SkullKid
39 posts
Feb 21, 2017
5:29 AM
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Hey guys,
does any of you have a recommendation for a cool piece of blues to play in G (C harp, 2nd position), suited for beginners (3-4 month playing experience)? It would be nice if you could link me to some tabs on Harptabs.com.
Greetings,
SKullKid
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ScottK
32 posts
Feb 21, 2017
10:10 AM
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Hey Skull: I haven't used tabs myself and yet but in addition to playing along to jam tracks on YouTube and Adam and others vids on YouTube check out Annie Raines' lessons. She has a nice style of teaching. Here's a link to one.
Annie Raines Easy Blues Solo in G
Last Edited by ScottK on Feb 21, 2017 10:12 AM
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Pablo42
5 posts
Feb 22, 2017
1:12 PM
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And HarpTabs.com is another source.
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bublnsqueak
78 posts
Feb 23, 2017
2:15 AM
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+1 for ScottK's Annie Raines recommendation.
That little solo broke some sort of long established learning barrier for me!
Unfortunately bits of it now show up whenever I need to improvise.
Harptabs can be useful but it sometimes hard to find tabs in the position you want (eg looking for something in 2nd position can only find it in 4th or something).
The specify key of harp and diatonic vs chromatic though.
Paul
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SkullKid
41 posts
Feb 27, 2017
7:29 AM
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Hey guys,
thanks for the suggestions and sorry for the late reply! I will later try to learn the solo - but I have also found some nice tracks to play along to, as Scott suggested. :)
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SkullKid
44 posts
Mar 13, 2017
6:04 AM
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Quick update: I learned the solo and had great fun with it. Especially good to learn timing! Thanks again.
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ScottK
55 posts
Mar 13, 2017
8:37 PM
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Skullkid- that sounds cool! Glad to hear
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Killa_Hertz
2264 posts
Mar 15, 2017
5:56 AM
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Skullkid ... I have a hard time making any use of things like harptabs.come
I suggest learning some standards like Walter Hortons easy. It's very easy to play using single notes and as your chops progress you can add more to it.
Also I can't recommend enough Adam's Trade bit lessons. On this page go up to the left and click*the store* link.
These cost money,but I assure you they are worth every penny. They have tab sheets to work along with if needed.
You can preview most of these lessons before you buy, so you can get the feel of the tune and see if it's something your interested in learning.
As bublnsqueek said about that solo ... you ll find the things you learn on Adam's lessons will pop up in your improvising later on. All the songs you learn can be broken down into licks and used in many situations. They helped me tremendously.
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SkullKid
45 posts
Mar 15, 2017
7:34 AM
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Thanks, Killa_Hertz,
I will check out "Easy" from Walter Horton later (just saw that Tomlin has a lesson on that). On the tradebit-part: Yes, I believe you that Adam's lessons are excellent, many of the videos that he uploaded to youtube for free are awesome and I use them every day. The thing is though that I am a poor student and I have very little money even for food at the moment. So all the coin I save for this new hobby of mine (harp) will go into buying new keys (will probably buy my second key, Bb, in a few days). As soon as I have more money, I will definitely buy some of Adam's stuff - but until then, I have to make due with his youtube videos - good thing there are about 200 of those, so I guess I can still learn a lot from them.
Last Edited by SkullKid on Mar 15, 2017 7:35 AM
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ME.HarpDoc
229 posts
Mar 15, 2017
9:26 AM
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SkullKid
Depending on what you want to accomplish (with low $), You can probably plan your musical investment wisely by purchasing other harp keys and following YouTube stuff (also look up Lee Sankey). I love the sound of Bb but practically speaking you're probably better off going to A or G. You'll find them more useful with the youtube videos and backing tracks.
I don't know what you have for a harp now but I would also suggest you invest in a decent quality mid-priced harp that generally plays well out of the box (OOTB). My favorites are Easttop harmonicas, which are a great value and fairly new to the harmonica scene; Suzuki Harpmaster or Bluesmaster. Many like Hohner Special 20 but I like the others better. Good deals can be had on Amazon but I suggest you check out Rokin' Ron's. Call him and he'll lead you in the right direction.
