[Harp-L] Re: Harp-L Digest, Vol 123, Issue 15

[Paul Wilson <paul@xxxxxxxxxxxxxx>]

Thank God you didn’t pick up the wrong key harp.
Or inhale a broken reed on first draw.

On 12 Nov 2013, at 5:47 am, harp-l-request@xxxxxxxxxx wrote:

> I am known for clean, clear solo harmonica to pre-recorded accompaniment
> music. So knowing that I was scheduled to play in church last night, I pick
> a familiar hymn, find nice southern gospel accompaniment music, tune a harp
> to circular tuning to get all the notes I need, proceed to practice the song
> around a hundred times.
> 
> Fast forward. the music director has a death in the family and (2 days ago)
> asks me to lead congregational singing on the same night I am supposed to
> play. So last night I get there for sound check with a brand new crew on the
> soundboard.  They don't know how to make the music come through the
> monitors. So I had to go back and do it for them.  Then the pastor comes and
> changes the order of service on me. So I have to lead a song then play my
> song and then lead another song.  Oh yeah and the sound crew cant handle
> more than the pulpit mic right now so I have to use an unfamiliar mic.  Then
> I get up to play and I can barely hear my music  through the monitor and I
> proceed to play the song with notes bleeding into each other like I've never
> played single notes before, I played one musical phrase backwards. All in
> all I felt like it was awful.  Now it was actually passible if I were a
> beginner but I left there pretty bummed.  I practiced that song for weeks
> and you only get one shot at doing it right and I blew it.
> 
> At least the sound crew hasn't mastered recording yet so there is no
> permanent record except for this rant J
> 
> Whew! I feel better, thanks for letting be vent. now to go pick my
> harmonicas out of the trash to try again another day.