Tryharp
4 posts
Jul 25, 2008
7:24 PM
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Hi guys and gals,
I'm a year and a half Gussow deciple. I was wondering if anyone could offer some advice on some blues pieces that sound great played without backup. The reason I ask is I've put in a lot of work learning but a lot of the stuff needs backup to sound good. I am not fortunate enough to have a guitar player to play with, and would like to get some songs up my sleeve when someone says play something. ( at the moment I can play the harp part to the song, bits of this, the start of that, this riff, that riff ). The things I can play that fall into this category, and sound cool without backup are 'slow porch blues' and 'not a shuffle' by Adam, and working on 'stone fox chase' as per Hakans post. Ideally I would like to put together 10 or 12 pieces and maybe even do some street playing. Any ideas would be appreciated!
Thanks
Jim
Last Edited by on Jul 25, 2008 7:28 PM
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Preston
27 posts
Jul 25, 2008
7:35 PM
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I think "Easy" by big walter is good to play solo. Ever thought about making up your own slow blues to play solo?
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Tryharp
5 posts
Jul 25, 2008
8:17 PM
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Yeah, I forgot about Easy, I can play the first 24 bars, plus a bit more, and I've got it up on my whiteboard to learn the rest. "My own slow blues" - at the moment, unfortunately my creative side and improvising is not the best, although I'm working on it. I think learing a few more songs will help that as well.
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superchucker77
59 posts
Jul 25, 2008
8:56 PM
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Well this is something that I have a bit of experience in.
Earlier this month I played three hours of harmonica music with no backup music at a local event. ( Check out my thread entitled "Solo Harping")
Here is a link to a recording of some of my solo performance:
http://www.archive.org/details/BrandonBaileysLive2008Performances
The ones titled Cooper Night Out are of the solo performance.You may be able to get some ideas from the recordings.
I hope that this helps :)
Last Edited by on Jul 25, 2008 8:58 PM
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oldwailer
131 posts
Jul 25, 2008
9:51 PM
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If you're already doing "Not a Shuffle," its a very small step to do the chugging Dr. Ross kind of thing--train songs and such. Adam has a lesson in the store on Dr Ross--get into a good groove with that stuff in a good spot and you can rip on for a half hour while the tips pile up.
This is just a theory of course--my wind doesn't usually last longer than about ten minutes at the best--but I find that people usually like it a lot--even if you miss notes it doesn't matter--just keep the rhythm pounding steady!
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Tryharp
6 posts
Jul 25, 2008
10:45 PM
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Oldwailer, I tried to download that lesson, but it wouldnt let me at the moment, I'll try again later, thanks for your advice. Actually there is quite a bit of stuff I should check out in the shop, I havent downloaded anything in a while as I have been busy working on other things.
Superchucker, I have listened to your work before, and your playing is sensational, I thought above my level, but I'll give it another listen, and work on some ideas from it, thanks.
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eharp
65 posts
Jul 26, 2008
3:38 AM
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if you can "sing" your choices are endless.
i have been working on:
spoonful
hoochie coochie man
shanty
rock me
little red rooster
bring it on home
love in vain
big boss man
raining in my heart
now i aint playing them note for note. i try to get a hook going. use it for fills around the vocals. throw in some rhythm type chugs and just wing it during the breaks.
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Tryharp
7 posts
Jul 26, 2008
6:06 AM
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E
Can't sing, wish I could, but can't.
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eharp
66 posts
Jul 26, 2008
7:01 AM
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everyone can sing. i got a crappy voice. i just try to "talk" the lyrics or use a gutteral growl, depending on the song.
dont be so critical of your voice. you are entertaining yourself and that will entertain others as well. listen to howling wolf, watermelon slim as examples.
or dont sing and rely on your harmonica alone to entertain the others for 3-5 minute shots for, what, half hour to an hour. now that is intimidating!
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Patrick Barker
95 posts
Jul 26, 2008
2:41 PM
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Another great harp solo piece would be whammer jammer
(I'm actually suprised no one mentioned this before me as it is such a popular harp instrumental)
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"Without music, life would be a mistake" -Nietzsche
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superchucker77
61 posts
Jul 26, 2008
3:51 PM
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No one probably mentioned it bacause there are only a few people that can play it very well.
