Just got my first low harps. Low C and Low D. I honestly never knew that was what i was hearing in those sonnyboy songs. But i really can't find much else in the way of low songs, much less how to play em.
Anybody know of any good low songs to learn?
Lessons?
Or some good rythm patterns?
---------- "Trust Those Who Seek The Truth... Doubt Those Who Say They Have Found It."
From a listening perspective, Dennis Gruenling, particularly his Jump Time albums (there are 2), but all of his albums have some low harp, as I recall. Don't expect to be able to play any of the songs the way he does though, his fluidity, musicality and control of bending on really low harps....... it's just staggering on those Jump Time recordings.
Here's a nice groove by Paul Lamb on a low D to practice. He also throws in some regular D into the mix. It's a fun Vid.
Here's my sample of a JJ Milteau song in Low D which is good for practicing the low octave plus some TB chords at the end. You'll find the low bends harder than on regular harp keys but on the plus side you can try out the high end stuff with less strain on the ears.
Have a blast!
Edited to resize the videos
Last Edited by Grey Owl on Jan 15, 2016 8:11 AM
You can really use them in any song that you would normally play in that key. I use the low F and low D often. The low C is a little too low but I have used it at times. One situation that I really like them is if I'm playing with another harp player. The lower key kind of accents the tune. ----------
Dave Barrett has a great tune, called "Blues for Paul deLay" that uses a low F. If you have the Slow Downer, you can adjust the pitch for your low D. There's a different mentality, a different approach, to playing low harmonica on tunes and Dave's song is an excellent study. It's on bluesharmonica.com ---------- Marc Graci YouTube Channel
I sometimes play the fills and comps on the low D/F/G on songs that it feels right. When going to the lead I go to the higher keys. If you play a song in D then you can play it in low D. It takes more wind and a softer breath force, if that makes sense. I also find that the low keys need to warm up to play smoothly. They sound really cool. Mississippi Saxophone!...BN
Bn .. i figured you could, but if it's s faster song is a lil tough. Like your not really gonna get checkin up on my baby on low D ..
Edit : it's not really that fast tho .... i suppose you could do a slightly slower version.
Grey owl ... thanks for all the posts. Iactually got the low harps because of bye bye bitdie .. lol.
Mirco thanks I'll check out daves song.
Pharpo ... not a bad idea, maybe ill try to play with and back up some songs on cd
Most of the videos posted here ive seen. None of them really break a song down for you. Maybe ill just try to find slower songs in reg D n C and play em in low and see how it works
Thanks all ---------- ......." Where Does He Get Those Wonderful Toys?" .......
Last Edited by Killa_Hertz on Jan 15, 2016 11:21 AM
I'm kinda surprised no one has mentioned the original Master of low-key harps, Sonny Boy Williamson II. Here are "Bye Bye Bird," and "Getting Out of Town." Note how Sonny could keep the rhythm and maintain the audience's interest just by clicking his tongue. Never seen that before! I especially enjoy "Getting" for its backup players, Sunnyland Slim, Hubert Sumlin and Willie Dixon.
And for a more modern interpretation of "Getting Out Of Town, here is the inimitable Rick Estrin.
Michelle
---------- SilverWing Leather - Custom leather creations for musicians and other eccentrics.
Try some regular songs in the mix, either playing the normal part low, which will help with your chops, or providing some rhythm.
One of the cooler sounds on a low harp, in my opinion, is the kiss pop. If you do it right, without even breathing you'll have pressure in your mouth that will want to go back out, and you can shape the sound by changing the shape of your mouth. It's a really neat percussive thing that works better the lower your harp is. ---------- Nate Facebook Thread Organizer (A list of all sorts of useful threads)
Michelle thanks ... i kno all about Rice. That's my home boy. I just wanted A) a good breakdown of bye bye and B) something maybe on a different spectrum, but that also had a note for not breakdown.
Nacoran .... i play a little bit of TB. Mostly only octaves/splits , flutters, warbles, etc. But since getting the Lows i really notice how much more the TB playing effects the sound on these harps. Cus on a pop for instance them reeds just keep goin for a while. It's great.
The harmonica is amazing in how complex it really can be. Im blown away sometimes.
Grey owl thanks ... i kinda looked over that video Cus i wanted the low version, but ill take your advice. ---------- ......." Where Does He Get Those Wonderful Toys?" .......
