Just done a version of 'Easy' and have a question about mic technique. I can cup the mic pretty well on the single note stuff but seem to loose it on the shakes and the volume drops away - is that normal? Do you play harder to compensate or is it just, like most things on the harp, a matter of practice and patience? I hadn't really thought about it till I played it back - I was concentrating too much on trying to get a fast tremolo to notice anything else! (Also, the amp isn't breaking up as much as I'd like it to, but that's because if I turned it up any more the neighbours would probably attack me.)
I can't hear the volume drop. Sounds the same, or not enough to worry about. The amp sounds good too. Clean enough to give the note some front for separation, but breaks up when you push it.
Nice. I don't detect a change in VOLUME on the shakes, but I do hear a change in TONE--not as fat. Try this: enlarge your oral resonance chamber slightly to smooth out the air flow as you shake and be sure to keep drawing air from deep in the diaphragm--don't tighten up. Another thing you can try in order to keep the tone fat and smooth as you shake is to open the pharynx (nasal air passage) while you shake. Close it after the shake has been completed
I don't know why you are after more breakup--why mask your tone? It sounds good.
1. There is nothing wrong with this recording. It sounds good.
2. Listen to the original version by Big Walter again. Specifically, listen to the dynamics he employs. Listen to how his sound changes from the middle of the tune to the end. Listen to his other versions of the tune.
3. On your warbles, when you move the harp like Walter or Snooky did, it's very hard to maintain a big heavy tone. I think you did fine. You have to try to keep it as close to the mic as possible and keep the cup as close to closed as possible.
4. There is far too much emphasis placed on a busted up, distorted tone. If you listen to a lot of older Chicago Blues recordings, you don't hear a ton of distortion on them. ---------- The Blues Photo Gallery
Last Edited by on Jan 08, 2011 10:55 AM
@Joe_L Thanks also for the feedback. The changes in dynamics in the original are very pronounced and tough to copy - when I focus on dynamics, the tone goes; when I focus on tone, the dynamics go. It's like the lid on a plastic lunchbox: get one corner held down and the other one pops back up! Back to the woodshed...
Jodanchudan, nice work. I did not notice the drop either, although I know where you are concerned. On BW's recording that I have, it sounds like he releases a little on his cup to get a more shrill sound - and probably ups his volume too. Part of your dynamics will certainly be releasing the a little on your cup from time to time.
The part you are concerned about actually had more cut than the rest. I say work on the dynamics first - as you technique is not lacking here.
BTW - where did you get the backing track? I have goofed around with this one from time to time but have never tried to learn the whole thing....
Last Edited by on Jan 08, 2011 12:45 PM
Thanks, KingoBad - will work on the dynamics. I made the backing track - the guitar's a bit ropey, but I'm pretty pleased with the brushes - it's me stamping on a supermarket bag.
Jodanchudan, thanks for posting this I really like what you did with the song, I thought you sounded great.
@clamsharpplayer, Adam has for sale both the Tab and a lesson on this song which I would highly recommend. It has been one of my favorites to work with since buying it.
To jodanchudan: Ignore all the "helpful" comments. I've been playing that song for 30 years, dead perfect, and I am here to tell you, you DO NOT NEED TO GO MESSING WITH IT. No need to start fixing something that ain't broke. You got it nailed. "dynamics" my ass...you got all the dynamics you need, right there. Tone is superb, mike work is superb, so is the amplifier, and your licks are right there. If you want to add something to it, pick up a copy of Ivory Joe Hunter's "Since I Met You Baby' (which is where Big Walter stole it from anyway)...almost the same melody lines. You sound great, my man! I love the paper bag for brushes....just love those ideas. Go find a duo gig and scatter the local harp "experts" like they were confetti. Before the attack/debate monsters get going, read this==> This is my OPINION only and only mine. (you can just imagine how much sleep I will lose over any who differ) Fine playing mister!
Yeah. You say: "The changes in dynamics in the original are very pronounced and tough to copy..." Ok. so why bother to copy them? What's the point? That's how BW sounded. Your rendition should be how YOU sound. And you sound pretty damn good.
@JoeLeeBush Thanks, man - I really appreciate that! @clamsharpplayer - I got a transcription (which I'm following closely but not exactly) from, I think, harmonicasessions.com - there's a newsletter link at the bottom of the page. At any rate, I know it's from one of David Barrett's sites.
