mr_so&so
537 posts
Apr 09, 2012
9:33 AM
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A while back I posted about my breakthrough into the upper regions of the harp in 2nd position. I've been working on it for a month or so now and am getting more comfortable up there.
Here is an example song I recorded on my Zoom H2 yesterday, Blind Willie Johnson's "Lord I Just Can't Keep From Crying". I adapted it for harp and sing acapella between the harp parts. I'd like any constructive criticism you may have, about the harp part, or the singing (I'm new to singing), or how to arrange this better for voice and harmonica in a one-person situation.
BTW it's a G harp, played all tongue-blocked. Still working on getting that 6ob consistent and sounding good. The 10b'' is pretty easy for me now.
The MP3 file is here on my Box account
(in my browser, a player gizmo comes up when I go to this link).
Thanks in advance for your comments.
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isaacullah
1896 posts
Apr 09, 2012
9:46 AM
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Mr So&So! That sounds great! Very very well done! If I had a couple of things I'd say, they'd be to use some small harp fills between your vocal lines... Like between couplets... That would help to move the song along, and to make it seem more like a complete piece between the singing and the harp. I'd also put a touch of reverb on all of it (natural reverb in an echo-y room would be awesome!). And finally, it would be really great to hear some slow foot-stompin' keepin the beat!
But all of that is fairly minor nit-picking! Well done!
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mr_so&so
538 posts
Apr 09, 2012
9:56 AM
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Thanks for your kind words, Isaac. Foot stomping is something I really need to incorporate. It's a weakness for sure. I usually play while walking, so I think I have a pretty good in-my-head rhythm machine (but I am probably kidding myself, and I lose it when I'm not walking). I've tried playing it with some short fills in there. I agree that would be better. I need to break out the Zoom G3 more often too and get used to it. I've been way too busy lately. You're and inspiration to get busy with that.
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Frank
572 posts
Apr 09, 2012
10:05 AM
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Good Job, like Isaac said - spice it up a little here and there once you feel more confident with performing it. Some vibrato to your singin should give it a more emotional context.
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harpdude61
1358 posts
Apr 09, 2012
11:16 AM
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I like it. You have great tone. Give it time and that 6 ob will get cleaner and smoother.
Kudos to you for singing. I just can't get my vocals to a point that I would post.
Great for a first recording.
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jodanchudan
594 posts
Apr 09, 2012
11:37 AM
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Wow! This is a fantastic track - very soulful stuff.
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Greyowlphotoart
1024 posts
Apr 09, 2012
12:10 PM
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Well done. I enjoyed that - nice voice and harp tone.
I agree with Frank that a little vibrato would help where there are pauses in the lyrics and particularly at the the end of the phrases so as to produce more of a flow between the end of the vocal parts and the start of the harp.
Nice bends and phrasing but as you are aware just some small pauses in the flow of the harp when the dreaded overblow is about to be played. (I have found this to be a problem myself in that the production of the sound of the overblow seems for me to take a fraction longer to produce hence causing a pause.
At the risk of disturbing your timing it might be helpful to try to play the overblow a little quicker than you think it should be played and hopefully it will land spot on.
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Last Edited by on Apr 09, 2012 3:10 PM
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Kingley
1976 posts
Apr 09, 2012
12:12 PM
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Nice job.
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mr_so&so
539 posts
Apr 09, 2012
6:59 PM
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Thanks everyone for the kind words. Singing vibrato is something I've never worked on. I've had a couple of voice lessons, but need to put more work in on the singing. That 6ob is getting easier, but Grey Owl is right. It still feels like I'm winding up for it, like those Olympic figure skaters before the dreaded quad. I'm finding that if I miss it now, it's because I'm using too much force. I performed this piece in front of an audience last week, and put in a big clunker at one point because I was too wound up. This recording was to prove to myself that I can do it reasonably well (but it did take 6 takes to get it).
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Moon Cat
53 posts
Apr 11, 2012
2:29 AM
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Man u got it. All the self critique show you got it even more.and i miss the OB's too when I use too much force. Meow.
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groyster1
1853 posts
Apr 11, 2012
10:36 AM
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a thumbs up from the moon cat is well deserved! and something to be proud of
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Kingley
1979 posts
Apr 11, 2012
11:09 AM
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I just listened to it again and I have to say I'm impressed. Everything about it just sounds to me like something Alan Wilson would do. I really like the overall vibe of it. I hope you post more.
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mr_so&so
540 posts
Apr 11, 2012
12:32 PM
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@Moon Cat, You made my day... month... year. Thanks! Now back to the shed for me.
@Kingley, Thank-you, sir.
I should clarify that this was my first recorded attempt at playing the full range of the harp in 2nd position. I have recorded some other stuff. My growing edge right now is playing in front of people and not messing up.
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Last Edited by on Apr 11, 2012 12:34 PM
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