Taking the fills on a bandstand
Hi, David:
In Accompaniment Study 4, you mention that a harp player needs to come in strong on the first 2 bar fill, or else someone else in the band will take the fills.
Is it assumed that, if there is a harp player, he or she is taking the fills? If I come in strong on the first fill, do I need to worry that someone else might be trying to take the fills also?
Always thinking of courtesy onstage and always interested in the hidden language among the band while onstage.
Thanks for the encouragement. Actually, being meek has been my problem. I have heard so many bad stories about harmonica players overplaying. So I get up on stage and don't play often enough or loudly enough. I guess, though, that doing no harm should be my first priority, as a beginner jammer.
I agree, well-stated. Being a humble servant of the band and ultimately the music is the smart way to go in your early years.
Great question. If you're asked up as the guest, or you're the only jammer coming up to play with the house band, then you get the fills, that's assumed. If there is another guest/jammer up... harp, guitar, keyboard, etc., then it may be a good idea to agree on it... or just step forward and take it!... being meek at a jam session sometimes doesn't pay off.