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Gig 14
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SuperBee
4837 posts
Jul 28, 2017
7:19 AM
We're 1 month short of 12 months as a gigging band. We probably started rehearsals in July last year, and we changed drummers in March.
Tonight was I think our 3rd paid gig with the current drummer (we did an unofficial jam gig one day) and 14th for the band.
Our anniversary gig is in the book, but tonight was a good chance for a 'dress rehearsal', the gig next month is much higher-profile.
We've been practicing weekly for a few months and recently pared back our list to concentrate on 24 numbers for these particular gigs.
The scene tonight was a restaurant/bar, Friday night. They wanted 2 sets, 7:30-9:30 with a 10 minute interval.
We played the full 24, and finished right on time both sets.
I used my Ampeg Jet with a crystal mic (mc151 in a JT30 style shell, customised and with built in VC) and had 2 pedals in line, Reverb and delay, both Lone Wolf pedals.
I was asked to turn down, right at the top (Mannish Boy).
That's a pretty full-on number and the harp is big on the riff; it rankled a bit to have to bring the volume down on that. But, you must respect the wishes of the people paying the fee.
This made me aware of my level all night and while I did step it up in places, I was always cautious. the publicans actually apologised to me after the show, apparently it was all about a particular customer, but whatever. I guess the apology may have meant they didn't hate me?
So a couple of things I can learn from this gig:
The amp was more than adequate in this scenario. Last time I played the room I used my 410. I deliberately did not go there tonight, because I knew the band would play quieter, but I didn't expect to still have so much headroom with the Jet.
I could've used the Princeton Reverb, or even my 6L6SE I think. Both those are 10" speakers and I think would've done the job well. I possibly could've used a champ but I think the 8" would've struggled to reach the back of the room.
We had vocals in PA and just used the instrument amps: guitar in a 40w 12" combo, bass through I don't know what, drums raw. Kick, snare, floor Tom and another Tom, hihats and ride. Drummer used sticks.
The Jet is ostensibly 12w but mine has a bit more, and uses a 12".

Unfortunately the preamp tubes are microphonic, but it still sounds ok. Just sometimes not so good.

The other I learned was more like a reminder of how much hard work it can be to sing and play harp, and even harder work at times, to not sing. Wang Dang doodle I play a 'you don't love me' riff all the way through and it's a killer.
I also debuted 'mr Downchild' tonight. That's a total workout.
I was breath-tested on the wAy home too. I blew 0.022, thanks to a post-gig pint. No problem there; the limit is 0.05.

So, I can say that our weekly practice is paying off, the gig was definitely the slickest we've played, most controlled levels, good starts, counted in, breaks in the right places, endings tight, tags remembered, tempos generally around the mark. I didn't forget any words! Even in songs where I often struggle, like 'my babe' (I always get confused or just forget, even though there are hardly any words. I recalled the riff for rollin and tumblin, we are all communicating better on stage, listening and remembering to look up. I did fluff my solo in bright lights big city, but that's about my biggest error. A moment of fear in walking by myself as I realised I hadn't played it for 2 days but I've obviously got it, oh, and have a good time was near the top of set 1 when I was still feeling under pressure to play quietly, but that's my big 'look at me, I'm playing harp like a lead instrument that plays melodies so get off my case and respect my authority, I can actually play a bit in tune and in time; and I'm a singer' moment. I was playing extra quiet and it messed with me a little but I'm so familiar with that number I can improvise my way out of trouble.

Also, some of my harps just aren't cutting it. My A crossover is great but the backup needs work. My D harp from Richard Sleigh is so good I can't play my backup harps anymore

Both my C harps are ok. I only played D, A, F, C and Bb harps. I played Bb on My Babe and This is Hip and I think I used my Spiers on My Babe, but I used the stock marine band on This Is Hip and I'm here to tell you, both those harps rock. Likewise my stock Marine Band F harp. I don't even want a custom F harp while I still have this one. I don't ever want to have to replace it. I only used it for Mr Downchild but try playing that SBW2 solo sometime. That's just killer-diller on the F harp.
Oh, I am playing an actual solo chorus I composed too. Like not just fudging my way through, I've actually planned and practiced a repeatable chorus.
And I think we got paid $300, for 2 sets. It's a bit light on but just almost acceptable: I took my wife and we had meals and the fee covered the Meals and my beer.
im still excited obviously, but I'm kinda proud of that gig. It feels like the work we've put in is actually paying off and I'm proud, or at least not ashamed, of the performance. I feel like we have done something tonight which will actually elevate our status on the scene.
Ok, enough blather. I'll go have a coffee and calm down
SuperBee
4838 posts
Jul 28, 2017
8:45 AM
And now I've listened to a recording of the first set: of course it's not quite as awesome as I thought, but I'm still quite proud of it. I feel like I'm on the verge of becoming able to play something approaching the way I'd like to play.
Mainly everything was way fast, but I'll cut a couple tracks out and share a link, maybe tomorrow. So you can hear my awesome singing too. I'm not a great singer by any means but I'm getting by without sounding too horrible I hope. 9nr
Sorry folks, I still get the post-gig buzz and takes a while to wind down.
Fil
340 posts
Jul 28, 2017
9:09 AM
A lot of useful and interesting stuff comes out of your post gig buzz.
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Phil Pennington
Fil
341 posts
Jul 28, 2017
10:21 AM
You mentioned forgetting or stumbling over the words on occasion. How do you handle it? Even with the lyrics in front of me I can mess up. I spell my name "Can't Remember Shxt"....
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Phil Pennington
SuperBee
4841 posts
Jul 28, 2017
3:17 PM
Every time it's a bit different. One thing you must do is keep going until it's time to stop. Often if I have forgotten the words I repeat the last line that rhymes, or the last couplet. I mix verses up. Usually it doesn't really scan but it's just life. I hear Jr Wells do it all the time on live recordings especially.
Last night I did mess up a few; I just forgot about them for a while. on have a good time I put the 3rd verse in 4th place as well, but once you start you just have to plough on.
Sundancer
140 posts
Jul 28, 2017
8:15 PM
Thanks for the update SB! We all lived vicariously thru ya at this gig.
MindTheGap
2305 posts
Jul 29, 2017
6:11 AM
What a great post, the buzz shines through. It may inspire other to get out there. What you need now is some gigs that don't go so well to stop it feeling routine by the time you get to GIG 28 :)

Last Edited by MindTheGap on Jul 29, 2017 6:11 AM


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