Re: [Harp-L] Tips for Playing Harp in a Blues Band!!!

[The Iceman <icemanle@xxxxxxx>]

good advice......well said


-----Original Message-----
From: Jeremy Bustillos <jbustillos@xxxxxxxxx>
To: harp-l <harp-l@xxxxxxxxxx>
Sent: Tue, Jun 18, 2013 11:34 am
Subject: [Harp-L] Tips for Playing Harp in a Blues Band!!!


Tips for playing Harmonica in a Blues Band!


1.  Start off by playing in the RIGHT KEY. (unless you can play in multiple
positions or modes)

I can't tell you how many times harp players show up to a Jam I host with 1
or 2 harps but continue to play along with the band because one or two
notes on a C harp match notes when the band is playing in G.  I bring 22
harps to gigs I'm hired to play. You never know what the bands are going to
pull up or if the guitar player is tuning down to Eb because he's having
vocal problems.


2.  Figure out who is going to play the fills!  This is the simplest thing
to do with the guitarist or pianist before the song starts. Sometimes you
have to figure it out on the fly but that would require you to LISTEN!!!
It's perfectly ok to shake or play the turnarounds during this time but
nothing more.


3.  Stand off to the side until your solo.  The stage area is very
territorial.  When it's your turn to shine move towards the center and show
'em what you gotâwhen you're doneâgo back to the side=Sideman!


4.  Nerves get the best of us, especially when you are playing with Name
guys or musicians that are more experiencedâ..Don't blow your wad on the
first chorus!!!!! Start off soft and build your soloâbest trick in the
world when dealing with loud guitarists and drummersâPLAY SOFTERâ.If they
are decent musicians, they SHOULD come down in volume to try to hear you.
It's ok to turn around and signal the drummer to lower the volume.  FYI,
the Drummer controls the volume on the stage!


5.  If the guitarist or pianist are playing a repetitive line that you can
pick up, play along with them!!

This work well with horn players as well!


6.  Figure out what you're going to do when you're NOT playing.  This why
standing off to the side is key. If you're self-conscious about how you
look on stageâside staging is a must!


7.  FOR THE LOVE OF ALL THAT IS MINOR BLUES, play the MINOR
THIRD!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!   How many times have I heard  Harp Players ply the
major third over MINOR BLUES!!!!!!  If you can't bend the major third
down,  work on it or ry playing in 3rd position!!!!  Musicians notice
little things like this!!!!


This is not a definitive list and you guys probably have more to offer.  If
you want to change the stigma of the Fedora/Sunglasses Harp player, I think
this list is a good start!!!!


JB