxxxxxxxx>]

I agree, and I certainly wasn't encouraging anyone to play through the 
song, we all know that in *most* cases (some exceptions where it works 
include Butterfield on Muddy's "40 Days") that is very annoying and will 
piss off everyone else on stage, not to mention the audience, sometimes 
depending on their present state of mind. Now if someone would just tell 
the horn players at our jam that, haha. I was simply saying that if one 
aspires to learn a song like this, they don't have to stick to the 
strict "studio" interpretation when playing live.

Of course good musicianship means learning how to not play (empty space) 
and still support the groove by doing some thing "cool" rhythmic 
swaying, smoking a cig (kidding), etc while not playing. Guitar players 
like it when you move your hand like a fan in front of their guitar when 
they are playing as if saying "this mofo is HOT, i need to cool it 
down". I was saying of course that you can participate and add to the 
music by learning to complement and add to the song when/where 
appropriate. Often, that is at the discretion of the other musicians, 
they might like more or less. I've played less and been told "play more" 
by one person and then when doing exactly that (not playing excessively 
though) been told "play less". Peoples is peoples.

Bill Hines

On 5/8/2012 9:11 AM, The Iceman wrote:
> Standing there waiting to solo in a live situation can develop a mature stage presence. It is not necessary to be constantly playing.
>
>
> Learning to stand on stage and NOT PLAY helps develop a professional attitude, as you are still part of the ensemble. In these moments, one should learn to go with the flow and show enjoyment at what is being played, perhaps with a cool stage groove movement.