jaymcc28
9 posts
Jan 29, 2009
10:22 AM
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Fellow beginners, here's a fun sequence I came up with that, to the untrained ear, makes me almost sound like a musician!
First, I've been practicing with a few of Adam's lessons, most notably "Stompin", "Floyd's Hotel", and "Bittersweet Blues". While I was sitting at the table at lunch I had the 3 tabs lying out in front of me and..light dawns on Marblehead...they're all listed with a tempo of "medium shuffle". So I tried this and it actually sounds pretty good: play the 12 bars "Stompin", followed by the 12 bars of "Bittersweet", then back to the 12 bars of "Stompin", then right in to the 12 bars of "Floyd's Hotel", then end with 12 more bars of "Stompin" (remember to end the final bar on a resolution note like 2 draw).
Put together those 5 in total 12 bar sequences almost sounds like they were supposed to be put together.
Now, I might actually have something of substance to play the next time someone asks to hear how I'm doing on the harmonica.
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geordiebluesman
142 posts
Jan 29, 2009
11:58 AM
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Hi Jaymcc28, Great minds think alike!, I came to the exact same realization and arrangement last year and it gave me a real buzz to be able to play something that to my mates sounded like real blues harmonica,I suppose i should have told them that there was no bending or tounge blocking or octaves etc involved and owned up to being the novice i was, But instead i thought Bollocks to that, Said nowt and took the glory, Does that make me a bad person?
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cproctor
6 posts
Jan 29, 2009
12:55 PM
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jaymcc28, it sounds like I'm pretty much where you are. I've learned "fairly well" all three of those tunes myself, and what I've done is mixed them up a little. For instance, I'd start with Floyd's Hotel, then maybe four bars into it, switch to the rythm of Stompin' or Bittersweet Blues and then move back to Floyd's for the last two bars.
Something else you might like to try, if you haven't done it already, when your coming back down the scale in the 11th bar, find a place to throw in a tasty bend and slide down to the next note. Damn! It almost sounds like I have a clue as to what I'm talking about!! lol
I must admit, listening to the Magic Dick interview has me fired up to try and come up with something new everyday, even though I've only been on the harp for a couple of months. Don't worry, Adam, I am practicing all the exercises everyday as well. :-)
Have fun!!
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Chris
"I'm not trying to hit the 4 draw and the 10 blow at the same time....honest!"
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Peter757
29 posts
Jan 29, 2009
1:12 PM
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I've got those lessons as well and look forward to trying out your suggestions! Sounds like I am at the same level...Keep sharing the ideas!
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cproctor
8 posts
Jan 29, 2009
1:16 PM
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You too, Peter!!
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Chris
"I'm not trying to hit the 4 draw and the 10 blow at the same time....honest!"
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jaymcc28
10 posts
Jan 29, 2009
1:56 PM
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Hey, I'm glad I could start a thread that us greenhorns can communicate on. I wouldn't say it was an "Aha" moment when I came up with this but it sure got me stoked and made me feel like I was 'getting something'.
As far as the bending is concerned, I'm trying to work a 3draw bent in place of the 3 draw on the 5th (I think it's the 5th) bar. Adam mentions in the lesson that the 3 draw should be a bend "..but that's why it's called bittersweet..." and I can really hear that the 3 draw does sound out of place (which I was also proud of...lol). Unfortunately my 3 draw half step bend usually sounds like I sat on a duck!
Cproctor, I'm going to try those ideas as well. If anyone comes up with any others or another lesson that fits let us know.
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Peter757
33 posts
Jan 30, 2009
3:10 PM
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Sounds like some weekend time in the woodshed working with these comibned lessons and seeing what we come up with!
Do you play these to a jam track? I'm going to see if I can find one that fits.
Best of luck and would love to hear additional bells and whistles you can come up with to add in...I'll do the same.
Enjoy!
veteran suggestions are welcome as well (if you haven't skipped over these lessons).
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GermanHarpist
55 posts
Jan 30, 2009
3:35 PM
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jaymcc28, can you post a vid of you playing that arrangement on the harpfriends channel. I would very much like to hear what you did out of the lessons.
GermanHarpist
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http://www.youtube.com/germanharpist
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jaymcc28
13 posts
Jan 30, 2009
3:52 PM
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Hey, German...I don't have the technology to do so. At least I don't think I do. I'll see if my 15 y.o. son (much more technically inclined) can help me out.
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