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Bass players & harp
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ej
5 posts
Apr 13, 2012
7:10 PM
I've been digging around and was wondering if anyone can tell me about any bass players who might also be rack harp players. Are there any?
easyreeder
296 posts
Apr 13, 2012
7:36 PM
I was, for a short time long ago. What, you never heard of me? I was so famous I'd never heard of myself.

We needed a bass player more than a harp player, so I volunteered. I learned bass on the fly, and played racked harp on a couple of tunes where it wasn't complex (Love is a Rose for example). On blues tunes I handed my bass to one of the guitarists so I could cup the mic. I don't think I've ever seen anybody else do it, therefore I claim to have invented it. :p
ej
6 posts
Apr 13, 2012
7:59 PM
Good stuff! Your inventor's claim is good with me, so far, because I can't find much information about anyone else doing it.
Gnarly
211 posts
Apr 13, 2012
8:24 PM
Blast from the past . . .
http://video.google.com/videoplay?docid=-6046328113991991942#
Tony Iommi on guitar!
As far as right now, this year . . .
I can play bass and harmonica, I usually play guitar, but I have done the other before, even without a rack--piano too.
I know a guy who plays drums and will play one handed to play harp--

Last Edited by on Apr 13, 2012 8:30 PM
ej
7 posts
Apr 13, 2012
8:35 PM
Thanks, that's a great clip. I was wondering about this because I can't even sing and play bass at the same time, much less play harp. Any blues players you know of?
2chops
84 posts
Apr 13, 2012
8:37 PM
I saw a guy on youtube today who plays standup bass & racked harp. His name is Floyd Amason. Goes by floydsuke on YT.
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You Tube = goshinjk

I'm workin on it. I'm workin on it.
billy_shines
355 posts
Apr 14, 2012
3:58 AM
i used to play bass with a harp holder in a mic stand. but i find one handed bass and harp more fun in A and D.
Willspear
139 posts
Apr 14, 2012
5:10 AM
Don't know how much he uses a rack but I think I have seen it atleast a couple times.

Jacob venndt
easyreeder
300 posts
Apr 14, 2012
6:57 AM
All these guys, stealin' my chops. It just ain't right.

@Gnarly
I've never seen early Jethro Tull before. That's wild.
Martin
68 posts
Apr 14, 2012
11:35 AM
Jon Paris, who used to play with Johnny Winter, sometimes doubled on bass and harmonica.
First time i saw an amplified harp in a rack, around 1982, -83.
LSC
207 posts
Apr 14, 2012
11:51 AM
Larry Eisenberg (Austin)has been known to play upright bass and harp on a rack simultaneously in duet with Jimi Lee playing guitar and of course harp on a rack. I've not personally seen this but Larry telling me about it was enough to cause me much internal wailing and gnashing of teeth.
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LSC

Last Edited by LSC on Feb 02, 2014 12:59 PM
harpburns
1 post
Jan 31, 2014
6:06 PM
I just recently started to play Bass with a rack harp. Here is a link: https://www.facebook.com/video.php?v=10152422500439601&set=vb.562814600&type=2&theater
I have just purchased a Bluexlab (Italy) Harp Rack with built in Crystal element mic. I will post playing through that soon.

Last Edited by harpburns on Sep 19, 2014 2:51 PM
capnj
181 posts
Jan 31, 2014
8:51 PM
I have seen a few locally,definately ups your value,but rack harp is a art in itself,none close to jon paris,and i'm sure there are others,how about jack bruce.Yes Jimi Lee,sure he could play bass if he wanted.

Had a older bass cat willing to teach me the bass,but at my age,hell I gotta play my handheld mics most of the time to get what I want,not fluffery.Do play congas,and other percussion pieces.

Saw one bass player,with built in harp holders on his mic stand,and that bluelab thing looks trick.

If I hit the lottery,I'd get together a band with two badass lead guitar players,great if one was a good looking lady and the best drummer money could buy.I wouldn't even hire a bass man,especially if he tinkered with harp, and not busted his butt to get good.I like bass players,get a chance to play with one that does a pretty good trumpet.

Last Edited by capnj on Jan 31, 2014 9:30 PM
hooktool
111 posts
Jan 31, 2014
9:24 PM
Did you hear about the bass player who got so depressed about his bad timing, that he threw himself behind a train?

John
Chris L
30 posts
Feb 01, 2014
6:10 PM
The need for steady rhythm patterns on the bass and the different timing on vocals or harmonica is what makes this so challenging. In my experience,it is much more difficult playing harp with bass than with rhythm guitar, but I keep on trying. So far, chording on the harp is sometimes manageable, and right now I am working on the simplest harp and bass line combination imaginable.."Gimme some lovin'", covering Winwood's organ line with the harmonica.(5th position to take advantage of the Em diads in holes 2&3). As simple as it is, I expect it will be a few thousand times through it before I am comfortable with playing through the different lines on the two instruments. But, it's all fun, and the other two guys in our trio are grateful to be able to even approximate that particular song....
TheoBurke
573 posts
Feb 02, 2014
7:19 AM
It takes a lot of practice and aptitude, but it can be done. Aptitude, I think, comes with the practice. Anyway, long time San Diego harp wizard Harmonica John Frazer does fine, fine work tearing it up on the harp while playing drums. The degree to which he keeps his tone solid and gutsy and his riffs precise and sharp while keeping keeping time is beyond me.
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Ted Burke
http://www.youtube.com/user/TheoBurke?feature=mhee

http://ted-burke.com
tburke4@san.rr.coM

Last Edited by TheoBurke on Feb 02, 2014 7:19 AM


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