Harp players sitting in...the ultimate solution

[Chas Lewis]

This one's easy.

Find out what key harp they have with them, then make
them play in THIRD POSITION. (Key of D for a C harp)

This will cause spontaneous head explosion in 85% of
the harp players who want to sit in...most will not only
not ask to play again for a while, but will immediately
leave the premises. (Caution: you have to be willing to
have the band sound 'wrong' for at least a couple turnarounds)

If they can actually make it work and sound ok, then you
show some respect by letting them stay for a tune in standard
cross harp.

Years ago, I experienced this with the Robt Cray band – the
difference being I hadn’t asked to sit in, but was just called
up out of the audience. (Thanks Curtis! Trial by fire.
(And yes, I did get to play a 2nd song in cross position)

Chas
http://www.thesouthside.org

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[Chas Winans]

You're assuming, of course, that this harp player is sober and sane. If he's not, he's going to think that HE sounds fine and it's the BAND that has something wrong with it. He also may not leave the stage, and he might even want to (shudder) SING.

That might be a funny thing to look back on when you tell the story many moons later, but it's a gig, not a charity!

Chas Lewis <***@THESOUTHSIDE.ORG> wrote:
This one's easy.

Find out what key harp they have with them, then make
them play in THIRD POSITION. (Key of D for a C harp)

This will cause spontaneous head explosion in 85% of
the harp players who want to sit in...most will not only
not ask to play again for a while, but will immediately
leave the premises.

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[Chas Lewis]

Post by Chas Winans
You're assuming, of course, that this harp player is sober and sane.

(snip)

Oh yeah...if that's not the case, no way they get anywhere near
the stage in the first place. Chas

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[Joel Fritz]

Post by Chas Lewis
This one's easy.
Find out what key harp they have with them, then make
them play in THIRD POSITION. (Key of D for a C harp)
This will cause spontaneous head explosion in 85% of
the harp players who want to sit in...most will not only
not ask to play again for a while, but will immediately
leave the premises. (Caution: you have to be willing to
have the band sound 'wrong' for at least a couple turnarounds)
If they can actually make it work and sound ok, then you
show some respect by letting them stay for a tune in standard
cross harp.
Years ago, I experienced this with the Robt Cray band – the
difference being I hadn’t asked to sit in, but was just called
up out of the audience. (Thanks Curtis! Trial by fire.
(And yes, I did get to play a 2nd song in cross position)
Chas
http://www.thesouthside.org

...

Hmm...IMHO third position is a lot easier than first position, although
the bottom octave is harder than second position in both. Learning to
do the top octave blow bends is something most people take a while to
learn. If you listen to Rhythm Willie you realize that almost no one
can play the top octave blow bends right. I think the bottom octave in
first is harder than the bottom octave in third. You have to be able to
hit all of the draw bends accurately on the second and third holes. In
third you can avoid the bends in the bottom octave although it sounds
better if you can play them.

If you think Little Walter was the first person to play blues horn lines
on the harmonica, look for Rhythm Willie. He's the kind of player that
makes you wonder how many complete monsters never made a record. He
didn't record very many sides, but they're well worth digging out.
See the link below for a couple of compilations that include him.

http://www.patmissin.com/ffaq/q18uk.html

He also recorded as a sideman with Peetie Wheatstraw. Those are
available in the budget price "Essential" series. For insanely low
prices on these (6.99 for two cd sets) go to
http://www.allegro-music.com/ and click on the Cyber Music Surplus link.
Availability varies.

--
Hear Barrelhouse Solly on the internet--that's me

http://www.soundclick.com/barrelhousesolly

Yes, it's what everyone has been clamoring for--pictures of the cats:

http://ratemykitten.com/my/?gallery=willie_mctell

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[Blue Stew]

Now that's plain "lowdown, dirty mean"-Gregg Allman. I have to admit, it
is fun watch them sweat. Maybe they'll learn that is not as easy as they
think?
Here's another T.B.S.S. (true blue stew story). I was called on stage to
sit in for a number or two, a few yrs ago. I felt like blowin' a little
harp and so I told the leader, whom shall remain nameless (Carl "Sonny"
Leland) I only have a C harp with me, if you can do something in
something in G or Dm, that would be great. The s.o.b. calls "Rocket 88"
in Ab!
Could he have picked a worse key?! The harp player from his band, whom
shall remain nameless (Mark "the Torch" Tortoricci) saw a disaster on
the horizon and quickly came to my rescue. He reached in his cigar box
an handed me a nice, new Db. He even let me keep it! You're my hero Torchie!

mike

Post by Chas Lewis
This one's easy.
Find out what key harp they have with them, then make
them play in THIRD POSITION. (Key of D for a C harp)
This will cause spontaneous head explosion in 85% of
the harp players who want to sit in...most will not only
not ask to play again for a while, but will immediately
leave the premises. (Caution: you have to be willing to
have the band sound 'wrong' for at least a couple turnarounds)
If they can actually make it work and sound ok, then you
show some respect by letting them stay for a tune in standard
cross harp.
Years ago, I experienced this with the Robt Cray band – the
difference being I hadn’t asked to sit in, but was just called
up out of the audience. (Thanks Curtis! Trial by fire.
(And yes, I did get to play a 2nd song in cross position)
Chas
http://www.thesouthside.org
Blues-L web site: http://www.netspace.org/~blues-l/
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...

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[BJL]

Post by Blue Stew
Here's another T.B.S.S. (true blue stew story). I was called on stage to
sit in for a number or two, a few yrs ago. I felt like blowin' a little
harp and so I told the leader, whom shall remain nameless (Carl "Sonny"
Leland) I only have a C harp with me, if you can do something in
something in G or Dm, that would be great. The s.o.b. calls "Rocket 88"
in Ab!
Could he have picked a worse key?!

Heh! I love Carl...

BJL

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