stage

It's always good to hear advice from experienced players on stage etiquette... we sometimes forget that it's not all about us ;-)

Derek Trucks’ 10 Commandments of Jam
http://alanpaul.net/2015/04/derek-trucks-10-commandments-of-jam/

Excessive volume from the band is an extremely common problem for harmonica players. We have issues hearing ourselves (which causes feedback problems trying to raise above the volume of the band) and all ideas of musicality and dynamics are thrown out the window. Here are some tools you can use to help combat this... continue reading...

When you move out of time it's usually for one reason... you're too focused on what you're playing. Relax... clear your mind... enjoy the music you're creating with the other musicians (live or on recording) and focus not on what you're playing, but the composite effect of what you and the band are playing together.

Tone is created by the player... with their embouchure (for a harmonica player) or with their hands for guitar, bass, piano and drums. Good players can play at a whisper-quiet volume with huge tone. They can also use a rig (mic, amp, etc.) that the average player may feel is lacking and make it sound glorious. If your rig doesn't break up until you have it set real loud, then tame it with lower-gain tubes or use a smaller amp so that you can drive it harder. continue reading...

Replace the word "Jazz" with "Blues" and this is pretty accurate to what the new blues musician experiences. I've provided the text and my notes for your review to go along with your watching of the video.

"Journey Into Jazz" by Gunther Schuller
Narrated by Leonard Bernstein (1962)
http://www.dailymotion.com/video/x15bpi_leonard-bernstein-journey-into-j... continue reading...

I've never heard the comment... by anyone... ever... that a band was too quiet. The usual comment is "the band was so loud I couldn't hear myself at all." It's also common to hear from those in the audience, "I think you sounded good, but I couldn't really hear you."

So, our rule of thumb...

While playing on the bandstand, if you're not able to follow the story the soloist is crafting or the tale the vocalist is weaving, you're playing too loud. The vocalist/soloist has to at all times be heard well enough that not only their strong notes come out, but the subtleties as well. continue reading...