mic
32 posts
Jul 08, 2008
10:43 PM
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Years ago I knew a bluegrass fiddle player. He was a truely great player, but he had some personality traits (and a drinking problem)that held him back.
He would play over others solo's and/or overlap what should have been their space and time. I saw him do a three night gig as a stand in. He always wanted to be center stage and it greatly distracted from the overall performance.
What are some do's and dont's when playing with others?
Would love to hear from some of you that have encountered problems along these lines And advise on how to best conduct ourselves when playing with others.
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Tuckster
12 posts
Jul 09, 2008
9:26 AM
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I play in a band that hosts an open stage every Wed. There's a guitar player that comes in-he's got some good chops going on but hasn't a clue how to play with others. He's always far louder than anything else on stage and he always overplays. He steps on the vocalist, he steps on the other guitar players, he steps over everything.When he first came, we thought it was funny. Now he comes every week and it ain't funny no more.As a harp player, I try to lay back when other musicians come up,I want them to "have their moment". When our band plays I'll open up but still strive to say as much as I can, with as few notes as I can. I try very hard to stay in the context of the song we're playing. I think you need to play with a band to learn these things. Woodshedding is great, but sooner or later you're gonna have to play with others. You have to listen to what other band members are playing to make music.
BTW, all forum members, if you ever find yourself in Pittsburgh on a Wed. night, feel free to stop in at Moondog's to jam. Doesn't matter what your level is, we'll accommodate you. Good time guaranteed.
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snakes
11 posts
Jul 09, 2008
11:01 AM
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I think I heard it best put when someone told me the goal is to "serve the song." So I guess that says that the best premise is to play in a way to serve the music versus one's own ego or some other motive. I don't know - maybe a bit too simplistic...
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Warbleman
23 posts
Jul 09, 2008
2:16 PM
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As a harp player, I try to listen to the words of the songs if it's possible and base my part around not only the vocal melody but the actual lyrics also. The great James Cotton said that when he started playing with Muddy Waters he wasn't so hot because he didn't know any of the words to his songs, but when he learned the words, the music started coming out.
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oldwailer
115 posts
Jul 09, 2008
7:36 PM
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Many years ago I played with a group that knew three songs and how to make them last a long time by experimenting with various substances before rehearsal. Of course the band never did do a paying gig--but one day a really hot lead guitarist came in and wanted to sit in. This guy was really hot! And louder than anything we had ever done! We were all just dumbfounded for about ten minutes--when the guy started to repeat all the same stuff--seems that was all he really knew.
Well, our lead guitar player (I was rhythm guitar and vocals) was this giant Samoan dude, named Packard, who knew a different set of manners than the rest of us. Packard just walked over to the guy's amp and unplugged him. We then went on back to getting loaded. . .er, uh. . .rehearsing.
The guy just left. . .didn't say why. I always liked the Packard method of handling those who don't play well with others.
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mic
34 posts
Jul 10, 2008
2:01 PM
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Good stuff guys...I propose a toast to Packard!
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mmukav
2 posts
Jul 12, 2008
8:39 AM
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Being tasteful is important. Don't overplay, especially in a jam where you're the 'new guy'.
Listen to the other players and wait to take your turn. If you're a decent player, they'll 'give you room'.
I played with a guitar player similar to the one that Packard 'took care of'. He knew all these Tony Rice licks and would rip them out over and over. The trouble was, he had no idea how to play with other musicians, and when we started a song he was lost. He could play by himself great, but not with a group.
Mike
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thorvaldsen76
19 posts
Jul 12, 2008
5:26 PM
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Hello guys!
I've just finished reading Adam's book "Journeyman's road" and in the book he writes a lot of good tips when it comes to attending a jam and sitting in with others:)
Kent Erik
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