[Harp-L] A Learning Opportunity at the Open Blues Jam

[Joseph Leone]

‘The Iceman commeth’. lololololololol
smojoe 


> On Jul 20, 2017, at 10:48 PM, The Iceman via Harp-L <harp-l at xxxxx> wrote:
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> Forget worrying about your mic/gear/cords, etc...control your own destiny.
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> <<I plan to politely explain to the vocalist that if the harp can’t go any louder (without feedback), then I need the band to be softer, and  *politely*  ask the vocalist to please signal the band to bring the volume down during my turn to solo.>>
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> Here is where you have given up your rights as a soloist....
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> The band should defer to the soloist just as much as they defer to the vocalist. In a sense, the vocalist is just soloing with her voice.
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> So, when it is your turn to solo, you have the right to insist that the band defer to you. You signal the band to bring the volume down right there in real time. When given the nod to solo, you step forward. There is no rule that says you must immediately start your solo on the first beat of that first measure...so, if the volume is too loud, you can turn to the band, get some eye contact going and give the universal sign to bring down the volume - raise your outstretched arm (with elbow slightly bent) to shoulder level and lower it as you slightly bend at the knees. Then, merely wait for the form to go by (12 bars) and you can begin your solo at the top if you like.
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> Of course, it helps if you have self confidence and personal power going for you - and you had better play a pretty good solo after commanding the stage like this.
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