Dave definitely breaks the song down for you on his site, chorus by chorus. He explains technique and he tells he where he quotes from. It's very useful. Also, uses a lot of five hole octaves and the top end of the harmonica. Great tune, "Blues for Paul DeLay." LOA7. ---------- Marc Graci YouTube Channel
I feel bad. On the Beginner's site a few days ago I sort of blew off an OP's question about which low harps to get, saying I hadn't yet run into a song where I needed a Low D. I hope, and think, I was ignored. This thread has been very enlightening for me, and humbling. I have a low F and am going to pick up another low key or two and follow the advice here...and open my mind up a little more. So much to learn....Thanks. ---------- Phil Pennington
That was me fil. Lol. I actually wish u got a low F after all. It would have been more useful. ---------- ......." Where Does He Get Those Wonderful Toys?" .......
Well, then, Killa. Joe Filisko has the complete treatment of "Bye Bye Bird" on his web site, included in one of his "Level III Instruction Audio Tracks and Notation Sets." The $10 download that includes 27 tracks and 7 pages:
I won't link to it because he specifically asks not to copy it but a little birdie (pun, tsk tsk) told me that if you scroll down to the "By Bye Bird" link you can see the tabs (Joe makes the ~best~ tabs).
Estragon ... What kinda stuff do you play on the Lows?
I have a Low F comin soon. I hope. Lol
But as of now I don't have much to play on em.
Tmf ... That DG stuff is pretty good. Thanks.
Michelle ... thanks alot for the Filisko lesson site. I wasnt aware of it until now. I don't really TB well enough for the advanced stuff, but he has some easier lessons. That really may be a good place to start learning to do runs TB.
Thanks alot.
Do you know any other online lessons i may not be aware of?
So you don't have to list them all, I kno of course Adam, Ronnie, Barrett, Gage, Weltman and now Falisko. Did i miss anyone? Ben Hewlett. Anyone else i haven't discovered?
I only ask because Joe Filisko lessons are pretty great. So if im missing out on anything else I d like to know about it
Thanks again.
Edit: Grey Owl. I must have over looked that Dan Kaplan shuffle. That was great. Thanks. All the videos everyone posted are good, but i had seen most of them already. ---------- ......." Where Does He Get Those Wonderful Toys?" .......
Last Edited by Killa_Hertz on Jan 18, 2016 9:53 AM
Killa_Hertz - I play anything and everything on my low harps, love that expressive low end tone. Warm and earthy. I rarely get to play with other musicians so often I'm on my lonesome, much of my harp playing is just that, me and a harp. I think in a band setting sometimes the low harps might not cut through but if amplified you're good to go.. I'm generally a fan of low end anything, tune my slide guitar to open C or even Bb. This is partly because I like the sound and partly to suit my vocal range. Would also add a low harp is great for late night quieter practice if that's a concern where you live. Regularly use my Low D Thunderbird while people are sleeping in the next room and no one has woken up yet! I'm no expert harp player but I also think the technique varies between low and regular harps so it gives you a better understanding and wider grasp of techniques. Useful.
Last Edited by Estragon on Jan 19, 2016 11:50 PM
Estragon i agree ... the low harps sound great. I have been playing mine at night also. Practicing TB while everyone is sleeping. I still dont have many low key songs to play. I would like something with a lesson and that really hits the low end. Alot of the low SBW II stuff Needs to be TB to sound right. Im getting better, but I'm still not good at TB single notes on runs. Especially the low holes. ---------- "Trust Those Who Seek The Truth. Doubt Those Who Say They Have Found It."
Last Edited by Killa_Hertz on Jan 20, 2016 5:31 AM
Killa, et. al., Jerry Portnoy's Masterclass CD set was what set me free in terms of blues harmonica. I'd tried just about every other resource (back then) and found them lacking in accuracy, content, too cutesy or too academic for me. I kept sputtering until Jerry.
And now his lessons are in video on Youtube. Even better than the CDs. He starts with the basics but if you really study the series and stick with it, you will reap many benefits, tongue blocking included.
Go for it!
Michelle
---------- SilverWing Leather - Custom leather creations for musicians and other eccentrics.
Last Edited by mlefree on Jan 20, 2016 10:47 AM
I actually just started watching these michelle.... but they were a bit on the boring side and a little slow, but thanks for the advice. I'll stick with them for awhile. Hopefully i find them as helpful as you did. ---------- "Trust Those Who Seek The Truth. Doubt Those Who Say They Have Found It."
Last Edited by Killa_Hertz on Jan 20, 2016 5:55 PM
I got my low C back from Gary after a repair a while ago and I have been playing around with it. I like the way the reeds keep ringing for a while after you have moved off the hole, kind of like a built in reverb. I also notice I can get a sort of a "jaw harp" effect out of it. Here is a sample I recorded using Audacity. the only effect I added was noise reduction.
Hi Michelle. Thanks for the nice words. Here is a video on the retuned Thunderbird. If you want more details on Major Cross tuning, I can put that up as well
---------- Tony Eyers Australia www.HarmonicaAcademy.com everyone plays...
