I keep a collection of songs that are particularly good for studying repeatedly. I'm not interested in copying them note for note (like folks do with Juke), that's too hard for me, but more extracting ideas from them to work on. Here are a couple of my favourites...
1. Kim Wilson's Lowdown. This is my primer for note choices - starting each 12 bar sequence on different holes, and interesting choices for the chord changes. I can't find this on YT to share.
2. Little Walter - Don't have to hurt no more. This is something like the opposite to Lowdown. Apart from the first and last rounds, it focuses on repetitive phrases around 3D and its bends. Some of these I think are quote from other songs (Off the Wall, Shake your Money Maker...?) and here they are in one place.
This one reminds me that you don't have to chasing around the harp to get variety.
Last Edited by MindTheGap on Oct 24, 2015 12:29 AM
Here's one I go back to frequently. A little different approach to a study song, maybe, but I like the way it samples different players and different styles...."215 Spring Harp Fest San Diego." Some acoustics a little poor. http://youtu.be/GvEsKda15J8
Phil Pennington
Last Edited by Fil on Nov 03, 2015 7:41 AM
Fil, yes that is good isn't it. Again it's like a compendium of interesting styles and phrases.
As a side note - with two guitars, bass + drums on stage you can still hear the harps clearly. Even several together. And no one's shouting. It can be done!
One of my favorite study tunes is “Have Mercy by Carey Bell & Big Walter Horton. I get a lot of mileage on this for both the chromatic and diatonic. One of those ones that I pick out new bits and pieces to work on each time I listen to it. The work and discovery never ends.
----------
I'm workin on it. I'm workin on it.
Last Edited by 2chops on Nov 12, 2015 12:11 PM
Yes great stuff. I don't play chromatic (yet!), so I'm having trouble working out which bits are diatonic and which are chromatic. It's pretty chordy so not so many clues. Normally the give-way for 3rd position diatonic - for me - is the sound of notes in the lower register, but there aren't so many here.
At first I thought that stereo separation in headphones would help - but then I think they are both playing bits on each?
Last Edited by MindTheGap on Nov 13, 2015 9:24 AM
MTG…The opening is chrom. Then the bit on both sides of when you hear “Have Mercy” is diatonic. All the diatonic work on this in the upper register, holes 4-10. The chromatic parts you can pick out by listening for the somewhat “raspier” sounding notes. Lots of chording going on with the chrom.
A C chrom and a C diatonic in 3rd will get the job done on this track. Even if you only do the diatonic parts, it’s a fun way to learn you way around the upper half of the harp.
One of the reasons I like 3rd position is that there are rich pickings all over the harp. Winslow talks about this in his book.
In 2nd position I struggled to find things I like playing on the top end, although I've worked out some stuff now by listening to Charlie Musselwhite and Jerry McCain a lot. In 3rd it's good stuff right of the bat and this song is a great tutor for that, thanks!
Last Edited by MindTheGap on Nov 14, 2015 11:50 PM
Huge topic. I dont really have much in the way of favourites for lick mining...or maybd i do, but i dont really think of them like that...i usually learnthe song, note for note, or some approximation, and then i might steal part of one and use it in another. I love the opening of aahw baby and use it often...i love the harp solo from the vanguard recording jr wells did for messin with thd kid...i often use his 4th and 5th measures from the second chorus... But mainly i think of study songs as just songs that help me learn technique and musicality. Adams lesson on 'how long can a fool go wrong' taught me alot. Its a whole 1st position chorus. Im not sure, but it may be the best lesson of his that ive taken. I like adams study songs. I like dave barretts too. teachers have different approaches. I think these 2 are complimentary. Adam really leaves it up to the student a bit. He insists on getting the time right, and the notes, but really allows you to determine the final product and treat it as a work in progress. David is more detailed, but presents lots of great ideas and demonsrrates how to take them and use them for yourself... Another great lesson i had from Adamis 'john lee williamsom's blues' (i thimk)...simple and adaptable. Oh, frank zappa, advance romance, from the bongo fury album. Probably beefheart (bee fart?) Onthe harp..anyway, its basically a pent min scale descending..."no more credit from the liquor storrre" and then just play around with the riffs he findsfrom thosenotes. And translate to th upper end...oops, needs a 6 overblow for that...so thers a practice opportunity in using 6 ob to tie the2ndposition octaves together in blues with a minor 3rd. Frank zappahey... Other of my favourite studies are about practicing tuneful bends. Blu skies is a cracker, starts on 1 draw
1, 3", 2, 2", 2, 3" 2, 2", 2, 3", +1 +1, 1, 2" +2 Repeat, without the +2
Then the B part (its the best!) 2", 2, 3", 3', +4 4', +4, 3', +4 3', 3", 3'", 3" 2, 2", +2, 2" Repeat Repeat part A The 3rd line of part B is worth doing just as an exercise in itself
