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Dirty-South Blues Harp forum: wail on! > The Old Hen Cackle - prewar harmonica
The Old Hen Cackle - prewar harmonica
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hannes
4 posts
Dec 07, 2013
5:57 AM


I would love to learn that tune and some other prewar harmonica tunes in the style of Deford Bailey and others. But I have no idea how to approach learning that kind of style and would be grateful for any tips and hints. Artists and tunes to check out, resources, techniques ... Personal lessons would be an option, but only once I've gotten some of the basics down. Thanks for your help !

Last Edited by hannes on Dec 07, 2013 6:00 AM
sonny3
97 posts
Dec 07, 2013
6:53 AM
Start with tongue blocking and learn the major pentatonic scale.I recommend getting the harmonica rarities CD from bluebeat music.Deford is great also look up Henry Whitter and Palmer Mcabee.
nacoran
7401 posts
Dec 07, 2013
11:37 AM
I don't know what tools you have in your basket. Sounds like there were a lot of tongue block splits in there, with changing intervals and tongue slaps, and some good vibrato. Once you've got those down, just practice along with it.

If that made sense to you and you know those tricks, you should have it pretty quickly. If what I said sounded like Klingon, then we can back up and go over them. They aren't hard to understand once someone shows you, but they do take some practice.

For starters, technique-wise, play the 1-4 holes on a blow, then block 2 and 3 with the tip of your tongue. Then try moving your tongue to block the 4, but move your mouth to get a bit of the five. That's the basic movement for splits and changing their intervals. There are lots of slight variations and different combinations of holes, but that seems to be the technique he's using. You'll want to get so you can switch between single notes on either side of your mouth and splits. It just takes a little practice. It sounds like he is using some tongue slaps in there too, where he just runs his tongue back and forth to get that pulsing mix of notes. At 1 minute, it sounds like he is rolling his r's while sliding the harp. At 1:15 I'm not sure if he's doing throat vibrato or if he's just pulsing his tongue to block the sound. :)

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Frank
3456 posts
Dec 08, 2013
4:26 AM
Once you have mastered the basics of a tune - the sky's the limit, let time reveal the rest...you seem to have taught yourself well :)





Last Edited by Frank on Dec 08, 2013 4:41 AM
hannes
6 posts
Dec 09, 2013
4:03 AM
Some great tips here to get me started (and keep me busy for a while ...) - thank you!


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