We had a topic on the dutch harp forum about folsom prison with vocals and harp rhythm. We thought it may be cool to all post a version. Here is my go at it that I recorded today.
If you have your own version please post it, I like to hear others try at it.
Suggestion: Stay off the minor third (draw 3 half step bed) when you chug and hit the major second consistently (draw 3 whole step bend) instead. I think you are hitting a little bit of each at different times.
On this tune, a harp player needs to work off of a MAJOR pentatonic scale (which has the major second, not the minor third). This is a subtle point, but it makes a BIG difference stylistically--especially when you playing that chugging riff repetitively all the way through the tune.
The difference between using the 3 draw whole step bend and the 3 draw half step bend is a big part of the difference between playing country and playing blues
Ok, I try out your suggestion! But from what I hear I only use 3 half step bend, just a few times through out the song(around the changes). Is that what you mean though?
Sounds good Hungus, that's a fun tune. Here's an acoustic version I did with a few friends, live, on our local college radio station. (No video on this)
I think the ritmic harp thing lends itslef better for an acoustic version. In my track it's a little bit too busy. Unfortunatly I just had a backingtrack (which is amazing, I think) but I couldn't mix the instruments indivdually.
I really like how the harp and the guitar don't get in eachother way. They blend in to eachother. Great version!
@KHungus: Well, maybe my ear isn't entirely accurate. But, as you chug, bounce between the 3 draw and 3 draw WHOLE step bend. It will give your playing a distinctive country sound/feel.
Major pentatonic scale, 2d position: 2D/3B, 3D**, 3D, 4D, 5B, 6B. Other useful scale tones are 2B and 6D. So, construct your licks from these.
Now, you are just playing a rhythmic chug all the way through, which is ok. But use that 3 hole whole step bend to bounce between 3D and 3D** as you do that same chugging lick, also using 3B or 2D. In fact, to get the feel of what I'm suggesting, just for exercise, try playing through the whole tune using just 3D**, 3D and 3B and no other notes to hear how that part of the major pentatonic scale works on a tune like this. It's very doable with a little discipline. (I'm not suggesting that you actually perform the tune that way--but try it for exercise and you'll be surprised how much mileage can get from just those 3 notes and it will improve your control).
Your feel is terrific and you are playing with very good time--I'm just trying to refine your note selection to better fit the style of the material you are playing.
Last Edited by on Apr 21, 2012 5:47 PM
I sure do arpreciate your comments hvyj. Doing that chuck more on the 3 and whole step bend, I never thought about that. And it opens a lot of possibilties. I hear it's more country sounding too.
I did one take before this one where I played more single notes. But it didnt feel right, it got too busy. Besides the aim at the forum was to get a sonny terry like rhythm on this track.
However your ear is not quite right on this, de pattern I do is all a variation on this on:
iPhone issue maybe. Op I mean. There's just a blank space after your text, large enough for a utube clip. I'll try logging in from the desk ----------
Last Edited by on Apr 21, 2012 8:44 PM
I play this often when sitting in at open mics and such.
My chug is similar except I go to a blow 1,2,3 chug when the song goes to the IV chord. Quite effective.
I also like to add in the train whistle after the lyrics "when I hear that whistle blowin". Some like the 4/5 double stop bent but I prefer the 3/4 double stop bent. You can waver on it a little more.
Try playing the guitar solo on harp or something similar. The one from the original by Cash works on harp too.
Last Edited by on Apr 22, 2012 2:22 AM
Damn I like that version tmf714! It's dirty, mean and mighty unclean. I might try to get someof the melody stuff you do on the singing, if I ever have another go at it.
@harpdude and do the whistle too!
Last Edited by on Apr 22, 2012 1:03 PM
