Just figured I'd post this video from a concert I did this past June. We played lots of classical and jazz Repertiore, and even threw in this tune (BWH's Easy)as a closer. I'd appreciate some constructive comments. Thanks.
Awww you're lucky jamming with such a band. They're music schools guys,... but the grand piano justifies everything..
Yeah, nice overblows... it's the first time I heard an overblow accentuated at the end and delivered. The whole end especially the last second or two is awesome.
Now to the criticism. It seams as if you don't have too good control of your tone i.e. resonance chamber/mouth shape.
It's just my impression listening to your sound. Maybe I'm wrong and that's just your style.
The intonation isn't all that accurate..
If you wish we could talk on skype sometime (email in profile), I'd rather like to elaborate my comments in talk and play, than typing them down.
I'm very impressed with your fluency and jazz style.
---------- Don't engage in negativity!
Last Edited by on Sep 02, 2010 11:13 AM
To be honest, I wasn't entirely happy with my intonation in this. I don't wan't to make excuses, but it was the last tune on a 2 hour concert in which I played horn, trumpet, and harp totally mixed up in order, so yeah, my chops were a bit tired. That being said, Intonation is something I have mixed thoughts on. I'm a classically schooled musician, so that side of me is very picky about intonation, playing cleanly, and so on. The blues though, is about expression. I think there's a lot of merit to playing without perfect intonation, and also getting dirty at times. I try to keep a balance between the 2 worlds in my playing, but try to keep an emphasis on exrpession. I have been shedding a lot in the low register bends lately. Working my 4th and 12th position stuff down there. I'll contact you through skype so we can chat more. Thanks for the input!
Sammy, do you use an octave pedal? I can't stand the sound, honestly, it gets in the way. I'd say if you really want to work on your intonation, etc, speak to a guy like Chris Michalek or practice to a piano, not a regular harmonica player. And, the group is great.
I do sometimes use an octave pedal, but not on this one. The only pedals I'm using on this are delay and a sonic maximizer. My mic is an ultimate 57, and it's going through the pedals into a SS Peavey special 130. It could be the amp sound you don't like. I've since added a tube preamp stage to my setup to warm it up. Or it could be that you just can't stand my tone.