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SkullKid
46 posts
Mar 15, 2017
9:36 AM
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Hey HarpDoc, thanks for your reply.
I want to buy a Bb harp, because in most of Adam's old videos he uses that key. Also, I want to learn his Mississippi Front Porch Blues soon and that (and several other relatively easy pieces he shows) are in F (Bb second position). An A harp will be my next key then, probably will ask for it as a birthday present later this year. Indeed, I plan to get to a decent level without buying any instructional stuff, at least until I have a decent income. So far, I am satisfied with my development (4 months playing, can bend all holes except 10, can hit bends in riffs, know like 10-12 bluesy riffs, can play simple songs easily, have a bit of vibrato) Thanks for your recommendation, I will check out Sankey.
I have a Special20 in the key of C and I love it, so I will also get a Special20 in the key of Bb.
Last Edited by SkullKid on Mar 15, 2017 9:42 AM
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Killa_Hertz
2266 posts
Mar 15, 2017
10:55 AM
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Fair enough Skull kid. Not everyone has the means. They are a step above the youtube videos for sure.
I will try to find a few of the essential youtube videos that helped me in that time frame. 4 months or so.
Also I highly recommend will wilde for his song lessons. The first whole song I learned was sonny boy Williamson - help me (on a Bb harp) from will wilde video. It's a fairly easy song to play. But the trick is playing it like sonny boy. Lol. So it too is one that will grow with you.
It can be something to look forward to when you get your Bb.
Will also has a video on Easy. He gets in depth into it, but you don't HAVE to play it that way.
My favorite songs to play in G are all probably ahead of where you are now. Check out some sonny boy2 ... his stuff is fairly easy to hang with.
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SkullKid
47 posts
Mar 15, 2017
11:48 AM
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Cool, Killa, I will definitely check out the stuff you have recommended!
I thought about making the Mississippi (gosh, that word is annoying to write :D) Front Porch Blues my first song (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cZx1t8fWMWY). Do you think it's within reach if I spend some more months? I saw someone being able to play this after 8 months (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kXYQBIBXxn8)! Not sure if he's just very talented or something - maybe the song is not THAT hard, I cannot really assess it at this point.
Last Edited by SkullKid on Mar 15, 2017 11:50 AM
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SuperBee
4579 posts
Mar 15, 2017
2:56 PM
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Yep
The Bb is a must have for a lot of AG's original series. And other things. Help Me, my Babe. Just off the top.
Now that I think of it, isn't Easy in F too?
But also, I'll second the call on the AG tradebit stuff. I still use a bunch of stuff I learnt from those. Some of my best tunes actually, stuff that continues to go down well with an audience, staples for jams. And taught me how to work things out for myself, go on and learn the rest of the song.
When I think of it, it's almost embarrassing how much of my repertoire originated from there.
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Killa_Hertz
2267 posts
Mar 15, 2017
8:57 PM
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The thing with that front porch lesson is that there is alot more there than just the face value notes. The subtleties is what it's all about. And those are the videos of Adam's that are pure gold.
Here's a few.
2 draw syncopated part1
https://youtu.be/wwRb7G3nJw4
2 draw syncopated part2
https://youtu.be/m1YTPwy0Ru8
More 2 hole nuance
https://youtu.be/31uSB_Wk588
Harlem Riff 1
https://youtu.be/PctbYHicByA
Harlem Riff 2
https://youtu.be/d-OxIr1mk3I
Follow these videos and they will start to show you how you must think in order to make yourself sound like the recordings your hearing. Atleast this is the first step. This was huge for me.
Last Edited by Killa_Hertz on Mar 15, 2017 9:12 PM
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SkullKid
50 posts
Mar 16, 2017
10:51 AM
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The videos about the 2 draw syncopated are great indeed, I have been practicing the things that Adam does there for a few days now, but I have to wait for my Bb harp to arrive to tell if my sound is any good. Will check out the Harlem Riff videos later, thanks!
