Sounds like you are doing the same stuff I did at one time. You are on the right track. I still get frustrated. Remember to have fun with it, and don't give up.
Oh yeah - you do realize that the blow 3 and draw 2 are the same note right?? Draw 2 and blow 3 will be the root note. So if you do try little riffs with draw 4 and blow 3 it should sound fine. The blusiness will come, takes time.
Hey - You're making progress - baby steps - any time spent with the harp in your mouth is not wasted. Just try to imitate what is on the CD and fiddle around with different ideas. Funny, I darn near took up the bagpipes before I got hold of a harp. I have all the chanters and such, just don't have the bag, bladder? or reeds. Maybe someday?
Thanks for the interest. Wasn't sure if I should respond or not. But since you asked.....
I've been listening and relistening to the CD that came with the book and most of the answers are in there. It's just that there's a lot of info packed in that little first lesson.
The end result is that I've been using the draw I chord more and kind of doing some experimentation with tongueing and soft/loud/soft. It doesn't sound that bluesy to me but I'm probably my own worst critic. I was listening to the CD again on the way home tonight and I can do a lot more experimenation with the -4 +3 notes. Need to play more with using the blow notes more as stepping stone notes as the CD says. My "technique" seems unconventional but I'm also guessing that there is not a "standard" technique. If it sounds good do it!
I used to play the bagpipes so I've got the air but I'm more used to blowing, not sucking. Plus, I was frequently being told to feel the music so I need to work on that as well.
I'm thinking about the jam camp, but have got to figure out a way to convince my wife that I really really need this. Or somehow make it seem like her idea.
So let's make sure that you are playing in second position. For a C harp, the loop track needs to be in the of G - if that is all good then do what Jawbone says but add the 4 blow over the IV chord and the 4 draw over the 5 chord.
Oh, and start learning to count beats. It's hard to do and play at the same time but you will need to learn it sooner or later so you can keep track of where in the chorus you are at.
Hey zip - If I was you, I would simply try little riffs that are made up of 1, 2, 3, 4 draw with blow notes as your quick notes that get you to the next draw note. I think there are several ideas on the CD. Or just rhythms using the chords. It will seem awkward sounding at first but you will soon learn what works and what is not so good. Maybe to start just try -2 -2 2 -2 ( - means draw) then vary it with -2 -2 -3 -4 one beat per note and then when you are comfortable change up the rhythm a bit. Nobody is listening - just go for it.
By loop I mean the included background track on the CD. This is the track(s) that plays the I IV V guitar chords in the background so the student listening to the CD can practice playing the I IV V harp chords.
For instance the first I chord plays for 16 beats. I'm not sure how to make my harp sound decent or maybe bluesy is the word. I could draw the I chord for four beats so I'd be taking four draws but just holding it playing for four beats is kind of bland. Or I could tongue(like ta, ta, ta, ta) four beats for a total of 16 ta's. That seems kind of benign as well.
So I'm using the Rock n' Blues Harmonica book and CD. I really like it. I can play single notes OK and a few tunes I found on the internet. The I IV V chord progression makes sense and I can play those alright. It all sounds great on the CD... but when I play it with the loop track, it's horrible. I guess I'm not sure how long to hold each chord or make it sound good. Do I hold each chord for four beats or tongue four times per bar or try to get that stomach vibrato thing going? Plus it seems like the CD has a little extra something added. It's sounds like Jon goes down to 1 or 2 draw at the end of the I chord for example.
I'll say this before anyone else does. I know I can't sound like someone that's been playing for 25?+ years... but it seems like I should be doing something different and should be getting something that sounds decent or something besides a straight chord.
I have a Hohner Marine Band in C.
Any thoughts?
Thanks, Zippy.
-- Edited by zippitydodah on Wednesday 3rd of November 2010 01:02:30 AM
