apskarp
445 posts
Apr 10, 2011
10:17 PM
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Sorry for the stupid topic name! I couldn't think of any better..
Anyway, we've been recording our first album for a month or so and I have been thinking about the harps. I used to love amplified harp more than anything, but recently I have noticed that my taste has been changing. I mean the amplified harp is great, but I also notice that I want to record more acoustic than amplified solo's and licks.
When gigging, I play only amplified harp but now that we're recording and it's actually possible to "really" hear what you are playing, I find the acoustic tone more appealing and expressive for me. The amplified sound is distorted and it can kind of a cover some inaccuracies and keep better up with the rest of the instruments in loud environment etc - and it can also be really expressive of course - but there's something more pure with the acoustic tone. If you can hear it well, I'd say that the acoustic tone is superior to the amplified one.. :)
Have any of you noticed similar development in your taste? Any thoughts on this?
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gene
729 posts
Apr 11, 2011
2:20 AM
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I don't like one more than the other. One sounds better in one place (musically) and the other sounds better somewhere else.
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didjcripey
66 posts
Apr 11, 2011
3:52 AM
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Yeah, love em both, but as my technique improves I enjoy more and more acoustic playing. Just can't get the same wah wah's from amplified; mind you tongue slaps still sound better amplified to me.
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Lucky Lester
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apskarp
447 posts
Apr 12, 2011
1:51 AM
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I assume it is a sign of improving technique. I guess it is easier to get a good amplified sound if you first have the technique to play acoustic harp well - the subtleties are heard better.
But of course playing amplified is different and should be practiced separately. E.g. cupping the mic, finding out the sounds you like, effects etc.
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7LimitJI
462 posts
Apr 12, 2011
2:38 AM
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I was happy with my acoustic sound long before I was happy with my amped sound.
I have a sound in my head, I want to come out of my amp.
Its constantly evolving and I am always trying different mods and mics looking for THE elusive tone.
Mic technique is quite difficult to learn and I watch as many video's of pro's playing to pick up any tips.
As my playing/technique has got better I've set my amp to be cleaner and less distorted.
What I aim for is a clean note, unless I overdrive it into distortion using a tighter cup or playing harder.
This gives the best of both sounds.
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The Pentatonics Myspace
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"Why don't you leave some holes when you play, and maybe some music will fall out".
"It's music,not just complicated noise".
Last Edited by on Apr 12, 2011 2:39 AM
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boris_plotnikov
506 posts
Apr 12, 2011
5:06 AM
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I love both acoustic and amplified playing. Different sounds fit different music. With drums and distorted guitar clean harp seems naked for me, while playing acoustic jazz or classic with amplified harp is not a perfect decision.
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Excuse my bad English. Click on my photo or my username for my music.
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Jim Rumbaugh
478 posts
Apr 12, 2011
5:28 AM
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The one time I heard Jason Ricci play, I noticed that he used both amped and acoustic techniques to give good variety. When you can get a few inches from the mic, you can get some good expession with your hands. That is where, I think the acoustic advantage is. If you have poor or no hand techniques, I see much less or no advantage.
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intermediate level (+) player per the Adam Gussow Scale, Started playing 2001
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