Re: [Harp-L] re: groove

[Mojo Red <harplicks@xxxxxxxxx>]

--- Bob Maglinte <bbqbob917@xxxxxxxxxxx> wrote:
> Look at their playing habits within the confines 
> of the groove they normally play. The country 
> player is going to playing on top or slightly 
> ahead of the beat, and play "smaller" notes (or 
> actually less legato with more seperation). The
> rocker is going to play much further AHEAD of the
> beat, giving an illusion of playing really fast 
> and rushed. The traditional blues player is 
> going to play it BEHIND the beat, giving it a 
> slower, relaxed feel...

Bob points out something that really REALLY came
home to me a few months ago when I was working with
some guys on the great traditional slow blues
number, "Trouble in Mind".

I'd play the opening head and start to sing... and
the guitar player started a-strummin' though the
chords... Hmmm.. .not right. Try again... Something
just not workin' here... 

By GOD it sounded like a country tune. I stopped
him and asked what the heck chords he was
playing... G, G7, C, C7, G, E7, A7, D7, G, C, D.

Hmm... Them's the exact chords from the chart
alrighty. Let's try again... This time I was
listening with my "big ears" (thanks Bob), and
immediately realized that he was playing nuts-on
with the beat. Bingo!

Once I got him to play a bit behind the beat (it
took some work (and listening to Walter Horton's
version), but soon it sounded "right". Same
struming pattern, same chords... ~completely~
different feel.

Dad-bung-it! We found our groove!

I know Bob hits on this again and again... but the
guy knows what he's preachin'. It's subtle, but
HUGE.

Harpin' in Colorado,
--Ken M.

=====
"When you speak of Walter Horton, the first thing you think of is his tone, that big, fat tone."
---Li'l Ronnie Owens


	
		
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