Still: Do you think the piece can be played after like 8 months (Of course it will be far from perfect!)? I am just curious if what the guy in the video is doing is a result of normal progress or raw talent. :P
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Killa_Hertz
2268 posts
Mar 16, 2017
11:19 AM
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Normal progress or RAW talent ...
I say a bit of both. I think some parts of his playing shows his inexperience, but others are pretty advanced for 8 months.
If you work at it and most importantly.. work on the right things, you should be somewhere in that area in 8 months.
However I Have heard people who have been playing for 8 years who are at that same skill level. So .... it's not just the passing of time, but what you do with that time. Ya know?
My advice, don't spend too much time looking that far ahead. Just keep chasing the next step right in front of you. And before you know it you will be there.
But once you get there you won't be satisfied... you will always be comparing yourself to someone just a little better.
Songs like that are all in Adam's Trade bit lessons. And he walks you through them with tabs. Even if you can't buy them, check out the previews.
Last Edited by Killa_Hertz on Mar 16, 2017 11:25 AM
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SuperBee
4581 posts
Mar 16, 2017
2:56 PM
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Those videos are pretty good value at $5 and you get to keep them. And the tab is $2
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SkullKid
51 posts
Mar 16, 2017
3:57 PM
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All right, I agree that always looking one step ahead is the way to go, Killa. My plan for the next few months is to work through all ~200 free videos of Adam and take what I can get (I have already watched 10 or so and learned vibrato and other things with Adam's excellent method).
After that, and when I have a bit more money available, I will certainly buy some of the tradebit stuff. As you pointed out, SuperBee, they are not that expensive.
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Killa_Hertz
2270 posts
Mar 16, 2017
7:13 PM
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That Harlem Riff really goes along with those other 2 hole draw videos. And the technique learned there is Very Very important. And pretty fun.
There is Plenty to learn on youtube, im really not trying to push you into the tradebit videos, but they are pretty good.
However I recommend if your trying to learn a song from YouTube ... find a lesson that really breaks it down for you. Once you learn a few this way you can start to figure out songs by ear. But until you learn the techniques that the artist is using, you will have no idea what those sounds are or how to replicate them.
Last Edited by Killa_Hertz on Mar 16, 2017 7:16 PM
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SkullKid
52 posts
Mar 17, 2017
3:52 AM
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I'm not feeling pressured at all, it's good advice and in time, i will buy some stuff! :)
Now looking forward to receiving that Bb harp, so I can check out the Will Wilde videos and more of Adam's older stuff. :P
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Killa_Hertz
2271 posts
Mar 17, 2017
5:33 AM
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Great!
I'm interested to hear some recordings of yours, if you ever want a few pointers.
My favorite songs to play in G.
Walter Horton - Have a good time
Walter Horton- Christine
Ronnie Shellist - Knockin
Ronnie Shellist - One Day
Sonny Boy2 - Don't Start me Talkin
Sonny Boy2 - All my love in vain.
These all might be a little too advanced for you right now.
Maybe not Sonny Boy.
All my love in vain is a fun one.
The beginning goes something like this. (Sorry Im at work on break and don't have a harp, so I'll do my best from memory)
+223' +22 +223' +223' +22. 4+4+43' 3'3"23" +223' +223' 22. 222222"122 (hand wah the 2 draws for the turnaround)
In the phrase +223' the 2 draw has a little scoop on it. And the 4+4+43' I tongue slap. Hold the 3" at the end of 3'3"23"-----> and the 3'3" is not really two notes but a reverse scoop. Start the note at 3.
Hope that's right, and makes sense.
Last Edited by Killa_Hertz on Mar 17, 2017 5:37 AM
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SkullKid
53 posts
Mar 17, 2017
12:37 PM
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I'll definitely take you up on that in a few months! :)
All my love in vain is a cool tune, sounds like Nine Below Zero sped up! :P
I will try to play it tomorrow, thanks. :)
Currently learning the new licks that Tomlin uploaded:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=73ZFs8IkUpQ
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Killa_Hertz
2272 posts
Mar 17, 2017
1:23 PM
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It is very similar to nine below. In fact sonny boy has a few songs that use this or a similar pattern.
