A440
158 posts
Jun 20, 2014
10:55 AM
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A covers band I know has asked me to walk on stage tomorrow to play the harp solo in the Romantic's "What I Like About You". I said sure. It's a fun song (memories of the 80s!) and the harp part is easy enough. I studied the Romantics video on YouTube. It sounds like the key of the song is E, and the solo is played crossharp with an A harp. The solo starts with a big 5 draw trill, and the rest is straight forward.
Now here's the spanner in the works: This band just told me they play the song in C. I asked for confirmation, and they said yes, definitely in C. So here's my dilemma: if I simply play the same part on an F harp, it sounds too high. But if I play it on a C harp, it seems to work (again starting on that big 5 draw trill). But will I be in tune with the band??? If indeed, the part is crossharp, then technically I would be playing in G, right? Will that still work?
I have no chance to rehearse with the band. I need to walk on stage and get it right the first time. It sounds fine at home on the C harp, but I am wondering - will I be out of tune with the band?
Last Edited by A440 on Jun 20, 2014 11:06 AM
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dougharps
650 posts
Jun 20, 2014
11:14 AM
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I would probably use an F and a Low F to keep it in cross.
If you want to check yourself on using the C with the band, play the original recording in E, but play along on an E harp instead of an A, and see if you can make it work for you. That would be the same as using a C harp for the band's version in C, 1st position.
It can certainly be done in first, but it would be a different approach with a different sound.
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Doug S.
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A440
159 posts
Jun 20, 2014
12:32 PM
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Thanks Doug. Logical advice. Yes, when I play 1st position (E harp) with the Romantics, it is hard to get it right. That big 5 draw trill on the A harp requires a bent 3 draw trill on the E harp, much harder to do cleanly. And the adjacent holes don't provide all the right notes.
To stay reasonably true to the original, and be in key, it looks like I will need to use an F or Low F. I fear the low F may lack the energy the solo needs to bring to the song, so I guess I use the high one.
Any other advice out there?
Last Edited by A440 on Jun 20, 2014 12:32 PM
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jpmcbride
59 posts
Jun 20, 2014
12:53 PM
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That F harp may sound too high to your ear when practicing by yourself. But in a loud band situation it will cut through better than a low harp and may be just what you need.
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Jim McBride
www.bottleoblues.com
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A440
160 posts
Jun 20, 2014
1:07 PM
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Thanks Jim, I think you're right.
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dougharps
651 posts
Jun 20, 2014
1:39 PM
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Recently I have been using both regular and Low F harps to expand my range of possibilities. Sometimes I will do it on Low for comping or for the first part of a solo, then switch to regular (high) F for fast soloing. The higher F harp cuts better and seems to respond faster. The Low F has a cool sound. I like having the choice of either or both based on the song, the band's sound, and what solo I want to play.
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Doug S.
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jbone
1661 posts
Jun 21, 2014
3:30 PM
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If you do any 3rd position, Bb is a possibility as well. You may not get a carbon copy on that solo but You could do it up nicely.
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jnorem
306 posts
Jun 21, 2014
5:49 PM
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Can you come early and set your regular rig up? It's what I'd do. I've been playing a lot of cross F harp tonight, and through the amp it sounds just fine, not too high at all. As jpmcbride said, it'll cut through very well.
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Call me J
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dougharps
653 posts
Jun 22, 2014
8:51 AM
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@A440
How did it go?
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Doug S.
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