Just wanted to get some insight from other players on my recent solo from a recent blues jam. Song is "Stormy Monday". I am in a "valley of uncertainty" with my playing and not too sure if I am headed in the right direction or not. Solo starts at 30:15. Thanks!
First, let me say that I am far from being a professional harmonica player, but it sounded good to me (I only listened to the solo at 30:15)
This may not be the case at all, so forgive me if I'm incorrect...
The solo sounded much like my own harp solos, where toward the end, it may have drifted in to slight randomeness of note selection, instead of completely intentional note selection. It didn't sound bad at all. Rather, it reminded me of what I typically do in a solo, which does indeed drift into note randomness.
Like I said, it sounded good, so this may not have been the case, but it certainly is with me. :)
Last Edited by MichaelMc on Apr 17, 2015 9:06 AM
definitely headed in the right direction also by taping your self like you did you can hear for yourself the progress you make along the way. looks like a great jam everyone working together.
Carl, I'd say you are all over it! Nothing wrong with that. Your fills work out nice too. Not overbearing, just another layer. Great bunch of jammers there. Your lucky to have a blues scene, and tasteful players to join in with. I gota drive 50 miles to find a blues jam. Sweet...BN
Last Edited by Barley Nectar on Apr 17, 2015 10:30 AM
Thanks for the input. I can definitely drift into randomness:) It's the difficult part about soloing. This is why I put the video up. I have been trying to be more "focused" in my practice sessions, hoping it would translate during my solos, etc. thanks again for your response :)
@1847
I have found that taping the jams definitely helps. This one happened to be filmed by another jammer. I have to look into a good recorder, as I find the iPhone isnt the best? Thanks for your input.
@Barleynectar
Thanks for the kind words. Yes, I am definitely fortunate to have this jam every week. It's only 5 minutes from my house. There are basically 6 jam days per week, but this one fits my schedule the best. Thanks again for taking the time to respond.
You sounded pretty darned good overall Carl. I like your tone. Everything you played fit the song. With regard to your soloing, if you repeat a phrase (as you did early on in your solo around 30:45) and return to it, it might make it more cohesive. I like to focus on one emotion when I solo. Sadness, anger, resignation, whatever. You have some good jammers there. Thanks for sharing. BronzeWailer's YouTube
You were treading all over the other player's solo's. Notice when you got to solo there was no-one treading on you. cheers, Mark ---------- King Casey's Web site
I did not hear treading, I did hear backing. There are those that feel that the harmonics should not be heard until it is time for a lead. I do not agree with this. Drop back and do fills as I have done all my life. No body has complained for a very long time. Tasteful is the key and I think Carl is tasteful...BN
Hi Carl, Thanks for the great music, man. It's not your musicianship that needs some help, it's your stage presence. From the old stage presence lessons I learned long ago: [1] Stand up amongst the other musicians and keep you eyes open. Most cues come from being aware of your fellow musicians (They shouldn't have to let you know just like the Strat player did when he tapped you on the shoulder, as it was your turn) and allows for tight changes and staying within the pocket all night long. You gotta pay attention all night long.{Sorry but you can't sit on the floor and be part of the band. If they invite you up, they need to make room for ya. Secondly, you'll go deaf at amp level without ear plugs, stand above it and protect your ears ) Your music is tight; on time and tasty. Great playin'. Owen
Probably didn't need to play during the keys break. That was a tricky one because the guy played without leaving much space and in trying to back him you picked up on his tempo which did mean the harp was probably a little intrusive at times. Like you were playing along with his solo rather than being part of the band providing a backdrop. But for your solo, started strong. Nice of the band to bring it down and give you space. Predicably the intensity is gonna pick up and you gonna need an exit strategy. What you did was ok. But if you do some work on the exit, so you can have a strong coherent final statement that will be a wow factor solo.
I feel, looking back at the video, that I looked a bit like Igor just sitting perched in the corner-lol. I agree as stated above that I should stand-up on stage to have more "presence" and to keep an eye on the visual cues. I guess I lose confidence playing with seasoned musicians, and in the past 2 years of going to jams, this is probably my 5th time in the 2 years:(
I do agree, that based on the video, I may have come across a bit intrusive at times. I had my amp on the far right side of the stage, and the majority of the time I couldn't hear myself because my amp wasn't miced. This is why I asked for insight specifically for "Stormy Monday", as it was the one tune I could "hear myself" relatively well from the amp.
