Re: [Harp-L] Inapproriate playing

[MundHarp@xxxxxxx]

The worst time I was "Gus ed" was here in Scotland, at an "open mic"  only 
a few months ago...It was in a pub, miles from anywhere, in a  suburb some 
miles from Glasgow. There was a folk singer playing  harmonica on a rack and 
guitar... He did his 3 songs... Then after a few more  performers, I went on 
stage with an acoustic guitarist to play OUR three  songs...
Half way through the first tune... I thought "My GOODNESS... I'm not  
playing that garbage!"... The other guy who already had his "3 songs" was  
playing harp OVER my harmonica... It spoiled the whole thing for  me.
If he had said: "Can I sit in with you both" It would have been FINE. 
We could have taken turns.. But he made a terrible noise... Which put  me 
off what I was playing. Perhaps I am over sensitive, but it RUINED my  
evening!
In my opinion, people should NEVER play any musical instrument while  other 
artists are playing, without ASKING FIRST... And if the artists  agree, the 
guest should get up on stage, and wait to be directed  to an available 
mic... If the artists say "NO"... JUST DO NOT DO  IT!
There was also another drunk,... when playing at a bar called  "Prince of 
Denmark" in South London. Oh, 10 or 15 years ago... We  called the bar "The 
Prince of Darkness".... It was that grim.. A drunk  staggered over.. Grabbed 
one of my harmonicas... and said "Hey...I play the  mouth organ" and started 
playing a C# harp in a tune that was in  "E"...
I managed to get the drunk off the stage...  I said "Keep the  harmonica " 
He said "Will you sign it for me?" I said... NO.
 
Johhn "Whiteboy" Walden,
English harmonicist,
Just now in Bonnie Scotland.