I'm travelling on business. In the hotel restaurant, I'm enjoying a slow meal by myself. It is a large restaurant and very noisy. People are talking at many tables. Through the noise, I can barely detect recorded music emanating from some speaker(s) at the other side of the restaurant, where the bar is. It's very hard to hear, and its impossible to identify the songs. At one point I think I can detect some bits of Aretha Franklin's "Think", but for the most part, the songs and singers are really impossible to recognise. I am just aware that music is playing.
Suddenly: I can PERFECTLY hear Stevie Wonder's diatonic part on "Boogie On Reggae Woman". It's crystal clear, every note. It almost sounded as though only the harmonica track was being played. Through the noise of the restaurant, I could hear very little of the drums, bass, keyboards, guitar, etc. I could not even hear Stevie sing. However, those high reeds on that Ab harp just cut straight through the noise of the restaurant. I could hear it clearly and completely.
Started thinking: the harmonica really DOES cut through the mix. Especially higher pitched reeds. What a powerful instrument! It may be a small instrument, but it is strong enough to dominate the band, as well as a noisy venue. The diatonic harmonica has an un-matched ability to cut through the mix. What power we hold!
Last Edited by AppalachiaBlues on Sep 24, 2018 7:35 PM
Stevie Wonder delivering the notes helps plenty too. The physics of the higher frequency with shorter wavelengths with less space to cover and bounce off things are less likely to get lost. The quality of the frequency, or the clarity/accuracy of the note, helps too in that the available degree of cut is optimized for travel. Clear articulation cuts. Similarly, one reason why clean octaves work is because the frequencies "double" and resonate to deliver more -and more accurately.
That said, in all my professed expertiness, I do have some trouble on the 1-4 OB Octave and especially the 6-10 OB Octave. :)
Last Edited by Littoral on Sep 25, 2018 5:22 AM
nowmon, great gear is certainly important but harp can't win a battle with guitar. It's an arms race we don't even want. I don't mean to imply that you don't know that. I hear a lot of players get louder and they still don't cut.
Littoral,nowmon, what I'm hoping is this new Feedback Resistant Dyna-Mic I've ordered will help in cutting through the mix. If I can turn up to a jam and just plug it straight into the board (better still via wireless) and with the flick of a switch go clean or dirt I'll be a happy camper.
Some of the best times I've had have been acoustic with one or two guitars and harp. The whole volume/tone/etc. struggle seemed fruitless to me after many years struggle so I took a different path.
I did gig with a band around Dallas that was very responsible about keeping volume reasonable but it was an exception among many too-loud outfits I played with and watched over many years.
As a listener I want the whole sonic experience, not one instrument. As a player I want the whole band's sound to be balanced and pleasing. Usually more volume for me meant goodbye dynamics especially if I couldn't hear myself on stage. These days I blow far less reeds out and have a helluva lot more quality stage time. ---------- Music and travel destroy prejudice.
Some of the best times I've had have been acoustic with one or two guitars and harp. The whole volume/tone/etc. struggle seemed fruitless to me after many years struggle so I took a different path.
I did gig with a band around Dallas that was very responsible about keeping volume reasonable but it was an exception among many too-loud outfits I played with and watched over many years.
As a listener I want the whole sonic experience, not one instrument. As a player I want the whole band's sound to be balanced and pleasing. Usually more volume for me meant goodbye dynamics especially if I couldn't hear myself on stage. These days I blow far less reeds out and have a helluva lot more quality stage time. ---------- Music and travel destroy prejudice.
I love the high-end harp on the intro, during the first 20 seconds of the song. It somehow defines the song for me, framing the mood and building tension for what is to follow. Another example of cutting through the mix, pulling the music.