I know I have a HUGE amount of work ahead. I look forward to hopefully getting a chance to jam more. Until then, I appreciate everyone's feedback and honesty:)
I'm miles behind you, but I thought it sounded good.
As for sitting on stage; well it was kind of a busy stage so I don't fault you there. In fact after watching your video I got a real bad itch for a wireless rig and an ultimate mic. Not the first time I've had that itch, but it was real strong for some reason after watching that video.
Credible work Carl. Stormy Monday was one of the songs I cut my teeth on at jams back in the day. The guys where I lived then had a habit of injecting some funky jazzy stuff in there and swinging it up nice. Also similar to what those guys in your video did, they put stops at the end of some of the lines for emphasis and flavor. I found myself doing a 3rd position thing to it several times that worked well.
The suggestion to show that you are a part of is spot on. I always wear decent jeans and a button up shirt especially if I am a guest on stage. The 90's saw a lot of too casual dress on stages everywhere I went imho. If you want to be a key player in a band- and who doesn't- dress the part and interact! ---------- http://www.reverbnation.com/jawboneandjolene
Yes, greg's wireless rig and the ultimate 57 are fantastic! If you are thinking about ordering, don't hesitate! Thanks for responding:)
@ jbone I will try practicing it in 3rd too. Yes, I will make more of an effort to interact with the band and dressing-up a bit more when playing on stage. Thanks for your input and for sharing.
@kudz
I am humbled by your comment Adam. About 2-3 years ago, I came across your series of videos and viewed/studied each and every one. Not only were they fantastic from a teaching standpoint, I also enjoyed the philosophical aspect that you would inject as well. Thanks!!
I really liked it Carl! You have great chops! I fact... Your chops are slightly ahead of your "band feeling". Know what I mean? I think your solo really was building towards the end and you ought to have 24 bars to solo on, of course, there was a lot of guys up there who wanted a stab at soloing. I am in the same land as you are... I have visited a jam six or seven times and go from playing too much to too little (according to the others fellows). I think you will learn more if you just keep going to the jam than getting feedback here, even if a lot of the above feedback is very good...
Harp on, man!
Edit: As for recording live music... I use a Yamaha pocket rack 7 (PR7). Check out my telephone blues video if you want to hear how it sounds in a jam situation. Cheap and easy to use HD recorder.
Second edit: two other tracks recorded from live jam on the PR7.
Thanks for taking the time to respond and for your input. I appreciate the recommendation for the Yamaha cam. I just finished listening to your "telephone blues" video. You sounded fantastic, and the recorder really did a great job of capturing it:)
I'll look into the Yamaha recorder. Thanks again -Carl
Ah, the PR7 isn't a cam it's just a HD audio recorder. The iPhone is good enough for video, imho, but this vid was shot by a small digital video camera. ---------- Pistolkatt - Pistolkatts youtube
Man I thought you sounded fine I wish I sounded as good. As far a treading on other solos I don't hear it. I know we will always want to be smoother, cleaner, tighter but a lot of folks are just to knit picky.
As far as stage presence do what you feel, sit where you want to sit, stand where you want to stand, dance where you want to dance, and relax would you want to relax. It's always evolving.
Sorry, I don't see it as 'knit picking'. Carl rarely had the harmonica out of his mouth. Sitting down in a non-interactive position didn't help. But 'solo' to me would involve the rhythm section only. I wouldn't be happy with a harmonica playing 'fills' on my solo and if you really did interact with your fellow musicians would find most of them wouldn't either. ---------- King Casey's Web site
I thought playing was good. Nice tone and fit the song
Wasnt much in the way of connection with the band with you sitting in front. Maybe next time stand behind the keyboard player( looks like a little room there.
I know you probably didnt expect them to film from that angle- but the rummaging for harps, the playing with the water and icecubes etc is a bit distracting
FWIW, I usually don't play at all when other people are soloing at a jam. I look at them and gently nod or move slightly to the music, showing my appreciation. My activity will be inversely proportional to the number of people on stage. By myself, I am usually singing or playing the whole time. If there are 7 or 8 people on stage, either a bit of rhythm or the odd fill here and there, and never while the singer is singing. I like the George Costanza attitude: "Leave them wanting more." BronzeWailer's YouTube
I though the solo was good, but I think you should try to get comfortable being on stage and not playing, it is best not to play when you don't have anything to add to the song, e.g. during the keyboard solo.
