Playing in jam session last Wednesday I was caught out when the band played something in Eb. I don't have either an Ab or a Db to cover 2nd and 3rd positions and playing in 5th isn't going to work either. I'm sure someone on this forum could help me out here, although I doubt I'll ever need to do this again. Still would be nice to know what I could have done.
B-flat, twelve position may have given you something. A-flat is a cool key to have, I highly recommend one. Check out Buddha's vids for playing in 12th (I think) and 11th ---------- MBH Webbrain - a GUI guide to Adam's Youtube vids FerretCat Webbrain - Jason Ricci's vids (by hair colour!)
one of the reasons to buy a cheap set like the blue steels. besides getting emergency, spare keys and a decent case, you get all those off keys you dont want to spend $30+ on because "i'll never use them."
Seriously, at the blues jam I have hosted for more than 3 years, songs in Eb have been called very few times, and the other guitar players carp about it every time.
Several years ago when Ronnie Shellist ran the blues jam at the Q BBQ in Denver I was on stage when some guy called a song in Eb. No problem, I had an Ab harp. (I still have the same harp.) But that is when I learned that the key is a no-no for blues jammers. There was much unhappiness.
A few months ago at my jam somebody called a song in Eb and later after the set the other guitar player who had been on stage was out on the sidewalk in front of the club yelling at me and flapping his arms. And he is a pretty dang good player.
If you think we harp players are picky about shit at a jam, try running a jam and dealing with the guitar guys...
Come to think of it, I did try an Eb in first and that didn't seem to work either. Maybe because I'm not that au fait with this position. I probably know 400-500 numbers and none of them is in Eb, so I might not bother about getting a harp to suit.
Adaptability, preparedness and a willingness to accomodate something a little different is what will help separate the men from the boys in my opinion.
Especially if its the front man who calls the key (because it suits his voice), deal with it, or be the front man.
If you haven't got the harp, don't have a capo or can't play in that key, sit it out, no biggie.
If your guitarist primadonna yells and flaps his arms because he can't do the above, its his problem (sadly though, if you're running the jam it becomes your problem too!)
If you want to play with the big dogs, you have to carry a full set of harps. Period.
I'm a harp player, but I'm a singer too. And I can tell you that there are some singers, myself included, for whom some tunes with a large melodic range, can only be sung well in a single key. Yes, a half step makes a difference.
Real musicians can play in any key. As a sax player I suck at some of them. But we harp players have it SO EASY! All it takes is 12 harps. I use less expensive harps for the keys that are rarely used, but I sure am glad I have them - and at one time or another I've needed every one in my bag.
And all 12 cost less than a single good saxophone.
I am very weak in music theory and knowledge, but I have a big box or harmonicas. The guitar player at a jam last week, sprung E minor on me. I'm betting I had several major options in positions I am technically unaware of, but I happened to have a Lee Oskar natural minor in E. Problem solved.
It's the kind of thing you expect to see at a jazz jam. I don't think of it as anyone being a jerk. Tryng to find something that works by ear, and that's all I've got to work with right now, both makes me better and makes me work harder to know more. And, blues jams can sometimes be a volume war. If I'm not happy with what I'm adding to the jam, you won't hear me. Knowing when not to play has it's value.
P.S. Just checked my box, and yes I have an Eb. It looks & sounds brand new.
Last Edited by on Sep 17, 2012 7:49 PM
Hi Leatherlips, I agree with Greg and others that if you want to be on stage for jams, bring every key of harp. You never know when you're going to need a particular key.
I have every key in regular tuning, and every key in Lee Oskar's natural minor tuning. I also have chromatics in five different keys. Lots of choices for position playing.
Thieven' Heathen, all you need to do is print up a copy of the circle of fifths from Wikipedia. It's got the relative minors for each major key around the inside of the circle. Just tape it to the inside of your harp case. :) ---------- Nate Facebook Thread Organizer (A list of all sorts of useful threads)
i got an Ab because a guitarist i was jamming with was alking about tuning down a half step. he told me it was not uncommon for guitarists to do this, especially if they were trying to channel SRV or Hendrix.
anyway, i'm glad to have that harp. i havent played with too many blues jams where Eb was called but i have used the harp to create a harp part for our finale "Hot Sexy Men", which means i get to keep my gear on now. and its a nice pitch
i bought an E harp just to play with those same guys, when they wanted to play midnight rambler. haven't used it since but i keep it in my kit. i just created a piece based on SBWII's 'Peach Tree' which uses it. what a nice harp it is.
i dont have Db, F# or any minor or alternate tunings (apart from Chromatic) so far it hasn't been an issue. in fact i think i'll probably be getting low tunings or solo tuned or minor tuned harps before i get an F#
and i think i'll probably get a drill press and some some tools to replace the comb in my Lo Eb before i buy any more harps. that comb is starting to resemble Chad Morgan's smile. ----------
I was just at a usic store looking at saxaphones, my son is learning and playing in the youth symphony, The lowest price sax was over $2000. Thats more that 12 harps even if you by 1847's or Pure Harp's. Fortunately, the 1935 Buscher that his grandfather played is working well for him.
I amy go back to the store after payday and pick up one of the $150 plastic trombones though. They sound and work OK and I would not be afraid to bring it to a jam, in case I don't have a harp for the key called.
Last Edited by on Sep 19, 2012 12:19 AM
Here's an F# rippin' it up on the Shemekia Copeland tune it's 2AM in 3rd position. (Or you could use a Db for 2nd) From memory Charlie Musselwhite uses a Db on the instrumental Keep on rubbin' from the cd Got harp if you want it.
Well from the other nights jam, Ive been invited to join a new Chicago style blues band. If there is anything in Eb, I'll be happy to buy whatever it takes to accommodate that. But I won't be buying anything just on the off chance. I've got a straight 'E' harp that I think I use for one number out of around 230 odd songs. So I don't think that carrying a full set around ( including all the sharps and flats ) is warranted. As was suggested, if I'm ever caught out, I'll just sit that one out.
I carry all major keys and one C chromatic. My E, Eb, F, F# are Low keyed(I have regulars, too, but don't use them so much)and some spares. this all fits in a brief- case and is organized for easy selection. Also my Ultimate, bulletized 57, mic clip, earplugs, and egg shakers travel in this case.
I use all the keys on a regular basis. Thank goodness harmonicas are small!
