Frank
4508 posts
Jun 13, 2014
7:43 AM
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Dennis Gruenling does this "leslie effect" amazingly well - Anyone else use this technique?
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5F6H
1785 posts
Jun 13, 2014
8:34 AM
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That's amp tremolo, Walter used it at various times e.g. the "Don't Need No Horse/Driftin'/Fast Boogie" Jan '53 session too.
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www.myspace.com/markburness
Last Edited by 5F6H on Jun 13, 2014 11:59 AM
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Kingley
3597 posts
Jun 13, 2014
9:59 AM
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The technique that Dennis uses is not the amp at all, it's his cupping technique. The Walter clip is using amp vibrato. Two markedly different things. Here's Dennis doing his thing. He uses the effect at about the 3:40 mark
Last Edited by Kingley on Jun 13, 2014 10:00 AM
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Frank
4510 posts
Jun 13, 2014
10:09 AM
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Exactly that is the "technique" I am referring to - I've seen him use it live a few times and could see it was his "technique" doing the "leslie effect" ... it sounds wonderful. Don't see others doing it - bet he got he ideal from Little Walter ?) :)
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Tuckster
1419 posts
Jun 13, 2014
10:29 AM
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I'm guessing he got the idea from guitarists. I don't know anyone else doing it. I have no idea HOW he's doing it. It's pretty freaking amazing.
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5F6H
1786 posts
Jun 13, 2014
10:37 AM
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I think it's unique to Dennis, certainly in the way he executes it.
Saw an accordian player achieve an acoustic "Leslie" effect once, by playing whilst spinning round on the spot, visually quite a trip!
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www.myspace.com/markburness
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HarpNinja
3896 posts
Jun 13, 2014
10:42 AM
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If I am hearing it right, it sounds like he is using octaves and some sort of throat virbrato?
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Mike
My Website
My Harmonica Effects Blog
Rock Harmonica Lessons
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Milsson
131 posts
Jun 13, 2014
10:46 AM
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It´s not thaaaat hard BUT dennis does it in such bad ass way. The video with dennis above is probably my favorit harp video on youtube. He builds his solo perfectly in my eyes! Many people curse him for being a traditionalist but dennis is modern in many ways, even thou he doesn´t play every note in the shortest time possible.
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Milsson
132 posts
Jun 13, 2014
10:49 AM
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@harpninja It´s been discussed a few times and even confirmed with dennis(i think?)that he just open and close a thight cup very fast.
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Littoral
1100 posts
Jun 13, 2014
10:57 AM
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True: he opens and closes a tight cup and with both hands under the mic AND with octaves.
Also, I'm sure his exceptional control and swanky tone in-around-through all those bends is tongue blocked.
Last Edited by Littoral on Jun 13, 2014 11:05 AM
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tmf714
2555 posts
Jun 13, 2014
11:02 AM
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And with single notes as well -
Last Edited by tmf714 on Jun 13, 2014 11:03 AM
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Frank
4512 posts
Jun 13, 2014
11:25 AM
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Yeah - you can see his hands pulsating...BADASS :)
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The Centipide Saloon
Tip Your Waiter Please
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Littoral
1101 posts
Jun 13, 2014
11:53 AM
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Yes, single notes too, thanks for that clip. The effect really gets Leslie with the octaves.
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Harp2swing
127 posts
Jun 13, 2014
4:43 PM
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Man, I've bookmarked that last solo from Dennis, Superb!
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Frank
4517 posts
Jun 13, 2014
4:52 PM
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His playing is "sick" as the kids would say...Wonder if being that good at harmonica is a curse or a blessing - I'll never know :)
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tbirdflier
53 posts
Jun 13, 2014
5:05 PM
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Cut the crap Frank, you're a top shelf harp player, and I mean no disrespect by my comment. You have chops man.
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Frank
4519 posts
Jun 13, 2014
5:33 PM
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Dan, I love you buddy - but Dennis made mince meat outta Rod Piazza in this video....sooooo, GOD FORBID he ever wanted to knock me upside the head like that - I think I'd fall over dead :)
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wolfkristiansen
283 posts
Jun 13, 2014
5:44 PM
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Just a thought-- about Dennis Gruenling's hand made "tremolo", I have a suspicion he's singing the note as well. Both on the inhale and exhale. Maybe in falsetto.
I heard something similar listening to Carey Bell live in the '70s. He'd do it at the climax of a solo. I'm going to investigate this further, but, think about the possibility. I'm not saying I know, at this point.
Of course, someone who knows Dennis could just ask.
Cheers,
wolf kristiansen
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tmf714
2557 posts
Jun 13, 2014
6:04 PM
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I know Dennis well-and I know for sure he is not "singing" it-
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tmf714
2558 posts
Jun 13, 2014
6:08 PM
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Heres some video I shot at the same show with Rod in NJ-
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Frank
4528 posts
Jun 14, 2014
8:43 AM
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oops, posted wrong thread -try try again :)
Last Edited by Frank on Jun 14, 2014 8:44 AM
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harpoon_man
54 posts
Jun 15, 2014
5:47 PM
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I have seen Dennis do this technique a couple of times live, and it is AWESOME. He only did it once per show, for only 12 bars each time. You can see the hand technique a little bit in the videos, and seeing it live, I think he also adds some diaphragm tremelo, and possibly some throat vibrato along with it to produce what is truly a spectacular effect. It also seems to take a lot of effort on his part as he seems pretty tapped out after doing it (although this could be showmanship, not sure).
Hoping to get a chance to ask him about it at SPAH.
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Littoral
1104 posts
Jun 15, 2014
7:47 PM
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"Dennis made mince meat outta Rod Piazza...".
Maybe in general but Rod really just closed out the song. Interesting that they traded the mic AND the harp. That's certainly not standard.
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tmf714
2568 posts
Jun 16, 2014
6:26 AM
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If you look closely,you will see Brian Potenziano-Rods driver when hes in town-and Kent Miller-who shows up and plays with Rod anytime Rod is on the East Coast
They ALL shared the harp and mic that night-
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Slimharp
336 posts
Jun 16, 2014
9:36 PM
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Dennis is a Monster and that tremolo effect is awesome. "Mince Meat " out of Rod ? so what - we gonna hold up score cards at gigs now ? Keep one thing in mind, Rod was on the road giging when Dennis was crapping in diapers. It's about the Blues.
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Frank
4540 posts
Jun 17, 2014
4:27 AM
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That's why Dennis is so revered these days...He has the deepest genuine respect for his idols, yet remains sincerely fearless in "showing them up" ...
Rod is a legend and secured his place in the history of blues harmonica giants - his playing abilities remain massive - so, I'm not insinuating that he is embarrassed after Dennis steals his thunder...
Obviously not, he after all has invited Dennis on stage to do his thing, and Rod is no dummy - he knows Dennis's chops are on steroids compared to his...
Rod had his glory days of thunderous youth and I still love his shows and skills; he is an "American Harmonica Treasure" and one of the best players EVER...
Dennis has taken the bull by the horns and is not afraid to prove it to anyone- that he is the new "Tigerman" ...I did enjoy how Rod ended that song too:)
And talk about copping effects and technique etc...Dennis has studied Rods style down to the minutest detail and without Rod, there ain't no Dennis as we know him today - and Dennis is the first to admit that fact :)
Last Edited by Frank on Jun 17, 2014 5:02 AM
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