Andrew
80 posts
Jan 18, 2009
4:07 AM
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Since the "10 greatest players" topic is locked, I thought I'd propose one that will cause even more contention (I apologise if such a topic already exists).
I'm very lazy, and all I practise is scales, arpeggios and improv. I don't know any tunes (except for Summertime and Oh Susanna). It's got to the stage where I can bend an overblow up a perfect fourth on the 4-hole of my GM in C (on a good day), but I couldn't even hum Key to the Highway to save my life, and I'm very ashamed of myself.
So I want you to name the 10 most important tunes that a beginner has to know. (I mean blues classics, not Oh Susanna - I respect old country music, but it's a specialism and I'll get into it at a different date)
Rules:
If you name more than 10 Tunes, I will ignore you. But I will allow you to suggest 10 tunes in one reply and a different 10 in a different reply!
If your name is Adam, I will give your suggestions double-weighting.
(I trust it's clear that I'm trying to keep this humourous)
Last Edited by on Jan 18, 2009 12:53 PM
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tookatooka
90 posts
Jan 18, 2009
4:23 AM
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Good question Andrew, I have found very few if any blues tunes to play all the way through on the harp and just tend to make up my own but soon forget them.
Because the way the blues harp is used (more for fills and riffs within a tune) there doesn't appear to be any blues tunes solely for the harp unless you try and play the "singers melody".
I too would be interested to see what is suggested because I find I'm relying on (Like you say), Summertime mostly for a full tune.
I also play Scarborough Fair, Autumn Leaves, and a few others - really quite well but I am in need of some blues to get to use second position more for a melody rather than just improv and fills.
Have tried Adams Front Porch lesson but it will be a while before I get up to that level of playing - if at all.
Hope there is a good response to this one.
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When I'm not blowing, I'm drawing.
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Andrew
81 posts
Jan 18, 2009
4:27 AM
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I don't really mean play all the way through - I'm probably thinking more of essential tunes that you should be able to accompany. I'm assuming Key to the Highway will be one of them. I looked at some of your watercolours, btw. I didn't realise the view from the North Circular was so attractive!
Last Edited by on Jan 18, 2009 4:28 AM
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tookatooka
91 posts
Jan 18, 2009
5:16 AM
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Quote" I didn't realise the view from the North Circular was so attractive!" There are some nice parts off the beaten track but you gotta look really hard. If I included the old bedframes and plastic bags that litter the surrounding area - I wouldn't do too well. It's artistic licence I suppose.
Getting back to the subject in hand, I need to find Key to the Highway, I have probably heard it but that title has thrown me.
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When I'm not blowing, I'm drawing.
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Andrew
83 posts
Jan 18, 2009
5:53 AM
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Key to the Highway -
checking my collection, I've got versions by Sonny Terry and Brownie McGhee, Little Walter, Charlie Musselwhite, The Band (not a very good version, this) and the Rolling Stones.
Last Edited by on Jan 18, 2009 5:54 AM
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SteveL
19 posts
Jan 18, 2009
12:13 PM
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I would suggest trying some of Adam's beginner lessons. I have worked through Stompin, Bittersweet and Same Old Blues. With these three I find I can pick up a harp and lay out a tune, complete with a good rhythm to keep it all grounded. He teaches you to mix up some chord action with the melodic elements. I find this preferable to squeaking out just a melody line, which without accompaniment sounds really thin.
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MrVerylongusername
118 posts
Jan 18, 2009
12:40 PM
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I think the simple riff from Muddy's Mannish Boy should be at the start of any journey into blues harp.
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Andrew
86 posts
Jan 18, 2009
12:54 PM
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Yes, that's the kind of thing. Also Moanin' at Midnight is not as easy as it sounds.(IMO the rhythm needs to be absolutely precise, and breathing can be a problem if you don't put in gaps)
Last Edited by on Jan 18, 2009 1:04 PM
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mr_so&so
22 posts
Jan 18, 2009
4:15 PM
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I'd definitely recommend Adam's MBH lessons for building a repertoire. "Key to the Highway" is there (Sonny Terry's version), which is a complete 8-bar blues. I'd also recommend Big Walter's "Easy", which is taught without tongue-blocked octaves, but demonstrated at the end "throwing in all the tricks". So there is lots to build on in that piece.
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KingoBad
8 posts
Jan 18, 2009
5:40 PM
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Hoochie Coochie Man by Muddy Waters goes along with learning Mannish Boy very well. Both songs have riffs that answer each other. Also, both are great songs to both sing and play. You get credit for playing a mean harmonica and singing a great song. You can have a crap voice, but the nature of the lyrics will easily pull you through (unless you sing it falsetto I suppose). Both songs would be very important to know.
I'm with you on not knowing enough songs and having decent technique (relative term). I love to improv to my favorite songs, but just haven't taken the time to learn them all the way through. I can sing almost every Frank Sinatra tune that has been played, but my Blues education has come along a little later in life.
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Andrew
88 posts
Jan 18, 2009
10:55 PM
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Quote "I learned a lot of these songs for my own pleasure. "
Yeah, I'll have to do that too, I realise. At the moment my blues CDs are lost in among the rest of my collection. I'll have to extract them and store them separately so I can find them quickly!
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XHarp
8 posts
Jan 20, 2009
11:19 AM
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Andrew,
Don't necessarily look for 10 harp tunes but look for 10 tunes that you can work out on the harp and play repeatedly.
I'd suggest the following, (Some are harp tunes)
Key to the Highway - As suggested earlier. Its easy in thats the chord progression is based on 8 bar blues I,V7,IV7. In G thats G, D7, C7
Hoochie Coochie Man - Jerry Portnoy's version if at all possible. Personally I think it the best version.
I use 3draw, 4draw bend, 3draw, 2draw. Not sure that that's the way Jerry did it but that's the way I like it.
Stormy Monday
Born in Chicago
Blues with a Feeling
Before you Accuse Me - A guitar song with huge Harp potential
Blue Skies - Traditional but hey a great opening tune
and how about some traditionals like
Nine Below Zero,
Sweet Home Chicago
Good Morning Little School Girl
Got my Mojo Working
Boom, Boom, Boom
Oh man, I went past 10. Oh well, I think you get the message. Listen to all tunes and work out repeateable Harp arrangements or accomanyments to fit into the tune.
Good Luck.
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"Keep it in your mouth" - XHarp
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isaacullah
20 posts
Jan 20, 2009
12:46 PM
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I really love playing Howlin' Wolf's "Smokestack Lightning". It was the very first blues tune I could play the harp part all the way through and in time with the recording (and there still aren't too many I can do that with :) ). It helps that the song is basically repeting one simple but addictive riff. I play a lot of other tunes, mostly by reading tabs, but also from memory. Although it's not really a blues, I think one ought to have a version of "Amazing Grace" memorized. I play my version in the first octave in third position which lets you throw in some great bends and blue notes to make sound "bluesy"...
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The magnificent YouTube channel of the internet user known as "isaacullah"
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