Frank started a thread a while ago with a clip of Dennis Gruenling and commented that it sounded like he was playing the trombone. I thought about that for a while and came up with a mod that gives a very brassy sound. Here is a comparison of a Bb Suzuki Promaster first then switching to the modified instrument. See if you think it has that low brass punch. I won't tell you how I did it as I don't want to give away anyone's trade secrets :-)
I was delayed in producing this as I blew out my Bb harp. I sent it to Gnarly for an expert repair. The first segment of the video is in F, second position on the Bb Promaster. In the second segment both F and Bb are first position.
I have gained a new respect for those of you who make videos. I have a long way to go both musically and in the video production area.
Last Edited by STME58 on Jun 17, 2014 3:53 PM
-a little hint-tongue blocking goes a long way in getting that "low brass punch"-
Low tuned harps are the next "secret"-I say secret simply due to the fact that anyone can PLAY a low tuned harp-making it sound musical is where theory and musical knowledge come into play-at least the way Dennis plays it.
Last Edited by tmf714 on Jun 17, 2014 8:42 AM
I got a couple tunes where I try to make the harp sound like brass. Here is the head of one. After the intro, well I didn't have a boost on my vocal and it's all a muffled mess, and we gave the guitar player too long a solo, so I won't share that part. :) No idea where the recording of the other one is.
St. James Infirmary Blues ... From some gigs we did with a brass band seven years ago. I played a 57-type straight into a Roland AC 60 (mini PA). Playing really hard with some dissonant chords thrown in here 'n there and makes a passable horn sound ...
Interesting that you mention discipline. I have two boys and of all the groups they have been in, 4H, Boy Scouts, Little league,etc, by far the most disciplined group is the Youth Symphony.
Last Edited by STME58 on Jun 18, 2014 9:41 AM
Somewhere on a brass forum they are talking about getting a t-bone to sound like a clarinet.. or maybe even a harp.. !
Very creative and funny that many here miss the true humor in your vid... Still laughing ---------- Greg Jones 16:23 Custom Harmonicas greg@1623customharmonicas.com 1623customharmonicas.com
Greg, Thanks for letting me know you appreciated the idea. I learned a lot making the video.
I assumed that the folks who did not get the joke either did not see the video because of technical difficulties with the way I first posted it, or because they got bored with my playing and cut out before the punch line.
One of the functions of humor is to get you thinking about things in new ways. I hope I can perhaps spark a bit of that.
Last Edited by STME58 on Jun 18, 2014 11:30 AM
"Somewhere on a brass forum they are talking about getting a t-bone to sound like a clarinet"
I have watched several times at my son's symphony rehearsals as the condudtor has asked the musicians to do an exercise where everyone listens closely to one instrument and tries to make their instrument match as closely as possible. "Ok, listen to the flutes. Now, everyone try to sound like a flute" It is surprising how much they learn to pull their sound in the direction of the target instrument.
