Ok, here we are in month 4 and I figured I'd take a shot at soloing (improvisational) and see how it goes. I've been working the passed weeks on octaves and tongue blocking/slaps etc but still don't quite have the octave clean. I tend to get hole 5 instead of 4 on the 1-4 split. But I thought I would just try everything here. Single notes, bends, rhythm (which I rarely play), octaves and tongue blocking. See what you think. I first made a video using all the new licks I've been practicing (Little Walter) but it became too much and too many notes. I settled on none of the licks....only mine. I'm still desperately working on tone. Can't seem to find it.
Special 20 in key of "A"
---------- Tommy
Bronx Mojo
Last Edited by on Aug 10, 2011 12:24 PM
Actually pretty good for 4 months. You seem relaxed and not trying too hard...which is good. Bends are coming along and rhythm is good most of the time.
Biggest thing I hear lacking is a sense of direction. Even chugging stuff that doen't change chords has structure. But hey, noodling is great practice for learning your way around the harp and I still do it a lot myself.
Sounds like you are putting in the time...which is most important.
I've posted before on here how hard it is for me to play one chord blues without a band playing rhythmic style changes. It is easier if you sing with it,some said.
sorin posted a one chord backing track he made for us a while back and several of us gave it a shot. I wasn't happy with mine and took it down.
I'm still a work in progress on one chord blues, but I have the desire to keep at it.
What I am hearing is off pitch tone on your 2 hole draw..(a very common defect which is easily remedied) Here is a drill to eliminate that. No, it will not go away overnight, but if you invest one hour a day in this drill for 5 days, you will see improvement. As you know the 2 hole draw and the 3 hole blow produce the same note. Start playing 2 draw to 3 blow and back and forth over and over for one hour daily. LISTEN to the differences in the tones..(the 3 hole blow will usually be the pure on pitch tone whereas the 2 draw will be the lame one). Dont apply any throat vibrato to the notes. If you just "must have" some vibrato, use the wiggle the harp method. This will also improve your breath control and you will discover how cleverly Walter and other big dogs used that 3 blow instead of the 2 draw in various spots when they were running out of places in their lungs to put air on long draw passages. This is a very effective drill. Record it and you will see what I mean. Not only will it help get rid of that off pitch 2 draw but it will have you in prime position to play the ending lines of Walter's "Flying Saucer". Use whatever keyed harp you like. Regards, Joe Lee Bush ---------- Democracy==> 2 wolves and a sheep voting on what is for dinner. Liberty==> A well armed sheep contesting the outcome of that vote.