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snakes
12 posts
Jul 29, 2008
4:06 PM
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As long as we are talkin' about Big Walter how about Honeydripper or Walter's Boogie?
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Tuckster
13 posts
Jul 29, 2008
4:41 PM
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Little Charlie & the Nitecats- Captured Live. Crawling Kingsnake--Just Rick Estrin and his harp.
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bluesnut
18 posts
Jul 30, 2008
12:19 AM
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Aloha All,
People like the front prorch blues (gussow.024 on utube) when I play it for them.
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Hully Gully
Guest
Aug 02, 2008
8:13 PM
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Try Harp Jim, Can you really play slow porch and "not a shuffle"? If you truly can, I'm not sure I understand your request for stand alone pieces. They should be easy for you. Take a look in the "store", you'll find about fifty. Granted most chicago style stuff needs guitar/piano/drums etc. to sound its best but there are a lot of delta blues style stuff in there too. Adam gives you 12 bars, add some modifications on a bar per bar basis, go around the horn three or four times and add a two bar ending. It's not rocket science. Buy some of Adams lessons. You won't be disapointed.
Casey V.
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Tryharp
128 posts
Mar 15, 2009
5:36 AM
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HI Guys,
Re-igniting this topic. As a result of the advice of the above, I learnt Whammer jammer, Big Walters Boogie, got Adams Dr Ross lesson and learnt that. I've also been trying very much harder to sing, and am starting to find a voice.
I play a bit of guitar, and on the advice of guys on the forum, got a harp handle ( Oldwailer in particular said it was the best of his draw full of racks ).
What I'm thinking of now is what songs could you do busking by yourself with guitar, harp, pignose.
I'm thinking maybe you could put together a routine where you talked about a famous blues musician, told an interesting/funny/sad story about them ( I think there would be plenty of material there, when you look at the life of the these guys ), and then played one of their tunes.
Off the top of my head I'm coming up with Sweet home chicago ( Robert Johnson, Blues brothers etc,) Help me ( Sonny Boy - who spat blood into a can near the end of his days with TB), Smokestack Lightning ( howling wolf - who could similtaneously entertain you and scare the shit out of you ), Juke or My babe for LW ( died as a result of a street brawl at age 28? ), Big walter Boogie, Whamer Jammer Magic Dick ( one of the best high energy blues bands and harp players and his bands best known song is probably centerfold - WTF!)
I'm thinkin something that you can do by yourself thats not too tricky. If you are playing guitar there is no cupping so thats pretty restrictive on the harp. But I'm thinking you could in parts just play some serious harp in the mic and forget the guitar.
Thanks
TRYHARP
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eharp
233 posts
Mar 15, 2009
5:42 AM
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bright lights, big city - jimmy reed
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Tryharp
130 posts
Mar 15, 2009
5:51 AM
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@Eharp,
I happened to have that one on my hard drive, so in the Key of F on an F harp in 1st right.
I love it, great suggestion. Thats exactly what I'm after!!!
I can really only plax Xharp now, but lets give it a go.
TRYHARP
Last Edited by on Mar 15, 2009 5:52 AM
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The Happy Harper
15 posts
Mar 15, 2009
8:03 AM
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Glad to hear you are working on all this. I have lots of fun doing the same. great tune lists too.
What about Juke? with some modifications it can be a great stand alone tune. My Babe is a good one if you are working on singing too. or bye bye birdie played in the right key for your voice should be easy to sing and since it is so loose you have some room to play it how it works for you.
Just some thoughts.
good luck.
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The Happy Harper
16 posts
Mar 15, 2009
8:20 AM
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oh and down at antone's that adam has up right now lesson 174 and 5. would rock and mix it up too, give you another way to go.
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mickil
80 posts
Mar 15, 2009
8:37 AM
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Tryharp,
When I last busked, I had Summertime in my set, played in 3rd position; it really makes you work like hell on the exposed 3 draw whole-step bend. But people like the tune and often chuck a few coins.
