I've got an Amazon.com rewards credit card, and I've accumulated $75 in Amazon gift cards that are burning a hole in my "digital" wallet. Of course I'm gonna buy some harps with it, but I thought I might pick up some instructional material as well. One thing I'm getting into recently is chord rhythms. I love 'em! I want to learn more of them. The only bit of instructional material I've found dedicated to them is this DVD by Peter "Madcat" Ruth". The rub is this: it costs $26.99, which is almost the price of new marine band. So, I was hoping my brothers and sisters here at MBH could help me out and let me know if the DVD is truly worth the cash. Can I learn stuff from it that I can't figure out on my own or find on YouTube? (I already know personal instruction could teach me this stuff, but I want to know if this DVD is good place to go in lieu of that). Any help will be greatly appreciated!!!!
I should add that it has three very positive reviews on Amazon. But I don't know those people, or what they actually know, or how good of players they are. I DO know you people, so your opinions will be much more valuable to me! ---------- ------------------ View my videos on YouTube!"
Madcat certainly has a unique approach to his playing. I do not think you could pick up his rhythm techniques from the web. They are not mainstream ideas - but hell - what do I know...?
I found them useful to add something new to the arsenal, but haven't returned to the dvd for a while, as I was a little unprepared agility-wise the last time I viewed it.
Many of his rhythms are like figuring out the Sonny Terry/Tony Glover rhythm. They are very unnatural, but when they click they are fantastic!
I also think he would add to your beatbox efforts, as he adds plenty of color with his own sounds with the harp.
Last Edited by on Jul 26, 2010 1:55 PM
Seemed very good to me. I bought it but hardly watched it though. Kinda forgot I had it. He definitely goes over tricks of chord rhythm & things like how to get the most use out of the 2 draw and 3 blow being the same note. Maybe if you aren't running out to buy it I could try to watch it through this weekend. Ever since I started lessons I kinda stopped looking at this type of supplemental material.
I haven't watched the full thing & I dunno when/if Id pick it up again though I could answer any questions on the contents, especially when I get home from work ;) . Since I had it a year and hardly looked at it I might consider giving you a better deal then $26 for what is in brand new condition copy since you'd actually get use out of it :) .
---------- ~Ryan
"I play the harmonica. The only way I can play is if I get my car going really fast, and stick it out the window." - Stephen Wright
Pennsylvania - H.A.R.P. (Harmonica Association 'Round Philly)
LOL. That guy is like the Carrot Top of the harmonica world. ---------- The more I learn about harmonica, the more I learn how much more there is to learn.
Kingley: that clip really helps! He's a guy after my own heart!
Ryan: Yeah, I don't have to pull the trigger anytime soon, so if you could watch it and let me know what you think, that would be AWESOME! I'll prob still buy it off amazon if you don't mind, since it'd be "free" that way, and I don't really have a bunch of loose cash flowing around, if ya know what I mean!
KingoBad: "I also think he would add to your beatbox efforts, as he adds plenty of color with his own sounds with the harp." YES! That's what I;m hoping for, so with that, you've certainly helped lean me over to it! Thanks! ---------- ------------------ View my videos on YouTube!"
Madcat is not only a great harmonica player, he is a MASTER musician, and a really great guy. He has total command of the instrument and plays with incredible proficiency in all positions and all styles. His approach is highly sophisticated, uniquely his own and unfettered by conventional wisdom. If you are interested in rhythm harp, I wouldn't hesitate to buy his DVD.
I'm not into playing chordal rhythms, so I've never been interested in watching this DVD. But I have had a lesson from Madcat--an hour of in person instruction gave me enough stuff to work on for months. So, I suspect the DVD is well worth $26.
the vid is all about breathing patterns. there are lots of articulations and places for losing air like adam does on chords. they start somewhat basic and then expanded upon. it seems easy and, if you use some focused practice, it probably is. but to get anywhere near madcat's speed will take much dedication. i always thought it would be fun to have a few guys start from scratch and work thru the lessons with frequent video postings of their progress.
I had borrowed this dvd from a friend. Like a fool, I never got around to watching it until a day or two before I had to return it. I did watch it through twice. There is so much there that it is something you would use as a library reference piece that you could return to many times and learn the subtle techniques. It makes me want to buy my own copy.
Maybe I should buy RyanMortos's copy. What kind of deal can you make me?
I have it also. Great video to work with different breath patterns, and I assume that if one is into beatboxing, this DVD is a must - you'll get lots of new ideas from it.
You should buy it Isaac. I could really see you incorporating Madcat's stuff into you're playing!!! Don'tforget to post a video when you do:o) ----------
This is excellent for getting more knowledge about rhythm. For the beat box thing, like hiphop or most any black music genre, that's more rhythmically driven music as opposed to melodically driven, even if there are amazing melodic concepts being used and with the beatboxc/hiphop thing, being a non stop riff machine that plays totally grooveless is gonna lay a non stop egg in that deal and so phrases need to be shorter and more rhythmically driven because the big thing here is GROOVE. ---------- Sincerely, Barbeque Bob Maglinte Boston, MA http://www.barbequebob.com CD available at http://www.cdbaby.com/cd/bbmaglinte
Oh wow! LOT'S of responses! Thank you guys all VERY much. I am completely swayed by the weight of your opinions and will purchase the DVD forthwith! It sounds like it is going to teach me EXACTLY what I want/need to learn.
I have the DVD--it's really great. It is something I need to come back to every few months and I get more out of it each time. The video outro in the clip makes him look like something of a clown--which he can certainly be, but he is also a wonderful world class player. . . ----------