Sonny Boy is really a great study for beginners. It's not super complicated,but it can grow with you. Because getting the notes is only step one. Than you can apply literally every technique you learn to the songs to get them to sound closer to what Sonny is actually doing. Can't recommend his music enough. Check out that will wilde video on help me when you get your Bb.
Btw I just remembered a good little lesson song in G. Cross Eyed Cat by Muddy Waters.
https://youtu.be/mkS2erJ7s4w
And to Tie it all together ....
Here's Will Wilde teaching a few of Sonny Boys Signature Licks.
https://youtu.be/aXNNpYpuOl0
Last Edited by Killa_Hertz on Mar 17, 2017 1:41 PM
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Killa_Hertz
2275 posts
Mar 17, 2017
3:27 PM
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Btw I just noticed that the Tabs I Gave you are horribly wrong. Lol. Like I said there are a few songs that Sonny uses this Riff. Each one is slightly different. It seems I have you a mixture of a few. Lol. Sorry.
I'll correct it when I have time.
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ScottK
57 posts
Mar 18, 2017
9:47 AM
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Well this gets me excited to watch and study some new lessons. Most of my time the past month or so has been focused on jamming to tunes and backing tracks using what I learned from watching vids starting in Oct and learning about mics and amps and figuring out how to do it on the lower budget...now I have a couple mics and soon an amp. Connected with a band and am practicing a few led zep tunes to join them at a practice and having fun with that.
So last night in my car playing to some backing tracks I realized I was doing a lot of the same little riffs and ready to learn some new stuff. I'll start with the vids that Killa posted.
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Killa_Hertz
2277 posts
Mar 18, 2017
9:59 AM
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Yea Scott it's tough getting our if those little ruts. I'm kind of in one myself right now. Where you get stuck plaguing the same stuff.
I recommend either learning a new song or sometimes new licks helps. Getting the right new lick can open up to a whole new list of note choices that you weren't using before.
Check out Ronnie Shellist lick lessons at harmonica123.com.
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NJenkins83
7 posts
Mar 20, 2017
5:28 PM
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Hey bud as we are around the same level I'll mention one I only just stumbled on today that hasn't been mentioned yet. Tomlin has 10 backing tracks in G for free on his page. You just have to subscribe but as he seems to teach harp on a pretty easy to follow manner, may be worth it to you
They come in a zip and work well with the 1st Mel Bay Blues Harmonica book/CD by David Barrett ;)
Cheers
Nick
Last Edited by NJenkins83 on Mar 20, 2017 5:30 PM
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SkullKid
56 posts
Mar 24, 2017
1:47 PM
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Cool, NJeniks, will definitely check it out. So much more material to work with thanks to you guys! :)
I am currently still working on Adam's videos about the two hole draw stuff (006-009) plus making your harp sound like a train. I can do all the basic riffs he shows, now it will take some time to make them faster. :)
Btw: My Bb harp arrived and I love it. Much cooler sound than the C harp!
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Chris Sachitano
9 posts
Apr 05, 2017
11:23 AM
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Last night, by Little Walter is in G. I can't vouch for the tab.
https://www.harptabs.com/song.php?ID=9799
Congrats on the Bb
As you continue to get lower harps, you will probably enjoy them even more. They are more forgiving on bends, and I can find the intervals easier. Everyone always buy the C first; however, I would recommend a G through Bb for any new player. If I am just sitting around working on technique, I usually start on lower harps and work up. The key I always have handy is an "A."
@Scott. An additional way to break out of a rut on your diatonic is tape holes. What I mean by this is you close off an octave that you continue to gravitate to, then you are forced while riffing, or anytime you pick it up to work out different patterns. Also, figuring out a lick you like on a different part of the harp will also force you into other octaves.
If you have old beater harps or one you don't often use, keep it taped in your gear and go to it first. This is also good if you want to learn blowbends(and OBs), where you tape all but the holes you are training.
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