Be aware of overplaying in a band setting.
If the harmonica never stops then there is no impact when it’s your solo.
A huge part of musicality is understanding how to change the texture of the ensemble by adding and subtracting sonic elements.
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Dynamics and rhythm are critical. If done correctly one can play all the time.
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Is it musically interesting to the listener to play all the time?
Is continuous playing serving the music or the individual player’s interest?
Knowing how to play is one thing and knowing when to play is another.
Read carefully and think about what @davidkachalon wrote. It’s obviously at a level beyond what you are writing about.
At a low level of skill, you are definitely correct. But done with skill, @davidkachalon is also correct.
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Just because you can doesn’t mean you should.
Silence is part of music too.
In written music it’s literally called a rest.
Lots of folks know the licks but that’s just the beginning
I suggest studying recordings and performances by master musicians and their bands that you admire and see how they use space and varying textures to add those special musical layers beyond just blowing hot licks/riffs and fills.
Understanding that will make you stand out from the crowd.
Who said that? You seem to be imagining things.
I figured you would digress to a personal insult.
I’m speaking about taking your music to a higher level of sophistication and artistry.
Your insults are meaningless to me and a waste of time for both of us .
You should strive to do better. The music deserves it.
What instrument do you play?
@B-guy if you ever heard @davidkachalon then you would understand when he’s says “dynamics” he’s talking about playing so quietly you can’t even hear it, but you miss it when it’s gone.
In the final analysis it’s about serving the singer, the soloist, and the song. Sometimes that may be sitting out entirely.
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Playing with/in a band is a team effort. I’m talking about the next level above just knowing licks and how to play the instrument.
I’m talking about looking at the big picture of the song , the set, the audience .
I’m giving valuable advice here based on many , many years and thousands of gigs as a professional touring musician . but if it’s not wanted that’s ok too.
Pros can spot amateur behavior on the bandstand in about 4 seconds.
Listening is very important both on and off the bandstand.
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I said it .
I’ll say it again
Just because you can doesn’t mean you should.
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I’m impressed …
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Not sure why you are addressing me here. I I don’t play in a band so no issues as you describe. I simply asked what instrument you play?
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Before I started harmonica I’ve been a guitar player for almost 20 years. Us guitsr players are notorious for committing the sin of overplaying. As I’ve matured as a musician I’ve found that most guitar players spend a lot of time learning the harmony and rhythm while neglecting the melody. Now when I learn a song on guitar, harmonica, any instrument my first mission is to learn the entire melody “usually the singers part”. Once you have the melody internalized the chords, rhythm, baseline, ect ect, all has context and makes a LOT more sense. I’ve found that oftentimes overplaying comes from “not knowing what to play” over a given part so it becomes “noodley”. It takes confidence to not overplay.
Obviously im using guitar as my example because thats what I know best, but its relevant for all instruments.
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