10BIT
40 posts
Jun 14, 2015
8:02 AM
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Hello fellow visitors of this forum!
I have met an astounding guitarist who is interested in jamming with me.
now since i play beatbox harmonica it appears impossible to find any tips on the internet on how best to start off the jam session...
I am now looking here to get some tips on this subject
how do i know which key i have to play in
what is the best approach to playing alongside a guitar
and how do incorporate the beatbox parts?
this last issue is protably the biggest as casual playing alongside a guitar is something i am moderatlely able to do but when playing along to backing tracks on youtube i just cant find a way to make it sound well while beatboxing
should i just start off and let him join maybe? :/
I am gladly awaiting help of any sort :)
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Bilzharp
71 posts
Jun 14, 2015
10:50 AM
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That's great! Working with a good guitar player is really gratifying when it really clicks. I didn't know anything about beatbox harmonica so I went to youtube. All of the guys I listened to were playing in 2nd position. I don't know if you're familiar with the various key positions for harmonica but basically that means you would use a harmonica that is a fourth above the key that the song is in: If the guitar player is in A, you would use a D harmonica. Forgive me if you're already aware of this but back in the dark ages when I was learning, I struggled for some time before I realized that the notes I was trying to hit while jamming with others required a different key harmonica. My explanation is an over-simplification but it can get you started.
As far as the beatboxing with another instrument, it seems like your job is primarily to establish the first beat of the measure and whatever else you add is window dressing. Be sure you give your musical partner plenty of chance to shine. It will be a much more gratifying collaboration if it's about creating music together, not just one guy providing a platform for the other.
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Greg Heumann
3017 posts
Jun 14, 2015
12:15 PM
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I'll add - who is singing (if anyone.) They choose the best key to fit their vocal range. You choose a position to suit the song, and then a harp for that position in that key.
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nacoran
8516 posts
Jun 14, 2015
12:20 PM
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Is it a public jam session or a practice setting?
Some of your questions are universal. For figuring out the key, just ask him how he wants to handle it. Some guitar players (and some harp players) have the ear to just jump in in the right key, but most of us just ask what key they are in and grab the right harp (or look at our charts and grab the right harp).
It may be a learning process for both of you. Unlike a backing track he'll be able to adjust his playing to you, but a casual discussion of what sort of sound he's after won't hurt. It's not a bad idea for one of you to start off. That will let the other player respond and adjust a bit. Have an idea of what the chord structure is going to be. A good 12 bar is probably a good place to start off, playing in second position.
Bilzharp is right on about collaboration being where it's at. It's easy to get excited and accidentally take all the solos.
Personally, I find jamming the toughest part of music (but when it works, the most rewarding). My personal comfort zone is practicing with someone before going up, but that is me. That's how I deal with social jitters more than musical ones.
Be gracious. I remember being at an open mic once and a rapper asked if anyone could beatbox for him. A guy volunteered, but said he hadn't done it in a while. The rapper brought him up and when it didn't mesh right away he stopped the performance and blamed it all on the beatboxer. Every musician in the place, you could see them marking that rapper as someone they'd never perform with because of the way he treated the beatboxer, who was, after all, just trying to help out and had warned him he was rusty.
And that beatboxer? He got other chances to perform (I think he stuck to singing after that). Be gracious and polite. If it works out, thank the guy and show you enjoyed it. Just have fun with it and make sure he does too.
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10BIT
41 posts
Jun 14, 2015
4:25 PM
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thanks!
i believe we will sit in a public park and play for fun so its more like a jam session
its not a biggie for me as i busk a bunch myself and am comfortable with playing in front of people
Ill just go with it as the guitarist seems like a cool guy :)
thanks for the help ill be sure to let you guys know if it worked out!
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jbone
1965 posts
Jun 15, 2015
3:49 AM
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I don't know if you have a lot of different key harps but I find that a circle of 5ths chart is a good one to find what key harp in what position for what root song. I've been at this long enough that I pretty much know which key for what position.
When you busk are you solo? I can do that a bit but have always found it easier with a guitarist. I don't do beatbox, just straight up acoustic blues when I busk. There are some good ways to support a guitar and let them shine. It's truly about the conversation.
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