So, I'm almost to two years of harmonica playing, and about 1.5 of being interested in blues harmonica, and about 6 months of singing into a mic. I'm currently stuck in a rut that I'm working out of (mostly by practicing 3rd position scale patterns).
I'm not a 'less is more' kinda guy, and my style is evolving that way. I think the Harp Attack album has had the most influence on me (when I listen to myself), as well as Gussow's lessons, and I also really dig Jason Ricci. Some of that stuff is still way above my head yet, but seems to be the direction I want to go.
So, I'm tempted to post my latest home recording. Yet I keep not posting it, thinking "no, its not as good as I can make it yet." But, I've done many takes, and to go farther would take it out of the realm of improvisation and into a pre-composed piece.
I wanted to wait another month (so I'd be right on the two year mark) and post this for Adam and y'all, since your words have also influenced my playing.
But, I'm going to go ahead, because I'm in this rut, and I feel putting this out there will help me keep moving, like a a mark of 'this is where I am, time to improve.'
The backtrack is one that someone posted here, the lyrics are my own. I recorded it all with my 545 mic with some foam over the head, playing off the mic rather than cupping. A touch of reverb to make it fit in with the track. All one take, no cut and paste, etc...
Also, some time ago I promised to post pics of my cigar box cases. So, here they are! I don't use them anymore, now I use a cardboard case that I made, which works much better.
I'm just going to go right out and say it, and I hope this doesn't bother you, but..................................................... THAT FREAKING ROCKED! Very nice job. -Bob
cigar boxes are cool harp boxes,I use one mine holds 6 lee's in cases which is all i need,people think its cool to use a cigar box i have gotten a few comments,I have one allmost like the one you show all wood and deeper than my Gloria cubano box,but i turned it into a stomp box there good for that screwed a egg rattle from the top and put a small bell on a bent coat hanger,then have a taller block of foam for the spring to let me tap it and it bouces back,cigar boxes are great for making cool blues tools but there getting harder to find good boxes unless you smoke high dollar cigars which i wish i did.
EDIT: I'm not just saying that. If you'd not mentioned two years, I'd have thought you'd been playing a lot longer. Really nice alacrity across the harp. ---------- YouTube SlimHarpMick
Last Edited by on Feb 12, 2010 8:00 PM
Man that grooved. Wish I could get in that rut and not my noodle a bit, read this forum, noodle a bit more, go to YouTube, noodle a bit more kinds rut that I'm in. Good stuff.
Phogi, I absolutely loved it , loved your phrasing , you sound comfortable everywhere on the harp ( did I hear an overblow?), and I think you have a great voice , you can sing man ,you don't feel very comfortable about it though . So what is your story? how do you practice? It looks like you were involved in other aspects of music( you have a piano in one of your pictures).
I do overblow a bit, I really like their sound and delicacy. My story is that I started playing harp cause I had one when I started having trouble with my hands from piano playing. Also, I'm a music teacher and conductor, so I'm well versed in learning instruments.
I practice when I drive and any other time I can spare.
