mikolune
11 posts
Mar 16, 2009
11:05 PM
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Hi Guys and Doll(s),
I am also a Gussow novice disciple - playing harp for about a year - but discovered the YT channel, the MBH site and the host of other harmonica resources on the web only in the past 6 months.
I have a buddy who sings, but doesn't play any guitar or other instrument. We would like to play together - harp and voice, mainly country/blues duo style. Is this actually done ? Couldn't really find anything on the net about that, although I still have not looked thoroughly.
So - for instance - would the harp play roughly the same melodic line as the singer, or would it be filling riffs, or just the rhythmic, or all of these ? Has anybody some experience with this ?
Would be nice because he would be the only guy crazy enough to go out with me and play on the streets ...
cheers cheers
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KC69
87 posts
Mar 17, 2009
1:30 PM
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Miko: I play a little country, souther/classic rock and blues. I know a great harp player who plays mainly the melody. Hes a 2 time european and buckeye state champ. I'm sure he would answer a lot of your questions. I'm only guessing when I say: You probably will play a lot of second position so you can do some chugging or chording while your freind sings. And yes you can play in the gaps with 2nd pos. Then youcan play the break by playing the meoldy. You might keep a second harp handy to play first position melody if necessary.
Do a search of harmonica player Frank Bard. I think you will get a lot out of what he does. I think you will be able to e-mail Frank. Any problems let me know and I'll give you contact info.
I was fortunate enough that Frank came to my open Mic. Stayed all night, and had a ball. He also plays guitar, Dobro, and Banjo. Good Luck K.C.
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mickil
93 posts
Mar 17, 2009
2:04 PM
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Miko, Sounds like it's worth giving a go. Maybe your friend could play a bit of simple percussion; that would really liven things up a bit. This vid is just harp with some kind of shaker, but you'll see what I'm getting at:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tX_OG4Q4bfQ&feature=PlayList&p=5ADB3E7041546AEE&playnext=1&playnext_from=PL&index=9
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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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mikolune
12 posts
Mar 17, 2009
6:52 PM
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KC and mickil, thanks for the advice - will be taking it up. Will take up the 2nd and 1st position stuff, see how it goes... mickil: yes, I saw this video from a previous thread (posted by you ?) - proves that the percussion can add a lot with no guitar.
Who needs a guitar ? ;)
Will hunt for percussion/harmonica duos on the net ...
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DutchBones
92 posts
Mar 17, 2009
10:03 PM
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Also perhaps look at other SOLO harp players/singers like Sonny Boy II etc instead of duos. Your friend could do the singing parts and you do the backing, fills and solos, like KC mentioned...
Jr Well and Buddy Guy's "Acoustic " album is a great example of what you want to do I think..... (minus the guitar)
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DutchBones Tube
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mikolune
13 posts
Mar 17, 2009
11:05 PM
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ok ! cheers DB -
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BlueWB
4 posts
Mar 18, 2009
12:45 AM
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Hey miko, look at yt for "son of dave". That gives you a lot of inspirations. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=50xMHe0BlQ0
Wolfgang
Last Edited by on Mar 18, 2009 12:48 AM
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jbone
34 posts
Mar 18, 2009
4:27 AM
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look up deak harp on youtube. he does solo harp with his own percussion. he's good! and could give you some ideas.
i have stood on a street corner with just a harp, playing whatever came to mind. you can certainly back your friend's vocals on "just harp". a bit of percussion is not a bad addition either.
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DanP
33 posts
Mar 18, 2009
10:07 AM
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Three songs that come to mind that use just voice and harp are I Don't Care No More and Baby Don't You Worry by Sonny Boy Williamson(Rice Miller) and Sugar Mama by Sonny Boy(John Lee)Williamson.
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mikolune
14 posts
Mar 19, 2009
1:33 AM
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thx for all the input guys !
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