Re: Get me going on the blues - 25yrs

["Bob Maglinte" <bbqbob917@xxxxxxxxxxx>]

- ----- Original Message ----- 
From: "Ron/datadigr" <rdg@xxxxxxxxxxxxx>
To: <harp-l@xxxxxxxxxx>
Sent: Tuesday, August 26, 2003 12:07 AM
Subject: Re: Get me going on the blues - 25yrs


>
> Hello Bob,
>
> Tuesday, August 26, 2003, 12:42:49 AM, Bob wrote:
>
> BM> One thing I've learned over the years that if the band has a strong
rhythm
> BM> section (and this is NOT based on the solos they play), it will make a
> BM> mediocre lead section sound great,and a poor rhythm section will
easily
> BM> expose a weak lead section's faults.
>
> You may already have more proof of this essential concept locked up in
> your memory banks. Check how you played--and how you felt about what
> you played--when a rhythm section you joined at a jam wasn't good, let
> alone great. Unfortunately, it also doesn't have to be that both the
> bass and drummer are bad--experience has shown me time and time again
> that if _either_ the drummer or the bass player can't cut it, then the
> rhythm section isn't going to work well, period.

How VERY true that  statement is!!!

> Did you have trouble playing your best? Did you have _time_ to state
> even simple ideas on your instrument? Were you able to feel the tempo
> as a part of your playing, or did you constantly have to adjust to
> make things work? How did simple phrases with extended notes feel? Did
> they work? Or did you have to busy up just to try to make sense of the
> thing? Maybe you weren't even aware of why your playing didn't satisfy
> you, didn't _feel_ right, but hindsight should give you clear clues.
>
> That's the importance of a groove, of solid rhythm. A poor lead player
> working with a strong rhythm section will only wreck the part they play
> and they won't throw the rhythm off...once their part is over, you'll
> notice the good lead players sliding right in with solid stuff--but a
> poor rhythm section will hurt _everyone's_ playing.
>
> Good groove, and the complaint (if there is one) might be: "the
> <whatever> player sucks (but, as Bob said, with a good groove, even a
> mediocre player will generally sound OK). Bad groove, and the complaint
> will often be: the whole band sucks. The audience won't know why,
> maybe--but they'll know someting really didn't make it...it'll just be
> a general distaste for what they heard.

Good groove allows the music to be easily danceable, regardless of genre,
and the minute it gets messed up, the dance floor empties. If you ever see a
Zydeco band, regardless of tempo, the dance floor is seldom empty, because
the groove is ALWAYS strong and happening.


> By the way--another hint (and I pass this along to the beginner
> players I teach): if you want to know who you should pay attention to
> when you're playing--and especially when you're developing solos--pay
> special attention to the bass lines; that's where the signatures are
> (or should be), that's where the groove is (or should be,) and you'll
> likely play lines that are a lot less cluttered and busy than if
> you're taking your guidance or examples from lead players--especially
> rock lead players that have little experience with blues and funk.
>
> Best regards,
>  Ron/datadigr                            mailto:rdg@xxxxxxxxxxxxx

Ron, I'd also add that I would listen to where the drummer's 2 and 4 is
along with the bass, so you can feel where their groove is and take it from
there.

Sincerely,
Barbeque Bob Maglinte
Boston, MA