mic
7 posts
Jun 15, 2008
1:23 PM
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I often hear the phrase "any blues player worth his salt has to be able to play..." Then they fill in the blank.
I concider myself an intermediate player and put a lot of work into learning a new song. What do any of you feel should be on the short list of all time greats? Say, the top five or ten.
Last Edited by on Jun 15, 2008 1:23 PM
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superchucker77
43 posts
Jun 15, 2008
2:23 PM
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Obviously, Whammer Jammer is Number 1.
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Patrick Barker
72 posts
Jun 15, 2008
3:00 PM
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I've heard "any harmonica player worth his salt can play the fox chase/train song"
I just recently got a great CD with a taste of the greats- its called "Blues Masters, Vol. 4: Harmonica Classics" It has 18 songs from the classic "Juke" to Butterfield's "Blues with a Feeling" and they're all great, and the booklet in the CD case has a brief history of Chicago blues harp.
... I was not payed to say this its just a great CD
Last Edited by on Jun 15, 2008 3:01 PM
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eharp
40 posts
Jun 15, 2008
3:13 PM
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whoopin' the blues by sonny terry
room to move by john mayall
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Preston
23 posts
Jun 15, 2008
7:28 PM
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I completely disagree with the phrase "any blues player worth his salt has to be able to play..."
Blues is about playing what's on your mind and in your gut. Copying another song isn't the blues, it is a hat trick.
Steal a riff and lick here and there, that's what we all do. Learn a song note for note for practice and ear training. But don't gauge how good a player you are by the fact you can duplicate another song. Play your own music if you wanna be "worth your salt".
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superchucker77
44 posts
Jun 15, 2008
7:47 PM
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Amen Preston :)
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oldwailer
73 posts
Jun 15, 2008
8:34 PM
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Well said, Preston! And I read somewhere that another harp player said about the same thing--and his name was something that escapes me at the moment. . .uh, Paul Butterfield--yeah--thats what it was!
It was s story that Derrick Big Walker was telling about his early days when Butterfield told him that his harp playing was terrible--that he should stop copying others and play from the heart.
You can check this out on Big Walker's site:
http://www.blueswalker.com/mycustompage0009.htm
I think it's there on the about me page somewhere--don't have time to look for it right now.
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Patrick Barker
73 posts
Jun 15, 2008
10:29 PM
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"Derrick Walker, took harmonica lessons from Paul Butterfield, who taught Derrick to sound like himself and play melodies, 'not just licks'."
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mic
8 posts
Jun 17, 2008
5:46 PM
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I don't know who said it. But it is true. True enough to read again. That came at just the right time. Thanks!
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harpmonkey
47 posts
Jun 17, 2008
6:01 PM
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Getchyer own saltlick.
There is the title.
It's time for another fine song.
oldwailer, geordie?
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SUNDOG
2 posts
Jun 17, 2008
8:17 PM
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I'm with Preston, Many times I don't play the same song the same way twice. Just like my signature... If I tried to duplicate it not for note I'd lose my ?????. Remember the Sundance KID? Couldn't hit that silver dollar when he aimed and concentrated on it. Just Draw and Fire!
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oldwailer
79 posts
Jun 17, 2008
11:04 PM
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Harpmonkey! Getchyer own saltlick is a GREAT title for a blues song--but all the lyrics I can think of at this hour are definitely not in the best intention of this forum--so I'll hold my pen until I come up with something that won't get me kicked outta here!
Last Edited by on Jun 17, 2008 11:07 PM
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wheezer
6 posts
Jun 18, 2008
3:28 AM
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I reckon you are spot on there Preston. Eric Clapton was being interviewed and asked about his licks. He said he used licks from all the great guitarists, his own contribution was what joined the licks together.
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Anonymous
Guest
Jun 21, 2008
11:18 AM
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Yeah! I knew ????= MOJO. I thought it might be pretentious of me to use the word though since I am not properly a Blues Guy.
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SUNDOG
3 posts
Jun 21, 2008
11:20 AM
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Yeah! I knew ????= MOJO. I thought it might be pretentious of me to use the word (too casually) though since I am not properly a Blues Guy.
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SUNDOG
4 posts
Jun 21, 2008
11:20 AM
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Yeah! I knew ????= MOJO. I thought it might be pretentious of me to use the word (too casually) though since I am not properly a Blues Guy.
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mic
11 posts
Jun 21, 2008
7:50 PM
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I have had a few days to think about what Preston quoted.
I now believe that what he wrote is what I aspire to. But that that road is paved with a lot of hard work. For me at least.
I have been a student of the harp for the better part of five years. I am not what you would call a "gifted" musician. Any progress I have made has been the result of a lot of hard work on my part and immitating some of the great players.
I tend to study a song more based on my intrest in the piece than weather or not I am up to that level of play.
That has got me in over my head a time or two, but if I don't give up,I get it.
I guess I am working on what some of the masters have done and building a mental database of riff's, songs and licks that I enjoy. I will to play like Preston talked about...I'm just not there yet.
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superchucker77
48 posts
Jun 21, 2008
8:48 PM
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Right on mic. Hang in there.
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eosdelb
3 posts
Jun 23, 2008
5:43 PM
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"On top of old Smokey" should be on it, maybe, maybe not. Oh I meant "Wiliam Tell Overture". Thats what I meant to say.
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