Mick
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'If it sounds GOOD to you, it's bitchen; if it sounds BAD to YOU, it's shitty' - Frank Zappa
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oldwailer
575 posts
Mar 15, 2009
9:37 AM
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Maybe you want to specialize with blues only--but I used to throw a couple of Dylan pieces in there for this kind of playing.
"Mr. Tambourine Man" is an easy one--also--"Everybody Let's Get Stoned" (the real title for this one is "Rainy Day Women #12 & #35") is actually a 12-bar structure in E and really easy first position on harp--I have even had younger people come up to me and rave about the Dylan stuff--so it's not just for the old farts.
If you finger pick at all--some of the Mississippi John Hurt pieces are pretty easy to pick up and they go well with harp--I used to use a lot of first position for them--just a simple straight melody against the guitar is nice-- "Creole Belle" is a good one--"Payday" is another.
For me, I always found it to be a real show stopper to just play 12-bar blues on the guitar in E and just jam against it with blues harp--it was always a little different--usually no lyrics--medium tempo--"In the Evening When the Sun Goes Down" is a good model for this (Big Bill Broonzy). . .
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The Happy Harper
17 posts
Mar 15, 2009
1:49 PM
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man folks are handing out some great advice. I agree with everything folks have said. Oldwailer's point about the 12 bar blues on the guitar is great.
Just find a groove that is natural for you on guitar, the chords couldn't be much easier, and play one riff you love and own over and over a little different each time and people do love that. Get's the coins flowin' and more importantly the feet tappin'
Oh and I listened to a bunch of Sonny Boy Williamson II today, and a lot of what he does would be perfect for solo harp and if you can keep a solid chuck going and add his riffs you are there man!!
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Miles Dewar
239 posts
Mar 15, 2009
3:07 PM
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I second the Whammer Jammer. It's a good piece to get an audience moving. And it's MUCH different from the usual blues stuff.
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---Go Bears!!! (Richard Dent for Hall of Fame)---
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DutchBones
89 posts
Mar 15, 2009
5:46 PM
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T, your voice is good enough, you are too tough on yourself , I really liked your "Help me".
For busking however, I would add some other songs as well (non-blues) Summertime was mentioned before and can be done in various positions (not talking about standing up and laying down). This is a crowd pleaser for sure.
And if different positions is too much... well.... just swap harps, use a different key. Looks cool to a person who can't play and lets be honest, people who can't play, don't notice it if you change positions, your still using the same harp and can't appreciate the effort anyway... it's just more "economical" for your, using one harp.
Anyway, what I mean to say is... not everybody likes blues and would stop to watch you play, but they would listen to a blues number AFTER you stopped them with a song they know, so perhaps add some "favorites"..... just my 2 yen
As for Whammer Jammer, great piece, but if you could play that song, you wouldn't be asking us for advice I think.......
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DutchBones Tube
Last Edited by on Mar 15, 2009 5:46 PM
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SMaxwell
5 posts
Mar 15, 2009
8:00 PM
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Great thread! Does anyone play solo with a backing or a jam track? I found a backing track for Whammer Jammer and have been playing with it but there are long segments with no other inst and it's easy to get off on the timing. I'd like to get one for Dixie Diner also if anyone knows where to get it.
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Tryharp
135 posts
Mar 15, 2009
8:26 PM
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Great advice guys
@ SMaxwell, I'm interested in using backing tracks too. Where did you find the Whammer Jammer back track, I want it! I have been looking for one for that for a while.
Tryharp
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harpnoodler
54 posts
Mar 16, 2009
6:48 AM
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To open up the repertoire: I have had good responses from Londonderry Air, aka "Danny Boy". Hymns are good for attracting change to a hat, depending upon location. "Abide with Me" works well esp. if you schmaltz it up. "Oh Susanna", with some chord/rhythm breaks can be a toe-tapper.
Irish tunes are very popular: "Black Velvet Band", Si Bheadg Si Mohr" and a few jigs and reels are useful.
