Subject: Re: [Harp-L] bluegrass at SPAH

[EGS1217@xxxxxxx]

Still hoping I can get to SPAH but wanted to add my appreciation for all of 
 these BlueGrass/teaching posts of Cara's. Not only is she a friend, she's 
so  talented and just plain fun to listen in to even if one isn't 
participating in  the BlueGrass playing. 
 
One of my best SPAH memories is from Denver (2006)...Cara leading an  
impromptu Country jam downstairs with the sun streaming in the Atrium windows -  
a group of people gravitating towards the sound so it rapidly evolved from a 
 small gathering to a BIG party, people playing and singing along to 
(naturally)  John Denver songs, among others. Even those who might usually find 
John  Denver's music somewhat 'corny' joined in with gusto because of Cara's 
obvious  talent and the huge smiles on the faces of those participating.
 
That's what's particularly cool about SPAH. EVERYthing is or  becomes 
'cool'. Toss all preconceived notions about music away and just  have fun, even 
if the music is outside one's normal comfort zone.
 
Among other great memories from Denver (Bobbie G taking turns on 2 wheels  
on the way to the Blow-Off in her usual Indy Car driver style comes to  mind 
<G>), that play-along stood out as an absolutely  fabulous time. I was 
supposed to be somewhere else (as is usual at SPAH) but  couldn't tear myself 
away so settled in and simply enjoyed singing and playing  along on my 
chromatic when and where I could 'fit in'.
 
Cara's a multi-talented SPAH treasure. When not performing/playing she's  
usually then in full teaching mode - even when nearly asleep on her feet at 3 
in  the morning (this after jamming with Jason Ricci and David Naiditch)  - 
 another particularly great moment I won't soon forget from Sacramento  
(2009). Cara always seems to summon her 2nd and even 3rd 'Winds' to  keep going 
after everyone else has conked out. It's made for some  great SPAH memories.
 
Elizabeth
 
"Message: 12
Date: Wed, 20 Jul 2011 09:39:42 -0500
From: Cara Cooke  <cyberharp@xxxxxxxxx>
Subject: Re: [Harp-L] bluegrass at SPAH
To:  harp-l <Harp-L@xxxxxxxxxx>
Message-ID:

It can be difficult for mandolins and guitars to be heard in a jam,  and,
sometimes, you will run across a fiddler or banjo player who just  cannot
play out.  It isn't uncommon for instruments to not be  heard.  As harmonica
players, we are, on the average as loud as a  flatpick guitar player, and we
simply need to learn to play louder on our  breaks just like they do.  I,
personally, seldom have difficulty making  myself heard in a standard sized
jam and I don't have to overplay to do  it.  It is like they say in the war
movies, 'Remember your air  support!'.

I have to admit one thing.  Because I didn't bend notes  for a very long
time, I have been playing bluegrass in the upper two octaves  of my
harmonicas for decades (because that is where the scales I need are),  and 
it
can help you be heard.  I have low harps, too, but I don't use  them if the
volume situation isn't suited for them.  They are very nice,  though, for a
slower, sweeter tune when the volume isn't quite so high.   Both loud and
soft situations can occur in a jam.

On Wed, Jul 20, 2011  at 7:09 AM, JWilliam Thompson 
<landcommentary@xxxxxxxxx
>  wrote:

> Salt Creek is a modal tune and can ONLY be played in 2nd  position.
> Great tune -- I played it at a jam Monday  night.
>
> I keep reading that harmonica can't compete with banjos  and fiddles in
> a bluegrass setting. In my own experience, harmonica can  be played as
> loudly as fiddle or any other instrument. Definitely louder  than
> guitar. Work on breathing smoothly and strongly from your  diaphragm.
> Getting more volume takes practice but is definiteloy  doable.
>
> Another way of getting more volume is to play in the  higher register.
> The high notes definitely cut through the sound of the  banjos. For
> example, if you start Red Haired Boy on draw 4 you get lots  of sweet
> high notes up to hole 9. Sounds great! Same with Old Joe Clark  ---
> start on draw 8 and resolve on blow 6. You can play lots of  great
> triplets up there too.
>
> Higher pitched harps can  also help. I have been experimenting with a
> high G at jams. So far I  like it.
>
> See you atr SPAH.
>
>  Bill"