Rgsccr
168 posts
Jun 06, 2013
10:33 AM
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Nothing profound, but I see threads on finding good backing tracks to practice with. I have some and use them occasionally, but, for me, playing along with actual songs that do not have harp on them serves the same purpose. Additional benefits are that I become familiar with more blues songs, and I am playing/practicing to music I like so I play longer and enjoy it more. Am I missing something, or for some are backing tracks less distracting? Not looking for controversy, just a question.
Thanks.
Rich in Seattle
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cliffy
50 posts
Jun 07, 2013
3:28 AM
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You don't need backing tracks, although they can be fun. If you prefer non-harp songs, just keep doing that. Playing along with songs that do not have harmonica is a great way to improve, learn about different types of grooves, etc.
I love blues playing, but I also often play along with pop songs, rock songs, etc. to vary up my playing and help me learn to play more melodic stuff. I'm maybe not that proud of it, but I have a pretty good acoustic solo harmonica version of Rebecca Black's "Friday" and some other totally-embarrased-to-like-them silly pop songs. I also have lots of blues-ified Christmas songs, etc. worked out because I just played along to what was on the radio.
I sometimes play along with the songs on www.guitarbackingtracks.org. They have lots of songs with the vocals still in them, but the lead guitar part is gone.
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Frank
2485 posts
Jun 07, 2013
6:02 AM
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Think of them as separate learning tools - to spark and engage different spectrums of your imagination...
Actual songs...and back tracks...will each give you unique and separate opportunities to strengthen your musicianship.
Playing with a metronome or a drum machine is another important tool to force you to rely more on your own ingenuity as a player to create interest and excitement...
So a test to expose weaknesses in your playing would be for example...
1)Get a copy of an actual song you like...
2)find a back track of that same song...
3) create a drum track of the song or just set up a metronome to match its groove the best you can.
Your goal is to be able to play to all three of those situations with equal confidence, enjoyment and vision.
Sure, the actual song may be the most fun and rewarding to play with...but beware that your not creating a "crutch" to help hold up your harp playing.
When things get a little more sparse musically ex: (using a backtrack) - you're forced to look at and listen to the tune in way you didn't have to before... and ultimately, you'll have to step up a certain part of your game to make the track work.
And then playing to the metronome or drum track will give you a whole new set of circumstances to overcome in order to make the track fundamentally musical.
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Rgsccr
169 posts
Jun 07, 2013
10:25 AM
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Very good and thoughtful answer Frank. You make some persuasive points about the value of backing tracks. Thanks.
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Tuckster
1291 posts
Jun 07, 2013
10:47 AM
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Backing tracks are great for building chops and technique.But there's not much musical interaction.If you were playing with a band,you'd never play as much as you would to a B.T.
To mix things up,I turn to my cable's music channels.I'll go to the blues channel and try to fit in to songs without harp. If a song with harp comes on,I just shut up and listen.
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tookatooka
3333 posts
Jun 07, 2013
11:57 AM
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Some backing tracks are just much too long to improvise to. I edit mine to be about 2 minutes long which I feel is about right for keeping harp responses fresh.
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Rgsccr
170 posts
Jun 08, 2013
11:22 AM
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Frank, after reading your post I got a metronome online (the one I had stopped working). However, now I am at a loss because most of the music I play doesn't have sheet music that is easily found. In such cases, how do you set the time signature and BPM (I barely understand this stuff but did a little online research) - just guess? I realize using a metronome is just one of the suggestions you made but it is a good idea. The other thing I have wondered about with respect to using a metronome is what do you do in cases where the music changes tempo (which a lot of blues songs do)? Thanks,
Rich
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Pistolcat
397 posts
Jun 08, 2013
1:24 PM
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What kind of metronome have you bought? There's almost always a "tap" feature, that is, tap your finger on a button with the beat and the 'nome will take that as the bpm. Just listen to the song you want to do and tap the beat out... The time signature is usually 4/4 unless I'm completely off (which I might, because I'm a very poor sheet reader).
Have you tried a decent backing track for a song that you know? Shoblues have a lot that's very good. You will notice how 'alone' you'll be without vocals and 'real' harp. But it will help you grow.
EDIT: i noticed Frank already wrote what I meant in the above paragraph. A bit more eloquent, too.
Of course metronome is great, too.
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Pistolkatt - Pistolkatts youtube
Last Edited by Pistolcat on Jun 08, 2013 1:29 PM
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Frank
2494 posts
Jun 09, 2013
4:09 AM
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Rgs..."Simplicity" is the Father of [complication], "Less is More" it's Mother :)
Are you able to swing a 12 bar bass line to the clicking of a metronome?
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Rgsccr
171 posts
Jun 09, 2013
11:37 AM
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Hi Frank,
Yes I think I am able to do that pretty well. Just tried it and I do see the value of using the metronome. Drummer in a band I sat in with last night suggested a good exercise which was setting the metronome at an arbitrary BPM - say 55 or 60 - and play along. Then try the same licks at faster and slower rates. I did get a better understanding of tempo between taking to him and another friend who is a full-time pro trombone and harp player yesterday. Thanks for the information - it's what I was looking for in bringing up the topic.
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Frank
2497 posts
Jun 11, 2013
4:07 AM
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backing tracks
Shorter back tracks below
Last Edited by Frank on Jun 11, 2013 4:17 AM
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