Aussiesucker
4 posts
Jul 19, 2008
7:38 PM
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Have been playing harmonicas on and off (mostly off) for over 50 years. I came back to playing 2+ years ago and set targets to master cross harp playing. I play / practice for 1 to 2 hours daily for my own fun (and annoyance of others). My objective is to be able to play country style which is akin to blues. I am struggling! I find it really easy to play just about anything in straight harp plus a handful of melodies in cross harp and I don't experience problems with hitting any bent notes. Much less of a challenge for me would be to learn by heart The William Tell Overture as played by Buddy Greene (Classical Medley on YouTube) than to play Adams - Front Porch Blues, both of which I would love to master. These last 2 years I have practiced daily with routines that have included Major scale, Minor Pentatonic, Major Pentatonic Scales & pieces like 12 Bar Blues Boogie Riff and have no difficulty in playing the major scale in straight or cross harp but cannot seem to be able to commit the others to memory even though I have played them thousands of times. There is a block somewhere? Is it possible that one style of playing/ practice can interfere with my learning blues? Why I ask this is because I had a conversation with a well known local blues harmonica player a year or so ago and he informed me that he envied my ability to be able to play tunes as he could not. I thought this to be unusual?
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Patrick Barker
89 posts
Jul 20, 2008
8:09 PM
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I'm guessing that you listen to plenty of blues, but if you don't, you should, as this can help you get a better idea of what kind of stuff to play. Also, try thinking of solos in your head without playing, and if you can do this, try transferring your ideas to the harmonica.
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"Without music, life would be a mistake" -Nietzsche
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Aussiesucker
5 posts
Jul 21, 2008
2:02 PM
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Thanks Patrick. You are spot on. I don't listen to enough blues music. There are no short cuts!
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Bobbyred16
13 posts
Jul 23, 2008
7:44 AM
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I agree that if you really want to learn the blues, you have to either naturally have them and/or listen to the blues. My advice to get great exposure to the blues is to get an internet subscription to SIRIUS satellte radio and listen the blues channell 74. I have not found a better source for hearing every style and just about every harp player out there on the channel.
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Doghouse
4 posts
Jul 23, 2008
7:55 PM
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I would also suggest listening to those pieces that you hear. Such as the William Tell overture, and familiarizing yourself with them. Listen to them enough where you don't even need the songs to hear them, and when you do you know whats coming next.
After you have studied the songs by listening, make sure you study the harp. Know how to find every pitch you want. I don't say figure out the actual names of the notes, but something that I did was I would go up the harp, each hole, blow draw and so on. And then back down. Then you will know what the notes on a harp sound like. You'll even be able to hear what a draw note sounds like and what a blow note sounds like.
Then find the keys of you song, and make sure you have the right harp.
That should help, I hope...
P.S. I think the Buddy Greene is tongue blocked
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Aussiesucker
8 posts
Jul 23, 2008
10:18 PM
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If not tongue blocked he must certainly be tongue tired as its a blistering piece. Still, I find it less challenging and can work my way through it (missing half or more of the notes). The answer is I do know the tune, ie William Tell, and that is half way there. At my age I don't ever expect to be able to play as fast as Buddy so I guess I will just have to make do with fewer notes! I have to knuckle down and listen to some slow uncomplicated blues harp ,and Adams - Front Porch Blues is a start. I have it on DVD + the tabs. Funny I never have really liked tabs & sometimes only refer to them as a start point. Knowing it in my head will get me going on it.
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SUNDOG
26 posts
Jul 24, 2008
6:51 AM
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I have the same situation as Aussiesucker. I can and do play the heck out of melodies and while I understand 2nd Pos. I have a hard time wrapping my mouth around Blues stuff. I don't like trying to play just like anyone else as I figger one of anyone of us in this world is enough and for that matter I have never heard two harp players that sound the same Tone or otherwise anyway. But I keep on as I have been for the last 504 Dog Years.....
r,
Neal Aka: Sundog (for now).
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Aussiesucker
9 posts
Jul 24, 2008
3:22 PM
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Spot on Sundog. We are all different. If I relate to a melody or know words to a tune I can usually play it. First, second or third position ie whatever fits and suits the music. I make changes to suit me. I do think Blues is a lot more difficult than is often made out. Here I have seen adverts 'Learn Blues Harp in a Day' - I don't think so. I was also told by a Blues Harp player that it was really easy with references to ' having a range of harmonicas in different keys, having a few basic riffs off pat & being careful to not overplay ie sit back'. I now know this to work but it is also untrue. The same blues harp player told me he was unable to play tunes! At my age I do not aspire to playing in a group but would like to play free like Adam does with his Front Porch Blues. I will get there.
Be yourself. Everyone else is taken. Oscar Wilde
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oldwailer
125 posts
Jul 24, 2008
5:32 PM
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Yeah, Aussiesucker--there is another quote like the Oscar Wilde one you quoted--"Always be yourself. . .unless you suck."
I guess that doesn't really apply to a harper though. . .
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Aussiesucker
10 posts
Jul 24, 2008
5:44 PM
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Hi Oldwailer. I think an even more appropriate quote is:- "My Music is best understood by Children & Animals" - Stravinsky.
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