jodanchudan
268 posts
Feb 22, 2011
9:38 AM
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Just recorded a solo blues and didn't realise, till I played it back, how much huffing and puffing I do while playing - it sounds like there's a deflating corpse in the background! Does everyone have this problem with involuntary vocalisations? Is it worse with particular mics? Should I see a doctor about it?
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toddlgreene
2634 posts
Feb 22, 2011
9:49 AM
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A deflating corpse is better than an inflating one...I think.
'corpse-groan'-that made me chuckle.
Some breath noise is always going to evident, especially when there are no other instruments in the mix. Sounded fine to me!
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Todd
my moderator username is Admin007
Eudora and Deep Soul
Last Edited by on Feb 22, 2011 9:53 AM
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oldwailer
1546 posts
Feb 22, 2011
10:05 AM
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When you lay down a really cool shuffle like that, nobody's going to notice the groanies--I was just too busy tapping my feet and rolling with the groove--I get that a lot too, but I don't do it nearly as well as you do here. . .
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MrVerylongusername
1567 posts
Feb 22, 2011
10:08 AM
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Sounds fine to me. Let it go...
Musicians are always their own worst critics. I'd be proud of that. Ever listened to Butterfield? lots of breathy noises, but amped up those rapid exhalations become part of his sound
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Joe_L
1091 posts
Feb 22, 2011
10:21 AM
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You could try playing a bit farther from the mic and or put a foam filter on it. The tune itself was snappy, but I could hear what you're talking about.
If you think you should consult a physician, then you probably should do it. If nothing is wrong, at least you will have peace of mind.
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The Blues Photo Gallery
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KingoBad
628 posts
Feb 22, 2011
10:23 AM
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That was very cool! I could listen to that all day. I actually like the sound of the breathing, it sounds like you are working at it (in a good way).
I've heard it plenty on older recordings of the old guys. Breathe away!
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chromaticblues
628 posts
Feb 22, 2011
10:35 AM
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Yes jordan your right. You need to see a doctor. No just kidding! I went thru that and it drove me nuts. It was the mic I was using! I had an astatic that sounded great, but would pic up a mouse farting from across the room. Have you noticed how people talk about mics when they are selling them. Oh this is a hot mic great for harp! Well quit often its the exact opposite. Yeah its great for recording with your amp in one room and you in another, but how you gone swing that live? Your mic can be your best friend. Or the biggest pain in your ass you have ever had. I just recently purchased(OK I bought for myself for christmas) an old reel to reel dynamic mic made Japan in the sixties. Where has that been my whole life. Damn! I'm a noise freak too! I got my mic off Ebay for $14 and less than $5 shipping! If you don't like the noise I would buy a few different mics. What you don't like you can always sell on Ebay.
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Oxharp
407 posts
Feb 22, 2011
10:52 AM
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Jordan,
I think its fine and makes it more interesting to listen to.
Think of it as your internal metronome keeping you bang on time and it would sound even more pronounced through an amp.
I think its part of your playing as it is mine and I think you are developing into a great player.
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Oxharp
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jaymcc28
319 posts
Feb 22, 2011
11:16 AM
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@Jordan: I just listened and agree with Oxharp. It doesn't sound out of place in the tune and gives it more texture. If you listen to guys like Gindick, for instance, you hear their background sounds all the time.
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"I say stay long enough to repay all who cause strife."-L. Staley
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shadoe42
5 posts
Feb 22, 2011
11:47 AM
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i dig it. I am with the others and see it as part of the sound. If you don't like it you could get a less hot mic.
hmm now my hot mic story. At our last gig our lead singer had just bought this new like 300 dollar mic. Thing was uber hot. Sound check went fine though so nobody thought much about it. But when we went to start the gig and had put 200 people in the bar, and bodhran player behind us suddenly there was feedback everywhere.... sound guy tried and tried to trace it.... and finally reached up and pulled the volume down on the new mic...bang no more feedback... one mic switch later...no more feedback...that thing was picking up every sound in the room.
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Last Edited by on Mar 02, 2011 10:37 AM
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tookatooka
2168 posts
Feb 22, 2011
12:12 PM
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If only I could groan like that, I'd sling the harp and just groan out loud and proud.
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Andy Ley
82 posts
Feb 22, 2011
12:19 PM
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Pretty much agree with the previous comments. The noise is there, but it it doesn't sound excessive, it is rhythmic and seems to fit in with the playing very well.