I worked out some jams based on Sugar Blue's "Miss You" hook and "Hony Tonk Woman" (Let it Bleed version --"Country Honk") that people like.
Check out "Another Man Done Gone" by Sugar Blue for tips on how to pull off a vocal/harp tune.
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SMaxwell
6 posts
Mar 16, 2009
9:25 AM
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Tryharp - I found it at an Austrialian Midi site calles HitTrax - get the MP3 version, it is all the tracks except the harp. http://www.hittrax.com.au/products_H.asp?Dealer=1016&InetOrder=True
Just type Whammer into the search bar.
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oldwailer
581 posts
Mar 16, 2009
9:34 AM
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Here's a solo of "Another Man Done Gone" that I like a lot: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=E91c9U6JWYE
If I could pull that off solo--I'd sure be proud!!
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Tryharp
141 posts
Mar 17, 2009
2:41 AM
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@Oldwailer - I checked that out, its a great song, a lot of rythym and backing in the harp, which I want to get into more.
@Smaxwell - I had seen that before actually, but it put me off that it was $18- for one back track, and I wasnt sure what I would get, so didnt go through with it.
@Dutch
If you were talking to me, it wasnt me singing Help me, I think that was Hollistanharper ( are you confused or me? ) On Whammer Jammer - I wouldnt say I can play Whammer Jammer like Adam or Majic Dick, but I did post an attempt on Harpfriends a while back which you can check out, which average Joe might think is OK if its polished up a bit.
There is a lot of material with what has been suggested, I have checked some out which have been great ideas, and I'm going to work through every one that has been suggested and figure out what works, thanks again to all who made suggestions.
TRYHARP
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SMaxwell
9 posts
Mar 17, 2009
9:24 AM
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Tryharp - Was $9 for just the MP3 backing track, & and another $9 only if you want the Midi also. I did see the backing track on another site & was $19 just for the one file, but $9 aint so bad for a hardcore harp-nerd!
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bluesnut
62 posts
Mar 17, 2009
11:16 AM
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Try the Lightnin' Hopkins version of Baby please don't go. I have been working on the guitar and adapting it to the Muddy Waters w/ Little Walter cut that was recorded in the 40's or 50's. Playing the harp and the guitar at the same time will be the bigggist challenge for me. I learned the guitar from a Earnie Hawkins video. The version Earnie teaches is on utube, not the lesson just Lightnin'. To me Lightnin' has a great way of getting shuffle to boogie woogie.
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oldwailer
587 posts
Mar 17, 2009
5:02 PM
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"Baby Please Don't Go" works great with a John Lee Hooker beat too--there's an instructional on how to play it on YT at
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=btKY3ArH8E0&NR=1
and the second part:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qA5R4aIftCU&feature=related
If you can't get the crowd to move around with that beat, you're either doing it wrong or you should call the paramedics because the crowd is dead or catatonic!
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DutchBones
91 posts
Mar 17, 2009
9:53 PM
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Tryharp- uh uhhh! you got me... is my defense.. both your names sound very much the same if you say them backwards very fast 10 times in a row.... perhaps ask HH to assist you with the singing?
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DutchBones Tube
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Tryharp
143 posts
Mar 17, 2009
10:10 PM
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@Oldwailer, I followed some of that guys vids a long while back, but hadnt seen him for a while. I had a go at part 1 at lunch time and got it after a bit, the second part - I had played that riff before, so put em both together and hey presto, needs a bit of practice to get it smooth and embedded - but sounds great - thanks. JLH Boom Boom off Youtube seems another variation of this too. Last night I had a go at the riff from Howlin Wolfs, smokestack lightning, which also sounded great ( not the version on YT but one of the chess series ), the second part is very similar to the one above.
@Bluesnut That looks a bit tricky for me to tackle without help, maybe down the track a bit, good luck with putting it together, sounds a great plan.
@Dutch LOL
Tryharp
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scottb
1 post
Mar 21, 2009
11:31 AM
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I'm in the same boat trying to work up solo songs. Parchman Farm is one that works pretty well and is not too hard.
here i am giving it a go
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QdiqFKdny8M
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