I now realize I'm really late to the party and posted my previous after reading only page 1 of this thread! Thanks to all for enlightening discussion and some real musical gems!
Last Edited by harpnoodler on Dec 15, 2015 11:59 AM
I agree the harmonica is not a saxophone for those who thought little walter was copping saxlicks they should think again it was way more like trumpet and trombone . Trying to emulate a sax is very difficult because the saxophones have keys which help in facility and its all blow notes so there is never a break in the phrase due tochange in wind direction. The harmonica has its own voice and its best to use it as that. little sammy davis used to plar jr walker songs but he played like a harmonica not a sax player and it worked same with sonny boy cjam blues etc etc etc you can other instruments for ideas robert john son got his ideas from piano licks but he wasnt trying to make them sound like a piano .the older i get the more i know what i dont know but one thing i can say without doubt as advice for any player " do not try to outplay your peers just try to outplay yourself" and you can quote me on that. you get a lot cool ideas from trombone players listen to wah wah licks of wycliff gordon ot tricky sam nanton and there pretty close to the harmonica and that blues birdhead is a great example of a harmonica mimicking a trumpet but he very careful not to include any sour notes that dont fit and he swings like mad and when he can uses sounds on harmonica a trumpet cant do ,its a great example of taste and restraint and pushing the envelope.
Last Edited by PaulOscher on Dec 15, 2015 6:33 PM
I tried not to play any harp-specific phrases. So I've looked for inspiration in sax players work. In music of guys like Gene Ammons, Ike Quebec and Illinois Jacquet. It's a jazzy-blues with some interesting chord changes :)
