tookatooka
1597 posts
Jul 29, 2010
10:58 AM
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Well? Anyone up for another challenge on something a little bit different from the ones we've had in the past?
I'd like to propose a friendly challenge to get those of us who don't play professionally (and those that do, if you like) something new to work on.
I've been looking at and listening to Adams' Hill Street Blues Collectives jamtrack called Biscuit.
It's in 6/8 time, with an unusual 12 bar blues progression and very slow. It's in Dm and can be played with a C harp in 3rd position or G harp 2nd position.
I'm having a hell of a job getting my head around how it could be played and have come up with some ideas but have quite a bit to work out yet.
Just thought I'd throw it open to anyone who may fancy giving it a go. I'll start a new thread if and when I have anything that I'd be willing to let the experts on here listen to and comment on.
Anyone willing to throw their hat in the ring?
Last Edited by on Jul 29, 2010 11:14 AM
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GermanHarpist
1658 posts
Jul 29, 2010
11:03 AM
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YYEEEeeeeEEEHHHHHAAAA !! :)
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GermanHarpist
1659 posts
Jul 29, 2010
11:03 AM
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eehhhmm... yes, I'm in. Only gotta get the jam collection.
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tookatooka
1598 posts
Jul 29, 2010
11:24 AM
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Welcome on-board GH. The jam tracks are good value, you won't regret getting them.
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KingoBad
309 posts
Jul 29, 2010
1:07 PM
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Unless you would like to publish it for free, I think you will be cutting many possible participants out if they do not wish to purchase it.
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tookatooka
1599 posts
Jul 29, 2010
2:09 PM
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@KingoBad. No, I couldn't do that. I know a lot of the forum members already have the jam track packages from Adam.
We'll have to wait and see what sort of response comes back - I never expect a great deal anyway.
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Ben Bouman
14 posts
Jul 29, 2010
2:11 PM
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Hi Tookatooka... We recorded this song with my band, the MarbleTones for the Seydel harpcontest. The whole cd was meant to suit harpplayers and therefore I made the choice for the keys.
Biscuit is ( almost) standard 12 bar blues in D minor... which is nice for a chromatic harpsolo in 3rd position. That's what most players think is easy to do, therefore..
So, 3rd position is nice but a big challenge is to play it in 2nd on a G harp and follow the progression/minor chords. You need the big bends on hole 3 for that! And to make it even nicer/better..if you can hit the 4 overblow in the 9th bar you're the man...!!
And... 4th position on a lowF is great but there you need 4 and 6 overblow to make it juicy!
I made an example in 3rd position/c harp for one of my students. I played clear single notes/simple lines with just a few bends..
for everyone, here's the link to Box.net:
http://www.box.net/shared/gdajtprzlf
and for the backing track:
http://www.box.net/shared/sdsmvm5p18
Ben Bouman
www.customharmonicashop.com
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toddlgreene
1610 posts
Jul 29, 2010
2:19 PM
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Ben, you rock, sir.
Tooka or anyone who normally does this, I'm technologically waaaaaay behind the curve, and need a little help. Would Audacity be a good software to use as a mixer to play back this or any other backing track, and then mix in harp, vocals, etc. via onboard mics on my computer? Audacity seems to be in my price range, too...FREE.
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Crescent City Harmonica Club
Todd L Greene, Co-Founder
Last Edited by on Jul 29, 2010 2:20 PM
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tookatooka
1600 posts
Jul 29, 2010
2:43 PM
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@toddlegreene. I don't know about Audacity. I'll be playing the backing track on my computer and record live video. Hopefully.
@Ben. I listened to your 3rd position version and it is absolutely sublime. It is so very soulful and moving. Personaly, I am only a leisure playing and don't really rank myself very highly, I must be about advanced beginner level, so will be restricted to 3rd position. I don't have a decent G harp and 4th position on a low F is a distant dream for me.
Although I loved your version, I wished I hadn't listened to it. It makes my ideas seem pretty poor now and I know I have lot more work to do. Hmmm! How do I get myself out of this one?
Anyway, I'm going to give it a go and see what happens.
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Ben Bouman
15 posts
Jul 29, 2010
3:10 PM
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Well....here's a thing that works... try to copy what I did and change every lick/riff just a bit.. :-))
My students use Transcribe to slow down the song(s) , play licks in a loop etc etc... it's a very helpful program.
