18 replies to this topic

[Cannibal]

I'm very new to the harmonica, but I just can't get enough of it lately. This weekend my buddy sent me an original guitar jam and asked me to put some harp on it. This is what we ended up with.
Opinions and advice from experienced players is welcome.
(Be gentle.)

[FatJim]

Well, that's a good start for a beginner! I can already hear some bluesey licks and bends. I think you really know what sound you're after, but you asked for advice so allow me... (yes, I'll be gentle!)

Was that an A harp? I couldn't quite tell, but for playing cross harp blues in the key of E that's what you need.

I don't know how much music theory you know, but 12 bar blues is based around the I, IV and V chords (in the key of E, that means E, A & B)

The 12 bar structure goes I I I I IV IV I I V IV I I

Generally when playing cross harp you'll favour the draw notes at the bottom end of the harp: holes 1-4, and especially the draw notes where you can get all those bluesey bends. You can wander up to the higher notes, but once you get to hole 6 the layout of the harp is such that it is the blow notes that are the ones that fit the blues scale best - and as luck would have it - at the top end of the harp it's the blow notes that bend.

Those higher register notes on holes 6-10 sound best when played over the IV chord, i.e. bars 5, 6 and 10 of the 12 bar blues, but it's easy to get lost up there over the I and the V, so remember to slide back down to the low notes quickly.

The theory actually sounds more complicated than it really is, when you hear the chord change for the first time, that's when you are free to shoot up the holes to the top end if you want, but when it changes back again, remember to move back down again too.

Tone-wise, you're doing pretty well for a beginner. If you're playing acoustically (or using a mic like a vocalist would i.e. stepped back a little with free air between harp and mic) then you can add a little hand wah, flutter the hand that doesn't grip the harp to get a vibrato effect.

Another trick, that's a fair bit more advanced, is throat vibrato. It is very tricky to get the hang of for some people, but I think all new players should try to develop it as part of their tone. It's very similar to the warbling effect that some vocalists use on sustained notes. You get it by tightening and relaxing your throat muscles rapidly in succession and you should try and add it to long held out draw notes. Think of the machine gun noise that kids make "huh huh huh huh huh". Now try it without vocalising as you breathe. It can really make those sustained draw notes sound bluesey and is especially useful if you use a cupped microphone for amplified Chicago style harp (Where hand wah really doesn't work)

And good tone comes from you diaphragm - drop your jaw to make the cavity of you mouth as big and resonant as you can and breathe through the harp from your chest. Shoulders back, chest out, guts as far in as they'll go (mine sadly do not go that far these days!)

Please don't take any of this as criticism. What I've heard is great for someone who has only been playing a short while. I truly think with a bit of helpful encouragement along the way, you'll make a great harp player.

Recording yourself is a great way to practise too!

Listen and play along to the harmonica greats, Little Walter, Big Walter, Sonny Boy Williamson II, Charlie Musselwhite, Paul Butterfield, Kim Wilson

Look up the Youtube lessons from Adam Gussow and Jason Ricci too - they're are two of the finest modern harp players around and they are giving away free lessons!

[Cannibal]

Wow. Thanks for the great tips and encouragement!
I really do appreciate the constructive criticism. It's also nice to hear that I'm doing ok for someone who started less than two weeks ago!
To answer your question, yes I used an A harp. I have been doing a little studying with books and online and knew which harp to use with a blues piece in E. But beyond that I was pretty much just winging it.
Hopefully it won't be long before I actually know what I'm doing somewhat.

[FatJim]

Two weeks - wow! That's progress!

