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Dirty-South Blues Harp forum: wail on! >
One-man bands
One-man bands
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mr_so&so
166 posts
Jul 17, 2009
10:26 AM
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Adam's recent incarnation as a one-man band came to mind last weekend as I was shopping at the local farmer's market.
I came across a young fellow, probably early twenties, playing guitar, harp on a rack, kick drum against an old vinyl suitcase on one foot, while tapping the other on a board with a tambourine nailed to it -- oh, and singing.
He as playing some old blues songs, singing in a higher register, like SBI. Harp playing was pretty good too. Put me to shame for sure.
Unfortunately, he was too busy making money to talk to me. I threw him $5 and stood there for about 1/2 hour. He didn't repeat a song. During that time, I did notice that people seem to really like the sound of guitar and harp. He was making a lot more money than any other busker there. He probably made $30-$40 in the half hour I was there. Most people didn't stop to listen very long, but he got their attention, and somehow got many to cough up a buck or two as they passed by. Maybe there is some hope for the blues after all.
Anyone on the forum doing a one-man act? What has been your observation about what kind of music the general populous is into? What are your tips for filling out the sound?
Last Edited by on Jul 17, 2009 1:20 PM
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mickil
379 posts
Jul 17, 2009
11:42 AM
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I think that if you can syncopate well against a good, strong foot tap then you make your harp sound a lot more interesting. The aural confusion of the syncopation really seems to get people going.
As for filling out the sound, I think you've got to have a firm grasp of the stuff in Doc's early lessons - #10 springs to mind. All those chords and double-stops mixed in with single notes really beefs up the sound.
When I used to busk that is what was missing. Now I can do that stuff, I'm itching to get out there and earn a few pennies. Trouble is, it's all gone a bit psycho-nazi - or whatever it is - in the UK now. It's hard to busk in many places without getting some sort of shit.
We even have some asshole mayor who wants to fine people for swearing on the street. Where I live, you can be fined £80 for dropping a butt. What else are you meant to do with it? The place is still a dirty, crime-ridden shit hole. Anyway, that mayor would probably shoot buskers.
Sorry, I digress.
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'If it sounds GOOD to you, it's bitchen; if it sounds BAD to YOU, it's shitty' - Frank Zappa
http://www.youtube.com/user/SlimHarpMick
Last Edited by on Jul 17, 2009 12:14 PM
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