Silverback
1 post
Mar 20, 2015
2:25 PM
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Hello. New guy here. Was curious what resource people use to learn songs, when they aren't learning a tune by ear? I'm learning what I can by ear, but sometimes tabs and/or lessons are useful. Also, a lot of the tabs I find online are incorrect. Even a beginner like me can hear that they're wrong. I'm looking for a trusted resource that people use. Thanks ; )
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STME58
1250 posts
Mar 20, 2015
2:59 PM
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I like leadsheets. You can buy books full of them called Fakebooks (or RealBooks where the appropriate royaties have been paid) or you can get individual leadshee from places like Virtual Sheet Music or MusicNotes. Mel Bay and Hal Leonard have some good blues harmonica specific books that are basically lead sheets with the tabs for various positions written underneath, many of these now come with CD's so you can play along. I think this is an excellent format for the beginner and advanced player. It has the tabs for the beginner and exposes you to standard sheet music notation as you read the tabs.
Edit to add;
In case you have not seen them, a lead sheet has the melody of the song (the lead) written out in standard music notation. Above the staff of music, the chords are displayed, and below are the lyrics. It is a great compact way of conveying the gist of a song.
Last Edited by STME58 on Mar 20, 2015 3:19 PM
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Harmlessonica
94 posts
Mar 21, 2015
6:16 AM
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Hi Silverback, and welcome!
As a beginner myself, 'Leadsheets' sound too heavy for me (that one works on multiple levels :) ).
It's true that many online tabs are not 'correct' but sometimes that's to do with the key of harmonica they're written for. Other times novice players are posting their own versions of tabs, which may or may not include incidental notes or that of supporting instruments, etc. You never really know till you give it a go.
Personally, I think that tabs (whatever the quality) are still a decent starting point for you to customise to your own preference.
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Mirco
250 posts
Mar 21, 2015
8:45 AM
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As a self-professed "new guy", you are probably not ready to play most of the harmonica songs that you really dig. Songs by the masters can be really challenging, in speed, licks, bending, and technique.
I recommend you start building your technique by either subscribing to David Barrett's bluesharmonica.com or take a look at some of Adam's beginner lessons. Both of these guys have clear transcriptions and provide videos to explain exactly what's going on. For example of one of David's expert transcriptions, check this out:
http://www.bluesharmonica.com/sites/bluesharmonica.com/files/juke_little_walter.pdf
When ready, there's a great book "Masters of the Blues Harp", put out by Hal Leonard. Or get it now and work on it. You have to pursue your passion.
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Marc Graci
YouTube Channel
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KingoBad
1625 posts
Mar 21, 2015
9:10 AM
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If the songs have lyrics - learn the lyrics. You'll have a framework on which to hang your playing.
Memorize the songs as soon as you can. Even if you are using tabs, use them enough to get the thing memorized so you don't need them as soon as possible. You need the stuff internalized and useable.
Joe Filisko has some great tabs too...
I don't like tabs, but can appreciate his and Adam's as top notch.
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Danny
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Glass Harp Full
11 posts
Mar 22, 2015
4:44 AM
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Good points about tabs Silverback and Harmlessonica.
As a beginner too I always take some heart from knowing a tab is wrong because at least it says I've managed to absorb something of the song.
I've found it useful to compare and play a number of versions of the tabs for a song and see which one sounds closest/more correct. YouTube has some videos with on screen tabs and again you can watch different versions and make up your own mind.
The "Harmonica for Dummies" book has lots of useful riffs, licks and simple songs which I'm working through at the moment and would be a good place to start.
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STME58
1254 posts
Mar 22, 2015
8:56 PM
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I will second the value of learning the lyrics. Also, being able to sing the melody. If you can't sing, hum or whistle the melody you don't know it yet, and learning it on the harp will be harder. Once you know the song to the point you can sing it, it will come out of the harp much easier. If you spend a lot of time playing scales or simple melodies you know, you learn where the notes are almost as if you are singing. Once you have acquired this skill, the transition from being able to sing the song to playing it is very quick. (assuming all of the notes in the song are on the harp, which is not always the case.)
@Harmlessonica , having played outdoors reading from pages on a stand, I could see the advantage of the lead(Pb)sheet you alluded to, it would not blow away! Good for heavy metal music also.
Last Edited by STME58 on Mar 22, 2015 8:57 PM
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Harmlessonica
96 posts
Mar 23, 2015
4:01 AM
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Heh... good one STME58 :)
However, too much heavy metal isn't good for you - it's better to use unleaded sheets.
Last Edited by Harmlessonica on Mar 23, 2015 4:01 AM
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