Ben Bouman
www.customharmonicashop.com
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isaacullah
1102 posts
Jul 29, 2010
5:42 PM
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Sorry Took, I don't have the time at the moment for another HPC! The little moments I DO get, I'd rather be spending on my own songs... Now, if we were going to do a "play what you want" type of thing.... I'd certainly be down for that!
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View my videos on YouTube!"
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nacoran
2385 posts
Jul 29, 2010
6:19 PM
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Tod, Audacity works really well for mixing audio. All you need is a good microphone that will fit into your computer. Save early and save often. Sometimes Audacity crashes unexpectedly.
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Nate
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Ant138
518 posts
Jul 30, 2010
12:04 AM
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I'm up for a challenge again. I've not got the backing track but i could download it. I don't play much 3rd position so i would take me out of my comfort zone a little. I really dont mind what we do but the whole challenge thing gets me practicing so i dont mind if its a particular backing track or a free for all.
I'm really trying hard to woodshed my tongue blocking at the moment and i'm starting to get my head or should i say mouth around it. So i have couple things in mind if its a free for all..
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Last Edited by on Jul 30, 2010 12:05 AM
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tookatooka
1601 posts
Jul 30, 2010
2:02 AM
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@Isaac and @Ant. Know what you mean fellas, but I don't see any reason why multiple challenges couldn't run at the same time. Then we could dip into our preferred one when we felt like it. There need not be a time limit, just add to the thread when you are ready.
The only thing is I think it would be preferable if each challenge had its own thread to keep it from getting out of hand.
On the last one, the challenge was to improvise over a particular jam track, and we had entries which had no bearing on the jamtrack at all which kind of defeated the object somewhat because it's interesting to see how others improvise with the source material.
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Ben Bouman
16 posts
Jul 30, 2010
2:13 AM
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Here's another challenge:
For my students I made 3 recordings. The backingtrack is a slow blues in A . I recorded it in 1st, 2nd and 3rd position ( = 3 recordings).
I can put up a link for the backingtrack and everyone can choose in which position they want to record a solo.
When you al subscribe to ww.box.net ( = for free) , the recorded songs can be put on box.net and we can all listen/download the song.
Please feel free to contact me on ben@harmonicainstituut.nl for the 3 songs i recorded... or I can put these on box.net if needed.
How about that???
Ben Bouman
www.customharmonicashop.nl
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toddlgreene
1611 posts
Jul 30, 2010
4:50 AM
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Ben, I think I may have posted those 1st/2nd/3rd pos tracks on here a couple weeks ago, if they're the same ones that were on HarpL(Tooka thought it was me at first!). We actually listened to them at our last club meeting, and everyone got a kick out of them. I especially enjoyed the first position one, as I have never delved into 1st position playing for anything beyond simple melodies-I had no idea it could be so bluesy!
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Crescent City Harmonica Club
Todd L Greene, Co-Founder
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apskarp
291 posts
Jul 30, 2010
4:56 AM
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@Ben: Why not!? I just registered to Box - it was easy, no costs. I'd prefer the Box as I don't want to fill my emails with files..
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Youtube
Hoodoo Sauna
Blog
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toddlgreene
1613 posts
Jul 30, 2010
4:57 AM
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I use box.net. It's a great find. A hint, though-it won't stream .wav files, but .mp3s work fine.
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Crescent City Harmonica Club
Todd L Greene, Co-Founder
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Ben Bouman
17 posts
Jul 30, 2010
5:29 AM
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@toddgreene...
yes , those were on box.net..but I went through my files and deleted them all and will start puuting up some new tracks soon.
Maybe you should invite me to a clubmeeting.. :-)) When I was in Atlanta I was invited by the Atlanta harpmeetup group . I loved it to be there and share some of my " secrets" with them..
Wav. files can be downloaded so you put these on box.net
Ben Bouman
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toddlgreene
1614 posts
Jul 30, 2010
5:44 AM
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Ben, consider yourself invited. Contact me or HarveyHarp offline and if we know you're coming ahead of time, maybe we could do a clinic? Our meetings are usually the 2nd Wednesday of every month, and free and open to anyone.
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Crescent City Harmonica Club
Todd L Greene, Co-Founder
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Jim Rumbaugh
270 posts
Jul 30, 2010
2:12 PM
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If Upload/Download is a problem......
I can upload a file to the The Harmonica Club's web site and supply a link that needs no login/membership/anything that would be open to anyone.
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intermediate level (+) player per the Adam Gussow Scale, Started playing 2001
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