Tom Lauten
73 posts
Mar 31, 2019
5:55 AM
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Hello everyone,
I have finally committed to an audio clip. I have had a few moments alone at home, switched on my modded Champ 600, plugged in a CM element and had a bash recording with my iPad. Now I know my playing sucks and I’m getting feedback but I was just desperate to get my amps sound recorded to see what it was that people might be hearing or not hearing.
Any analysis would be welcome.
Amp test 2
...sorry that was torture...
...OMG, listening to that again I think I sound awful, my mic sounds awful, I have NO technique (my “wahs” have no wah at ALL) and my amp sounds awful...
I’m having an UTTER crisis of confidence here!
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Tom "Bad Paw" Lauten
Loch Ness, Scotland
www.nimbacreations.com
Last Edited by Tom Lauten on Mar 31, 2019 6:16 AM
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rogonzab
1085 posts
Mar 31, 2019
7:28 AM
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All that I’m hearing is someone new to harmonica. Learn songs, riffs, practice whit jam tracks, and in a few years you would be a good player.
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Sorry for any misspell, english is not my first language.
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Tom Lauten
74 posts
Mar 31, 2019
7:29 AM
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Did the tone of the amp sound ok to you?
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Tom "Bad Paw" Lauten
Loch Ness, Scotland
www.nimbacreations.com
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rogonzab
1086 posts
Mar 31, 2019
7:33 AM
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Just the tone? Yes, it was fine, it has that small amp sound (that I love).
You can buy a new Hohner harp and you get a month free in bluesharmonica.com that would help you a lot. Lots of info on everything!
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Sorry for any misspell, english is not my first language.
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Kingley
4113 posts
Mar 31, 2019
8:52 AM
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The amp sounds ok. I agree with what Rogonzab said in his first comment. The main thing to remember is that with any amp/mic combo the acoustic tone of the player makes the biggest single difference. I'd suggest concentrating heavily on developing your acoustic tone and technique for a few months. Then record yourself playing through the same rig you're using here with the same settings. You'll be surprised at the difference in your amplified sound if you really put the effort into working on your acoustic sound.
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6SN7
829 posts
Mar 31, 2019
9:28 AM
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it sounds exactly what a 5 watt amp should sound like, its fine
Last Edited by 6SN7 on Mar 31, 2019 9:28 AM
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andysheep8
83 posts
Mar 31, 2019
11:13 AM
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There is nothing wrong with your equipment, or what you are trying to play. You just don't need to be amplified yet, as you have to develop tone, control and nuance. By all means keep on recording yourself, it's an advantage to have all this gear, i reckon in about 6 months time you will look back ( and listen back) and see things in a whole different light.We look forward to hearing it!
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Tom Lauten
75 posts
Mar 31, 2019
1:16 PM
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Thanks for the feedback guys. I am HONESTLY not usually that awkward and bad...I folded with the recorder going. I’m not fantastic but I’m usually cleaner than that!
Having said that I am going to do the Breakthrough Blues Harmonica.com course.
I just couldn’t tell if I was even in the right ballpark anymore with the amp sound.
I jam once in a great while, use backing tracks and play along with classic recordings.
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Tom "Bad Paw" Lauten
Loch Ness, Scotland
www.nimbacreations.com
Last Edited by Tom Lauten on Mar 31, 2019 1:17 PM
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jbone
2875 posts
Mar 31, 2019
2:24 PM
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I've heard those Champs are a good sound Tom. Maybe leave it alone for a while, like until you get through the course. Record the same piece both amped and acoustic as you progress.
I bought amps long before I really had use for them. Once I made it to a level where what I played deserved to be heard getting an amp to fit my situation was better! I know what a rush it can be to get "that" tone but it starts always with the player's guts out to the lips. Brain and heart included.
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Music and travel destroy prejudice.
Reverbnation
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Youtube
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KingoBad
1730 posts
Mar 31, 2019
8:17 PM
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Yeah, along with what all else has been said, your knowledge of how to cup a mic is missing too... Perfectly ok at this stage of the game, but playing amplified has a skill set all it's own.
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Danny
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MindTheGap
2596 posts
Apr 01, 2019
1:57 AM
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I'd agree that working on cupping the mic would take you in the direction you want.
One of the best pieces of advice I gleaned from here was to play quietly (really very quietly as a baseline) and let the amp do the work. It keeps your notes in better tune, is easier to maintain, and importantly unlocks lots of interesting timbres. Then when occasionally you step it up a bit you get a really strong sound for emphasis.
