Rgsccr
174 posts
Jul 02, 2013
11:31 AM
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I know this is pretty simple, and I think I am getting it right, but could someone tell me if the signature trill on this song is 3-4 draw or 4-5 draw? Thanks.
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Rgsccr
175 posts
Jul 03, 2013
12:09 AM
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Sorry. I was thinking of the version that Muddy Waters did on the album "King Bee," not Slim Harpo's version. I think Jerry Portnoy is playing on that album. Thanks.
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Robdog
10 posts
Jul 03, 2013
12:58 AM
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'A' harp, 2nd position (key of E)- the signature trill is 4-5 draw. Great blues track with a similar arrangement to Muddy's "Rock Me".
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Rgsccr
176 posts
Jul 03, 2013
9:14 AM
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Thanks Robdog, that's what I thought.
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barbequebob
2300 posts
Jul 03, 2013
9:57 AM
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Actually, what you guys are describing is not a true trill, but better known as warble. The only harmonicas that can do a TRUE trill (which is going back and forth between notes 1/2 step apart chromatically are chromatic harps with the use of the slide button or a polyphonia, which is more of an orchestral instrument.
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Sincerely,
Barbeque Bob Maglinte
Boston, MA
http://www.barbequebob.com
CD available at http://www.cdbaby.com/cd/bbmaglinte
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FMWoodeye
710 posts
Jul 03, 2013
10:56 AM
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@barbequebob....correctomundo, Bob. Also the glissando as performed on the harp is not a true glissando as performed on trombone or a stringed instrument where every tone is visited as the musician slides up or down. Even the glissando on a piano is "sort" of a glissando as you can do it only with all white or all black keys and can't hit the semitones in between. On the harp it's a glissando with an asterisk.
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Rgsccr
177 posts
Jul 03, 2013
11:31 AM
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Thanks Bob and FMwoodeye. As long as I've brought up this technique, any suggestions on the best way to work on it? While I can do it well enough to get by, I do have a hard time with a sustained warble. I have certainly improved over time just by keeping at it, but if anyone has a good suggestion for a targeted practice I'd be interested. Or, conversely, tips on how to avoid common mistakes that people make. Also, on a related note (pun intended), I really like how top players can move up and down the harp with warbles (middle of Juke, for example), and, again, while I can do this (sort of), I could certainly get better. I do play Juke at least once a day (as well as I can), and this has really helped in a number of areas. Thanks. Rich
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FMWoodeye
711 posts
Jul 03, 2013
12:07 PM
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Rich, I don't think I can help you with specific instructions. It's something I can do well without thinking about it....in fact, if you have to think about it, it erodes your performance. I will say that you can move your head, OR you can move the harp, OR you can move a little of both. Personally, I move the harp. This loosens my cup, but the upside is the sound is clearer so that moving the warble up and down the harp as you mentioned can be appreciated by the audience and you are more likely to get laid. I can also say that you don't need to alternate between the notes with lightning speed. In fact, you will find using different-speed warbles at different times to be useful. This is just another nuance in the universe of harmonica nuances.
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Robdog
12 posts
Jul 03, 2013
3:49 PM
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I may need correcting here because I am sceptical of Bob's definition of a TRUE trill. As a non-academic musician deferring to the usual search engine it seems that a trill can have a difference of either a semitone or a whole tone. Can anyone, Bob or otherwise, provide clarification with sound reference?
Regarding suggestions on technique, I agree with FMW; moving head or hands, TB or LP, tilting up or down, etc are all different ways to approach the warble, shake, "insert preferred description here", head/ hand roll, etc. Nuances indeed!
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FMWoodeye
712 posts
Jul 03, 2013
8:28 PM
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Either way, the tones from 4 to 5 draw are more than a tone apart. In my experience in concert bands, marching bands, symphony orchestras, the trill is executed by a half-step and the overwhelming majority of the time by woodwinds and flute/piccolo. Now, in playing in a few 5-4-4 configuration swing bands, trumpeters would execute what I think is called a shake (also lip trill )which more closely approximates the warble (or two-hole shake) on a harp and would go from the base note up to the next overtone.
Last Edited by FMWoodeye on Jul 03, 2013 8:40 PM
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