Re: [Harp-L] How much rehearsal for covers?

[The Iceman <icemanle@xxxxxxx>]

Sounds like you are coming from the "everyone learn their parts" school of music philosophy.


Perhaps this guitarist was more of a "learn how to play together as an ensemble" philosophy.


I prefer the second over the first. The "everyone learn their parts" has always created bands that can cut a gig, but fail to musically soar with that addictive chemistry.


Having finally found a few musicians at a level I am comfortable working with, we are in weekly rehearsals - learning tunes, but mostly geared to learning how to play together effectively as a unit. As we slowly discover each others musical personalities and strengths/weaknesses, we can fill in the blanks and start to minimize the "number of notes each of us play" and create something that borders on magic. Eventually this knowledge will minimize the time we spend on learning new tunes, as we will fall into an understanding about the music and what parts we play in its creation. As a matter of fact, we have so much fun and play with a lot of humor in our music that the rehearsals are becoming a highlight of the week, for me at least.



-----Original Message-----
From: Robert Hale <robert@xxxxxxxxxxxxxx>
To: harp-L list <harp-l@xxxxxxxxxx>
Sent: Mon, Nov 14, 2011 12:44 am
Subject: [Harp-L] How much rehearsal for covers?


COVERS
A fine guitarist friend invited me to join his project. He and I met twice
in his home to hear some of the tunes and sample my lap steel as well as
harp. During each phone conversation and face to face, I asked
about performance plans. "I'm not going to advertise a product that is not
ready," he'd say. Nothing on the calendar. Not even a target date or event.

EXPECTATIONS
I affirmed my excitement about working with him, and willingness to prepare
the tunes accurately. (Siegel-Schwall to Albert Lee covers) But when I made
the uncomfortable decision to decline full-band weekly rehearsals, he
thought I should have told him up front. I thought he could have stated
band practice as a condition of the offer. Keep in mind, he is a fine
guitarist with strong recording and touring credits. He's no babe in the
woods about performing.

BOOK IT!
By comparison, a bass-player friend was hired for a Boston tribute band
show in Nevada, with one afternoon rehearsal before the several weekend
performances. I'll do my wood shedding at home, but I'm not willing to meet
for months while 4-5 others learn their parts. "Call me when you have work"
may sound arrogant, but I feel it's appropriate. I work several casual
calls a month on this basis. (I do rehearse for an original-music project
when there's a full calendar of work ahead)

Your experience, please?

Robert Hale
Learn Harmonica by Webcam
Low Rates, High Success
http://www.youtube.com/DUKEofWAIL <http://www.youtube.com/user/DUKEofWAIL>
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