How about posting another clip in a couple of months? we can compare and see the progress that I'm sure you're gonna make:BB:

[Cannibal]

Thanks!
I'll definitely have more to post in time. I do a lot of recording... for better or worse! lol.
So yeah, I'm sure I'll have plenty to post.
Right now I am recording with the same studio mic I use for vocals. I just stand back from it and do my thing. I hope to pick up a Green Bullet before too long if I can afford it. I'm trying to keep expenses down right now as I'm getting ready for a major move next month. Maybe after I get settled in I can get the Bullet and see how my tone changes.
Here's a clean sample I did yesterday with a Hohner Blues Harp in G that I picked up Saturday.
Nothing fancy, just playing around and seeing what I could do with it. You can tell in a few places that it's not quite broken in yet.
http://staytotheright.com/music/Cannibal/JUSTPLAYIN.mp3

[bluesharp]

Link doesn't work for me:(

[Cannibal]

bluesharp said:

Link doesn't work for me:(

hmmmm
Try right clicking it and saving the file to your desktop.
That might work out for you.

[Bismo]

Great stuff, Cannibal, keep harpin'! Jim, always enjoyable to read your posts, I've been playing around with harp for 20 years but never really dedicated myself to it so still plenty left to learn. I've read a lot about throat vibrato, must be time to try and actually figure it out!

[bluesharp]

Cannibal said:

hmmmm
Try right clicking it and saving the file to your desktop.
That might work out for you.

Will do,thanks Cannibal!!

[Cannibal]

Here's a new one we just finished up last night.


That's me on harp and piano. Although, I wrote the guitar part as well (It's just a simple progression/riff).

[FatJim]

Sounding very good. Your tone is great. Amazing progress!

[Cannibal]

Thanks, Jim!
I've really been concentrating on tone lately. I've been experimenting with different ways to get that Chicago blues sound that I love so much. I think I've just about got it. The last piece of the puzzle now is to get a good harp mic. From everything I've heard it seems like the Hohner Blues Blaster or the Shure Green Bullet are the way to go. It seems that most players like the Bullet a little better than the Blaster. I've heard that the cord on the Blaster tends to come loose a lot. So, I'm hoping to get my hands on the Bullet sometime very soon.
Naturally, I know I've got a long way to go before I can be considered "good." But I do recognize that I have some definite potential. Playing the harp feels very comfortable and natural to me. So, I'm certain that if I stick to it I'll continue to improve.
It's great to come here and get opinions from you guys as well. The tips and constructive criticism are really helping me along my way. And of course the encouragement keeps me motivated!

[FatJim]

Yeah you got the sound. Those are good mics you mention, but don't forget there are others. IMHO the Shure 545 that Paul Butterfield used is just as good as a bullet - especially the current retail version of the bullet (520DX), but make sure you get the high or dual impedance versions. The modern Green Bullet is OK and a decent enough starter mic, but tone-wise, the vintage version is far superior if you have the money.

[Cannibal]

I got my mic!
My parents got it for me for Christmas. I just got it today because they were hanging onto it until I got to town.
My mom got it for me off eBay. I'm still traveling on my way to my new home so it will be some time before I'm able to plug it in and try it out.
I can't wait!

Quote

This Vintage Realistic Bullet Style Dynamic Microphone arrived recently in rather poor condition with a DOA element so it has been chopped and customized specifically for Harmonica and refinished in Clear-Coated Cherry Red Metal Flake. The Chrome Grille Ring is in good condition but does show some minor blemishes and the badly damaged grille has been replaced with black wire mesh with Red Silk backing.

The original element was DOA so I have installed a Shure manufactured Dynamic Element from a Realistic microphone similar to a Unisphere B which has been matched with a Lo-Z to Hi-Z transformer to boost the impedance to 50K-Ohms.
A volume control has been added at the back of the mic which has 10 detent positions to keep the volume locked in at the desired level. A 1/4" jack has been added at the bottom of the mic for your convenience to comfortably drop the cable through your hands. This mic has a really nice Warm Tone and a good strong output with Excellent Bottom Response.

[FatJim]

Looks nice - post a soundclip when you can

[Bismo]

btw, Happy Birthday, FatJim!

[FatJim]

Hee hee thanks - many harp related goodies came my way!

[bluesharp]

Sorry to go off topic but Happy Belated Birthday Jim!!

[FatJim]

thanks!