I, on the other hand, recorded something the other day that picked up my nose snorting and snuffling like a truffle pig! you have nothing to worry about :)
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Shredder
237 posts
Feb 22, 2011
12:20 PM
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Take a listen to Darrell Mansfield. He gets a gutteral sound every so often. Like they say it's part of the music.I used to worry about it but now it's just part of my sound and style.
Also if another harp player is listening to you they can appreciate/understand the effort that your putting into the music.
Mike
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toddlgreene
2639 posts
Feb 22, 2011
12:26 PM
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Your playing sounds great. I agree with the 'we are our worst critics' statement. You're among peers here:nitpicking ones, too, and you're getting a resounding thumbs up! Unless you hear yourself wheezing, I'd only worry about when you STOP breathing. That usually indicates a problem. ;-)
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Todd
my moderator username is Admin007
Eudora and Deep Soul
Last Edited by on Feb 22, 2011 12:26 PM
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jawbone
405 posts
Feb 22, 2011
1:16 PM
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The Junior Wells "cough" is almost his signature.
I am actually working on coughs, growls and puffs.
Lousy name for a breakfast cereal tho!! ;-)
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If it ain't got harp - it ain't really blues!!!!
Last Edited by on Feb 22, 2011 1:17 PM
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LittleBubba
32 posts
Feb 22, 2011
1:32 PM
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I've always enjoyed the different trademark huffs,whoops, and groans from the great harpers over the years. I have such perfect breath control and deep lungs that I never use 'em. If you believe that, then I got a used car to sell you. :)
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nacoran
3840 posts
Feb 22, 2011
3:29 PM
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A foam cover and some mic adjustment can 'fix' the problem, or you can just incorporate it into your playing. A moan here, a grunt there,... if you time it right you can find yourself in the middle of either harp-boxing or a fox chase.
You can get back from the microphone a bit, and with some work you can get rid of some of those sounds at the source. Once you are conscious that they are there adjusting your airflow a little can make a difference. Sometimes the noise leaks out the side of your mouth if you don't have a good seal. Sometimes you are breathing loudly through your nose or blowing extra air out over the harp. Actually, if you are venting air on purpose sometimes making a bigger opening will give you less noise.
All that said, I didn't think it was that bad. I could hear it, but it wasn't distracting and mixed with other instruments it would probably be buried.
Jawbone, I don't know... just remember, in most brand names they take out the commas and use & for and.
Cough Growl & Puffs
Now a good source of Brass,
An important Nutrient!
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jodanchudan
269 posts
Feb 22, 2011
5:06 PM
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Cool suggestions guys and thanks for all the feedback - I'll experiment with the mic and try to subdue the undead.
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sustaireblues
3 posts
Feb 23, 2011
7:55 AM
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Man that sounds great to me. I wouldn't change a thing. It's "human" music, the real deal, not canned and synthetic.
Joe
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colman
29 posts
Feb 23, 2011
11:59 AM
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james cotton has always had some moan n` groan when
he gets honking on the harp...too cool...
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jbone
498 posts
Feb 24, 2011
5:28 PM
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1- that's a sweeeet piece of harp playing!
2- it's a short stretch from that to a more active chugging thing- i say capitalize on it!
like tooka, i don't seem to have that phenomenon happen to me usually, and i wish it would!
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Blackbird
150 posts
Feb 24, 2011
8:36 PM
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Gotta agree with the rest of the comments - the playing is great and the groan is not a distraction to it. Keep doing what you're doing - the harmonica players know why the vocalization is there, and the non-harmonica players won't care or will think it's all part of the groove.
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Greg Heumann
1056 posts
Feb 24, 2011
10:04 PM
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Well I'm too late to offer any advice that hasn't been given already, but I just wanted to say... Nice Playing!
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/Greg
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Lmbrjak
11 posts
Feb 25, 2011
1:32 PM
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I've heard corpse groan. Old Bob was a friend who lived in an old one-room log cabin. I was in the bank when his daughter came in crying.I rushed out to find Bob with no pulse and then it happened...the groan. I almost started mouth to mouth when I heard it This story is absolutely true but I still lmao when I saw this post Jodanchudan.Old Bob's cabin sits at the county fairgrounds as a historical display. Now I will think of old Bob every time I groan,instead of just remembering him at fair time. Btw,love that music,groans and all. Don't know if it has a title but I'll think of it as "Bob's Groan".
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jodanchudan
279 posts
Feb 25, 2011
1:37 PM
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Bob's Groan! Love the story - I'll happily go with that title.
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