Varying the cup gives also gives timbres from the open, harsh sound in your clip, to a warmer sound and you can use these musically.
Caveat that not everyone agrees with the 'play amped quietly' thing, but it worked for me.
Last Edited by MindTheGap on Apr 01, 2019 2:06 AM
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Tom Lauten
76 posts
Apr 01, 2019
11:41 AM
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This was me some years ago. Now I know this also isn’t super-great playing but it’s much more like what I normally achieve. This was the first time I EVER performed in front of an audience. It was a house band at a Blues club in Jackson Mississippi on an open mic night . Serious bucket list moment!
Tom’s harmonica debut in Mississippi
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Tom "Bad Paw" Lauten
Loch Ness, Scotland
www.nimbacreations.com
Last Edited by Tom Lauten on Apr 01, 2019 11:45 AM
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Harpaholic
940 posts
Apr 01, 2019
1:08 PM
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Your playing too much on the second video. Better audience asks for more harp instead of feeling there's too much. Less is more! Play your solo, and fills at vocal breaks only. Don't play over vocals or other band members solo's.
Learn the bends on lower end of harp.
It will add a lot more to your playing.
Practice will get you there.
Overall it wasn't bad. It takes balls to put yourself out there like that. Respect!
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snowman
430 posts
Apr 03, 2019
9:38 AM
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I go through the same thing when I periodically hear myself on recordings
Many Times I think
" I thought I was better than that"
and occasionally
" cool--- that sounded better than I thought it would"
If yr open minded and always pushing forward, u tend to think of things u can't do and work on that
But occasionally stop and realize that what yr playing now, seemed impossible a yr or 2 ago.
I felt the recording lacked "presence"--"sharpness"
That could be from the recording mic---the recorder---the amp setting etc
My amp has "presence knob" a little goes a long way---or a "sonic maximizer pedal" with treble attenuated.
The playing was fine. It sounded like yr ready to start in with learning "tongue slaps" ---which will help with dynamics on "hootchie Cootchie man tag"
When I started with “Slow Tongue slaps” it lead to “ fast Tongue slaps”—which lead to “Tongue flutters”----
which lead to learn to TONGUE BLOCKING—
25 years lip purse only-- then the next 15 years both tongue block and pursing I believe its good to know both
Dave Barret’s site-- has tongue block lessons for later
START WITH SIMPLE “TONGUE SLAP”
Tongue slap videos:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DDJ1_3pQr-s
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xdS_nzB6Jo0
and or Jerry Portnoy 3 CD Instructional
"Tongue flutter" Which sounds similar to "warble"
Tongue flutter videos”
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IN_wTvPhK-o
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=In-cOvqtxiU
“SAME” NOTES OR NOTE----simply lifting tongue on n off quick
Kim Wilson does it a lot
NO NOTE CHANGE-on flutter
so u can learn to hear the differance between ;
when a player is
TONGUE fluttering the "SAME NOTE OR NOTES"
OR
warbling between "different notes"-
"WARBLE"
Warble here;
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BtQ-9a67nfA
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=luUyRxFqXLw
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FILcSgzGmtk
Warble between say [4 draw and 5 draw] or [3 draw and 4 draw]
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Tom Lauten
77 posts
Apr 03, 2019
2:34 PM
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Yeah, I have had a tendency to play too much. I was like a rabbit in the headlights in Mississippi...nearly had a coronary! With a bit of jam practice I tend to wait my turn and pick my moments! Lol
I do have lots I both want and need to work on. I think the Breakthrough Blues course will help with a lot of those things like tongue work.
The lack of sharpness was (for the most part) because of the slap-dash way I threw things together to record...it does sound a LOT more mushy on the recording than it did in person. I have been playing more since and playing more gently does help and when the pressure is off I’m waaaaaaaay more concise. Still, I’ve a long way to go. Thanks for the feedback folks!
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Tom "Bad Paw" Lauten
Loch Ness, Scotland
www.nimbacreations.com
Last Edited by Tom Lauten on Apr 03, 2019 2:35 PM
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6SN7
831 posts
Apr 04, 2019
5:09 AM
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what you hear is what you , don't make excuses me it. learn from it. I've been playing 40 years and still wince listening to myself, I can always do better. The course looks interesting, i hope you enjoy it. Once a year, I go through the Annie Raines course, it is available on youtube for free. good luck
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