[Harp-L] re: playing behind the beat

[rainbowjimmy@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx]

Just about all Chicago blues is played behind the beat (most soul  
music, and most reggae too). Listen to the backbeat--the two and the  
four. The snare is just a hair late. Builds up anticipation. Adds some  
tension and paradoxically makes everything seem laid back and cool.  
Because we love that snare we give it lots of room. So the harp player  
starts the riff on the one and usually plays around the back beat--dee  
dee dee whap do do do whap. If you listen to a really good band like  
Aretha's or the Wailers, the band plays a killer riff that somehow  
fills in around the singer and the back beat without ever stepping on  
them. So by playing less notes, the groove becomes much tighter and  
things sound way cooler.

If you hear a rock band play blues and you think there's something  
missing--you're right. Rockers have a hard time with the laid back  
behind the beat groove.

Rainbow Jimmy
http://www.spaceanimals.com
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