I am not sure if you planned to sit on the stage or you just ended up there, but wether you prefer to sit or stand you really need to be somewhere where you can see what is going on, most musicians give visual cues for when to take solos, play fills, end songs etc.
Last Edited by belfast_harper on Apr 19, 2015 4:28 PM
@ carlNice to see someone wanting comments actually accepting them in good grace (the good and the bad) Some people only seem to want praise and react strongly to anything that isn't. You're a "gentleman and a scholar" as my old man used to say.
Thanks for taking the time to view and comment. My stage presence definitely needs work:) i am going to try to attend more jams on a regular basis, to get more comfortable and become more in tune with what's going on stage. Thanks again for your input/insight.
No worries, Carl, but from a positive point of view when you did solo it was up there with the best. Look forward to the next instalment. cheers, Mark. ---------- King Casey's Web site
I have had a number of other musicians compliment me on knowing when not to play. As one put it, "most harp players start playing with the first note and don't stop until the song is over". Even if untrue, this is the common perception. So I tend to err on the side of playing less, and never over (or behind) the singer or someone else's solo.
I do understand that playing behind can be effective, but there's a fine line between doing that and coming off as "another obnoxious harp player", so I leave that for better players than I.
Thanks mate! I just listened to some of your recordings on your website. Some seriously incredible stuff. Thanks again
@garry I know, this is the struggle and dilemma that I am trying to balance. How much to play, or not. In all fairness, the lead guitarist (Bobby Nathan) told me to stay longer and continue jamming with the band when I was getting ready to leave. Maybe he was just being polite, I don't know. Here is some of his info. He is a great musician and really nice gentleman.
www.bobbynathan.com
Last Edited by CarlA on Apr 20, 2015 7:02 PM
Your playing is fine, let's get that out of the way. No need for the anxiety.
Your stage posture is awful. I don't care where your amp is placed and there is plenty of room for you to stand up with the rest of the musicians. Also, your back is turned against the musician, so you might be listening to them , but you are not interacting with them. It's just terrible body language. Looks like you are "gussing" along with them. Everything about where you are sitting is a distraction to the band and the audience.
Richard Sleigh recently wrote about stage posture:
"Here is my checklist for my own continuing evolution as a harmonica player. This is how I imagine the ideal stance for playing the harmonica: - A straight open throat -Your head balanced on your shoulders so you are not wasting energy holding it up one way or another - Your upper body relaxed - your shoulders are resting, not jacked up and tense. - your lungs and the diaphragm are able to move freely - You use only the muscles you need to maintain this posture, and they are at the sweet spot - not too tense, not too relaxed. - Your body can sway, shift weight to keep time. You can dance if you want to. It's worth it to check yourself from time to time in a mirror and learn new ways to keep improving your stance. Your body language is a big part of your music."
And because you didnt ask.... imagine the singer not there but you in his place playing and singing, strive for that. good luck.
Last Edited by 6SN7 on Apr 21, 2015 5:39 AM
"And because you didnt ask.... imagine the singer not there but you in his place playing and singing, strive for that. good luck."
This is a great tip! I never thought about it that way, but it is a great recommendation. I also appreciate you taking the time to post the Richard Sleigh tips. I will surely work on these and all other recommendations made thus far. Thanks again!
@belfast Harper Thanks for the link. Going to check it out tonight after work. Planning on going back to same venue tonight if all works out well with my work schedule, so if I do I will remember to correct/work on all the recommendations. Thanks again
Last Edited by CarlA on Apr 22, 2015 1:29 PM
when u came in the dynamics was mellow----u tagged that---came in like part of the song----not overbearing----sounded dagone good too==u sounded good over the minor turns as well---u ended well, as well---song still mellow- so u ended mellow---good lead in to next vocal or guitar or whoever --- really good job---thing I LIKED MOST --U PLAYED 'WITH' THE PLAYERS 'NOT AT THEM'---GOOD JOB