@hvyj - I want to copy the original because I don't think I can do a better job than Big Walter. Also because it forced me to learn techniques I haven't tried before (the main one being the mad tremolo.) Having said that, I do agree with you: I'm copying stuff to learn how it's done, but I want to end up proficient enough to use my own ideas.
Of COURSE you can do a better job than Big Walter. He's no sacred cow that "isn't supposed to be bested". I know personally 6 guys who can do that and so can you! YOU CAN do it better and striving for that is a great way to grow as a player. Always say to yourself..."with some work, I can do better than whoever". No self-imposed limits. The key there is "with some work". (defining what "some" means is a different story). As Muhammed Ali said...."it ain't bragging if you can do it". As Glover said at the end of his book...."go thou and blow now". Regards
wow nice work your really doing great,is that you on guitar also?if it was im just as impressed wish i could play the blues on harp or guitar like that man you got chops i didnt even know you had;-) ---------- Hobostubs
JoeLee, thanks, now I don't have to type everything you said. The paper bag tells the whole story. Jordan, exceptional. This comes from a BW tone junkie. Note, I don't think BW used a paper bag, but you did.
That was Great ... This is a great example of a cat that actulay did his homework .... I think it sounded great ...I got to see James Cotton every night do this tune .. and i fell in love with it even before i heard BW do it ...This is what i like to see ... I think with some work on your diaphragm .. Your tone will get better and you wont be so critical about it cutting in the shake ... TB Diaphragm and a good air passage connecting it all will give you what you are looking for ... The Mic work is a diffrent ball game all together ... lift a finger it changes ,, open the bottom cup ,,, it changes ... I use it for diffrent flavor ,, or Color ,,, as far as the shake goes ... I use both shake or TB Warble without moving the harp or shaking my head ... just lightly sliding my tongue back and forth .. i call it a Octave Warble .. or as my friend Travis Fouch calls it ... The Stingray ...I saw BB Bob say it many times .. A Vocal Coach will make your tone so much better ... Because they teach you how to breath and use the diaphragm... But all in all it was nice to Hear Ya ... Se ya down the Blues Highway ..... Deak ---------- Have Harp Will Travel
I knew it. The first video you made with the cardboard box theatre made me think, we've either got a nutter or a genius here. I knew it wouldn't be the nutter. I'd like to see that cardboard box theatre vid again, by the way.
Great playing, dude! If I could play anything that well, I'd just pack it up and start on a new song. Then, as you keep coming back to this one in the years to come, it'll just keep getting better all by itself, because it's already a part of you. . . ---------- ==================================== Always be yourself--unless you suck. . . -Joss Whedon
The tab that I offer is the version that I do, which is more or less the version that Nat Riddles did. I agree with JoeLee: find middle ground between honoring what Big Walter did and remaking the song into your own thing. You should be very satisfied with what you've achieved here. People are praising you because you aced the exam.
Big Walter often played pretty cleanly, but on the original of "Easy," he's clearly (to my ears) playing through a small amp cranked way up. This setup means that when he really leans into a particular note, the amp supports and accentuates what he's doing, giving that note or note-sequence a lot of prominence (a "singing" tone) and sustain. If you played the song again through that sort of setup, and pushed a little harder at key points, your version would more closely resemble his version.
When I played "Easy" in Klingenthal, Germany, I used a small Kay amp miked through the PA, and I got some of the effect I'm talking about, although Big Walter gets even more sustain; more dynamic range. But you'll notice in this video how helpful that small-overdriven-amp setup is to the warbles. They don't drop off nearly as much.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TN0SXgyX8sI
Last Edited by on Jan 10, 2011 6:17 AM
@Dr. Gussow: That was a great version of Easy. I have really been wanting to hear more of you playing slow blues tunes. Loved it. Can't blame me for rippin that one and puttin it in Itunes right ? :) JC I've got your's in there too.
Without having listened to the original, I'd have said you could slow those tremolos down a little bit, especially since they worry you. I think that would be in keeping with the nature of the music.
But of course, the original is crazy-ass! ---------- Andrew, gentleman of leisure, noodler extraordinaire.
Kudzu speaks great wisdom about small amps being miked if necessary. Here is a picture of a rig I have used since 1985, I think. (although the microphone is newer than the amp...a Radio Shack special and that sucker WAILS, too)
