1 big thing: CAN YOU HEAR YOURSELF?

Hello Harmonica Players, have you ever been on the bandstand with stage noise so loud, you absolutely could not hear a damn thing you were playing?

WHY IT MATTERS

• Not being able to clearly hear what you are playing is akin to flying blind

• In these situations, our performance suffers--we tend to crash and burn

• Playing under our capabilities makes us feel like CRAP

• Not being able to hear yourself play, we blow harder to compensate. This approach damages the harmonica

NO KIDDING

Recently I had an opportunity to successfully put my strategies to the test. I was invited to perform with Freestone Peaches, arguably the hottest Allman Brothers tribute band in California. For those not familiar with the band line up, it includes; Vocals, Keyboard, Two Guitars, Two Drummers, Bass (and me). The stage noise was significant!

HOW I WAS ABLE TO CLEARLY HEAR MYSELF

As a result of my thoracic spine surgery, I avoid lifting heavy amplifiers (i.e. Fender Bassman) and switched over to the lightweight 15w Valve Train Tall Boy (same as HarpGear Double Trouble). My rig included:

1. Valve Train 205 TB

2. On-Stage amplifier stand

3. Sennheiser e609 Cab Mic

4. Galaxy AS-1100T personal monitor 

5. Westone “in-ears” buds 

6. TC Helicon Hall of Fame Reverb pedal

7. Danelectro Delay pedal

8. Blows Me Away Bulletini microphone

BE NICE TO YOURSELF

Invest in gear so that you can hear yourself on the bandstand and be proud of your performance!

You HARPSMITH, Kinya

Valve Train 205 Tall Boy and my wireless Galaxy monitor pack and Westone “in-ear” buds

View of Line out and TC Helicon Hall of Fame Reverb and Danelectro Delay Pedals

View of the Galaxy AS-1100T monitor unit plugged into the line out of my amplifier. Note the wireless battery pack and Westone “in-ears”

Sennheiser e609 cab microphone 

Freestone Peaches, the Allman Brothers Tribute Band