DreadySlim
2 posts
Aug 04, 2011
6:33 AM
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Hey all,
I am very much a beginner, been playing for about a month now.
I can play single notes and bend a bit and do some wahing and some warbling. But where I really suck is in my rhythm.
I've been through Adams beginner lessons and got down the blow and draw 123 and I can do a little train chugg. But now I'm stuck about where to go from here.
What are some good ways I can learn some good rhythm harp? Are there any good masters to listen to?
I'm all spent out of cash at the minute so can't go buying any lessons - but I have some amazon vouchers, so could look into getting a book..
Also, I'm not sure I buy into sucking and drawing on 123 as being good rhythm line - its a good effect, buts its like basically playing both a C and a G chord over a G.. Im not sure quite what that chord would be.. I can't get it to sound good when playing it to a jam track - but then I can't really get anything sounding that good right now!!
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Baker
146 posts
Aug 04, 2011
6:48 AM
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Check out some Sonny Terry...
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DsMW8t-8cVU
Last Edited by on Aug 04, 2011 6:49 AM
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tookatooka
2403 posts
Aug 04, 2011
7:08 AM
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Search for Jon Gindicks chugging video on YouTube.
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DreadySlim
3 posts
Aug 04, 2011
7:10 AM
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Yeah wow! I can't stay still with that stuff going on!
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Michael Rubin
214 posts
Aug 04, 2011
11:04 AM
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When you get a little money Peter Madcat Ruth's DVD on rhythm is very good.
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Icemal
16 posts
Aug 04, 2011
2:36 PM
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It would take years to go through all the free instructional material in the internets. A couple of those years would be separating the wheat from the chaff, but theres no real need to spend money. Although I did buy some backing tracks once, and I have a few books. And I paid for a few AG lessons. And Im curious about that DVD mentioned above! Google "youtube harmonica rhythm", and keepvid so you dont waste bandwidth.
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Big Daddy Ray
91 posts
Aug 04, 2011
3:12 PM
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Icemal said it best. Jason Ricci and a few others I believe have rhythm videos on Youtube. No need to spend money, or much of it, on anything other than gear. There are even free jamtracks all over the net.
You are already farther ahead than many in their first month.
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DreadySlim
5 posts
Aug 05, 2011
3:21 AM
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Thanks for the tips.
There is a lot of info out there. Too much, in fact, which is why I am just plain confused and have had to come to the pros to ask for advice!
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Littoral
330 posts
Aug 05, 2011
5:59 AM
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A few suggestions :
Practice with tunes that don't have harp in them.
Listen to the other rhythm instruments and try to copy their approach -bass & drums.
Think in terms of support phrasing.
LAY OUT SHUT UP!
Learn horn parts -this is fun and VERY useful.
Finally, accept that it is a difficult (awesome) instrument that will take years and years and years...
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blogward
159 posts
Aug 05, 2011
10:03 AM
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One elementary routine I'm giving a pupil is, draw, blow, draw, blow - and on the last blow DROP YOUR LOWER LIP OFF THE HARP sharply, still blowing. With practise and speed the lip will snap back. Instant chug.
http://www.theflitters.com
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mandowhacker
74 posts
Aug 05, 2011
3:54 PM
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I bought Adam's "Grooving Shuffle".
Well worth the five bucks.
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Just when I got a paddle, they added more water to the creek.
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DreadySlim
6 posts
Aug 08, 2011
1:50 AM
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"I bought Adam's "Grooving Shuffle"."
Yeah I've been through that one too.
What I have been working out lately is the importance of using the hands to adjust the tone as you play rhythm. Taking the simple rhythm from Adams lesson doesn't sound right, but if you then cup your hands over the harp and then open and close them to create extra rhythmic textures you end up with a very interesting rhythm line.
Looking at Sonny Terry play his harp is pretty stationary but his hands are doing some crazy dancing around the harp.
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DanP
205 posts
Aug 08, 2011
9:10 PM
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David Barrett has a instructional set called First Lesson Blues Harmonica. The book is skinny but there is plenty of material for a beginning blues harpist to work with including rhythm chugging and swinging. Plus the book comes with a CD and a DVD and the whole package is only about 15 bucks.
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