I'm trying to get some ideas for a 16 bar harp solo (diatonic or chromatic) during the Bill Withers song Kissing My Love. There is a 16 bar portion of the song from about 2 minutes until 2:45 in which he sings "Put your foot on the rock......" over and over. I'm looking for a harp solo for that portion of the song. Those vocals would not be played during this solo.
I'm looking to play this solo while singing the song for my girlfriend at an upcoming karaoke event. I'm a begginner/intermediate diatonic and chromatic player so I'm looking for a solo that would be easy-ish.
Can you think of any 16 bar solos from songs that would be a good fit for this song that may have tab? OR if anybody has any tab of a solo that would be good here. I would be super appreciative.
The song is in C# so I'd need an F# harp. I'm going to be dropping the karaoke track a half step so I can play it with my F harp.
Last Edited by duganderson on Jan 29, 2022 3:10 PM
Wondering if you are still interested in trading Your Crossover "G" Harp for a Rocket "G" Harp. Sorry to bring it up here, but I answered you the day your listed it on the For Sale/Trade page and never heard anything back?? Sure would be nice to get an answer??? My offer is still listed on the For Sale/Trade Page... ---------- And I Thank You !! KC Bluz Givin the devil the Bluz
KC69.......I'm very sorry about the delayed response. I did not see your post....my fault. I actually already traded that one. Sorry it did not work out.
I might be listening to a different version, but to my ears the studio take is in Eb (or D#) The tune overall isn't too far away from a 12-bar in form, but with a doubled V-IV turnaround plus an extra V on the stop
The interlude you mention stays on the I. I'd play 2nd position, and focus on funky staccato riffs landing on the 2 draw or flat-3rd. A few roll offs 2d - 2d'' - 1d Maybe then a trill to finish off the 16 bars
I think it's a real "less is more"-type soul/funk tune, so more about syncopated placement of the notes rather than complicated runs.
Hope of some help
Last Edited by GamblersHand on Jan 30, 2022 9:18 AM
"I think it's a real "less is more"-type soul/funk tune, so more about syncopated placement of the notes rather than complicated runs."
This break from the song's regular chord change pattern stays on the I chord as GH noted. The version I listened to has a guitar with wah wah pedal soloing over the funky groove and vocal repetition.
Playing lead harp runs over the guitar lead lines wouldn't be the best course to serve the song IMO.
An alternate approach to GH's tabbed out suggestion would be to play funky "horn" fills OF YOUR OWN CREATION.
I suggest you listen to the section repeatedly and imagine horns comping behind the guitar lead and the rhythm section during this interlude. Experiment and figure out how to play what you hear in your head. 2nd position should be fine, though you could try other positions.
Once you figure out your fill notes, I suggest you try mixing up how you play the notes. Use what is within your ability and try out single note riffs, dirty notes, octaves, and/or chords to play the fills to enhance the groove.
IMO: Your long term development as a harp player is best served if you take opportunities like this to explore your own creative ability. It is best to not build an over dependence on tab provided by others to figure out all your harp parts. You don't have to be a technically high level player to try out some musical ideas. Sometimes having limitations on advanced technique choices can simplify your musical choices. Sometimes simpler is better in serving a song.
Tab can be a good learning tool, but dependence on tab all the time can limit your growth in improvising and thinking music on the fly. It is important to learn to make up your own parts for songs. ----------
Doug S.
Last Edited by dougharps on Jan 31, 2022 7:16 AM
duganderson: Thanks for getting back with me. I assumed you hadn't had a chance to check the For Sale/Trade page. No problem, yet I wish it would have worked, cause I have a Rocket in "A" I was gonna throw in... Maybe next time.... ---------- And I Thank You !! KC Bluz Givin the devil the Bluz
Thank you for your feedback. I agree that it could be very easy to get dependent on tab so I really appreciate your specific feedback about how to approach this song to create a solo that will serve the song. Envisioning the horns is especially helpful for me because I was a trombone player for several years.
Thanks again, Doug
P.S. I was writing this from a Caribou Coffee in the Minneapolis area. This song came on in the coffee shop right after I sent this. Good taste in music for a chain coffee shop. The version they played had a couple awesome flute solos in it!!! Cool stuff!
Last Edited by duganderson on Jan 31, 2022 11:42 AM
If you are soloing on harmonica, instead of singing the "Put your foot on the rock" lines, maybe you could play the notes that he was singing with the "Put your foot on the rock"? Add a couple of trill/warbles to it, and you'd probably be ok.
Again I dont have my guitar handy,but it seems to vamp over 1 chord, no changes.
I 2nd the "instead of singing the "Put your foot on the rock" lines, maybe you could play the notes that he was singing with the "Put your foot on the rock"?
Then after, Add a couple of trill/warbles to it, as your response, and you'd probably be ok".
It would sound like a simple "call and response" The call would be a repetitive harp part over "Put your foot on the rock" and then;
