RE: [Harp-L] Harmonica Challenge /

["Chris Michalek" <Chris@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx>]

The aebersold version is fine.  This challege is a measure of
musicianship and skill.  IF you can play the head then you should
have no problems over the solo sections.  So what if the break is two
or four measures.  If you can do two you can do four or eight or
whatever.  Playing over the break shouldn't be an issue.  If it is
then you've got no business submitting anything.  After all what are
you going to do if you go to a jam and the band give your two or four
bars for the break.  You should be able to do it eitherway without
hesitation. As for the break in the aebersold version, I don't know
and I don't care.  It doesn't matter to me nor should it with any
other capable musician.

The same goes for slowing it down.  Are you a musician or a harmonica
player?  If you need to slow it down then stick to something other
than jazz and call your self a harmonica player. Tunisia is not that
hard to play as far as music goes. Don't allow yourself to be limited
by your fear or your instrument.

I'll post the tunes later.


>
>
>
>---- Original Message ----
>From: dmf273@xxxxxxxxx
>To: harp-l@xxxxxxxxxx
>Subject: RE: [Harp-L] Harmonica Challenge / "Interlude"
>Date: Fri, 19 Nov 2004 13:59:58 -0800 (PST)
>
>>Some thoughts about the challenge:
>>
>> I haven't heard the Aebersold version, but its been my experience
>that Aebersold tracks are often
>>taken at mercilessly fast tempos.   If the Aebersold track is in MP3
>format, it will be pretty
>>difficult to slow it down to an easier pace.
>>
>> While most versions of Tunisia start out Latin and then swing the
>bridge, some versions swing all
>>the way through, or at least swing through the solos.  I prefer a
>nice easy swing myself.
>>
>> Regarding the "Famous Alto Break" -  Dizzy's original recordings
>used only 2 bars for the break. 
>>Later versions with Bird expanded that to 4 bars.  But I find the
>two bar break much easier to
>>navigate.
>>
>> For these reasons I still think it would be better to let people
>choose whatever backing tracks
>>they prefer - or even no backing at all.  The melody is hard enough
>on harp, so any way to make
>>the challenge a little easier would be fine by me!
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Chris Michalek