Playing hard, and the Culture of Mazacote

[Mike]

To return to the initial post:
When you have to hit TOO hard it tells more about the flexibility and (musical) tolerance of the musicians you play with than about your own technique and abilities.

One good example was the session I went to in a local pub last Monday. It was declared an open stage jam session, which is something that CAN be terrible, but doesn´t have to necessarily. Well, some youngsters laid down some Flamenco-Rock-Hip Hop grooves (with acoustic guitar, drumset+Cajon as percussion,) a Turkish darabouka player and me on bongos joined in, and everything was fine for half an hour. Groovy stuff, a bit like "Radio Tarifa" meets Heroes del silencio".
Guess what happened when two blus guitarists, a bass man and a harmonica player entered? They wanted us off the stage, saying it was time for real music and yes, they cranked up their amplifiers and played things like "Hit the road Jack" with 100db. Somehow WE, the acoustic percussion section, didn´t want to get the message and kept on playing. Nothing against blues, well-played, but these people were simply intolerant.
SO: What´s the message? Even bongoceros get the blues....
In other words: Leave those surroundings ASAP, be it bands or jam sessions. When congas (which I usually play) or other percussion instruments don´t get the acoustic attention and utmost respect they deserve, either really fight for your rights or quit playing with nerds like the ones I mentioned.

Mike
Tell me why I don´t like Mondays now :;):



Edited By Mike on 1196864359

[Garvin]

Cheap-ass Samson 3-pack clip-on mics, an overhead mic for bongos, 6 input mixer-- less than $200. After a 4 hour gig I know it's the best investment I've made in a long time. And when it comes to penis size-- remember: Whatever the size, it always fits.

Sounds like we have the same setup. I bought the Samson "3-pack" and run them through my little Behringer 6 channel mixer into the main board. I've got an AKG for when I don't feel like messing with all of that as well.