tookatooka
3654 posts
May 15, 2014
2:51 PM
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Hi Guys, you may remember that in my previous harp posts I complained that no matter how hard I tried, I could never get a blues sound when playing harp. Second position, blues scale but it always sounded too darned happy and I can't work out why.
I've been trying to use a keyboard. I only know enough to use the blues scale in C with a 12 bar progression but the same bloody thing is happening. Everything turns out happy. It wouldn't be so bad but the thing is I'm beginning to like it. Your thoughts invited on how I can become Blue please.
Last Edited by tookatooka on May 15, 2014 2:52 PM
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Frank
4261 posts
May 15, 2014
3:21 PM
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Find a backtrack that immediately upon hearing it all you want to do is mope, moan and cry...then even if you try to play happy you will end up sounding sad, disillusioned and even a little depressed :)
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bluemoose
979 posts
May 15, 2014
3:55 PM
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SBW II. Wood shed it.
MBH Webbrain - a GUI guide to Adam's Youtube vids
FerretCat Webbrain - Jason Ricci's vids (by hair colour!)
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XHarp
551 posts
May 15, 2014
5:27 PM
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Well, first of all, change your backing track. Pick something that is blues.
Second, play the spaces, not the notes.
Third, be the "good man feeling bad"
Good luck,
X
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"Keep it in your mouth" - XHarp
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nacoran
7741 posts
May 15, 2014
8:34 PM
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Gah, I can't get Soundcloud to play tonight. I'll give it a try on my Nexus later.
Edit-
I'm not sure anyone could play sad blues over that track! You can play blues over electronic background, but I'd suggest more sustained notes in the backing track.
Maybe listen to some Bad News Brown?
Of course, nothing says you have to play the blues, especially if you are enjoying what you are playing.
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Nate
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Last Edited by nacoran on May 15, 2014 8:43 PM
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wolfkristiansen
277 posts
May 15, 2014
11:17 PM
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Hi tookatooka-- what's wrong with playing happy music? I remember a long time ago Buddha mused about whether his harmonica students tried to play blues simply because "that's what you do" when you play a diatonic.
He said he taught his students to play many kinds of music. I do believe that some people don't particularly like blues, and some who like it, or at least think they like it, don't have a feel for it.
That's not to say they are not musical, only that they're not "bluesical". Every harp player, every musician, should play what's in his or her heart. If you're bursting with happiness, let it out!
Cheers, keep playing, and be proud of what you play
wolf kristiansen
Last Edited by wolfkristiansen on May 15, 2014 11:18 PM
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Joe_L
2475 posts
May 15, 2014
11:45 PM
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You need to listen to more music! There is plenty of music to depress you.
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The Blues Photo Gallery
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Pistolcat
623 posts
May 16, 2014
1:05 AM
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Hey tooka! I have been woodshedding 'hallelujah I just love her so' lately. It lays out nicely in second position and sound all happy even though it's in minor. Maybe that genre is for you?
Or if you want to play sad try this:
1 Pick a slow minorish backing track. Hell, find one for 'still got the blues' or similar.
2 start by singing to it. Sing something sad. "I feeeeeel so bad this mornin'!/ cuz you left me with the clap."
3. Echo that sentiment on harp.
4. Keep it up
5. If that doesn't work I suggest you play a lot of third position. A lot! Don't say yeah, and try it for two minutes. Spend your next week only playing blues in third position. It's a sure fix.
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Pistolkatt - Pistolkatts youtube
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easyreeder
461 posts
May 16, 2014
11:38 AM
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Tookalooka, this was written just for you:
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