A rough version of Evan's Shuffle. There are bits missed out because I had no idea how long to play the low C bassline and there are some dodgy notes because I found it tough to play on a C harp. By the way, does anyone else have trouble playing particular keys? I find it a lot easier to play Bb down to low D than I do C or above - and D is my nightmare harp, the one I have least control over.
well, i really like it warts and all, but i may be prejudiced 'cause i love this tune. i found it very listenable, is that a word? please take that as a high compliment. i'm picky. you picked out the melody line w/ a seeming ease and managed to have good time. good time is SOOO important.
what i find interesting is that you find high harps give you trouble. when i started playing i found C and above much easier to play than lower harps, and opposite of you, felt i had more control w/ higher key harps. good job! ----------
MP doctor of semiotics and reed replacement.
"making the world a better place, one harmonica at a time"
Jodanchudan - Good Job. I like the fact that you've left the "mistakes" in and still felt confident enough to post it. I have no doubt you'll nail all those higher keys sooner or later. You have good tone, good chops and a nice simple approach to things. Your love of Steve Guygers playing shines through in everything you do to me. I wish some more people would take the same approach and not just play fast stuff crammed with notes. The way you approach things show great maturity, respect of the history of the music and a good understanding of the genre. I'd come to any gig you were doing near me for certain. Keep up the good work.
Last Edited by on Feb 11, 2012 10:47 AM
Nice! I really liked what you did at the "stop". I could hear the "room'.
Im with MP. The lower keys are the ones that gave me trouble. I can understand how the higher keys are hard to control,but it's anything higher than a D for me. D harp is not one to avoid playing. If you play out(I hope you do),The band will play a lot of tunes in A.
Very cool--I especially like the low harp part--it really gets into a nice swing right after the stop.
The best way to get comfortable with high harps (IMHO) is to work out in the key of C with an F harp for a while. I did a lesson from Adam a long time ago on "Help Me" that helped me a lot--uses an F harp. (No cheating with a low F!)--then the C and D get pretty easy. I play in the key of C a lot--so I had to learn the F harp. . . ----------
Thanks guys! Oldwailer: good idea - I'll try out the F harp. I don't think there's any special reason why I find high harps harder - probably it's just a matter of practice time. I suppose I've spent more time on lower keys.
Sorry but i cant stand evans shuffle, everyone try's to play stuff like this and then compares it to 'how did this sound' like man, make up some stuff and have similar riffs and just do it, to be truthfull i never even listened to your upload as i'm sick of hearing folk saying "does this sound like whoever"...just get your own shit together and let fly!!!!!!!...ps i'm a beginner...ok.
"i never even listened to your upload as i'm sick of hearing folk saying "does this sound like whoever"...just get your own shit together and let fly!!!!!!!."
Steamrollin Stan - I think you'll find that if you give it a listen, Jodanchudan does give it his own take. He doesn't try to imitate Little Walter. He adds his own flavour whilst staying true to the tradition. Which is the mark of someone who know's how to approach an old tune. If you listen to his other stuff (if you haven't already), I think you'll be pleasantly surprised by it, even if you don't give Evan's Truffle a listen.
The trick to handling higher keys is to use a SHARPER breath attack. You seem to play the lower keys very well which requires more air combined with a softer attack that's actually more difficult to do well for most players.
If you hit the higher keys with more punch they respond better.
I agree with hvyj, the low key harps are more difficult to play than the "normal" keys as they require better breath control from the diaphragm.
Perhaps your higher key harps are needing gapped to suit you? They can be set a bit tighter normally before they choke up. ---------- The Pentatonics Reverbnation Youtube
"Why don't you leave some holes when you play, and maybe some music will fall out".
Jordan, On the high key harps you have to combine the sharper attack with maintaining a large open oral resonance chamber and deep diaphragmatic air production--which are things you obviously do well since you play the lower keys so effectively. These are essential to keeping the high harps from sounding shrill and requires conscious effort to do as you implement the sharper attack. FWIW.
Good point - I notice I get a particularly shrill sound on the 5 draw, especially when bent. The most unbelievable tone I've heard on D harp is from Big Walter. When I first heard his Chicago!The Blues Today album, I picked up a G harp to see if I could pick out a few licks - I was blown away to realise he was playing a D!
"I notice I get a particularly shrill sound on the 5 draw, especially when bent."
Yes. I agree that draw 5 can often sound shrill, especially when you give it a quarter tone bend. I find that the problem is more severe playing at fast tempo. Attention to embouchure and resonance chamber is the solution.
Also, I find the draw 5 to sound particularly bad on non-ET harps since in most compromise tunings it's deliberately tuned off pitch, which doesn't help at all.
