Accompaniment Playing - Laying Out

We train to play instrumentals and solo on the harmonica, but 80% of the time on the bandstand we're playing accompaniment (if you're not the singer). Here's a tip for you when another soloist starts their solo.

Don't play the first chorus. This gives them sonic space to do their thing. The second chorus play very sparse. The third chorus start playing a little stronger, helping to build underneath the soloist to assist them in their drive to the climax of their solo. Give this a try, it's very affective.

Where this may not be the right choice is when you're playing a hook, such as "I'm Ready." In this case continuing to play the hook is important to the theme of the song... just play it softly.