I was asked to perform the Star Spangled Banner next month at a prestigious road race in my hometown. Several thousand runners and spectators will be present as it begins and ends at a football stadium.
I said yes without really thinking about it. After figuring out the song in first position I discovered I could play the first two verses in different octaves. I was thinking maybe do the first verse in the low octave, do the second verse up an octave or maybe play splits. The third verse (rockets red glare) sounds pretty good with TB splits with a few "ta ta tas".
I have not tried the tune in another position, like 12th, but that would eliminate chording (I think)...or would switching positions and/or harps add some flavor.
I don't want to go Hendrix or anything. I want to play a classy version that even the most conservative would enjoy.
I assume I'll just play thru whatever the race announcer talks thru...Wonder how good my HG50 would do in dead silence in a stadium with one open end? Thoughts? Suggestions? Experiences? Love to hear them.
What a coincidence. I was just asked to do the same thing at an upcoming graduation party. I was considering singing it instead, but now I'll hang back and see what suggestions come forth.
You need an augmented fourth in a couple of spots (e.g., "dawn's ear-ly light"). In first position, that's a half-step, 2-draw bend in the first octave or a 5-hole overblow in the second octave.
Gotcha...That does sound better. I like the octaves but that forces me to play partial chords insted of the OB or draw bend..but it sounds ok....just a little bit wrong...lol
Check out whats on YT..Some don't even bend in the first octave and get by with "a little bit wrong"...lol
Use a Country tuned harp in a lower key, like G, A or maybe low F. (Higher keys could be too shrill, especially since you'll be using the 7 and 8 draw notes.)
Why 2nd position? Why country tuning? Because this is one song you definitely don't want to screw up. Playing it in 2nd position is very comfortable and familiar to any of us as harp players. Yes, you could play it in another position, but this can be risky unless you are really proficient and familiar with the position you choose.
And yes, you can play it using the 5 overblow in 2nd position if you want, but this just doesn't sound as good as a country tuned harp in my opinion. Plus, you can put some great expression on the 5 draw note of a country tuned harp. It's just not the same with the 5 overblow. (You can also put some great expression on the other draw notes as well.)
Since you're playing this for a non-harmonica playing audience anyway, I doubt a 5 overblow or alternate position would impress anyone anyway. :)
Bottom line for me is that 2nd position on a country tuned harp just sounds best and is the safest way to go.
Last Edited by on Jun 11, 2012 1:53 PM
OR....I just remembered that some time ago I downloaded a 15-minute instructional audio from Ronnie Shellist's site. He breaks it down in detail using a Special 20 in C. I guess the plan would be to try it a couple of different ways.
If you need inspiration Howard Levy plays it on the first or second Flecktones albums. From memory I´d say he does it in 1 pos on an F harp. But I haven´t listened to that in a long time, and my cd collection is very disorganised right now, so I can´t verify and won´t swear to it. (F is an unusual harp for him.) You Americans are very touchy with your anthem, but this somewhat freakish version apparently went down well: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_sroBOHW2yQ (12 pos, I´m pretty sure.) Otherwise Todd´s advice is on the dot: a country tuning or a Melody Maker so you don´t mess up.
Never thought about playing it in 2nd. 1st seems to be layed out pretty nicely for the most part and I like adding the TBing. I'm sure you guys have heard a good college marching band do it with the trumpets adding the ta ta tas after "rockets red glare".
Try it with the splits in first without bending or OBing. Play the top octave part, block two holes, and let the bottom follow. Sounds pretty cool.
Well, I don't have a country harp but I can see the advantage you describe. 12th is cool in the video as well. Hmmm..woodshed time.
I like the way it lays out in 1st, too. The trumpet fanfares go in nicely (for me) but I will test the impression on an independent listener. At the "land of the free" part, you can slide up to the 10 blow after hitting the original note (can't miss it) for a nice effect that I've heard vocalists use. Added value for me is I don't have to take a chance on ruining a harp going for country tuning. I will dick around with second position as Todd has never steered me wrong.....yet.
"If you need inspiration Howard Levy plays it on the first or second Flecktones albums. From memory I´d say he does it in 1 pos on an F harp. But I haven´t listened to that in a long time, and my cd collection is very disorganised right now, so I can´t verify and won´t swear to it. (F is an unusual harp for him.)" Howard uses two harps on his version-Bb and C.
Last Edited by on Jun 11, 2012 6:02 PM
Ugh, my memory is not what it once was. Apologies for poor fact checking, and tmf is correct. Only thing I got right was that there was an "F" involved -- the concert key. Also, Levy´s version dances around the melody at several points (to avoid OB´s, I think -- this was 20 yrs ago) and may not really be what you´re after. /Martin
I do it in 1st position in the lower octave and it doesn't require overblows at all, but careful, very accurate bends. ---------- Sincerely, Barbeque Bob Maglinte Boston, MA http://www.barbequebob.com CD available at http://www.cdbaby.com/cd/bbmaglinte
I would have done it in first too if I hadn't just picked up a country tuned harp after HCH3 because of Todd Parrott.
If you want to add some soul to it, I would definitely try 2nd position on a country tuned harp. It really will play to your blues sensibilities without sounding so straight (but not a crazy departure from the more conservative playing). The dip on the 5 draw bent up to straight is worth the price of admission. They will be glad they asked a harp player to play.
I found that a C harp worked just fine in my singing range. It is the only key of CT harp I have, so take that for what it is worth (also the most useful for the ecclectic/bluegrass people I sometimes play with who tend to stay in G). Todd would be certainly the one to take recommendations from about keys, etc. ---------- Danny
Huh, I never really paid much attention to how I was playing it. I start on the 3 blow (or two draw, whatever.) I play a 3-4 double stop on 'watched' and a 6-7 on 'in air' and it sounds pretty good to my ears. I jump from 7 blow to 8 blow on 'free' for a little flourish. I'm probably faking a couple other spots too. :)
I think I'll play first position...once thru in the bottom octave single note...once thru in the second octave single note....TBing at rockets red glare..then maybe do single note slowly in upper octave.
I'm just not a conservative type. The precise bends and the OB are part of it. I'll practice and see what happens.
SSB is one of those songs that would be cool to hear everyone's efforts on. I don't play until mid-July so I'll try to get something up with hopes you guys will give some helpful critique.
I used to play this in second position with a low Bb paddy richter tuned. Never underestimate the paddy, it's awesome when you need to hit the note that you'd get with 3 draw bent down ALL the way, perfectly. I did a lot of chording and octaves on it. ---------- David Elk River Harmonicas
I'd like to make an offer to you guys who will be playing the National Anthem. I just started a new thread about a product I am working on called Harmonica Skinz. I handed out about 200 sets at Hill Country and am hoping to get some feedback from those in attendance in order to see if it is a viable product. I have some already made up for Marine Bands with the American Flag pictured. If you want a set for your performance, send me your address and I send you a set for free. It might add a little more patriotism to your performance.
Well, I just ordered my stars-and-stripes harmonica skin. Interesting site, that Blue Moon Harmonica.
I will be doing it in first position on a Hohner Crossover in C as that is the most accurately bendable harp for me. Also first position allows me to mimic trumpet fanfares in ascending triplet thirds (I think) ala Harry James, most spectacularly from the 6 blow (land of the FREE) up to the 10 blow, but also at rockets' red GLARE (3 to 6 blow), and then bombs bursting in AIR (3 blow to 5 draw) and descending couplet thirds at banner yet wave.
As a former ceremonial bugler, I'm not looking for a really bluesy rendition, more a conservative interpretation with a little fruit salad.
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