Philosofy
401 posts
Nov 19, 2011
9:28 PM
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I downloaded Kick & Stomp awhile back, and really enjoy The Entertainer. So much so its been stuck in my head for a couple of weeks: every single day that song runs through my head. I am trying to learn it by playing along when I'm driving, but I'm not sure I have it right.
Adam, do you have a tab of your version?
Thanks!
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FMWoodeye
23 posts
Nov 19, 2011
10:24 PM
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I avoid tabs like the plague. I am convinced that being able to read music and thinking a lot in images was an inhibition to improvising on the trombone when I was young. Early on I "sounded things out," but my dad didn't like me walking around the basement playing the themes from 77 Sunset Strip and Wagon Train and such, so my development was stunted....I think. Later on, college professors had us sounding stuff out. So when learning harp, I just "sound it out," and I think I'm WAY better off in the long run. I've developed a skill for mimicking what I hear. Oh, I'm fine with watching and listening someone break down a lick on video, but I avoid tabs. Additionally, tabs can't reflect the nuances and dynamics of the piece.
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kudzurunner
2824 posts
Nov 19, 2011
11:48 PM
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@philsophy: No, I'm afraid I don't. I'm glad you like it! I worked it up from the sheet music many years ago, shortly after I learned how to overblow.
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Philosofy
402 posts
Nov 20, 2011
7:07 AM
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Does it use overblowing? 'Cause I don't know how to do that technique. :(
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harpdude61
1164 posts
Nov 20, 2011
7:08 AM
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After much much wood-shedding I learned it without tabs. If you don't overblow holes 5 and 6 you may need alternate tuned, valved, or chromatic harp.
I learned much about playing 1st position from this song.
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RyanMortos
1189 posts
Nov 20, 2011
8:15 AM
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(Preface: I don't know how Adam plays this. I'm just looking at the sheet music for piano & thinking about how to play it in 1st pos on C diatonic.)
The sheet music next to me suggests the song is in the key of C & the melody contains at least one D# & F# but from what I can tell both could be hit without overblows if played in 1st position on C diatonic but there are other issues.
The beginning "lick" is D, E, C, A, B, G played 3x lowering an octave each time.
Or on a C harmonica that is 8D, 8B, 7B, 6D, 7D, 6B.
Then again: 4D, 5B, 4B, 3D'', 3D, 2D/3B.
Then again: 1D, 2B, 1B...
But here's the first problem, there isn't a lower A on the C diatonic. I suppose you could get away with playing the second line a second time. There's at least one other spot in the song where it drops below the first octave on a C diatonic.
The rest of the song could be played without overblows on the C diatonic. The D#s I'm looking at would be 1D' & 4D'. The F# I'm looking at would be 2D'. I could try to write the whole thing out next week I have a couple days off work.
Though, if I wanted to play this as written I'd have to tab this out for a 16 hole chromatic in C & even then I'd have to play sounds-close-enough chords.
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~Ryan
"I play the harmonica. The only way I can play is if I get my car going really fast, and stick it out the window." - Steven Wright
Pennsylvania - H.A.R.P. (Harmonica Association 'Round Philly)
See My Profile for contact info, etc.
Last Edited by on Nov 20, 2011 8:20 AM
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harpdude61
1165 posts
Nov 20, 2011
10:54 AM
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Ryan...Adam is playing first position on a C harp.
I play the 3 opening repeat licks like this.
9B 10D 9B 9D 8B 8D
6B 6D 6B 5D 5B 4D
3B 3D** 3B 2D** 2B 1D 1B 4B
You need the 5 OB and 6 OB to play the passing notes.
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harpdude61
1166 posts
Nov 20, 2011
10:58 AM
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The melody starts..
4D 4OB 5B 7B 5B 7B 5B 7B
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RyanMortos
1191 posts
Nov 20, 2011
11:11 AM
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harpdude61,
Huh, that sure is different adaptation of the opening licks, not similar to what is written in notes or structure (G gets repeated twice where Scott doesn't repeat any notes on the opening licks). Though, it does sound the same and does solve the issue with not having enough octaves :) !
The melody you suggest is the same as written, I guess I was just thinking if you lowered everything one octave you wouldn't need the overblows but now that you wrote that out I understand why you would.
After the melody you play this right?:
7B 7B 8D, 8B*, 8B, 7B, 8D, 8B, 7D, 8D, 7B.
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~Ryan
"I play the harmonica. The only way I can play is if I get my car going really fast, and stick it out the window." - Steven Wright
Pennsylvania - H.A.R.P. (Harmonica Association 'Round Philly)
See My Profile for contact info, etc.
Last Edited by on Nov 20, 2011 11:27 AM
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harpdude61
1167 posts
Nov 20, 2011
11:44 AM
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yep..but one too many 7B at start...then back to 4 draw again for the lick i posted. This is in C which is 1,4,7,10 blow...what I'm doing works cuz I've played it at jams with the band in C..I do it the second time thru using octaves...kind of tricky to do the three 1/2 stps with an OB then into a split, but it sounds great.
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RyanMortos
1192 posts
Nov 20, 2011
12:35 PM
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Cool, thanks. I feel like I'm learning something about how to take a song written for another instrument and situate it for diatonic harp :) .
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~Ryan
"I play the harmonica. The only way I can play is if I get my car going really fast, and stick it out the window." - Steven Wright
Pennsylvania - H.A.R.P. (Harmonica Association 'Round Philly)
See My Profile for contact info, etc.
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harpdude61
1169 posts
Nov 21, 2011
8:33 AM
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Ryan...After studying your post, it looks like you were trying to play the tune in 2nd position....which would work except for the intro. This would put the band in G.. with you on a C harp.
Another popular position for major music is 12th...I myself have not explored it yet..still working on the first five.
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