RE: Country/Rock Fiddle Parts question

["Scorcher" <scorcher@xxxxxxx>]

Jp asks:
> Hi All,
> does anyone have any suggestions for
> playing fiddle parts on harp? for a diatonic, might
> certain positions be favored, for example? and of
> course, if you know this music, are there any songs
> you could give specific pointers on?

Some random thoughts on fiddle music:

Fist, get a hold of some REAL fiddle music - Celtic, bluegrass, etc. to
listen to. You can find LOTS of music online for free, you can find TAB,
midis & recorded music. Nothin' against Uncle Tupelo, mind you - but you'll
HEAR the parts better in the old music. Also, it's good to listen to the
ROOTS of a musical form to learn it. (That's what Uncle Tupelo did, right?)

The great thing about Fiddle music is that the melodies & common licks are
VERY accessible on a diatonic (you may have to "translate" them - change a
couple of notes, but they'll still be very recognizable). And those classic
fiddle licks are ALL OVER country music - guitars, banjos, even dobros all
refer to those licks for their lexicon.

Mandolin music is also a VERY good source of study - they're tuned the same
as fiddles.

You'll probably find most of this music accessible on a 'tonic, in 1st &
2nd, and you might want to try Country tuning or Paddy Richter. (Me, I just
play a plain ol' 'tonic)

You need to be ~comfortable~ playing in the upper 2 octaves of the
(diatonic) harmonica, and your harmonica should be well-adjusted for your
playing style. For instance, I tend to play kinda hard on this type of music
(harder than I play blues) because of the rapid breath changes, and the
general tempo of the music. It might be a good idea to have a set of 4 (or
so) diatonics (maybe big rivers) that are set up to play hard in the upper
octaves.

Start in a slower tempo, learn to play the runs correctly, then speed them
up & paste 'em together.

<SLIGHT DIGRESSION>
I think a solo-tuned diatonic might be preferable for SOME tunes, but you'll
be hard-pressed to find one in a key you can actually use (most of this
music is in G,D,A &F, I think), and it just doesn't ~sound right~ to play
most of it on a chrom (unless you're Brendan Powers!). I ~think~ Hohner used
to make a "School Band" or "Educator" model that was basically like a
solo-tuned 364, in other keys than C. Maybe Mike Easton would know &/or be
able to help with that.
</SLIGHT DIGRESSION>

Glenn Weiser has a nice book out on this kind of music - his approach is
unique, but useful. He uses Hohner 364s to get the notes in the upper
register of the harmonica.

Charlie McCoy'd be a good one to listen to....he plays a LOT of
Country-Tuned diatonic.

Learn some tunes like Arkansas Traveler, Wildwood Flower, Old Joe Clark,
Soldier's Joy - classic fiddle tunes - just learn the melody, then start
working in you double-time breathing. You'll be on track in no time ;-).

Current top-of-the-line purveyors of Bluegrass (& similar) music include Del
McCoury, Dr, Ralph Stanley & Union Station.

Contact me off-list for some links to old-time & bluegrass s resources.
- -Scorcher